Shephelah Trip Part 2

We loaded onto the bus to return yet again the Shephelah. Our second day in this lovely part of Israel was spent at the Aijalon Valley (Gezer), in between the Guvrin and Lachish Valleys (Maresha), and then at the Elah Valley (Adullam)

Standing Stones

     One can distinguish the importance of a tel based upon its size, location, and historical records (Biblical and extra Biblical). Tel Gezer, some 33 acres, located off a main road, and mentioned several times in Biblical and extra Biblical text is one such important tel. Unfortunately in the 1900’s it was poorly excavated, which ruined most of the site, however excavators today are trying to make up for the damage done.  Some of the ruins we could see were the remains of two city gates.  Benj explained to us that gates could have multiple chambers and rooms and doors that invaders would have to penetrate before actually getting into a city.  Gates were almost like mini castles full of soldiers. Another ruin that was observable at Gezer was a “high place” where 10 stone pillars stood at one point. Historically the location could have been remains of a covenant similar to Ex. 24:3-8 or they could have been worshiped as those mentioned in Lev. 26:1.

          

Columberia Cave

     
We next went to Maresha.  In the tribe of Judah, Maresha lies between the Guvrin Valley and the Lachish Valley.  It was near Maresha that Asa of Judah with 300,000 men and the strength of the Lord defeated the army of a million men from Ethiopia. (2 Chron. 14:1-15) It was also where Edomites were forced to convert to Judaism in the time of the Hasmoneans, becoming known as Idumeans.  They were looked down upon by the Jews, and it was out of this group of people that Herod the Great would come from.

Family Tomb

     Around Maresha were several little places to go and explore. Columbaria Cave.  This was a cave filled with more than 5,000 niches in the walls where pigeons were bred and housed. They were used for sacrifices, food, and their dung for fertilizer. Another site was a family tomb.  When it was found it still had paintings on it, and since then the paintings have been touched up.  It was neat to go in and see a tomb that was more preserved.  There were several spots where sarcophagi would have lain, and we managed to fit 15 of us in one of the spots! The last sight we saw at this stop was appropriately called the Bell Caves.  They were these huge bell shaped caves with holes in the top.  We gathered together in one of them and sang some hymns and the Doxology.  It was really pretty hearing our voices echoing off the walls. 

Bell Caves

     We stopped for lunch at a gas station, and then walked next door to a well-preserved amphitheater. The tunnels were still intact, as well as some of the underground chambers.  We split into two teams and re-enacted a gladiator fight.  Unfortunately I did not live long, and was slain by my friend Lana.  We got to climb around and fantasize what it might have been like back in the day.  The sounds of crowds cheering, the roaring of the animals, the sound of swords clashing.  As unpleasant as bloodshed is to me, it is most difficult to imagine how it was desired and demanded by the people at the time.  (Perhaps not at this particular amphitheater, but amphitheaters in general) The people had an unhealthy thirst for blood that could never be satisfied.

     We went from one place of blood shed and violence to a place of peace and victory.  Adullam in the Elah Valley is most likely where David might have been as he wrote some of his Psalms praising God for delivering him from his enemies. (1 Samuel 21:10-22:2).  It was a beautiful spot too.  We hiked a trail that was incredibly steep and many of us felt our calves burning off, but the view was incredible.  We could see crops below, and hills in the distance.  This was one of my favorite stops. Our professor gave us the three psalms that David could have written at this spot (Psalm 34, 56, and 57) and gave us the freedom to separate and spend a little quite time meditating on his words and truths.  Many of the sites we go to are rushed so that we can make it to another one.  It was nice to be able to sit down and soak in the words of the Scriptures personally with God at the site.  It is easy for me to get focused on myself and my problems that I never take a step back and see the big picture. It was encouraging in Psalm 57, to see how David (who had every right humanly speaking to complain and worry) only spent a few lines describing his needs to God, and the majority of his psalm praising God. “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.  For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  Be exalted O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” (Psalm 57:9-11) He was not daunted by his circumstances because he was focusing on someone greater- God. There is a quote that says, “Don’t tell God how big your problems are, tell your problem how big your God is.” I think to, the more we focus on God, like David, the less we will focus or be consumed by our worries, fears, or circumstances.

     After our refreshing time with the Word, we managed our way back down the super steep trail and back onto the bus where Benj treated us with cookies!  It was a shorter day, but fun and refreshing!