In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. PSALM 76:2 

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. ISAIAH 2:2 

Holy Site for Many Faiths: Jerusalem is the focal point for the most important religious events of Judaism and Christianity. For the Jews, Jerusalem is the location of the Lord's house. For Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City is the location for the Lord's house. Both are correct, the prophecy is a parallel, a reference to two Zions. It has become the third most holy site for Islam. The Savior's greatest gift to humanity came and will come from Jerusalem. We'll examine these things in detail as the historical events and sites of the city are described. Today the city spreads over a cluster of seven hills and has six principal canyons leading up to it. Each canyon ends by a hill or mount that overlooks the city of Jerusalem. Presently, as in the past, each hill acts as a populated guardian or fortress for the city. In that sense, the city is surrounded by a "wall of people."  PHOTO:  CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS

My Home in Gilo: I live in Jerusalem on one of those hills, Gilo, a mile north of Bethlehem. It is probably the same town of Giloh in King David's time. 

 
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. 2 SAMUEL 15:12 

The Arab village of Bet Jala is just a mile from Bethlehem, a little south of the Jewish residences of Gilo. The name connection is still there, even though the spelling may differ in various languages. 

Jerusalem Is Like a Hand: Jerusalem is spread out much like the palm of your right hand--facing up. The roads in and out of Jerusalem are like your fingers and wrist. The "thumb" is north and leads to Samaria. The "pointer finger" is northwest and leads towards Modiin where Judas the Macabee lived (He started the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah). The "middle finger" is westward and leads to Bet Shemesh where Samson had his affairs. The "ring finger" is southwestern and leads to the Valley of Elah where David made such an impression on Goliath! The "little or pinky finger" is southward and leads to Bethlehem where sheep and shepherds still reside. The "wrist to the elbow" approach is eastward and leads to Jericho where the walls came tumbling down. 
 
 

A Contrast of Scenery: The area from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea is a contrast like no other. The annual rainfall in the Judean Hills is the same as in London (about twenty-three to twenty-six inches per year), but just about a dozen miles away, the Jordan desert and the Dead Sea receive but a few drops (historically, less than one inch per year). Here the lower Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea. The area around the Dead Sea has looked much like a moonscape, but the greenery from the tops of the Judean Hills is now being brought to the desert. As you see the contrasts of desert and fruitful green fields, you may well wonder what God had in mind to have led the ancient covenant people of Israel from Moab and across the Jordan River to this harsh desert area. 

 
...the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan,... and the people passed over right against Jericho.... and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. JOSHUA 3:14, 16-17 

The Walls of Jericho: Just north of the Dead Sea, you find Jericho nestled at the bottom of the Judean Hills. You can still discover a quiet town of fruit and vegetable growers. It is a trade-route city that has encountered at least twenty-eight different conquests, as evidenced in the excavations of this ancient tel. One of those conquests was by Joshua, who led the Israelites on six silent daily walks around the walls of the city. On the seventh day they made another six silent walks around the city. All the noiseless marching may have confused the ancient inhabitants of Jericho. It was the seventh walk around the city on the seventh day that was made noisily. Accompanied by trumpets and shouts, the walls came tumbling down!  PHOTO:  JERICHO RUINS
 

And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho,... 

And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. 

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. 

And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. JOSHUA 6:2-3, 15-16 

Achan Stoned for Coveting Wealth: During the conquering of Jericho, the prophet Joshua commanded that all living persons and animals were to be killed except for Rahab (the harlot who had saved the Israelite spies). All gold, silver and other metal, and worthwhile items were to be brought to the Lord's treasury. Though no loot was to be taken at Jericho, a certain man named Achan succumbed to the temptation of wealth and took some spoils. Because he took a Babylonish garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold and hid them in his tent, the Israelites experienced a terrible defeat at their next battle. After Joshua had interviewed man by man he found Achan, who confessed the theft. He and his entire family were stoned to death, and then with all of their possessions they were burned with fire. 
 

And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: 

When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. 

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. 

And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord. 

