Ten Reasons why I loved the Negev

This week we took a four-day field trip to the biblical Negev (meaning “south” or “dry” in Hebrew) which, as its name implies, is the southernmost region in the Promised Land.

My top ten favorite things about the Negev:

1) Its rich history. The Negev, with its “maybe-you-can-make-it-maybe-you-can’t” atmosphere, is a visible reminder of God’s provision for the patriarchs, the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, and individuals such as Hagar and Elijah.

2) Wearing dorky hard hats at Beersheva. ;)

Negev Trip

Actually, one of the most interesting things to see at Beersheva is the horned altar, which is a good example of the high places which Hezekiah destroyed. The horns on each corner of the altar represent power as well as mercy. Adonijah and Joab both took hold of the horns of the altar to beg for mercy. Understanding this concept really brought Luk 1:69 to life, which describes Christ as the horn of our salvation.

Negev Beersheva altar

3) Avdat, a Nabatean city. The Nabateans were a group of nomadic traders who displaced the Idumeans from Avdat and settled there. Unlike most of the tells (layers of remains stacked on top of each other) we had seen, most of Avdat was remarkably in tact, and its beautiful architecture was still very evident. At Avdat I was surprised to see two Christian churches, one with a baptismal! These can be explained by the arrival of the Byzantines, who forced the Nabateans to convert to Christianity.


4) Machtesh Ramon, a large crater carved out by water, in the wilderness highlands near Kadesh Barnea. At night after dinner we all hiked to a little cave where we huddled around and praised God through song and reflected on how deep His love for us is. As remarkably deep as the crater was, His love is infinitely deeper.


5) Time of reflection in the Wilderness of Paran, where many of the events associated with the Wilderness Wanderings took place. This was our first real taste of the desert, and served as a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the lessons of the wilderness that Israel was to learn. Meditating on Deuteronomy 8 while looking out over the Wilderness of Paran was an incredible experience, and helped me to better understand the context.

6) Our hike up the beautiful Red Canyon, with its unbelievable rock formations and crevices. Every direction I looked, every step I took, everything I saw, was absolutely breathtaking.


7) At the Red Sea I got to snorkel for the first time in my life. Even though I was very clumsy and had to come up every few seconds to empty out all the water that accumulated in my breathing mask, I had a blast. It was definitely a wonderful reminder of the beauty and perfection of God’s creation, some of which man will never even see. It is all for His glory.

8) Visiting the life-sized replica of the Tabernacle at Timnah. The Tabernacle had always seemed so abstract to me, and the measurements and cubits and endless details overwhelmed me. Now I feel like I have a much better understanding of the layout and significance of the Tabernacle and all of its contents, and deep gratitude for Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice for sin. Contrast this to the bloody mess and slaughterhouse aspect of the Tabernacle, and you suddenly understand the implications of Christ’s atonement.
Psalm 84:1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

9) Masada!!! Out of all of the hikes we went on during our time in the Negev, the hike through the mineral mountains at the foot of Masada, which were made of spongy chalk, was definitely the most interesting. Kind of like a cross between walking on snow (not cold, though) and sand.
We ended the day by gathering on one of these mountains and praising God through reflection on His Word and through “psalms, songs, and spiritual songs.” The next day we got up at the crack of dawn and hurried to Masada just in time to catch the sunrise as we went up. Although it was an incredibly difficult hike, it was well worth it. Check out the previous post to see more pictures of Masada and learn about its fascinating history. (I realize that I sound like a commercial).

10) The fellowship. Each night we had different roommates, and although I love my roommates at the moshav, it was fun to get to know some of the other girls better and bond with them. In between our huffing and puffing on the hikes, we also shared some great conversations, as well as during our long bus rides (which were also great for naps!)
Hine mah tov umah naim shevet achim gam yachad!! Ps. 133:1 (Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!)

Masada: I came, I saw, I conquered.

