The Negev Desert:The Ramon Crater

Two months ago, on Sunday, April 27th, I drove north from Eilat to Jerusalem thru the Negev Desert. This was the day after going to Petra in Jordan. The Negev Desert is loaded with beautiful scenery. One of the more unique locations is called the Ramon Crater. It is known as the largest crater in the world. As you drive south thru the small town of Mitzpe Ramon, once you turn the corner leaving the city, you enter the crater. It would be similar to driving into the Grand Canyon. Below is the overlook just outside Mitzpe Ramon.

Two days earlier when Stefan, Marcus, and I were headed to Eilat, Israelis were repelling down this cliff. It was a little hazy on Friday, April 25th, but today was very clear and extremely windy. The wind was probably the reason for no repelling on this day.

This is the eastern border region of the Negev. The majority of the Negev desert was given back to Egypt in the 1978 Peace Treaty. The traditional Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the Torah including the Ten Commandments, is currently located in Eqypt. Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Exodus 19:20.

However, even the western portion of the Negev is divinely appointed to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates... Genesis 15:18.

Later, Almighty God makes it clear that His covenant will be through Isaac. Then God said: "No, Sarah your shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his wife descendants after him. Genesis 17:19.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all spent much of their lives in the desert a little north of here in Beersheva. "Sheva" is Hebrew for seven. Then Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?" And he said, "You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well." Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there. Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. Genesis 21:29-32.

In the middle of the crater is a road for 4-wheel drive vehicles only. There are moonlight desert tours which I would like to do sometime.

For the LORD’S portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. "He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. Deuteronomy 32:9-10.

From the middle of the crater, the city of Mitzpe Ramon is at the top of the mountain where the slope begins. Several twists and turns, but it was a good highway.

In the center of the crater, I pulled off the road for a few photos.

These rocks show the color of the desert. They were formed like a "fence" to make a parking lot big enough for a few buses. On this day, nobody was there but me.

Hosea 2:9 refers to God, in the latter days, bringing Israel to the desert or wilderness. There is plenty of room. "Therefore, behold, I will allure her (Israel), Will bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfort to her. Hosea 2:9.
Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19.

In the middle of the crater.

Mitzpe Ramon is an attractive little city in the middle of the desert. Perhaps this is what King Solomon was thinking about when he wrote one of the Proverbs. Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. Proverbs 21:19.

Flags in Mitzpe Ramon show how windy it was that day. Jeremiah referred to the wind in the wilderness when describing how God was going to scatter His people. "Therefore I will scatter them like stubble That passes away by the wind of the wilderness. Jeremiah 13:24.

The road down into the Ramon Crater from Mitzpe Ramon.

Road sign in Beersheva providing directions.

Driving through the Negev you frequently pass signs like these. The Israeli Air Force uses the Negev for target practice. It is pretty isolated and a good choice for the IAF.

This photo contrasts historical and current Israel. In the foreground is a very large Bedouin village living in the desert. In the background, modern day Beersheva. For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3

At an intersection in Beersheva, the 60th Anniversary Flags of Israel line the streets.

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; Isaiah 35:1.

Holocaust Rememberance Day; Other Photos

Thursday, May 1st, was Yom HaShoah (Day of the Holocaust) in Israel. In English, we would say Holocaust Rememberance Day. Since Israel became a modern day nation again in 1948, they have officially observed a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed during the Holocaust. When the sirens sound you stop whereever you are and stand still for 2 minutes. If you are in a car, then you stop and stand outside. Several of us from CFI went down to Zion Square because we knew the sirens were going to sound at 10:00am. From the photo below, the taxi driver standing at attention sure looks like someone who has served in the IDF and fought for his country.

Pedestrians, including a "modern day prophet with Jerusalem syndrome" standing still on the sidewalk of Jaffa Street. Moses, in his last word to the Israelites before they came into the Promised Land had some very harsh warnings for the Jews in the "last days". For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands." Deuteronomy 31:29.

After two minutes, traffic resumed as normal. In May, I saw that China followed this practice of "standing still" during their horrific earthquakes and floods. Israel has been doing it for decades. Moses warning of disobedience to the Lord sometimes points to terrible times like the Holocaust. "Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples ... Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see. Deuteronomy 28:64-67.

