Red Sea, Timna, & Dead Sea

Hi!!!! How is your week going?????? good, bad, ugly?????


I must confess that I have been really struggling with my job. Like real bad. But the Lord answered a prayer for me yesterday. It was small but powerful and it was all I needed to tell my bad/ugly attitude to hit the road!


AND THAT IS A BIG PRAISE!!!!!


Ok....this is going to be a l-o-n-g post. Shocking, I know...but day 3 was a long one that included two stops at two different bodies of water. Get comfortable! I will try to not overwhelm you with info. But it is my story and I want all the details down so I don't forget! And this stuff really means something to me. After being in the Holy Lands, everyone in the bible really feels like my serious family. They are my lineage and I really began to notice/understand that everything God did or told them to do represents something BIG and inevitably pointed them to the coming of Christ. So I can't not share. I just can't keep my mouth shut....because it is amazing to me. Plus, when I am super old I can pull it up & say "Shut up!!!!!! I totally went to Israel..see, look at these pictures, grandchildren" hahahhahaha.

It was New Years....we were still in Eilat and took some time to put our feet in the Red Sea.



beautiful.........it was pretty early and the water was calm. From where we stood we could see Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the mountain tops of Egypt. SUPER COOL!!!!



I had to get in. There was no sand but all rocks! ouch! It felt like the rock river thing I went in at the Japanese bath house.

Now Eilat's ancient name is Elath... "So we passed beyond our brothers the sons of Esau, who live in Seir, away from the Arabah road, away from Elath and from Ezion-geber. And we turned and passed through by the way of the wilderness of Moab...." Deut 2.8


Solomon built a fleet of ships here (1 Kings 9-10ish)...vs.26----"King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. And Hiram sent his men—sailors who knew the sea—to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s men. They sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 pieces of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon".

Later Jehoshaphat built a fleet here that was wrecked before it ever set sail...

you can find that in 1 Kings 22.



Eilat has some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs...sadly I did not get to see them. but it's a great Israeli vacation spot. It's a "duty free" city but don't be fooled.....everything is way more expensive than even America. I was kinda shocked. A boring, standard Gap tee was almost $60. Terrible.




Everyone enjoying the cool water and looking for treasures!







It was a beautiful day. My camera really rebels on me when it is dark and gloomy. Not sure why but makes my pictures blurred. Anywho, got some great pics!



After we enjoyed the sea we made a stop at the gas station where Dr. Steve introduced us to this YUMMY Italian treat! The Happy Hippo.....



inside was filled with chocolate goodness....oh yum!



Then we hit the road and headed North to Timna then on to the Dead Sea...







Timna valley is not mentioned in the Bible but was used for copper mining during the biblical period.....Egyptian and early Israelite periods. It was a perfect day! Blue sky, cool breeze, and beautiful views!





Solomon mined at Timna. Copper was mined here during the Early Bronze, Late Bronze-Iron I, and Roman periods. Copper was a very important metal in the ancient world because of its use in bronze. True fact---Over 10,000 mining shafts have been found in the Timna Valley. I know this fact because I just read it in the pamphlet I have. ha! I didn't take very good notes on this day!

References in the Bible to copper metal and mining...

Deuteronomy 8:9- "a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills".

Job 28:2- "They know where to dig iron from the earth and how to smelt copper from rock"

all that happened HERE!!!! Thousands of years ago!



heading up to find some copper. look at my group...I just love them. we had the best time together. ignore William’s face..ha...I could hardly get a pic without him giving me a crazy face! Such a toot!





Ashley posing outside the caves



me! side note: I heart this picture...and yes we still did not have our luggage. Trying to be super creative with what we had. ha. Another side note: I realize you’re like "wow, another mountain, another cave picture....big deal" hahahha. We went from desert to Fall-ish scenery in one country. Hang in there with me. It will all change soon!



someone's former cave home.



and this is COPPER!!!!! You could see it EVERYWHERE. and when you poured water on it you could really really see it! Amazing

we then climbed up to see some REAL hieroglyphics.......

can you see them????? I took several pictures but they just didn't turn out. look closely.....

The group going through a cave home built down in the ground



That was all fun and stuff but I was NOT prepared for what I was about to see. Yall, at Timna Park, 20 miles north of Eilat, a life-size replica of the biblical tabernacle has been constructed.