On the last day of our Negev trip, my roommates and I got up at five thirty and hurried to Masada just in time to catch the sunrise as we went up. Although it was an incredibly difficult hike, it was well worth it. According to the historian Josephus, Masada was originally built by the Great High Priest Jonathan during the Hasmonian (Macabbean) period and fortified by Herod the Great as a winter palace and as refuge against his enemies. Herod knew that the Jews were planning to revolt and wanted to be prepared. And of course, knowing Herod, we were not surprised to see the splendid palaces, storerooms, cisterns, and fortified walls he built. During the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans (beginning in 66 AD), a group of Jewish rebels called the Sicarii conquered Masada and along with other Jewish sects were led by Eleazar Ben Yair. The rebels built a synagogue and mikvehs (ritual baths), which were some of my favorite things to see at Masada, especially after learning so much about them in my Jewish Thought and Culture class. A few years after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Romans laid siege to Masada. The 960 members of the community decided that it would be better to commit suicide than allow the Romans to capture them as slaves. They chose ten men by lots to be the executioners, and by the time the Romans arrived, no one was left. One of the most interesting things to see at Masada was the ten pieces of stones (ostraca) on which the names of the ten executioners were written. Every single one of the names was found. Another fascinating artifact that was found at Masada was scroll fragments under the synagogue, including Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones. I also enjoyed going to the Byzantine church, with its intricate mosaics and pottery designs in the walls. All in all, Masada was a unique experience, and it helped me to better understand the devastating effects of the Roman siege.

The Joy of the Torah

Have you ever thought about the JOY that God’s Word brings? The delight and the pleasure of His teachings? This is a central part of Judaism. In fact, they dedicate an entire day to it. They have this seven day long holiday called Sukkot, or Tabernacles, which is considered the most joyful time of the year, and they build booths outside where they eat and spend time together as a family. But those seven days aren’t enough for the Jewish people. And the Bible mentions that there should be an eighth day in addition to the days of Sukkot. So the Jewish people have come up with something called Simchat Torah: The Joy of the Torah. In their synagogues all around the world, they have a “Read-the-Torah-in-one-year” plan, and they just happen to finish with the last verse of Deuteronomy on Simchat Torah. So they take their “Sefer Torah” (Torah scroll) and the men take turns unrolling the scroll back to Genesis. And then they play cheerful music and dance around the Torah scroll for hours, rejoicing in God’s commandments.
Right before we left for Galilee, we got to experience the Joy of the Torah. Our Jewish Thought and Culture professor managed to get an ancient Torah scroll (keep in mind, these things are worth tens of thousands of dollars!!) and we got to take turns unrolling it. As we unrolled, others read from Psalm 119. I can’t describe what a sober and yet joyful experience it was for me to unroll the scroll, to praise God for His mercy in giving us His Word and preserving it throughout history… and a renewed desire to know God’s Torah and obey every single word in it. We just don’t thank Him enough for this. After we finally reached Genesis, us “Hebrew scholars” (ha!) each got to read a verse from the scroll. It sounds easier than it really was- the ancient script looks completely different from today’s Hebrew script. But it was an incredible experience to be a part of this. And then we all grabbed each other’s hands and swung around and around in a circle, trying to learn the steps and laughing until tears came.
Yes, the Torah is something to be joyful about. But we shouldn’t just dedicate one day a year for rejoicing in God’s Word. We should rejoice every single minute of every day… remembering the 300 million people who do not have the Bible in their own language and praising God for the treasure of His living and active Word.

Day 6

10/11 ……Today on our Life of Christ field trip we went up to a lookout point onto the Sea of Galilee, and we were given precious time to pray and meditate on Scripture by ourselves. I’ve been going and going so much that I haven’t had much of a chance to just stop and let the magnitude of being on the Sea of Galilee, where over 1/3 of Jesus’ ministry took place, sink in and affect me. I read through as much as I could of Mark 1-5 in Greek… being there and actually seeing the various cities and places His miracles took place at made such a difference. Afterward Abner pointed out that as real as Tiberias is, or the Arbel Cliffs are, or the Sea itself, Jesus Christ is more real. I have never been so struck by His reality before, or so grateful that I serve the TRUE, living God and not some irrational, unrealistic one.
…… Nice dinner and boat ride around the lake tonight. Amazing to look out on the very place where Jesus calmed the sea and walked on water tonight… Oh LORD, help me never to lose my wonder.

