The Dead Sea is the lowest point in the world at 1300 feet below sea level. The salt concentration of the Dead Sea fluctuates around 31.5%. By comparison, the world's saltiest oceans are only 3 to 6 percent. Because of the salt content, I was able to experience an amazing sense of buoyancy. Everything and everyone floats in the Dead Sea! I was able to float while being motionless and completely vertical with both my hands in the air. Amazing! In fact, we even were able to do some fancy synchronized swimming.
However, because of the salt content, and because it's completely landlocked (so any fresh or saltwater that flows into it is trapped with no way out), the Dead Sea lives up to it’s name – it really IS dead. Nothing lives in the Dead Sea. No life forms, except for some bacteria are able to survive in the Dead Sea.
Yet, just literally across the road is the Oasis of En-Gedi. It is a lush canyon, complete with waterfalls and pools of freshwater springs. It is here where David found a place to hid from the death squads of King Saul who wanted him dead. It is also here, in one of the many caves of En Gedi, that David, although he had the chance to kill Saul, choose not to. David chose life over death. Life not only for Saul, but in the process, for himself. He wasn’t going to end up like Saul. He was going to be about life, and not death.
It was in the En Gedi, after having spent some time bobbing in the Dead Sea and a short hike, I got to jump into a refreshing pool of fresh-water. I could actually put my head in the water without worrying about the salt burning my eyes or tongue! In the freshwater pool, next to the waterfall, attached to a crevice of rock, was a large crab. Things can live in this body of water. It gives life!
I found it quite interesting that my experience of the En Gedi took place right after my experience with the Dead Sea. Fresh-water came after the salt. Crabs came after bacteria. Life came after death. I like that order.
Death that gives way to life
Death that leads to resurrection.
Death that gives way to eternity.
why are you covered in tar?? or what is that stuff?
ReplyDeleteit's mud from these mud holes around the dead sea. Mud treatments from the dead sea are supposed to be good for ya!
ReplyDelete