A Biblical Journey Through the Bible Lands: Israel (Part 1 of 10)

 

The Red Sea 

The Red Sea lies between the continents of Africa and Asia and is bordered by six countries, its northern tip touching Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The origin of its name is uncertain but may be based on a directional color system, with black signifying north (thus the Black Sea) and red signifying south. A more popular theory is derived from the seasonal blooms of red-colored algae that turn its waters a reddish-brown color. 

At the end of the eighth plague in Egypt, a mighty wind drove the swarm of locusts into the Red Sea (Ex. 10:19). From Egypt God through Moses led the Israelites to the Red Sea and then across it on dry ground, destroying the Egyptian pursuers in its waters (Ex. 13:18–15:5): a defining moment in Israel’s history.¹ The Red Sea provided the southeastern boundary of Israel’s land inheritance (Ex. 23:31; 1 Kings 9:26).

Ein Gedi 

Ibex

West of the Dead Sea near Qumran, Ein Gedi is an oasis of fresh-water springs, wildlife, and vegetation. Once called “Hazazon Tamar” (with reference to its palm trees), the Amorites (descendants of Ham-Canaan) once inhabited the area (Gen. 14:7; 2 Chron. 20:2) that was later included among the wilderness cities of Judah (Josh. 15:62). Its beauty and life-sustaining resourses were the subject of Hebrew poetry and prophetic imagery (Song 1:14; Ezek. 47:10). It was also known as “the rocks of the wild goats” or “ibex rocks” (1 Sam. 24:2), because of the abundance of ibex (a species of wild goat) in the area. 

As David fled from King Saul, he hid in the caves of Ein Gedi (1 Sam. 23:29; 24:1-2), where it is traditionally believed Psalm 63 was composed. Finding this refuge-oasis in an otherwise inhospitable desert would have offered inspiration and signification for the earnest prayer, “O GOD, you are my God; early will I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water” (Psa. 63:3, NKJV).

More than a century later, a massive army of pagan nations gathered at Ein Gedi to fight against Judah’s fourth king Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20:2), but God reassured his people, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…. see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you” (2 Chron. 20:15-17). 

The Golan Heights 

Also known as simply the Golan, this hilly region east and northeast of the Sea of Galilee is principally controlled today by Israel and bordered by Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Its most prominent topographical feature is Mount Hermon (Israel’s highest mountain), where the Jordan River begins (cf. 1 Chron. 5:23).

Descendants of Noah’s son Ham and grandson Canaan established the Amorite kingdom in Bashan—the northern territory east of the Jordan River. At one time ruled by the Amorite King Og, these lands, including sixty fortified cities, were claimed by Moses and the Israelites as a God-given possession, the southern portion of which was allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Deut. 3:1-20; 1 Kings 4:13). It was a fertile land suitable for raising livestock and timber (Deut. 3:19; 32:14; Isa. 2:13). One of three Levitical cities of refuge east of the Jordan was established at Golan (Deut. 4:41-43; Josh. 21:27).

Tel Dan

A tel is a mound of accumulated debris of multiple layers of civilizations over an extended period of time. The ruins of the ancient city of Dan at the southern base of Mount Hermon have been excavated, revealing centuries of human settlements and history. The Tel Dan Stele was discovered in 1994, a 9th-century BC Aramaic inscription commemorating the victory of Damascus king Hazael over “Israel” and the “House of David,” the only known archaeological evidence naming the biblical King David.

"Abraham's Gate" at Tel Dan

Formerly known as the Canaanite city of Laish, its location was along a major trade route connecting Galilee in the south with Damascus of Syria in the north. When the troops of four northern kings kidnapped Abraham’s nephew Lot, Abraham and 318 trained men of his household chased them all the way to Dan, where the city’s ancient gate (constructed of mudbricks) has been discovered and excavated, now called “Abraham’s Gate.” The pursuit continued even farther north, where Lot was finally rescued (Gen. 14:14-16).

The city was conquered, destroyed, and rebuilt by the Israelite tribe of Dan (Judg. 18:7-29), becoming the northernmost city of the nation of Israel.² Unfortunately its high places were used as idolatrous worship sites for centuries until God gave up the northern Israelite kingdom to Assyrian exile (Judg. 18:30-31; 1 Kings 12:28-30). 

Reflections

This leg of our journey reminds us not only of the disastrous consequences of rejecting the way of God but even more so the enormous blessings of following him. As we face life’s seemingly insurmountable challenges and experience fear, discouragement, and perhaps a sense of hopelessness, let’s remember Abraham at Dan, Moses at the Red Sea, and David at Ein Gedi. The same gracious God assures us of his abiding presence and providential care. He is our ultimate refuge, deliverance, and hope. “Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me” (Psa. 63:7-8).

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:   

     ¹ Deut. 11:4; Josh. 2:10; 4:23; 24:6-7; Psa. 106:9; 136:13-15; Acts 7:36; Heb. 11:29.

     ² Judg. 20:1; 1 Sam. 3:20; 2 Sam. 3:10; 17:11; 24:2, 15; 1 Kings 4:25; 1 Chron. 21:2; 2 Chron. 30:5.

Related Posts: Israel Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Jordan Part 1, Jordan Part 2, Palestinian West Bank

 

Image credits:

Red Sea map <https://www.worldatlas.com/seas/red-sea.html>

Ein Gedi photos by Cassidy Chapman Wilkins

Ibex <https://www.bibleplaces.com/engedi/>

Golan <https://www.viator.com/tours/Tel-Aviv/Golan-Heights-Day-Trip-from-Jerusalem/d920-88630P24>

Abraham’s Gate Tel Dan, photo by Rebekah Gough