God vs Man – Refuge
By: Randall E. Pickens, Sr.
I shared with you recently the special oasis of Ein Gedi in the Judean wilderness where God protected and sustained David. Now I want to share with you an extreme contrast just 18.6 miles (30 km) from Ein Gedi that represents man’s miserably failed attempt to create a place of refuge.
King Herod was paranoid, he was fearful that his enemies would rise up against him. He feared the Roman’s as well as the Jewish people. He built numerous fortresses throughout Israel that were his attempt to provide him with a place of refuge. The extreme contrast is so vivid; God’s Refuge remains today and Herod’s lies in ruin.
Although Herod’s fortresses were consider marvels of human engineering they pail in comparison to God’s handy work and enduring refuge. As we share pictures of Masada, Israel note the extreme contrast between these very different attempts at providing a place of refuge. God vs Man!
This is what Masada would have looked like at it’s prime
Masada is 1,300 ft. or 440 meters above the Dead Sea and 50 meter above sea level. Note only 164 ft. above sea level. So, what looks like a mountain is really not at all but rather a plateau over looking the lowest point on planet earth. It is somewhat a natural fortress in that it is naturally isolated on all four sides by deep gorges. A naturally inhospitable environment as well as location. Water is extremely scarce so Herod built multiple hewn cisterns that stored over 40,000 cubic meters of water. Since rain was infrequent to say the least most of the water would be hauled up the snake path of the east cliffs, the only access to the plateau fortress via a zig zag narrow path. Again, a vivid contrast to the constant refreshing flow of David’s Wadi.
The “Snake Path” was sole access to Masada during the time of Herod. Much later the Roman’s would build a siege ramp on the west cliffs
No, Alice and I didn’t hike up this path; it would have take a full day, as if that were the only reason! As you can see this was intended to limit any easy access by an enemies’ army.
A note that I just discovered was that Masada fell on the Fifteenth day of Nissan, 73 CE. Pessach.
Through history Masada has represented man’s attempt at establishing a refuge, a safe place. First Herod, then the Romans, the Israeli Zealots, and then the Roman’s again.
Masada has become a image of resistance to Israel. Soldiers take an oath there which contain these words “Masada shall not fall again”. Unfortunately, man can’t truly assure that as fact! But God, CAN!
I could share much more detail but that was not the intent of this News Flash. The intent was to give you a glimpse of a pure contradiction and a vivid contrast of true refuge! Enjoy…
One of three cisterns throughout the fortress support the inhabitants with drinking water, potable water, as well as bathing and ritual baths.
Hand hewed and filled by hard labor. Not the refreshing waters of an oasis waterfall.
Most likely was a continuous task to keep up with the demand and maintain a specific level.
Storehouses of foods, a full assortment of grains, fruits, and meats to sustain a King and his guardians.
Storage and housing
Storage and housing
Storage and housing
Alice and I climbed down the cliffs to the Palace remains. I have to tell you I was petrified; the railing was sparse, you could see all the way to the basin and you could make out the evidence of Roman encampments that still remain from the Siege of 73.
Roman encampments below…
A Synagogue from the time of the Zealot occupation
Unsettling view from the cliffs accessing the Northern Palace ruins
and finally what I called the birds eye view… looking out across the Dead Sea basin from man’s iconic failure at REFUGE!
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
God has promised to save Israel, I believe this without a doubt! Some have question this but it is a foolish claim, See this article for a full understanding of God’s intent to save Israel!
https://seedsoffaithministries.com/2022/06/01/hath-god-cast-away-his-people-god-forbid/
SELAH!
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