Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 5 - The Dead Sea

As part of the Holy Land pilgrimage we also had the chance to spend a night at a hotel by the Dead Sea.  This mystical lake is beautiful.  The lake is located at the lowest land point on earth, about 1338 ft below sea level.  We could see that the bus had to drive lower and lower near to the lake towards the hotel we were staying.  The Dead Sea is 34 miles long and 11 miles wide, so it is very large.

In terms of the Bible there were few references to the Dead Sea.  In the Bible this sea was called,  "Sea of Arabah", and "Salt Sea".  Pre-Biblical times, it was also called "Sea of Sodom" or "Sea of Lot".  The Ammonites and Moabites when advancing to attack King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicle 20 ) of Judah had to cross over from a shallow section of the Dead Sea.  King David was known to have hidden in the caves at Ein Gedi near the Dead Sea.  Ezekiel prophesied that the sea will become fresh Ezekiel 47:8-9.  Zechariah had a similar prophesy Zechariah 14:8.

The now famous Dead Sea scrolls were discovered at Qumran near to the Dead Sea.  We had the chance to visit Qumran.

To the modern visitors to the Dead Sea one of the most sort after experience was floating on the Dead Sea.  Personally, I felt that if I did not try this out, I cannot say I have been to the Dead Sea.  We were staying overnight at a hotel next to the Dead Sea, so we tried swimming in the Dead Sea.  In fact one need not swim, one can float in it!  It was an amazing experience. Thank God for this experience.

Dead Sea - slideshows

Why Should Christians Care about Israel

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/39018-why-should-christians-care-about-israel
As a group of about 32 of us are preparing to make our pilgrimage to Israel, I came across an article explaining why Christians should care about Israel.  It is a given that Israel is the chosen land of God, and the Israelite are the chosen people of God.  There is no two ways about this.  As Christians we are children of God and He is the same God who chose Israel as His "home".  Against all odds, as it was prophesied in the Bible the nation of Israel will stand, thus in 1948 the modern state of Israel was created by more 660,000 returning Jews.

We Christians are forever connected to Israel, even if you do not like what ever is happening politically in Israel today.  We are also connected to Israel spiritually.  The historical connection is important because biblical times were recorded in history, and when we want to learn about God we have to study the historical facts.  You cannot understand Jesus fully if you do not know the places He has been, preach, teach and communicated with His disciples and the Jews.

Overall most of the media gives negative views of Israel and its policies.  But the realities in Israel and its surrounding are different.  People of different races and religions live together and help each others.  Like in the hospital you have Jewish doctors working side by side Arab doctors.  Similar patients from each race treated each other without any issue.

There is a good article on this subject, the author wrote very well please read it at the link above.