Israel Travel Diary
March 1997

Arad

The Negev Desert is located in the southern part of Israel and makes up more than half of the land area of Israel.

Ancient Tel Arad

Arad is at the northern edge of the Negev. It is close to the Dead Sea, Judean Wilderness, and the desert. It is a modern city of about 20,000 people and is about 5 miles east of the ancient Tel Arad.

Tom Brimmer at Tel Arad

Tel Arad is the richest Biblical archeological site in the Negev. Twelve towns are built on top of each other. The earliest occupants of this site were in the 3rd millennium BC. Judah conquered Canaanite city in the 10th century BC and it became an important city of Judah. Contrary to the command of Deuteronomy 12:4-5 "..build a sanctuary for Him at a place He himself will select..", the Israelites at Tel Arad built a sanctuary, complete with sacrificial activities, Holy of Holies, etc. It was an abomination to the Lord but was an operative high place until the
sanctuary was destroyed by Josiah ( 2nd Kings 23) after the Babylonian exile.

Tel Arad

Worship Where?
We are called to worship God,
Deep within our hearts.
In such a way that fertile crops,
Feed the poor each day.
That hands and feet obey His call,
Each pathway leads from Him.
False hearts fight, and evil grows,
A call for thee resounds.
On bended knee, repentance plea,
Needy souls all.
The proclamation of His life,
Me, you need Me.

Clay April 1997


- Jerusalem