...And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. JOSHUA 7:20, 23-25 

Mount of Temptation: PHOTO:  MOUNT OF TEMPTATION  As recorded in the New Testament, Jesus was tempted with the wealth of the world by Satan. This probably happened at Jericho, an oasis, and an important and busy crossroads. This way station was obviously a place of wealth, natural and manmade. The Mount of Temptation just above Jericho marks the traditional spot where Jesus' temptation for wealth may have occurred. 
 

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. MATTHEW 4:8-10 

A monastery has been built into the side of the mount. Tradition indicates that for many years the monastery was "wordless." Possibly this was done in symbolic gesture of the silent walks the Israelites made around the site. 

Tax Collector in a Tree: When Jesus was teaching at Jericho the tax collector, Zacchaeus, climbed a tree to better see him. Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus's house to dine with him. People murmured that Jesus was socializing with the expropriator of their taxes. It is interesting to note that tax collectors had to reach a quota set by the Romans. It was imperative that taxes were collected above the normal rate when the economy was good so that the quota could be met when the economy was bad. The people murmured that Zacchaeus may have abused that system for his own benefit. However, a better look into his personality shows differently, or at least indicates a complete change. Zacchaeus became so impressed with Jesus' teachings that he offered half of his wealth to the poor and fourfold repayment to the people he had wronged. 
 

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 

And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 

And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. LUKE 19:1-8 

A tree in Jericho marks the traditional site of that event. I recall that some professional tree surgeons touring with me a few years ago remarked that the supposed Zacchaeus tree looked more like two hundred years old than two thousand. Fortunately, it's not the tree, but the story that reminds us of what is important. 

The three Jericho stories have some connection to wealth. Achan succumbed to temptation, disobeyed, and stole. Jesus was tempted, but refused the wealth of the world. And Zacchaeus, having surrendered to temptation, was willing to repay his wrongs even by false accusation--fourfold. 

Everything Belongs to God: The important lesson underlying these accounts is that there is no ownership, it is all stewardship. Everything belongs to the Lord. Whatever wealth man assembles is a test of his stewardship. 

In the same period of history another community was situated close by the Dead Sea, sharing what little wealth they had in a common unity. The ruins of Qumran echo the history of a people supposed by many to be the Essenes. PHOTO:  A QUMRAN CAVE

The Dead Sea Scrolls: The Dead Sea Scrolls were found quite by accident by some Bedouin boys. Apparently they were throwing stones into cavities of rock as they curiously examined one of the many holes and caves by the Dead Sea. They explored one cave where one of their stones had struck a clay jar which had lain hidden for close to two thousand years. Wrapped in musty cloth, the leather scrolls in the clay jars were meaningless to them, but eventually they pawned them off for a "few dollars" to a shoemaker in Bethlehem. He was able to sell them for a substantial sum to a Jewish scholar, Dr. Eliezar Sukenik, who recognized their immense historical and religious value. 

After the scrolls were discovered, the Bedouin began combing the caves for more inventory to sell. In one case they began to cut leather scrolls into strips so they had more inventory. The French and Jordanians secured the area to protect the antiquities. PHOTO:  PORTION OF DEAD SEA SCROLLS

Essene Community: By now the nearby ruins have become significant and are being excavated. Living quarters, writing halls, cisterns, and immersion fonts indicated a religious Jewish life of two thousand years ago. It is not strange to find immersion fonts in this community; after all, Jews still practice immersions today. Many religious Jews feel that water used in ritual immersions must be spring water, the term for that is "living water." Nearby are numerous springs as well as the Jordan River which is fed by springs from the northern Galilee. The scriptures indicate that John the Baptist was immersing in the Jordan River; very possibly it was at a point close by. Mormons and others are comfortable with the term baptism. The Jews, however, see baptism as a renunciation of being a Jew (a perceived kind of anti-Semitism). So we'll continue to use the term immersion. Incidentally, conversion to Judaism requires, among other things, a complete immersion. 

Contents of Scrolls: A part of every ancient book of the Old Testament except the book of Esther was found in these writings, including the entire book of Isaiah. 

