Middle East Travel Seminar: Scrolls, mud, salt and temptation

BY GEORGE WILLIAMS

We began our morning in Jericho, a modern-sized Palestinian city in the West Bank, with a short bus trip to Qumran. Here, the first Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. Union student Linda Kurtz gave a wonderful presentation of the history of this very important community (top photo). We had a stunning view of cave #4 in which a Bedouin shepherd found the first of several hundred scrolls. Dr. Sam Adams gave us an overview of the three types of documents that were found and summarized the ideologies of the sects that most likely inhabited Qumran.

After touring the site with our very gifted guide Bedar, we loaded the bus for our trip to the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea, which borders Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan, is a salt lake whose banks are over 1,300 feet below sea level. To our group, it was a place to have a blast by floating in the saltiest water there is and by rubbing therapeutic black mud on each other. The mineral-rich black mud is said to be great for the skin. Most of us bought samples in the gift shop so be sure to check out our wonderful complexions when we return. There is no way to swim in the Dead Sea as the salinity will only allow one to float. It is an incredible feeling to experience weightlessness in the water.

After a wonderful family style lunch in Jericho, we hiked a short distance to Tell es-Sultan which houses the stratified remains of Ancient Jericho, the oldest urban settlement known to humankind. From this site, we had a crystal clear view of the Mt. of Temptation. This mountaintop in the Judean Desert is said to be where the devil tried to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:8).

Before heading back to our Oasis Hotel for the evening, we drove by an enormous sycamore tree in the center of downtown. Could this have been the one that Zacchaeus used to get a “better look” (Luke 19:1-10)?

We made a brief stop at a glass factory to purchase some fine craft and the best dates on the planet, then went back to the hotel for the night.

After dinner, our sweet Becky Jones offered a beautiful send off to Carson Brisson and four of our pilgrims who must abbreviate their trip due to churchly duties back in the states.

Union student Kelley Connelly led us in a lovely song to help them in their travels.

We will miss you Anna, Claire, Blake, Matt, and Carson. Godspeed and traveling mercies to you all.

George Williams is a Master of Divinity student at Union.