Israel Day 7
Today has been a fun day! The Israeli days start once the sun goes down. So I technically started today by crashing a orthodox Jewish wedding! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE. I saw they had a huge one going on at the hotel, with hundreds of people. I dressed in my suit, got a hat, and walked in like I knew everybody. I started dancing with them and nobody questioned a thing. It was so much fun!
This morning I woke up excited! Our first stop we got to see some of the most famous sites in Israel. We started the day going to the Temple Mount, AKA Rock on the Mount. This is the location of the first and second temple of God for the Hebrews in the city walls of David. We learned why it is significant for both the Jewish and Muslim peoples. Apparently this is where Adam and Eve were casted out of the garden, where Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son Issac, and where the Holy of Holies was. Where the high priest would pray to God. This is why the Jewish people pray on the Western Wall, because it’s the closest location to the Holy of Holies. Both religions are fathered by Abraham, so they both agree on this origin story. In the modern day, the rock is surrounded by a Muslim mosque in Israeli territory. The 3rd most important place for Muslims.
It is the most controversial place in the world and is constantly shifting as far as what the policy’s are. I feel blessed I got to visit and see it so close, because I wouldn’t be shocked if tourist were banned from going at some point. Tourist used to be able to go inside, but as the political climate has changed, now only Muslims can go in. We must obey the Muslims dress code. The modesty police, we called them. Very interesting place, don’t tell anybody but… *looks around* - I prayed to Jesus there! 🫢 big no no. Lol
We then drive south toward the Dead Sea to get a history lesson on what happened once the temple was destroyed and Romans took over ancient Israel. Harold The Great, old king who converted to Judaism, built a city on top of a plateau in the desert called now called “Masada”. In around 73AD about 1000 Jews fled the city to escape the Romans and went to this spot to hide out. The Roman’s, out arming them 10X, came after them setting up camp at the bottom of the mountain. The Jews decided to kill themselves, by casting lots, as opposed to being taken slaves to the Romans. The history of this is so fascinating and much of it is still mildly intact making it a great opportunity to look back in time.
Bathhouses, storehouses, cisterns, we got to walk in all these rooms seeing the ancient luxury these people lived in.
We asked ourselves what we would have done. Summited to a life of slavery, having our wives raped by solders every night, kids raised to be slaves? Or kill our own family’s to die in freedom? This contrasts with our life with Jesus. Do we summit to the flesh and live a life shackled by sin, or do we die to self, pick up our cross daily, deny our earthly desires for a life of freedom in the Lord? This question is heavy and I don’t think I can go back to the USA the same. My commitment is beyond what I could think was possible and now I’m praying for what God wants me to do. I wish to do His will, not my own. He makes it clear in His word that I must fight for the oppressed and love with all my heart. After the holocaust memorial, I feel a tug on my heart to help modern day slaves and the uighur Muslims in modern day concentration camps in China. How do I do this? I do not know. Much prayer and contemplation will be had. Military? Journalism through filmmaking? Speaking out to large audiences? It’s scary because I very well could die speaking out and acting upon these things. We all die. I wish to die with honor. I honestly feel pinched, not knowing which direction to go. All I know is living my life for myself is over.
This realization manifests in our next location: swimming in the Dead Sea. We got to float upon the waters with little effort. The waters hold us up, we rub the mud over each other and try SO hard not to get the water in our mouths and eyes for it BURNS. The Dead Sea is 33% salt, and the lowest point on earth. 1400 feet below sea level. So interesting. Never experienced anything like it.
I feel like this experience parallels with my walk with God. It’s dirty, sometimes the splash of life stings, but ultimately when I stop trying to walk out on my own, slipping around on the mud floor, and just trust I will float, I lean in; God holds me up. He takes care of me so that I may take care of others. Mental fortitude is key. Commitment to consistency is paramount.
Life moves so fast. So many interest make my head spin. I feel opposite of many of my peers whom do not know what they want to do with their lives. There are so many life paths I could take. Why not take them all? Does the lack of a lifelong commitment to one thing cheapen the experiences or make it richer? I feel as though I have lived a life of an old man, I have seen so many things. Filmed such a wide range of jobs. I take a big bite out of the fruit of life, sometimes biting off more than I can chew. It can be crazy, but it’s far from boring. I’m addicted to the thrill of new, God honoring, experiences. I’m addicted to networking and memorizing peoples names, for people are the most fruitful and satisfying aspect of life on earth. No amount of money will ever compare to a life spent with loved ones.
After we ate dinner we went to worship night which was incredibly powerful. The Spirit was in that place. We sang for like 2 hours and prayed with each other. So many devoted people here at passages. We then all went out on the town and our body guard, and I’d consider friend Asher, showed us the “shook” down town market. Tons of food, kind of like an open air/outdoor shopping center with a roof. We danced to the music playing, crowd surfed, and had a great time! We then went out to Asher’s friends pizzeria “Bardak” where I had one of the best gluten free pizzas ever. Time of my life. Great memories.
Israel has taught me so many things I don’t wish to leave. I’m glad we have a few more days left! This has easily been one of the best trips of my life. I love this land! Thank you Israel.
Thank you passages 🇮🇱
