An excerpt from chapter 2 of By the Waters of Kadesh, due next month: Kamose slid his dagger down the length of the willow branch a final time, removing the last of the twigs and knots, making it as smooth as possible. He ran his fingers down the branch, then took an end in each hand and flexed it. …
As the Mountains Surround Jerusalem…
Although it is one of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem was not particularly significant to the Jewish people until the time of David. When the spies visited Canaan, it would have been just another city sitting on the Way of the Patriarchs. During the time of Joshua, the king of Jerusalem actually forged an alliance with four …
It’s Literally the Beginning of the End of the World
It’s finally happened. Merriam-Webster, Macmillan Dictionary, and Google have done it. Even the Cambridge Dictionary and the revered Oxford English Dictionary have done it. Done what? All these dictionaries have said that literally no longer has to mean “used for showing that what you are saying is really true and is not just an impressive way of describing something.” …
10 Things Your Kids Won’t Tell You About Divorce
Divorce wreaks havoc. On everyone involved. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that. I know many divorces are not wanted by both parties. I know sometimes they are necessary due to horrible abuse. I know these are wild generalizations, and that not all of these will apply to every family, so please don’t send me hate mail. I …
For as Much Money as it is Worth
Then Abraham rose [and] said, “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.” (Genesis 23:3-4) The Cave of Machpelah, located in the old city of Hebron, is the world’s most ancient Jewish site and the second holiest place for the Jewish people. The cave and …
“Walled up to Heaven”
When the spies visited Hebron, they found a city “walled up to heaven.” (Deut 1:28) They found out why—the city was inhabited by the Anakim. It’s complicated to explain the Anakim, and there are several theories still very much in play, but here is what I have learned as best as I understand it. (It’s helpful to know the –im …
Ancient Hebron, home of Abraham
Hebron: one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the world, and the oldest Jewish community. Over 3,000 feet above sea level, this city lies on the Way of the Patriarchs, the main highway connecting Jerusalem and parts farther north with Egypt. Genesis 23 tells us that Abraham purchased a plot of ground in Hebron for a burial cave for …
The Original Tract Housing
When archeologists excavated Arad, they found many stone dwellings in what seemed to be a residential area. Streets and alleys ran between the blocks of houses that were of differing sizes (500 to 1500 square feet), but they were nearly identical: a walled courtyard, a long living room and a small or kitchen. The rectangular living room was open to …
A Forever Family for Ahmose
Enjoy this excerpt from In the Shadow of Sinai when Bezalel takes Ahmose home from the palace after he has been beaten. Ahmose was asleep by the time Bezalel stepped inside his house. He hated to wake him up, but he knew his back must be tended to. Imma came out to the main room from the kitchen beyond it, …
Arad—Not Your Average City on a Hill
In Numbers 13, Moses sends spies to check out the Promised Land. The Scriptures do not tell us which cities the scouts visited, but we can guess they took they most common route through Canaan, and visited the biggest cities along that route. The first city the spies are likely to have reached is Arad. Arad was a prosperous and …