A Formidable Foe

Another awesome day in Israel, filled with mixed emotions.  We visited Beit She'an, an ancient Roman city, I found fascinating.   As we walked along the street filled with huge columns I was overwhelmed by the sheer size and complexity of the artwork in every single remaining column, building and even the mosaic flooring and huge theater.   Ornate hardly seems descriptive enough.  We tend to think ourselves a very high tech, educated, modern people, but I'm not all sure we have anything on the Romans who built this city.  We only visited a quarter of the original city, yet it was massive!    This was a place I would have loved to just leisurely stroll through for about half a day!

Theater

Mosaic Flooring

Theater

Yet there was reason for reflection, as well.  Beyond us in the distance we could see the mound which hosted a wall of the ancient city, where Saul and his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua were fastened after a fierce battle. (1 Samuel 31) Death wasn’t enough for the Philistines; they wanted to dishonor them, too and felt the need to hang them up for display.

Mound where city wall would have been

            Our next stop was Jericho, an amazing treat!  Several of we more courageous gals, decided a ride on a camel was a must!  This was pure fun!  But note the mountain in the background of the pictures. This is the mountain, called the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days and where Satan tempted him; followed by Gods angels ministering to him.  

Brenda

Margie

Joy

From Jericho we made our way to Jerusalem and Mount Scopus, giving us an amazing view of the city, including the infamous “Dome of the Rock” on Mount Moriah.  We had a brief teaching time there and then in the tradition of Jerusalem, participated in the sharing of bread and salt which is a blessing that encourages the ability to sustain yourself while there.  I found myself completely overwhelmed during this special time.  

Dome of the Rock in the center

Another view of the city

Another view of the city

Our last stop left me with a heavy heart: the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.  I found myself overwhelmed again, but this time not with joy or gladness.  Rather it left me feeling sick, reviled and repulsed that any human being could do such an awful thing to another. Yet didn't this kind of cruelty also happen to our Lord? 

  

Memorials at the Holocaust Museum

          

         Satan is all about robbing people of joy, peace and decent humanity.  He used the Philistines to attempt to humiliate Saul and his sons. He used his wiles to try to dissuade Jesus of his rightful place beside the Father and he used Hitler to attempt to exterminate the Jews, yet  God left a remnant so his people would again come together to live in the land he chose as his Holy Place.

We are all subject to the temptations of Satan.  Jesus didn’t cave to Satan’s deceitfulness. Saul, however, allowed Satan to cause him to make many bad decisions and Hitler allowed Satan to turn him into evil personified.  How do we handle the temptations of Satan?  How well do we wear the Armor of God?  Are we prepared for all the little (or big) daggers he throws our way everyday?  I suggest, as a people of God, we need to ready our hearts and minds more diligently every single day, because the coming of the Lord is surely near.