10/12 The more I gaze out onto the Sea of Galilee, the more I think about it and picture it in my head, the more I am reminded of the joy of the gospel, the joy of salvation. But the Sea of Galilee did not always represent joy, as Abner pointed out from Isaiah 9 in chapel tonight. It used to be a symbol of gloom and anguish, of contempt and darkness. I never connected the fact that the Sea of Galilee is on the North with the fact that the North is where Israel has almost always historically been invaded. Why then would Jesus choose to come to this very region to do most of His mighty works and make His name known? Because just like all of the other invasions- Assyrian, Babylonian, etc., this, too, was an invasion, by God Himself, only this time it brought joy, not sorrow. And He overturned the entire world through a child. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness (lit., in the shadow of deep darkness or death, cf. Ps. 23), on them has light shined.” Is. 9:2 God truly has ‘made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.’
As I stood with my feet in the water, thinking about all that Christ did here and all that He has done in my own heart here this week, knowing that this would probably be my last time in my life to look out onto the Sea of Galilee, I prayed that I would not forget these things, that they would not remain as facts and figures in my head, but that their reality would forever transform my life, my heart, my worldview. I pray that this lake would always hold a special place in my heart, that its image would forever be engraved in my mind as a symbol of how God changed sorrow into joy and shone His light on t entire world through His Son. I pray that all of this would compel me to take this joyful news of salvation to the nations who are still dwelling in the valley of the shadow of death, just as the Jews once brought the message of salvation to us, the Gentiles.
I also praise You, Father, for pleasure derived from Your magnificent creation, which I was able to experience this morning, rafting down the Hapzini River. I thank You for enjoyable times, and pray that I would never take them for granted.

That's pretty much it... there you have it- the random ramblings from the journal of Joey Moore. I hope they have served their purpose.

Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement!!

Days 3, 4, and 5

10/8 ….. This morning I had my first devotional on the Sea of Galilee. At first my heart was so dull and my mind was so distracted that I was completely numbed to God’s Word and to the significance of my surroundings, but after a while the LORD graciously captivated my heart with the gospel accounts. How amazing to look out on the very place where Jesus walked on water, calmed the sea, healed myriads of people… how unworthy I am to be able to experience such things.
Today was yet another reminder of Christ’s power and glory… from Capernaum to Hepta Pegon to the supposed Mount of Beatitudes to rafting down the Jordan River, everything pointed to Christ. To Christ’s WORTH. God, make me a worshiper of Christ, in spirit and in truth.
….


10/9 …. Another great field trip today- very thought-provoking, esp. going to Caesarea Philippi where all the pagan places of worship are, and realizing that around here is where Peter’s confession of Christ took place when Jesus asked him who others said He was… such immorality and gross perversion, and yet Christ uses it to draw a genuine confession from Christ. And right after that, the Transfiguration!... all pointing to Christ, the Son of God. My favorite part of the trip was when we went to the Baneas Spring, which was absolutely breathtaking. As I looked out onto the beautiful waterfall and gushing spring, I read from Psalm 42, which could have been written from here, and I had a sweet time worshiping the God of creation, the God who satisfies my thirst and provides fountains of living water.
I also had a sweet, refreshing time this morning reading from Luke 4-9 on the Sea of Galilee with a friend this morning. We prayed for God to make the stories come alive to us and for His Word to cut to our heart, and it did…..


10/10 This morning a friend and I got up early and prayed together beside the Sea of Galilee….. Today we went on a fun hike with Uncle Randy. More than fun, though, it was a massive display of God’s beauty and creativity.
…… Went to a lecture tonight by a Jewish American who lives on this kibbutz, about life on a kibbutz. Very heartbroken to learn that no one on this kibbutz (probably many others, too) has ever changed their religion (ie. converted to Christianity)- no one. Oh LORD, send missionaries to these atheistic, humanistic kibbutzim and to share Your gospel. Pour out Your truth on these people and open their eyes.