These beautiful orange roses are at CFI just after we returned. Behind the roses, the Israeli flag is at half staff. There was no wind that day.

In the photo below, the balcony with the geraniums is mine. That is my 60th Anniversay Flag hanging down. My living room window is just to the right. One week after Holocaust Rememberance Day is Israel's Independence Day according to the Hebrew calendar. The day before Independence Day is Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers. The identical two minutes of silence are observed. On this Memorial Day, I had a rental car to pick up my friends Merlin and Margaret at the airport. When the siren sounded, I was driving near the Russian Compound. So I stopped the car and stood outside of it. Too bad I did not have my camera. Observing Memorial Day on July 3rd in the US would be the same scenario as it is in Israel. One day of sorrow and rememberance followed the next day by joyous celebrations and fireworks.

On Mount Scopus in Jerusalem is a very well kept British cemetery from World War I. It was the British and the ANZACS (Australia - New Zealand Army Corps) that defeated the Ottoman Turks in WWI, liberated Jerusalem and the land called Palestine. That began the British mandate of Palestine which lasted until May, 1948 when Israel became a nation (again).
Entrance to the cemetery. Kay and I lived on Mount Scopus in 1998 and we used to take Shabbat walks through here. Today it was closed.

The markers reflect all the special units that served, ie "Camel Corps"; "Australian Light Horse", etc. The "charge" of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba changed the outcome of the battle. After taking Beersheba, then the British were able to take Gaza. The Ottoman Turks then retreated from Jerusalem which allowed General Allenby and the British to "walk in". I have always liked how the Lord used the bravery of the horse to liberate Jerusalem. It was one of the last calvary charges against cannon and machine guns. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. Proverbs 21:31.

Australia's monument.

The Mount of Olives as seen from Mount Scopus. The Lord Jesus will return there. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. Zechariah 14:4.

The photo below is taken from Mt. Scopus looking south towards the Old City of Jerusalem. Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ II Chronicles 6:6.

An Arab shepherd and his sheep on the eastern slope of The Mount of Olives. The Lord Jesus is our Shepherd who laid down His life for us. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11.

The photo below is from the north side of the Mount of Olives looking due east. If you zoom in, in the middle you can see the Dead Sea approximately 12 miles away. Jerusalem is in the mountains and the Dead Sea is the lowest elevation on earth, 1300 feet below sea level. When the Lord Jesus reigns in His Temple, the Living Water will flow to the Dead Sea making it totally fresh water. There are no fish now in The Dead Sea but just wait until He reigns. Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. Ezekiel 47:8-9.

These flowers on a side street in The German Colony where I live. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. Song of Songs 2:12.

Along the same street.

Just a close of the light blue flowers.

I may have posted the statue below before but this was a good photo. The statue is at Yad HaShomah as you leave the Judean Hills west of Jerusalem. The verse that inspired the statue is Joel 2:12-13. "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Joel 2:12.

Hebron

On Sunday, June 15th, several of us (CFI volunteers) went to Hebron to see the Tomb of the Patriarchs, burial place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the Book of Genesis, this location is know as the Cave of Machpelah which Abraham purchased so he could bury his wife Sarah; And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place. Genesis 23:19-20. Below we are approaching the structure that is built over the actual burial caves.

Below is where our tour started in Hebron at the Bet Hadassah (House of Esther) neighborhood. The basement of this building is a small museum that showcases the Jewish heritage of Hebron. There is an emphasis on the massacre of 1929 when the Arabs rioted and killed 67 Jews in Hebron including the Chief Rabbi. Of course that is before World War II, the Holocaust, or even the modern nation of Israel that was mandated by the League of Nations in 1948. The Six Day War in 1967 re-established the Jewish presence in Hebron.

Inside the museum.

Each of the rooms were beautifully hand-painted by an artist that lives in Hebron.

Outside these young boys were playing a game unkown to me.

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has a presence at all times in Hebron. Currently there are approximately 800 Jews living in Hebron surrounded by approximately 120,000 or more Arabs. When the Israelites came into the land around 3400 years ago, it was Caleb who conqueored this mountain in Canaan and received Hebron as a reward. And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. Joshua 14:13-14. Below is an IDF outpost looking out over the Jewish neighborhoods.