"For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel" - Exodus 40:38


I COULD HARDLY BREATHE!!!! To see what it might have looked like, all those years ago, about did me in!!! There is no telling how many times I have looked at a picture or layout of the tabernacle. To be able to walk into a life size one is a dream!!!!!!! Obviously, no original materials (gold, silver, bronze) have been used to build this.....BUT.....the model is accurate in every other way based upon the biblical description.

SHUT UP!!!!!! I know, so amazing.



The Tabernacle....in Hebrew means "residence", "dwelling place".

God instructed Moses and the Israelites to build it and take it with them on their exodus journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The tabernacle was an elaborate portable tent that served as God’s “home” when the Israelites were in the wilderness. In it were the ark of the covenant and other holy items. It was made of wooden boards covered with layers of rich fabric.



the pic above was taken right before we went in. We had climbed up the mountain so we could look down at the Tabernacle. Below pictures are of the Temple...



and the Tabernacle with the tribe camps around it. All the info I'm out to share can be found in the book of Exodus starting in the 26th chapter. I had to read back over it because it is just so amazing that I could see what all these crazy measurements looked like. I have taken that info and summed it up along with what we were taught/info passed out. I would love for you to read Exodus 25-30 while you look at these pics!

There was only one way into the Tabernacle. It was significant to the Israelites. By entering, a person could find forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God. Later Jesus would say “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9)



The Outer Court

The bronze laver and bronze altar were located in the outer court. The altar was 7.5 feet square and 4.5 feet high, was made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze, and had a horn on each corner. The fire on the altar was to be kept burning at all times and the daily sacrifices were offered in the morning and afternoon.



Tabernacle Sacrificial Altar

The altar was the place for burning animal sacrifices. It showed the Israelites that the first step for sinful man to approach a holy God was to be cleansed by the blood of an innocent creature. For a sin offering, a person had to bring an animal.....a male one without blemish or defect from the flock or herd — to the priest at the tabernacle gate.

This is totally silly, but our guide was talking about the sacrificed animals and how after the process was over everyone ate from the animal. Different parts for different people. And she talked about how good it smelled....like when you are grilling out. Seriously my first thought was "that is why I love the smell of the grill so much! It's part of my heritage! I mean, I love the smell so much I would probably marry a guy, on the spot, if he wore "grilled cologne". Seriously. And for whatever crazy reason, I instantly felt a deep connection with the Israelite people. I know, I'm crazy.

Leviticus 1.4...“He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.” But thank goodness "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Cor 5.21




Tabernacle bronze laver

...where hands and feet were washed before entering in or coming out of the Holy Place. It stood as a reminder that people need cleansing before approaching God. And when I think about that last sentence & I think of Eph 5:25-27 “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”




The Holy Place

Was the first room in the tent of the tabernacle. This sacred area was occupied by the golden lampstand, incense altar and table of showbread.



“For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer. Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them..." vs.36



Tabernacle structure with golden poles




The lampstand

(menorah) was beaten and fashioned out of a single block of gold and had three branches coming out of each side of the central shaft. The seven lamps on top of the branches were likely round saucers with pinched rims which held the wick and olive oil. The lampstand was the only source of light in the Holy Place, so without it, the priests would have been walking around in complete darkness. But with the light it enabled the priests to fellowship with God and intercede on behalf of God’s people.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8.12








The Table of Showbread

Opposite the menorah was the table of showbread. Built of acacia wood and overlaid with solid gold. Twelve loaves (12 tribes of Israel) of bread were placed on the table on Shabbat and were replaced by fresh bread the following Shabbat. The priests baked the bread with fine flour and it remained on the table before the Lord for a week. The high priestly line would eat the replaced bread for the next week. The table and the bread were a picture of God’s willingness to fellowship and communion.

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. … Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.” John 6:35, 49-50




Tabernacle high priest

In the days of the Tabernacle, ISRAEL was divided Into three classes: THE HIGH PRIEST, PRIESTHOOD, and the CONGREGATION (of people).



Tabernacle High Priest ...descriptions all from Exodus 28.

THE COAT- A long garment worn next to the person, made of fine linen.

THE LINEN BREECHES- "From the loins to the thighs".

