Day 4 - The Desert as a Refuge

Day 4 – The Desert as a Refuge

 

Today we’ll be experiencing the desert as a refuge. At first, that may sound like an oxymoron. A desert is an arid, desolate, even forbidding area. How can that be a refuge – a shelter or protection from danger or distress?

 

I think this Merriam-Webster definition of refuge could be helpful: something to which one has recourse in difficulty. Let’s look at each of today’s key passages, in context of some of the sites we’ll be visiting, with this definition in mind.

 

Psalm 121 is the second of fifteen Psalms of Ascent. This group of psalms would have been chanted, by memory, as Jews made their pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem every year for the Three Festivals (Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Booths). The words of these psalms were in their hearts that they could draw strength from as they made their way through the difficult and dangerous terrain. Reciting psalm 121 would remind them that their help comes from the LORD. He will not let their feet be moved. The LORD keeps Israel and does not slumber or sleep. There is never a time when His consciousness of Israel is suspended, regardless of what their circumstances may have suggested at any time in history.

 

According to the ESV study bible, psalm 121 “seems to be intended to instill confidence in those making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship. The successful journey becomes a parable for the whole of one’s life, in which the faithful can be confident of God’s tireless care.” Day 4 in our pilgrimage will end in Jerusalem, so it seems fitting and appropriate to start the day reading this Psalm of Ascent as we begin to make our way there.

 

But we have several historical and biblical sites to discuss and visit first, before we enter Jerusalem. Let’s start with an important site that we originally planned to visit, Ein Gedi.

 

Ein Gedi (1 Samuel 24:1-11)

The hills and caves of Sin Gedi where Saul hid from Saul

Some additional photos of Ein Gedi 

The story of David hiding from Saul in the wilderness of Engedi gives a traditional example of refuge, as evidenced by David’s hiding in a cave.  But the story also shows David drawing from deep within himself and his trust in God to determine his recourse and action. 

 

Saul was the first anointed King of Israel. But his insecurity and jealousy overtook him because David was anointed to eventually take the throne (1 Samuel 16). At this point in 1 Samuel 24 Saul had been pursuing David, so much so that he wanted to take David’s life (1 Samuel 23:15). When Saul stopped pursuing David so he could go up against the Philistines, David and his men went to live in the strongholds of Engedi (1 Samuel 23:29). When Saul returned, he again sought out David there. It says that Saul went into the cave to relieve himself, which left him in a vulnerable position. David’s men said, “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” (24:4) David’s immediate response was to stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

 

What would be a natural human response as to what should seem good after being hunted down? Many, including David’s men, thought attacking Saul would be appropriate and justified.  But David didn’t attack and kill Saul, even though he could have.  In fact, he immediately expressed remorse for just cutting off a corner of his robe. “Afterward David’s heart struck him.” (24:5) The tassels on the corners of the Israelite’s garments had significant meaning. They were to be a reminder of the commandments of the LORD so that they would not follow after their own hearts and would remain holy. (Numbers 15:37-41) The tassels on Saul’s robe would have had also markings identifying him as king. David was reminded, and told his men, that Saul was the LORD’s anointed. 

 

Where did this restraint come from? David knew how to behave. He didn’t react or seek vengeance, but he was responsive and intentional. The truth that he held in his heart gave him restraint. When we are given the opportunity to do what should seem good to us, what do we draw upon to make a decision in the moment? Just like the Israelites who chanted the Psalms of Ascent from memory on the way to Jerusalem, I think having God’s word stored up inside of us is what we can draw upon in times of crisis or trial. 

 

Jen Wilkin describes this like a savings account that we can draw upon when we need it, and often when we don’t expect to. Too often Scripture can be treated more like an ATM – we want to withdraw only what we need for this moment, this day, or current circumstance. But God’s word becomes our guide when it is saved inside of us.  When it becomes part of our very being it becomes a light unto our feet, and refuge, when we are in the desert.  

 

Yes, the caves and canyons of En Gedi gave David refuge. But what gave him the best recourse of action in his time of crisis was remaining a man after God’s own heart and being solidly rooted in His truths.

 

Qumran (Isaiah 2:1-5)

 

We will also visit Qumran today, where in 1947 a young shepherd stumbled upon the first Dead Sea Scrolls were found. These documents dated from about 150 B.C. to 70 A.D., and contained writings of scholarly Jews known as the Essenes. Copies of every Old Testament book, with the exception of Esther, were ultimately found. 

