Master Minded Ministries Newsletter - June 2023
Update on Master Minded Student Ministries
by Jerri McGarrah
There was an age of godlessness in Israel. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel were terrible rulers and God had Elijah curse the land because of them. There was no rain for three years! 1 Kings 17 and 18 tell the story of the prophet confronting the king and the severe famine that came on the land. Famine and drought didn’t change their minds or get their attention, but in chapter 18 God has decided it’s time for a confrontation of the gods. Elijah challenged Ahab to bring all the prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel and see which god would answer their prayers.
Elijah’s words echo through the ages – “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him. But the people said nothing.” I Kings 18:21,22.
Today, once again, we are facing this confrontation of gods. The world and the culture are screaming for acceptance and demanding approval. The famine is a bit different, but, in all reality we are lacking the rain from Heaven and the bread of Life. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the God who called us out of our world and culture and today stands up before us asking us this very question - Who will you serve? This is not the time to be silent! This generation needs the previous one to say something, do something that will give them light and hope for the future. That’s in our hands to do.
Master Minded Ministries is our vehicle to say to the upcoming generation – “There is a God in Zion! Our God is God!.” Jesus was born and lived a Jewish life and we cannot separate His lessons and story from what He was and continues to be. Being a disciple is a lifestyle that is grounded in a rich soil of spiritual depth and understanding, not an organization. A disciple is more than an educational opportunity, it is daily surrender to the life of the Father. This walk with Jesus is transforming us to become who God wants us to be to all of creation.
We have 28 students along with their parents, who have endeavored to walk with us through a time of discipleship which will culminate in a trip to Israel in March of 2024. I’d like to share a couple of discipleship moments that we are working on.
The first Hebrew word is Shema. It is from the scripture in Deuteronomy 6:4 which says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one (alone). Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Shema, the Hebrew word for “to hear, or to listen” is more than just hear. It’s to give yourself to pay attention. My version of Shema is this:
“Listen up – Jerri McGarrah – God is God, and you are not! He will do all that He will do, and you need only to love Him with everything in you. Stand back and get out of His way!”
Why is this important? Because most of us have control issues! We think that He probably needs us to organize things and invite Him to be part of it. Actually, it is the reverse. He has things organized and as we walk in a love relationship with Him, He will have us at the right place at the right time! We don’t have to be worried because He is very capable to accomplishing all that He wants to do. He doesn’t even need our opinions, or attitudes! The message of 1Kings is so vital right now – don’t be silent! It’s time that our world needs to see that our God is able!
2024 will come and we will realize that we belong to Him and He will show us how He works all things together for good to those who love Him. I have been blessed to see how God is raising up another generation to stand strong, to know Him and love Him. They will have to be as they face the future.
Donations and sponsorship are a blessing. Prayers are always welcomed and your encouragement is appreciated!
Thank you to everyone who joins us on this adventure.
A Present-Day Pilgrimage to Mt. Sinai (Continued)
Read the first-half of this article in the MMM March 2023 Newsletter
by Robert Wittenberg
But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!” The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. – Exodus 17:3-6
Actual drone footage from our pilgrimage: Split Rock of Moses, Saudi Arabia
Departing Split Rock, we drove another two hours to reach the mass gravesite where 3,000 Golden Calf worshippers were buried having been killed for their betrayal and idolatry. The Saudi Government had the entire area fenced off and it was not accessible.
Moses told them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.... Then the Lord sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made. Exodus 32: 27-28,35
Link: Graveyard Near Golden Calf Site - Jabal Maqla
Our next stop was at the site of the Golden Calf Altar; near our eventual campsite and close to the foot of Jabal al Lawz...the real Mount Sinai. The Biblical account of the Golden Calf is familiar to all Christians (and Jews). Like our experience at the Split Rock, we stood in awe. The size of it defied our childhood, Sunday School perceptions and we could not help but be emotionally moved knowing what transpired at the site more than 3,000 years ago. How the ancient Israelites were able to construct the altar of “natural stone” is an engineering question probably equal to “how the Great Pyramids were constructed?” The stones are massive; perhaps an impossible challenge for even modern-day heavy equipment. Yet the evidence of rock formation’s purpose is undeniable. Petroglyphs depicting cows and other ancient scenes cover the massive stones on the sides of the altar and on the top there is a large, shallow indentation which indicates this may be where Moses pulverized the Golden Calf. Additionally, the Saudi Government installed a chain-link security fence around the site to prevent looting.
When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!” The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry. Exodus 32:1-6
Related reading/food for thought: Golden calf - Wikipedia
For the next two days and evenings, our group resided in two man tents (cots & sleeping bags) and dined formally (considering our circumstance) hosted by our chief guide, his assistant guides/drivers, and local Bedouin assistants. We were each given a Thwab by our hosts...to wear while we were there. The thwab is a thick robe worn for warmth; nighttime and early morning temperatures were in the 30s. The campsite was surreal. Besides the previously mentioned two-man tents, etc., there were linen-covered tables and chairs for dining, and a large Bedouin tent which served as our social and meditative center in the evenings. It was configured with portable firepits, carpeting, and traditional seating. Drinking hot tea, eating “cookies” and exchanging thoughts and perceptions...listening to contemporary Saudi music played in the background...in some way, it seemed we had assimilated into both past, ancient history and into the current, local culture while still remaining present-day, observing participants. Unforgettable.