THE "ROBE OF THE EPHOD" - A long seamless garment made of blue linen. Blue - The divinity of Christ. Linen - Spotless righteousness of Christ. Pomegranates - symbol of fruitfulness. Pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, alternating with golden bells along the hem.Bells - symbol of testimony.

THE EPHOD- The most important part of his dress, distinctively the symbol of the high priest's once. Fine Twined Linen (Christ's purity) with gold (deity): blue (heavenly, divine): purple (royalty); scarlet (sacriflcial work). Means: Son of God/Son of Man, our risen and glorified High Priest. Consisted of two pieces (front and back) united at the shoulders with onyx stones in gold, twelve tribes engraved on the stones. Shoulders are a place of strength, of power. Stones represent the burden carried on shoulders of the High Priest. Christ so bears us up to God (Lk.15:5).

THE GIRDLE- Speaks of service

THE BREASTPLATE - And inseparably connected with His power and His love.

THE MITRE - Or "turban" of fine linen to cover the head bearing upon the front a gold plate engraved "HOLINESS TO THE LORD". This symbolizes obedience to a higher order.



The Altar of Incense

Also known as the "golden altar" or the "inner altar," this three foot high altar was the location of regular incense offerings. Every morning and evening when tending the light of the menorah, the priests would offer a mixture of frankincense and other aromatic gums. The incense was a symbol of the prayers and intercession of the people going up to God as a sweet fragrance. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would sprinkle blood on the horns of this altar.

“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2)




Tabernacle altar of incense utensils



The Veil/Holy of Holies

A thick curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This curtain, known as the “veil,” was made of fine linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn. There were figures of cherubim (angels) embroidered onto it. They also guarded the throne of God. These cherubim were also on the innermost layer of covering of the tent. If one looked upward, they would see the cherubim figures.

Whoever entered into the Holy of Holies was entering the very presence of God. In fact, anyone except the high priest who entered the Holy of Holies would die. Even the high priest, God’s chosen mediator with His people, could only pass through the veil and enter this sacred dwelling once a year, on a prescribed day called the Day of Atonement.

The picture of the veil was that of a barrier between man and God, showing man that the holiness of God could not be trifled with.





Within the Holy Place of the tabernacle, there was an inner room called the Holy of Holies. It was the most sacred room, a place no regular person could enter. It was God’s special dwelling place in the midst of His people. During the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness, God appeared as a pillar of cloud or fire in and above the Holy of Holies. And Praise the Lord that we can now boldly enter HIS presence..“the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” Heb 6:19-20




Ark of the Covenant

The only object in the Holy of Holies, shielded from the eye of the common man, the sacred ark contained the two tablets with the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron that blossomed and the pot of manna. The ark was covered by the "mercy seat" on which the high priest sprinkled the blood of the goat seven times on the Day of Atonement. The atonement cover was the lid for the ark. On top of it stood two cherubim (angels) at the two ends, facing each other. The cherubim, symbols of God’s divine presence and power, were facing downward toward the ark with outstretched wings that covered the atonement cover. The whole structure was beaten out of one piece of pure gold. The atonement cover was God’s dwelling place in the tabernacle.

“O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.” Isaiah 37:16




"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Romans 3:20-22




I know that was a lot of info but it is super important. We had the VERY BEST GUIDE! A Christian woman from New Zealand. She brought the house DOWN while sharing with us the meanings of everything and then telling us what it all now means to us as children under the New Covenant!


I seriously started crying multiple times. I mean, we belong to God. How amazing is that. And we get to be in His presence, pray and ask for forgiveness any time we want. And as a women, I would have NEVER been able to enter the Holy of Holies but Jesus Paid It ALL....all to Him I owe...sin had left it's crimson stain, HE...HE...ONLY HE washes it white as snow. And now I get the joy of FULL ACCESS to the One and Only. Amen and Amen.



yes...... I am ALL fired up now! ha! anyway, we stopped one more time to see where they would "smelter" the copper and stuff.

these are just a few pretty pictures..

and here is the Mushroom rock....totally not carved out. This is from erosion caused by wind and rainstorms.









We then hit the road and went to get some lunch!!!! and ice-cream from the dairy farm. YUM



We had one more stop before heading to the Dead Sea....