 

A complete scroll of Isaiah was found in one of the clay jars at Qumran. Prior to this discovery, the oldest known copies of the Old Testament were from about 900 A.D. And, the complete scroll found of Isaiah was in full textual agreement with what was previously the oldest known copy from 900 A.D.

 

However, the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls didn’t give us God’s word, we already had it. This passage from Isaiah was likely written in the eighth century B.C. Isaiah 2 talks about being taught the LORD’s ways so that we can walk in his paths and in his light. This would have been originally passed down by oral tradition, as well as copies of scrolls. But God’s people have never been without the word of the LORD being accessible, giving us direction for His ways and paths.

 

Cave 1 at Qumran where the complete scroll of Isaiah was found, as well as other scrolls

 

Jesus as Our Best Example (Luke 4:1-13) 

 

We aren’t visiting the Mountain of Temptation today, but Jesus himself gives us the best example of Scripture being our most effective recourse in difficulty. He was tempted in the desert 40 days and 40 nights. He responded to each of the devil’s temptations by using Scripture as his weapon. 

 

Paul also reminds us of the power of the word of God as part of the Whole Armor of God. “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)

 

Yes, the Lord often provides literal refuge through shelter, protection and deliverance from danger or distress. But, frequently the best agency of refuge is simply God and his word.

 

Entering Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6-7)

 

This evening we will enter into the Old City of Jerusalem. Psalm 122 is another Psalm of Ascent and it references Jeremiah 29:7, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you in exile, and pray for the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find welfare.” Jeremiah said these words to the Israelites who were currently in exile in Babylon. He was giving them encouragement to continue to marry, farm, build a life there, while promising to bring them back. In other words, Jeremiah was encouraging the Israelites to not despair and lose hope, but to continue doing life. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

 

The sign at the entrance to the Western Wall in Jerusalem

Psalm 122 is a plea for the peace and security of Jerusalem. The Jewish people are still waiting for the Messiah, still waiting for peace. There is a sign quoting Psalm 122 at the entrance of the Western Wall, which is the closest point to the Holy of Holies on the Temple Mount. However, there is a typo on the English portion. It has the words of Psalm 122, but sites Psalm 22:6-7 as the address. 

 

Psalm 22 is a Messianic psalm, which means it speaks to the person and work of Jesus as the Messiah. “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me, they make mouths at me; they way their heads.” (Psalm 22:6-7) 

 

The Jews continue to pray for peace in Jerusalem. Orthodox Jews even pray for the restoration for the Temple and reinstatement of sacrifices. People of many faiths pray at the Western Wall 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But the Prince of Peace has already come. He was scorned, mocked, despised as Psalm 22 prophesied. And, peace and security, a future and a hope, are found in him. 

 

Some of us might make our way to the Western Wall for a time of prayer and reflection after we check into our hotel in Jerusalem.  Maybe one of the passages in today’s reading would be a meaningful text to pray through there.  Or maybe just the main point from today’s devotional – If Jesus himself used Scripture to be his promise and recourse in his time of difficulty, let us also hold tightly to God’s word, his promises and faithfulness, as our refuge in the deserts of life.                                           

Cindy Preston

 

Reflection Questions

What are the benefits of consuming Scripture like it’s an ATM? As a savings account? 

 

Which way do you generally look at Scripture? What is required to make Scripture a savings account in your heart?

 

How does considering refuge as “something to which one has recourse in difficulty” change the way we think of refuge, particularly when direct relief from a specific situation, diagnosis, or circumstance doesn’t come?

 

It was human error to note Psalm 22:6-7 as the address for the Psalm 122:6-7 text on the sign at the Western Wall. But, in reflecting on the two texts together, how do they relate to each other and speak to a future and a hope?

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being a God in whom I can take refuge. Thank you for your word that, according to the author of Hebrews, “is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Help your word become part of my very being so that I can rely on it as recourse in the difficulties and deserts of life. Thank you for the very human examples that you give us in the scriptures of people who don’t always get it right, but continue to seek your ways. Let me be such a person to continue to study, to grow closer to you, and to allow you to transform me into the likeness of the Prince of Peace. Amen

Day 4 Locations/Sites: (1) Dead Sea (2) Masada (3) Ein Gedi (cancelled) (4) Qumran (5) Abraham's Ten (6) Jerusalem