Oldest Biblical Writings: These biblical writings are a thousand years older than any previously known Hebrew biblical text. Some Qumran biblical books have additional written texts other than the ones we know today. There are references to other writings that are lost to us today. The Essenes also wrote prolifically about their own interpretations and plans for the near future. They seemed to consider that they were in the "latter days" and even planned to rebuild the existing Temple in Jerusalem. The best-preserved parts of these scrolls are displayed at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem at the Shrine of the Book. We'll have more about the Dead Sea Scrolls in another chapter. 

An Oasis at the Dead Sea: The most outstanding display of nature and scenery at the Dead Sea is undoubtedly the oasis of Ein Gedi.  PHOTO:  EIN GEDI STREAM

 
My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. SONG OF SOLOMON 1:14 

Cold fresh water as well as hot sulfur springs still flow out of the Judean mountains. 

Kibbutz Ein Gedi: The Kibbutz Ein Gedi has done some remarkable farming; it also has a youth hostel and cafeteria and boasts of naturally hot and cold running water. The natural hot springs and fresh waterfalls are an attraction enjoyed by many tourists and a constant draw for Israelis who particularly enjoy nature hiking. The Kibbutz Ein Gedi operates a successful spa which attracts visitors from all over the world to take advantage of the healing properties of the Dead Sea. The spa as well as hotels in the area have resident nurses and medical practitioners to assist visitors in their specialized therapies for treating arthritic conditions, psoriasis, eczema and other skin difficulties. The famous Hadassah Medical Organization has encouraged doctors to use the healing effects of the Dead Sea. Health-care programs around the world have begun to recognize the dramatic healing effect these unusual waters provide. There are numerous sulphur and fresh-water springs that come out of the mountains and flow into the Dead Sea. 

King Saul and David: Two thousand years ago, Jewish Zealots retreated to nearby caves in order to hide from the Romans who were not used to mountain climbing and cave searches. A thousand years before that, David, escaping the murderous intent of Saul, hid in nearby caves. Saul, searching for David, went into a cave 
 

...to cover his feet... 1 SAMUEL 24:3 

(a scriptural way of saying he went to relieve himself). David was in that same cave. He cut off a part of Saul's cloak but would not kill him. As Saul left, David showed himself and said, 

 
...I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed. 1 SAMUEL 24:10 

Saul then replied, 
 

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. 1 SAMUEL 24:20 

When David refused to kill the "Lord's anointed," he was symbolically teaching that Saul, too, should not be trying to kill the anointed king (remember, David had already been anointed to be the king of Israel). 
 

Mineral Content: The mineral content of the Dead Sea is about 27 percent. That is the maximum mineral saturation water can have at this elevation and temperature. A mineral extraction plant is located on its southern shore at Sdom; the name is probably derived from the ancient name Sodom. Minerals and derivatives are exported throughout the world. Minerals included in the unusual body of water are magnesium, bromides, calcium chloride, and sodium chloride. Potash is also derived from the Dead Sea. Common table salt originates here as well. The Dead Sea is the world's largest concentration of what is commonly called liquid metal, magnesium. The potash mined from the lake is easily stored below sea level. Anywhere else the potash liquefies, but below sea level it stays in its powdery state. This makes an important impact on its marketability. This is also one of the reasons why the Dead Sea Scrolls were preserved so well.  PHOTO:  SWIMMERS IN THE DEAD SEA

Lot's Wife and Salt: Also, as the water evaporates from the lake, the high concentration of salt and minerals crystallize and form "pillars." I suppose one of them could be called "Lot's Wife"--the pillar of the community! This is probably the area she lived in when she was "turned to salt." 
 

Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 

And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. GENESIS 19:24-26 

Lowest Place on Earth: At thirteen hundred feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on the face of the earth. It is also thirteen hundred feet deep. The lake's level has been hundreds of feet higher in ancient times, but today it is receding rapidly. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie, a British Egyptologist and archaeologist, made a measurement mark of the Dead Sea over seventy years ago; the lake's level has dropped close to seventy feet in the same time. 

The Great Salt Lake: As mentioned in the previous section, since nothing lives in it, in Hebrew it is not referred to generally as the Dead Sea, but more often as the Great Salt Lake. (The words "lake," "sea," and even "ocean" are simply yam in Hebrew.) 
 

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. GENESIS 14:3 

And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about. NUMBERS 34:12 

And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan: JOSHUA 15:5