We were on a short walking tour. In the photo below you see 1) Magen David Adom ambulance. If you zoom in this particular ambulance was dedicated by American Red Magen David for Israel. Magen David is the name of the "Israeli star" 2) Huge blocks of cement that can be used to block the street quickly in times of trouble and 3) White buildings of Hebron Arabs that live adjacent to the Jewish neighborhoods.

Below we are walking from Bet Hadassah neighborhood to Avraham Aveinu (Abraham our Farther) neighborhood. Young IDF soldier on the left probably wondering what all these Gentiles are doing here. In the Torah, seven cities are designated as a City of Refuge where a person could flee in case of an accidental killing of another ("manslaughter"). Hebron was one of those seven cities. Thus to the children of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron with its common-land (a city of refuge for the slayer) ... Joshua 21:13.

Inside the Avraham Avienu synagogue.

Below young mothers and children enjoying a small park at the Avraham Avienu neighborhood. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:4-7.

The little children were laughing and embarassed for me to take their photo. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11.

This little man under the slide appeared to have plenty of "roads" for his trucks. This little enclave in the neighborhood is currently protected from sniper fire.

However, just 20 yards away is a memorial for Shalhevet Pass, a 10-month old girl who was shot and killed while sitting in her stroller in April, 2001.

A photo of the mothers and children from Shalhevet's Memorial shows you how close they are.

A nearby location where the young Jewish families of Hebron have tried to expand their living accomadations named after Shalhevet.

Even in desolation and destruction, the Lord can grow beauty.

This poster gives a brief history of modern day Hebron. Because of these six apartments, the Arabs cried "expansion in the settlements." Same thing that Secretary of State Rice is doing this week in Jerusalem. The last time the Jews were forced out of these apartments, they just left the destruction for everyone to see.

Doors battered in, sledge hammers used to knock down walls, etc. Very similar to when the Jews were forced out of Gaza by their own government under Ariel Sharon just a few years ago. Today Gaza is totally controlled by Hamas. No wonder Sharon is in a coma.

I can't read the writing on the trailer but I recognize the picture of Jonathan Pollard. Jonathan Pollard was a young American in the Navy in early 80's convicted of spying for Israel. He has been in military prison ever since. Can you spy on your allies? As President Bush approaches his last few days in office in six months, there could be a "push" for him to pardon Pollard. The last few Presidents have "pardoned" many in their last days.

IDF guard as we walk to the Tomb of the Patriarchs. In addition to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Cave of Machpelah is the final resting place for Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah respectively. Jacob's final request to his sons were to bury him with "his fathers". Then he charged them and said to them: "I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth." And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. Genesis 49:29-33.

Photos like the one below don't make the news. IDF soldiers and young Arab men were laughing and talking with a barrier wall between them. If you zoom in, the young Arabs are all smiling. The young IDF soldier is either trying to use a cell phone or play a hand-held video game. Later we saw a little Arab boy who had hurt his leg. The IDF were attending to him and calling in the emergency vehicles. The boy's father was standing with them. It did not seem appropriate to take a photo but it would have showed the Jewish humanitarian efforts despite all that has happened here in Hebron.

An IDF unit getting ready to enter the Tomb of the Patriarchs just before we did.

In addition to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, King David established his throne in Hebron at God's direction. It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." David said, "Where shall I go up?" And He said, "To Hebron." II Samuel 2:1.

King David reigned seven and one half years in Hebron before going to the City of David right next to Jerusalem. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. II Samuel 2:11. Below is the view of Hebron just before you walk into the Jewish side of the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

Just after the security scanners is this framed painting over the entrance way.

A modern day "ark" where the Torah is kept.

Looks like a Japanese tour group up close and the IDF soldiers in the distance in the main hall.

After eating a quick slice of pizza, we found the designated bus stop. This is the view from the bus stop with complete with IDF guards, cement barriers, and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the background. If the 800 Jews did not live in the city of Hebron, neither Jews nor Christian would be allowed to visit inside. That was the circumstances between 1948 and 1967.

Christian Friends of Israel waiting on the bus to Jerusalem behind cement barriers. It was a fun outing and we blessed the Jews in Hebron just by coming. The land does belong to the Jews. The Word of God has not changed. He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant, Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance," ... Psalm 105:7-11