Climbing the mountain. We proceeded to the foot of Mount Sinai where we came to the archeological remains of the stone-walled animal chutes, the Altar of Moses, and the remaining nine or ten of the original twelve marble pillars...one for each of the tribes of Israel. Again, the magnitude of being at this location and what transpired here was, and is, indescribable.
Then the LORD instructed Moses: “Come up here to me, and bring along Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders. All of you must worship from a distance. Only Moses is allowed to come near to the LORD. The others must not come near, and none of the other people are allowed to climb up the mountain with him.” Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the LORD had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the LORD has commanded.” Then Moses carefully wrote down all the LORD’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent some of the young Israelite men to present burnt offerings and to sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. Moses drained half the blood from these animals into basins. The other half he splattered against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the LORD has commanded. We will obey.” Exodus 24:1-7
Actual drone footage from our pilgrimage: Altar of Moses at the Base of Mt. Sinai, Saudi Arabia
From the point of Moses’ Altar, our group divided into two parties. One group departed for the top of Mount Sinai and the other half began the climb to Elijah’s Cave. I went to Elijah’s Cave and cannot personally witness to the climb to the peak of Mount Sinai. That said, drone recorded video footage of the climb is provided. The Book of Exodus thoroughly accounts for Moses’ climbs to the top of the mountain. In all, he climbed Mt. Sinai eight times; six while there with the Israelites. It must be mentioned that he was over eighty years old when he made the climbs while the Israelites waited below...and he did-so while wearing sandals and a robe. As reported by our groups’ Sinai climbers, the 3.5-hour, present-day climb with appropriate rugged footwear, clothing, leather gloves, and trekking poles was a significant challenge. Our imaginations, with regard to Moses’ climb, were full of boundless admiration. In modern-day, contemporary vernacular, “he was a stud!”
Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai. Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19:1-6
Actual drone footage from our pilgrimage: Climbing Mt. Sinai, Saudi Arabia
Our other group’s trek to Elijah’s Cave was similarly rugged and challenging. The exhausting ordeal encompassed approximately two hours ascent and two hours in descent. As with the Mt Sinai climbers, there were no paths or trails...not even the faintest small animal trail for those of us headed to Elijah’s Cave. It was steep and treacherous and the potential for accident and severe injury was constantly on our minds as we negotiated the climb. As with the climb to the top of Mt. Sinai, it was a technical climb; not a hike. Hugging large, granite rock faces while carefully stepping on rocks covered with loose shale...a fall wouldn’t have been more than 15-20 feet, but there were no “soft-landing” spots and the fall would probably compounded into a tumble-event with several more 15-20 foot falls before coming to rest. The Bible says, “Pray without ceasing”...we fully complied. At Elijah’s Cave; two points – the view was magnificent. Moses’ Altar, the animal chutes, and the Golden Calf Altar were all visible. The other point, most significant, was the historical significance of this location. Elijah journeyed here nearly 3,000 years ago escaping from Queen Jezebel who was very angry with Elijah. Read 1 Kings chapters 18 and 19 for the related, complete story. Just an excerpt:
King Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how Elijah had killed all the prophets with a sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me terribly if by this time tomorrow I don’t kill you just as you killed those prophets.” When Elijah heard this, he was afraid and ran for his life, taking his servant with him. When they came to Beersheba in Judah, Elijah left his servant there. Then Elijah walked for a whole day into the desert. He sat down under a bush and asked to die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he prayed. “Let me die. I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and slept. Suddenly an angel came to him and touched him. “Get up and eat,” the angel said. Elijah saw near his head a loaf baked over coals and a jar of water, so he ate and drank. Then he went back to sleep. Later the Lord’s angel came to him a second time. The angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat. If you don’t, the journey will be too hard for you.” So Elijah got up and ate and drank. The food made him strong enough to walk for forty days and nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There Elijah went into a cave and stayed all night. 1 Kings 19: 1-9
Link: The Cave of Elijah at Mount Sinai - Jabal Maqla
Leaving Mount Sinai the following day, everyone was tired from the climbing activities the day prior, but we were filled with mixed emotions. This is where God made His Covenant with the Israelites. Other than Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, it doesn't get any more meaningful. Being there added a 3rd dimension to the Biblical account of this critical phase of our Christian history. Awe, prayerful humbleness, spiritual awakening/renewal, full realization of where we’d been and what we’d done...and more indescribable emotions. A part of each of us was not ready to leave; feeling that we needed to stay longer and absorb the knowledge that God wanted us to know and remember. So yes, there was a feeling of emptiness and regret as we took final glimpses of the burnt top of the Mountain of God.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
