Wilderness of Zin;Big & Little Craters

During Passover weekend in April, a few of us took a quick day trip from Jerusalem to the Negev to see the Big Crater and the Little Craters. Both the Big and Little Craters are Israeli National Parks specializing in jeep tours and hiking. We would just be driving today. When you see a road sign like this, you know you are in the desert.

Obvious reason for the sign. Notice that some of the camels are hobbled apparently to keep them from running?

They did not let us get too close. The closer we came to them the more they moved. It was a camel trick to lure us into the desert. Zoom in and you will see sheep beyond the camels. There was not a lot to eat for either one of them. During Moses 40 years of preparation before leading the Israelites out of Egypt, he was shepherd in the deseert. Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. Exodus 3:1.

These two young Beduin shepherds rode up to us on their donkeys. None of us spoke a common language but they did motion to see if we had a cigarette. We didn't. If I had one, it would be ok. There's no chance of forest fires out here.

Road sign to Be'er Sheva, home for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at different periods of their lives. Before going to Eqypt, Jacob and all descendants left from Be'er Sheva (Beersheba). Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. His sons and his sons’ sons, his daughters and his sons’ daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt. Genesis 46:5-7.

Modern Be'er Sheva on the north side of town.

Not a lot of traffic on a holiday weekend, so I stopped the car and took this photo.

Outside of Be'er Sheva, we drove southeast for awhile into the Biblical Wilderness of Zin. Before the Israelites came into the land of Canaan, God Almighty told Moses that the southern border would be somewhere around here. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Command the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance—the land of Canaan to its boundaries. Your southern border shall be from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom; then your southern border shall extend eastward to the end of the Salt Sea; Numbers 34:1-3. Our drive today is going to take us east to Dead Sea (Salt Sea) and then we will head north to Jericho and then back west to Jerusalem.

The Big Crater received it's name because it was larger than a second nearby crater known as the Little Crater. Simple enough. Both were named before the Ramon Crater was discovered. The Ramon Crater, further south of here, is the largest crater in the world (see previous posting). Apparently they did not want to change the name.

Jeep tour with 4 x 4 vehicles just ahead of us.

In the distance, we could see the terrain changing.

The Big Crater is a beautiful contrast to all the sand in the desert.

Many roads were designed strictly for 4 x 4's. To use the word "ascent" in the description is Biblical. ... your border shall turn from the southern side of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and be on the south of Kadesh Barnea; Numbers 34:4.

We hiked down the trail to see the "Petrified Trees", which I would call rocks.

Layers of colors in the sandstone rocks.

A desert rock like this one could be similar to one that Moses was instructed to strike by the Lord in order to bring forth water. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." Exodus 17:6.

Our "ascent" back to the car.

Driving out of the Big Crater. Moses sister, Miriam, may be buried around here somewhere. Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there. Numbers 20:1.

The desert is a good place for the Israeli Defense Force to practice.

Our turnoff for the Small Crater must have been close to the southern border of the Tribe of Judah. So this was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families: The border of Edom at the Wilderness of Zin southward was the extreme southern boundary. And their southern border began at the shore of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces southward. Then it went out to the southern side of the Ascent of Akrabbim, passed along to Zin, ... Joshua 15:1-3.

Our drive into the Little Crater.

Descent into the Little Crater.

The Little Crater is smaller than the Big Crater which is not as large as the Ramon Crater.

As we turned north to the Dead Sea, you can see the white "salt" in the landscape. No wonder it is also known as the Salt Sea. Sodom and Gomorrah are in the proximity. There was a turnoff on the highway to see a large pillar of salt known as Lot's Wife. However, today, I drove past it and will include it on another future trip. Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:24-26.

Someday I also have to drive down this road just to see if there is another sign pointing back to the way you just drove? Or perhaps there is something there that does not have a name?

We stopped for late, late lunch (almost dinner) at Ein Bokek on the Dead Sea.

There were a lot of Israelis enjoying the Passover Holiday at the Dead Sea. In one day's drive from Jerusalem, we passed through where David slew Goliath; where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob spent much of their lives; drove through the southern border of Judah; Sodom and Gomorrah; the Dead Sea; turned at Jericho where the Israelites first came into the land; and still made it back to Jerusalem by the early evening. Only in Israel. The land of the Bible.

Neot Kedumim

On Sunday, July 13th, a few of us went to Neot Kedumim near Modi'in between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Neot Kedumim is 640 acres commonly known as the Biblical Gardens. Neot is Hebrew for "pastures" or "places of beauty". Kedumim is "ancient". One of the major themes of Neot Kedumim is the seven species Moses describes just before the Israelites leave the desert for the land of Canaan. "Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat (1) and barley (2), of vines (3) and fig trees (4) and pomegranates (5), a land of olive oil (6) and honey (7); a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. Deuteronomy 8:6-10. Below is a grapevine.

None of us had ever been there before and were not sure what to expect. Below is an olive tree.

No need for me to write a scripture, I took the photo of Job 14:7-9.

We had a guide at Neot Kedumim who explained the background of the Biblical Gardens in addition to informing us of all we were seeing. In the photo below, the figs that are dark were ripe. Our guide encouraged us to pick one and eat it. We did. It was very good. Neot Kedumim is a "hands-on" environment that encourages you to taste the fruit, draw water, thresh wheat, etc.

