Today’s blog will be told in pictures and captions (the part people really want to see anyway, I know), as the Campbell Divinity School 2015 Bible Lands Study Tour ventured south to the Dead Sea …

We heard the story of how more than 900 Jews committed suicide rather than be captured by the Romans.

We heard the story of how more than 900 Jews committed suicide rather than be captured by the Romans. . .

Masada

The day began in Masada, the desert fortress of Herod the Great and site of the Zealots’ last stand in 73 CE.

And we visited a full-featured Roman style bathhouse.

There we visited a full-featured Roman style bathhouse …

At Ein Gedi we Chris Allen challenged us to think about how David reached the decision to spare King Saul at that site ...

At Ein Gedi Chris Allen challenged us to think about how David reached the decision to spare King Saul at that site …

Andrew Finkler cooled down by filling his water bottle from the highest waterfall there ...

Andrew Finkler cooled down by filling his water bottle from the highest waterfall there …

And those who ventured to the high falls enjoyed a downhill trek with the amazing blue of the Dead Sea and the gray Mountains of Moab beyond.

And those who ventured to the high falls enjoyed a downhill trek with the amazing blue of the Dead Sea and the gray Mountains of Moab beyond.

At the Dead Sea, Genetta Williams and Sharon Thompson beautified their skin with a mud bath ...

At the Dead Sea, Genetta Williams and Sharon Thompson beautified their skin with a mud bath …

While those who braved the mineral-laden water floated as never before.

While those who braved the mineral-laden water floated as never before.

At St. George's Monastery on the Old Jericho Road we encountered high pressure Bedouin sales tactics ...

At St. George’s Monastery on the Old Jericho Road we encountered high pressure Bedouin sales tactics …

Sarah Adcock and Chris Wilson found matching khaffiyehs ...

Sarah Adcock and Chris Wilson found matching khaffiyehs …

And a herd of goats tried unsuccessfully to join us on the bus.

And a herd of goats tried unsuccessfully to join us on the bus.

Some of us ventured to Ben Yehuda Street for some evening end-of-Sabbath fun, where we encountered a Korean tour group singing Christian praise songs in Hebrew.

Only in Israel.

[Many thanks to Susan Cartledge for most of today’s pictures, as well as a number from earlier in the week!]

Share This