Overlooking the Dead Sea is an ancient fortification called Masada. In the 1st century B.C., Herod the Great built palaces on this mountain. He used it as a place of refuge. But the Jewish people remember Masada for something else.
This is me on top of Masada.
During the Roman conquest in the first century A.D., nearly 1,000 Jewish rebels fled to Masada and hid there for several years. When the Romans learned that the Jews were hiding there, the Romans went after them. Since there was only one narrow path up the high mountain, and the rebels threw stones at the soldiers who were attempting to reach them, the Romans had to come up with another point of entry. So they had Jewish slaves, whom they captured during their conquest of Jerusalem, build a ramp to the top of Masada because they knew the rebels wouldn’t throw stones at their own people.
Three months later, when the Romans finally reached the top of Masada in A.D. 73, they were shocked at what they saw. The Jewish rebels had committed mass suicide. For them, death was better than enslavement.
Even though the story of Masada sounds like a tragedy, it’s actually a tale of redemption. Almost 2,000 years later, the Jewish people returned to their homeland, the state of Israel, and reclaimed their inheritance. The year was 1948.
What a great reminder that no matter how long it takes, God always fulfills His promises. As the psalmist noted, “Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps” (Psalm 121:4, NLT). Indeed, He who watches over you and me never slumbers or sleeps. He’s always working, weaving, creating the tapestry of the plan He has for our lives one thread at a time. Our job is to trust Him and to wait well, confident that our lives rest securely in the hands of our good Father.
This is me hiking down Masada. It was hot!
On a side note, Masada is a popular tourist destination now. It’s about 1,300 feet high, and there’s a trail called the “snake path” for people who want to hike to the top. I’ve successfully hiked down Masada once, but when I attempted to hike up on another occasion, I got sick! I had only had a pear for breakfast that morning because I was still suffering from jet lag. Plus, we decided to hike Masada at noon, which is not a good idea in Israel in the middle of the summer. But hey, how many people can say they got sick hiking up Masada!?