Below is a fig tree that refused to be "king of the trees" according to Gideon's youngest son. "Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us!’ But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit, And go to sway over trees?’ Judges 9:10-11.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve chose leaves from a fig tree to cover themselves and their sin (scripture below). However, we cannot cover our own sins. Only God can cover our sins with the blood of the Lord Jesus. Just as blood was shed by slaying an animal in the Garden of Eden to cover Adam and Eve. The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. Genesis 3:.21.

As we were walking several pigeons flew into this cistern where is was cool. This one must have been on guard to see if there was going to be further danger. I wanted to look closer but did not.

Young pomegranates not ripe enough for eating. When Moses sent the twelve spies into the land, pomegranates and figs were also brought out besides a big cluster of grapes. Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. Numbers 13:23.

Below are dates up high in a palm tree. Dates are very prevalent in Israel and are considered a fruit of the land. And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you. Deuteronomy 7:13.

Olive trees near the threshing floor.

A Byzantine church used to be here. Below is the mosaic floor complete with a cross.

Below is a young cedar of Lebanon. The trees of the LORD are full of sap, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted ... Psalm 104.16.

Neot Kedumim also hosts outdoor weddings. Below is a Chupah (hoopah) for the wedding couple to be used later that evening. ... And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62.5

Neot Kedumim followed the scripture below from Ecclesiates to make pools of water. In Texas, we would refer to it as "digging a stock tank".

This prototype water wheel uses pottery jugs to retrieve the water.

Jacki, from New Zealand, "volunteered" to demonstrate how it works. As she walked in the bigger wheel, the water from the jugs emptied into a trough.

A type of ancient water well below.

From the scripture below, Jacob may have removed the stone to well very similar to this when he met Rachel.

Kim, from Alabama, my cohort in accounting, draws water from one of the wells. The bucket was full and heavy.

Below is a small threshing floor. King David purchased a much larger one where his son Solomon built the First Temple. Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. II Chronicles 3:1.

With 640 acres to see, it helped to drive. You still cannot cover it all in one day. Neot Kedumim hosts many large groups and also does some fun "team building" exercises. In the fall, we may return to herd some sheep.

It was a hot, summer day in July, but is always a privilege to see something new in God's Land. The Land does belong to Him. ‘The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me. Leviticus 25:23.

Capernaum

Even though Saturday, July 12th, was extremely hot in Israel, it was a good day for a quick trip to the Galillee and back to Jerusalem in the same day. One of the stops was at Capernaum, which was a very central point in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. Below are the ruins of the synagogue. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." Matthew 4:13-16.

Driving entrance to Capernaum just outside the parking lot.

Capernaum is not an Israeli National Park but run by either the Catholic or Orthodox Church. Below is the sign by the entrance gate. Capernaum is possibly the "greek" translation of Kfar Nahum. Kfar is Hebrew for village. Nahum was a minor prophet. Village of Nahum.

Statue praising the Lord in the garden by the gate.

Below is a statue of Peter, the big, strong fisherman. Peter and Andrew were actually born in Bet Saida, which is just a mile or two east of here. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. John 1:44. At some point in time, Peter had to move to Capernaum and was also married. Then He (the Lord Jesus) went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority...Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. Luke 4:31-39.

Below many of the stones have intricate detail like a cluster of grapes and pomegranites.

Here are two with the Star of David.

This one shows the Temple on wheels?

The ruins of Capernaum are well kept. Capernaum was one the three cities that the Lord Jesus cursed. Bet Saida and Chorazin are the other two. Capernaum gets cursed worse than Sodom. That is really quite amazing. And you, Capernaum, who£ are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you." Matthew 11:23-24.

A red "mimosa" tree down by the water. That is probably not what they are called in Israel.

Capernaum sits right by the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. John 6:16-17.

Looking southwest from Capernaum with the Golan Heights in the background.

Park-like setting by the water, which is also known as the Sea of Tiberias. After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. John 6:1.

Ruins of Capernaum with the synagogue in the background.

Ruins of Capernaum with the Sea of Galilee in the background. The red-domed church, I believe is a Greek Orthodox Church close by. It's not associated with Capernaum.

Walking to the synagogue.

A shaded flower in full bloom.

Mosiac floor.

The front of the synagogue ruins. These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. John 6:59.

Outer court of the synagogue.

Sturdy, tall columns give you an idea of the height of the synagogue.

Olive press outside the synagogue in Capernaum.

It's like chunks of stone and columns can be found anytime if you have permission to dig.

On the way out.

We also stopped at Tiberias for a little while. This monument/sculpture gives you a picture of the shape of the Sea of Galille. Where the sculpture is cut at the top is where the Jordan River flows into the Galilee. Then the Jordan also flows out at the bottom all the way to the Dead Sea. Currently the Sea of Galilee, Israel's main water supply, is just a few centimeters aways from the black line danger zone. Israel is desparate for rain. For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands." Haggai 1:11.

The Lord Jesus graciously provided a rainbow on the Sea of Galilee for the blog.

Looking south down the shore at Tiberias. Israelis were enjoying the water and trying to cool off. You can see how low the water line is. Praying for rain for Israel is certainly a task for intecessors. Moses warned the Israelites before they came into the land what can happen if your do not love the Lord God and follow His commandments. ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain,... Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, lest the LORD’S anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you. Deuteronomy 11:13-17