We learned some things about the ministry. We knew they would always ask people if they wanted the Jewish or Christian explanation of the Tabernacle. The Timna Park officials will ask them from time to time. In a way this is part of their permission to be in the park and in Israel. So the previous day she told us she had 2 Jewish families that came in. One wanted the Christian, the other the Jewish explanation so she gave the Jewish explanation. But then, at the end, one of the children asked what was the difference between the two and she still had the opportunity to explain how Jesus fits the powerful pictures involved in every facet of the Tabernacle. This is a good ministry, worthy of prayer and support.
While at Masada yesterday we had a good opportunity to speak with a man from Boston (Bahston) who has lived in Israel for 50+ years and is a guide. He was taking Israeli’s around, a few younger ones who were in training to be guides, and a larger group of senior citizen types who were part of a 3-year course on Jewish history. Very interesting conversation. An opportunity to get some insight on how Jews see some things in Scripture.
The one thing I will mention from the conversation actually comes from a statement from LeAnne at the Tabernacle, when she said that Jews study the Bible as history. In other words, they take it as fact. The guide, Ari, bore that out, generally. Although one of his observations led me to understand that Jews don’t necessarily accept all the miraculous or supernatural things as literal. Thus he was expressing a view that is typical of many in the Christian world these days who want to take any of those “supernatural” events as mythical, meaning they didn’t happen but are written that way to make a point of some sort.
The Joshua 5 reading is in anticipation today of being at the baptism site on the Jordan, east of Jericho. Besides being very near where Jesus was baptized it also is a spot where we are able to talk about the crossing of the Jordan which happened in that area. And, of course, the ministries of John the Baptist and Elijah touch here.
One last item about our travels yesterday. We are with two couples from Montana, pastors and wives. We had a lot of conversation about the wilderness wanderings of Israel and the nations to the east (Edom, Moab). The route is uncertain, but the fact that they headed north from Eilat to a spot south of the Dead Sea where they turned east is certain. So Rte. 90, which we were on, was their route for a period of time. Then they turned east and were wanted to cut through Edom, taking the Kings Highway (the 2 couples had been on the Kings Highway the day before in their travels to Petra). We passed through Yotvata (Dt. 10:7). Then at Ein Yahav (McDonalds stop; bathrooms, ice cream cones!). Then as we came to the south end of the Dead Sea we were able to see across towards Jordan and find the “crack” in the mountains that was the river that was the border of Edom and Moab. We are just saying that we are able to confirm the Bible’s record of the movements of the people as they were headed for the plains of Moab where they would cross the Jordan into Canaan.
The record comes alive as you see it, even in the Negev and Arava sections. The Negev is “the South” of course. But the strip of land that has the massive mountains of Edom and Moab on the East and the mountains in Israel on the west is the Arava/Arabah. The terrain is different. What is true of both areas is that they are characterized by certain river systems. So on Monday travelling south in the Negev and yesterday travelling north in the Arava, we crossed Wadi Paran and Wadi Zin. These are wilderness areas mentioned in Scripture. Look it up yourself. 😊 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words. Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar (Prov. 30:5-6).
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