Late afternoon on Christmas, I saw a Bedouin family shepherding their goats. There are many Biblical verses about sheep and goats. One powerful passage is when the Lord Jesus describes His second coming and establishing His throne. At that time, He will separate the nations of the world like sheep and goats according to their righteousness. "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:31-33.
A Bedouin shepherdess with her flock of goats following her. This is a simple picture that the Lord Jesus described when He stated "I am the Good Shepherd". I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. John 10:14.
The Bedouin Village was actually on the other side of the desert highway. You can see a speed limit road sign of 90 kilometers per hour (about 56 mph). This shepherding family was waiting for the precise moment when to call their sheep "to the other side". Again, very similar to the when the Lord Jesus will call us to the other side at just the precise moment. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18.
Waiting to hear the voice of their shepherd. Just as we are waiting to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27.
This shepherd was keeping his donkey from going up the gravel road instead of crossing the busy highway. Sometimes the donkey knows best. Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. Numbers 22:23.
In the Negev, just east of Sde Boker, is a canyon called Ein Avdat. This is the road that leads down to Ein Avdat. It is a beautiful setting for a short hike.
The blue sky began to show through the clouds. This was Christmas afternoon.
These are pistachio trees which are rare in this type of climate the book said.
The canyon narrows as you go but it was an easy walk for an old man.
There are streams throughout the canyon. With the severe lack of rain in Israel, I imagine the water level was probably much lower than usual. However, it was my first time to be here so I could not really make a comparision.
My shoes are getting wet with this photo, but not my ankles.
In the center of this photo, you can see a family of Ibyx walking on the other side of the canyon.
Zooming in on the Ibyx with the camera.
Isolating one of the little guys. It's amazing how they walk on the rocks.
You can see how the canyon narrows the further you go.
I did see a couple of eagles soaring over the canyon when my camera was in my pocket. By the time I was ready for a photo, they landed at their nest. Maybe next time.
The Ibyx family was headed to some green shrubs in the middle of the canyon. Plus water.
The sun was just right to catch the mountain's reflection in the water.
Reflections.
This is the waterfall at the end of the canyon. Lack of rain again apparent to me.
Not a tremendous amount of water flowing but a very quiet spot nevertheless.
There is a lower and an upper path to hike in Ein Avdat.
Here you can see other hikers on both the upper and lower paths.
A good view of the canyon from over the waterfall.
Walking back to the car.
You can drive to the top where the upper hike ends. This is looking back at Ein Avdat.
On Thursday, January 22nd, I returned to Sderot to visit families that have been affected by the Gaza Conflict (War?). This sign says "The people have one heart!"
While visiting one family, Israel's Channel One was also there interviewing them. Then they interviewed us, the "Christians from Jerusalem". I thought it would make an interesting photo.
As we headed back to Jerusalem, there was real evidence that Israel has pulled out of Gaza. If Israel had 150 tanks in Gaza, there must be 149 more to move.
148 left to move.
147 left. The tanks even have to stop for red lights.
On Highway 1 between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is this 60th Anniversary sign of the Nation of Israel. On Sunday afternoon, January 18th, Highway 1 was closed for security reasons. There were 5 European Prime Ministers in Israel at the same time. England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. If 5 more Prime Ministers had come, Jerusalem could have had a "revived Roman Empire" meeting. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:12-14.
Geraniums outside my front window looking good in the middle of winter.
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