On our journey towards Jordan, we stopped briefly at what’s believed to be the site of the Bitter Waters of Marah (Exodus 15) and also at the Well of Moses and Jethro’s Caves.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters who came as usual to draw water and fill the water troughs for their father’s flocks. But some other shepherds came and chased them away. So Moses jumped up and rescued the girls from the shepherds. Then he drew water for their flocks. When the girls returned to Reuel (Jethro), their father, he asked, “Why are you back so soon today?” “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they answered. “And then he drew water for us and watered our flocks.” “Then where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave him there? Invite him to come and eat with us.” Moses accepted the invitation, and he settled there with him. In time, Jethro gave Moses his daughter Zipporah to be his wife. Exodus 2: 16-21
Departing Saudi Arabia, we bid, “Farewell and thank you!” to our Saudi hosts and crossed into Jordan where we were greeted by a new guide. We boarded a tour bus and headed to a Wadi Rum. It's a desert location about 2-hours south of Petra, known for its desolation, wind/sand shaped rocks, canyons, and hills and for its red sand. Movies "Lawrence of Arabia," "The Martian," and others were filmed there. We stayed 2-days/1-night. Accommodations were 2-man, Martian-movie styled cubes...with warm showers...first time in five days we could take a shower. Large, indoor, Bedouin-styled common area served as both dining and recreation/social area. Very nice...internationally popular...Germans, Italians, Indians,...others we met. The next day we jumped aboard land cruiser pick-ups configured with seat benches in the bed. We drove throughout the desert area, visited Bedouin sites and purchased a few trinkets...visited with camels, too. Bedouins apparently thrive on the tourist industry...kids less-than 10 years old ride the camels like seasoned cowboys, know how to operate our cell phone cameras better than us, and speak fluent English, too. Our tourist encampment was just one of many located throughout the Wadi Rum area. We ate lunch back at our encampment and then boarded the bus and drove to Aqaba.
In Aqaba, we stayed “10-hours” in a very, very nice hotel on the waters’-edge of the Gulf of Aqaba...The Intercontinental. Hot showers! We arrived there at 3:00 p.m. on February 2nd, showered, relaxed, ate a terrific buffet-styled meal, slept for a couple hours, and then reboarded our bus at 1:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3rd for the short drive to the Aqaba International Airport. We flew from Aqaba, Jordan to Istanbul, Turkey, to San Francisco, to Salt Lake City, to Boise...20-hours in the air alone not counting layovers. We arrived in Boise at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 4th;...physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.
In retrospect for me, I’m still digesting the memories of our ten-day pilgrimage. I think about the experiences every day as I’m sure all of my fellow pilgrims continue to dwell on our mutual trip of a lifetime. I will think of this for the remainder of my life.
Speaking through the prophet Joel, God said, “Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.” Joel 1:3
Note: There is a considerable, perhaps some may say an overwhelming, amount of information on the internet concerning Mount Sinai and the Israelite’s exodus from Egypt. Remember to cross-check what you read at those sites with what is actually in the Bible and contained in Bible-based references and sources.
Thank you to Mr. David Orias for the drone footage used and cited in this article.
Mt. Ebal Inscription - Connecting the Dots
by Aaron Lipkin
Introduction
Image courtesy of Lipkin Tours
Between 1982 and 1989, Professor Adam Zertal from the Haifa University conducted an archaeological excavation on the northeastern slopes of Mount Ebal. The excavation revealed two altars dated to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age. A large rectangular altar covered and venerated a smaller round altar. Professor Zertal identified this site with the temenos described in the Bible as being commanded by Moses (Deuteronomy 27) and then built by Joshua Ben Nun (Joshua 8).
During the months of October and November of 2019, I organized a special operation in coordination with the Israeli Defense Forces and Samaria Governor, Mr. Yossi Dagan, to extract some of the archaeological dump from Zertal’s 1980’s excavation, so that this material could be re-analyzed by Dr. Scott Stripling from the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR).
In December of 2019, during a wet sifting operation of the dump piles, Dr. Stripling’s team discovered a folded lead tablet with indentations on its exterior side.
Specialists from the ABR team analyzed the tablet in a laboratory to determine if it could be opened. Unfortunately, the lead was too brittle, and a tiny corner broke off the tablet. Professor Naama Yahalom-Mack from Hebrew University tested this fragment and determined that the folded lead derived from a mine in Lavrion, Greece. This mine was known to be in use in the Late Bronze Age. The tablet was then sent to the Academy of Sciences in Prague where a series of tomographic scans were performed in its exterior and interior. At this point, Stripling invited the Prague scientists and two experienced epigraphers to join a collaborative team to study the artifact.
After analysis of the scans revealed an inscription in a very ancient Hebrew Script, Stripling and the epigraphers, Peter Gert van der Veen and Gershon Galil, held a press conference on March 25th, 2022, announcing the discovery.
About Masterminded Ministries
We’re a 501©3 non-profit organization that connects Christians to the Jewish roots of our faith. We offer Biblical Journeys to the holy land and more. We have a radio program/podcast for The Teacher and the Preacher, and we also teach and preach to that end. Our mission is to build bridges of understanding so that we gain the rich heritage that God intended for us, as well.
You can contact us through our website at MasterMindedMinistries.org or TheTeacherandthePreacher.com
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6