Day 2

10/7 I am amazed… and very convicted… at how little I know about my Savior’s life and ministry. Sure, I may (somewhat) understand theological truths about His righteousness, death and resurrection, etc., but I have hardly ever even thought about the geographical and chronological significance of what He did. Today’s field trip helped to clarify some of that, but I still have so much to learn. I pray that when I go back to the States I would not lose this desire to learn about the life of Christ. Out of all the things we did today, like visiting Kefar Kana (maybe Cana of Galilee!) and Sepphoris, my favorite thing was when we stood on a mountain in Arbel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and I got to read Matthew 28, when Jesus commissions His disciples, out loud for the group. It made me think a lot, especially about why Jesus told the disciples to meet Him in Galilee, of all places? The answer to this question became so clear as I stood there. When they looked out onto the region of Galilee they would automatically remember Jesus’ mighty works and glory displayed through all He did in the region. They would understand that all exousia- all authority- truly has been given to Him, and that even though evangelizing the world was a massive responsibility, it would be on Christ’s strength, who promises to be with them unto the ages!! Oh LORD, spread Your gospel to every nation! And turn hearts to You, to repent and place their faith in You. Do this with the 80 Mormons from BYU here at the same resort we’re staying at. Convict those girls we talked to who seemed so confident in the lies they believe… show them the truth.

a peek into my journal... Day 1

I've been thinking about the best way to communicate all that I've learned this week in Galilee to all of you, and as I looked over all of my journal entries from this week, I found my answer. So here you go: a peek into the journal of Joey Moore. Of course, you will understand that I cannot share everything with you (you would not want to see everything!!) but I think this will give you a good understanding of what life was really like for me this week.

10/6 This morning we left for our 7 day trip to Galilee. I was tired and had trouble staying awake on the bus, but was thrilled more than anything. Today we visited Megiddo, one of the most crucial cities to control in biblical times. I enjoyed it all, but one of the most interesting things was seeing the ancient Canaanite high place of pagan worship. How quickly the Canaanites, originally descendants of Ham, departed from the true God!
We also visited the Jezreel Valley and talked about many important biblical accounts, such as Ahab and Jezebel, and Jehu’s “mad dash,” and then visited Mount Carmel, where Elijah proved that God was supreme over the non-god Baal. We also saw two rolling-stone tombs which were similar to the one Jesus was buried in. As I stooped down into the tomb it suddenly struck me that Jesus was actually dead for three days- His body was decomposing… and yet God raised Him from the dead. Amazing. Tonight we had a precious time of worship through singing in the chapel of the hotel we are staying at in Nazareth. Before that we got to walk the streets of Nazareth- streets where our Lord Jesus almost definitely walked! What an awesome privilege this is. May I never lose sight of that.

a how-to guide on praying for Joey in Israel

I just want to say how thankful I am for my faithful blog readers. :) And blessed as I am with all of you, I cannot think of a better opportunity to ask for prayer. I know many of you are already praying for my time here, and I praise God for that, but it is always helpful to give clarity and specificity to our prayers. So here goes:
-That God would fill me with all “joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit [I] may abound in hope.” Please pray that my joy would be deeply rooted in the Person of Christ, rather than in external circumstances and trivial pleasures. It is so easy to get into so much of a monotonous routine that I get to the end of the day and realize that I have wasted an entire day existing rather than living for His glory.
-That God would instill in me a passion for His Word, to never be satisfied with what I have already learned but to always be striving to know God more through His Word.
-That all of this knowledge would not remain in my head, but that it would affect my life and most of all, that God would somehow use what I am learning here to spread His kingdom and glory among the nations. Pray that my zeal for missions and evangelism would not wane but would increase as I live in a different culture among millions who desperately need the Messiah. -Pray for discernment for me. I am constantly having to sift through different teachings and beliefs here, and it is sometimes difficult to discern what is “good and acceptable and perfect.”
-Pray for continued health. Sickness seems to spread faster here. Pray that I would get a good night’s sleep each night so that I can have energy to learn and serve the Lord.
-Pray for wisdom as I seek to encourage the girls here. Many of them are facing doubts and trials I have never dealt with before.
-Pray for my future when I go back to Texas and then California. I will need a job and a roommate. Pray for ministry opportunities, as well.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your prayers and encouragement. Tomorrow morning I leave for Galilee, where I will spend 7 days learning about the life of Christ, traveling and hiking and enjoying God’s creation. I have been looking forward to this trip for the longest time. I pray that it will be a time of spiritual growth and fellowship.

Lila tov (Good night),
Joey