May 22nd, 2013

After a refreshing sleep in the city of Arad we continued exploring Negev. At Tel Arad we could see the ruins of an Israelite temple. It came as surprise to me as I always thought that there was only one Temple in Jerusalem. Well what we saw shows that Judaism wasn’t a single stream and was undergoing transformation. I was also thinking how patient God has been with us believers even if our pace to follow his ideas is so slow God gives us time to grow to embrace his Law. I must admit that I was surprised that the temple here was rather of a small size. Especially the Holy of Hollies where originally three standing stones were representing God. From Arad we drove to Beersheba. Abraham, father of the Jewish people arrived here 3,700 years ago. He dug a well to water his flock, made a covenant of peace with Abimelech, the king of Gerar in those days, and the two swore allegiance to one another. “Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath." To symbolize his ownership of the well, he planted a tamarisk tree. The tree was a sign that Abraham was to return to settle into the area giving up his nomad life style. The tamarisk trees growing here reminded me not only about having a nice shaded area but first and furthermore that from this place the faith in the one God would spread. Beersheba was to be was the cradle of monotheism. Today we also had a chance to experience a hike that helped us  to experience what the Jews went through during their time in the Wilderness.  For us it was only an hour “appetizer” but for them it was daily bread during 40
years in this challenging and harsh environment. I was proud of myself after climbing to the top of the canyon but when I looked around and saw the vastness of the wilderness I was most grateful that my faith wasn’t tested any further as the bus was waiting there to pick us up. However I can see that such a desert can be the space and time to grow in dependence on God.

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