Engedi Waterfall

by HYLAND, D. T. | Category: General | Jun 1985

Most of the western shore of the Dead Sea is a desolate and daunting desert region of Israel. The area is split with canyons, some as deep as 1,200 feet. The sand coloured cliffs are pitted with caves and the whole area abounds with them. But there is a stream in the desert. At En-gedi, a fresh water stream flows down a gorge towards the shores of the Dead Sea. This makes possible a lush area of cultivation which contrasts with the barrenness around.

It requires little imagination to appreciate why David chose to flee to this area from the murderous jealousy of Saul. The caves provided an ideal hiding place, and the fresh water and vegetation sustained life. Saul was told "David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. Then Saul took three thousand men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats" (1 Sam. 24:1-2). It was in one of these caves that David had the opportunity to take Saul's life. Despite being hunted by Saul, David refused to lift up his hand against the Lord's anointed. David was prepared to wait God's time for him to come to the throne without taking any steps to attempt to expedite his accession.

Both the desert and the oasis provided visual images for graphic word pictures in David's poetry, which under the inspiration of the Spirit of God contributed so much to the Book of Psalms: the hills, the shelter provided by the shadow of a massive rock, running water in a scene of dearth, wildlife in its natural habitat.

HYLAND, D. T. | Jun 1985
General