Temple of Hathor

Egyptian miners in the 13th century built a temple to the goddess Hathor against the face of Solomon's Pillars. The excavators found hundreds of Egyptian objects including seals, jewelry, and art objects. Hathor was the Egyptian goddess of love, and served as the patron god of miners.

just look at this view......



we climbed up to see another picture on the wall of this idol they worshiped...



I took a picture of it on this wall...funny thing is that now I can't even see it. probably best. who wants a pic of an idol anyway ha.



we took several pictures because it was so pretty




We climbed down what is called "Solomon’s Pillars". They are a natural formation that were formed when the rock cracked and water eroded them to separate the rock into “pillars.” These are popularly known as Solomon’s Pillars but there is no connection to the biblical king.

We climbed down and headed back to the bus



I was soooooooooooo tired at this point! I'm pretty sure we all fell asleep right away!

I woke up just in time to see the first signs of water, salt, and factories...(some are blurry)

The Dead Sea.....known in the Bible as the "Salt Sea" or the "Sea of the Arabah," is an inland body of water that has a high mineral content allowing nothing to live in its waters. NOTHING. Other post-biblical names..."Sea of Sodom," the "Sea of Lot," the "Sea of Asphalt" and the "Stinking Sea." We learned that in the Crusader period, it was sometimes called the "Devil's Sea."

More on the history in a sec....check out our cool hotel!!!





they totally greeted us at the door with a fruit punch drink and we had super nice rooms!!!



and this was our view!!!! We arrived late afternoon so we had to run up and get ready to "float" really fast!



look at all that salt!!! yikes



The Dead Sea, unlike the Sea of Galilee, does not have a big role in the bible. Its most important role was as a barrier, blocking traffic to Judah from the east. Ammonite and Moabite armies apparently crossed a shallow part of the Dead Sea on their way to attack King Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 20ish). Ezekiel has prophesied that one day the Dead Sea will be fresh water and fishermen will spread their nets along the shore. Very interesting.



I heart these two pictures with the sun shining in.....like a little spot light and God saying "I see you" haha



The Dead Sea is located on a 4000-mile fault line in the earth's crust. The lowest point of dry land on earth is the shoreline of the Dead Sea at 1300 feet below sea level. WOW WOW WOW! That fact still blows my mind. That the lake is at the lowest point means that water does not drain from this lake. Check this out....EVERY DAY 7 million tons of water evaporate but the minerals remain, causing the salt content to increase. Crazy.



Another interesting fact........it is nearly 10x as salty as the world's oceans and twice as saline as the Great Salt Lake in Utah.



The Dead Sea waters have long been known to have medicinal value. FACT: Aristotle, Queen of Sheba, King Solomon and Cleopatra were all familiar with this and modern doctors as well often prescribe patients with skin ailments to soak in the waters of the Dead Sea.

I hate my camera did not get a clear pic of William. He totally screamed like a girl!!!! But I can't say anything because I screamed too!!! The following pics were taken within seconds of each other. I hope you are not offended by my exposed legs hahahhaha. I did not want to float. They pretty much forced me! IT was sooooo COLD!





SOOOOOO FUNNNN!!!!!! We took a group pic...that I do not have ..booo..and played for a bit. Although, you can't really play because if you swallow the salt water you will die. great. But you can put your finger in and taste it which I totally did. Full experience people, full experience!

After 20 minutes (that is the time limit) we got out, rinsed off, and headed to the indoor/heated salt pool. That was soooo fun too! Much deeper and your legs float up behind you the minute you start to walk in! The Hotel had a nice spa, fresh pool, and a sulphur pool. We had a great time but my entire body turned red and my legs were ON FIRE!!!!!

IT was the Sabbath and I had totally forgotten. The hotel Synagogue was just down the hall from me. I was loving all the sounds that came from that room. Just beautiful!



Because it was New Years, the Hotel had a huge feast!!!! The food in Israel is just amazing!!!!!

Here are some of the desserts! We would fill our plates up every night and then "taste and tell" what was good or not good. We would always make William describe it to us hahahhaa. so funny!



After dinner we had a devotional time as a group and then shared a little about our story and our hopes for the new year. It was a really special time outside with the salty wind all around.

And then...after a long, long day...we finally went to bed. Day 3 in the bag!

If you made it to the end...i love you dearly! Thank you for going on this journey with me. Have a great weekend! Till next time.....