Our pilgrimage through the homeland of Jesus has come to a halt in the city of Jericho and its surrounding areas. We have already visited the city of Jericho, the adjacent vast stretches of the Judean desert with its huge stones and sandy hills, its valleys and caves. We recall that it was here on the high, steep mountain of the Judean desert that Satan tempted Jesus. Next, our pilgrimage will move towards the Dead Sea and the Qumran Caves on its shores. In these caves were discovered the Dead Sea scrolls. And then we shall turn our steps towards the most important place-the city of Jerusalem.

We can say that the Dead Sea is one of the wonders of the world. It is situated to the south of Palestine on its eastern frontier. The boundary line between the Israel of today and the country of Jordan, cuts across right through the middle of the Dead Sea.

Though it is called "The Dead Sea", it is not a sea in the strict sense. It is just a big lake. This salt lake is 76 km long; its maximum width is 17 kms and its surface area is 920 sq kms. A particular feature of the Dead Sea is the fact that it is the lowest-lying area in the whole world. The surface of this lake is 400 ms below sea level. Its waters are a further 400m deep. In other words, the bottom of the lake is 800 ms. below sea level. The southern most part of the Dead Sea is only at a depth of 6 to 8 metres. At one time this area was the valley of "Siddhim". There were five important cities in this valley. Two of these were Sodom and Gomorrah, mentioned in the Old Testament. These were the cities that were destroyed by God with a shower of fire and sulphur. The area wherein these two cities were situated, became a part of the Dead Sea. The evil perpetrated in these cities and their eventual destruction are narrated in the 19th chapter of the book of Genesis.

As the pilgrims approach this portion of the Dead Sea, and read about the punishment God gave these two cities, a sigh escapes unconsciously from every heart. There is no word spoken; no gush of human emotions. Only a deep, meaningful sigh. This place reminds us of the great truth that sin and wickedness and licentiousness bring about eventual destruction and death. Abraham had interceded with God to save these cities and his nephew Lot and his family who resided there. But his prayer was in vain because Abraham failed to find even ten just men in order to save the city. Nevertheless, God saved Lot and his family from this punishment. All the same, we read in the Old Testament about the punishment given to Lot's wife. As the cities were burning, Lot, with his wife and two daughters, ran away from the city to take refuge in the hill countries. At that time, Lot's wife disobeyed God's command not to turn back and look at the city in flames. She turned round to get a glimpse of it and was immediately transformed into a pillar of salt (cf Gen 19:25-27).

There is still today a salt pillar resembling a human figure on the western shores of the Dead Sea. It easily catches the attention of the pilgrims. As we proceed on our way, the picture and story of Lot's wife remain fresh in our minds. That salt pillar has a message to give-a message that touches the heart of every pilgrim. It speaks to the minds of men who turn a deaf ear to divine inspirations and warnings and close their hearts to God's voice. Those who refuse to obey the commandments and prohibitions ordained by God, will ultimately be destroyed.

The Dead Sea is known by various names in the Old Testament. In some passages it is called the "Salt Sea" or the "Araba Sea" (cf Gen 14:4; Num 34:3,12; Deut 3:17; Josh 12:3;3:16). In some other places it is known as the Eastern Sea (cf Ez 47:18;Joel 2:20; Zach 14:8). It is also referred to as the Sea of Sodom or the Sea of Lot.

The characteristics of this lowest-lying area in the whole world, are varied. The reason why it is called the Dead Sea is because no living creature can exist in its waters. It thus subsists as a symbol of death and a memorial of destruction. Due to the heightened density of its waters, if we jump into the lake, we shall remain floating on its surface. In order to prove this hearsay evidence, pilgrims and tourists make it a point to plunge into the lake to have a bath. However much they may try, they will not sink to the bottom of the lake. People lying flat on the waters, as if on a mattress, and reading the newspaper, is a common sight at this spot.

The high density of the water is caused by the great deal of minerals and chemicals present in it. The measure of salt present is much more than that in ordinary sea water. While, as a rule, one litre of sea water contains 35 gms of salt, experiments have proved that one litre of Dead Sea water contains 275 gms. Besides, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium are present in large quantities. The Dead Sea area is renowned for its manufacture of chemicals and minerals and trade in these commodities. The sea is thus a source of great income to the country.

The river Jordan that flows into the Dead Sea becomes a part of it. Every day, seven lakh tons of water are emptied from the river Jordan into the Dead Sea. Besides, there are several streams of molten salt from the salt mountains around that flow into the Dead Sea. Thus there are numerous ways in which water flows into the Dead Sea. But no water flows out of it. The water level in the lake, however, does not rise. The reason is that, extreme heat causes the water to evaporate and thus the lake maintains the same water level. The temperature in the area of the Dead Sea rises up to 50 C.

It is highly meaningful to call this sea, wherein no living creature is able to live, a dead sea. All the same, if anyone contemplates committing suicide by jumping into it, he finds it is impossible to do so. The reason is, that he will just keep floating on the surface and will never sink to the bottom. To bathe in its waters and to taste it, is an unforgettable experience. To taste, it is extremely salty and bitter. And it is very oily to the touch.

It is customary to compare the Dead Sea to a heart filled with selfishness. Though it receives a great amount of water from the river Jordan and from other streams, it does not let water flow out of it. It remains as a reservoir incapable of sustaining life. Likewise, the selfish man receives numerous blessings from God and his fellowmen. Instead of sharing them with others and doing good, he hoards everything for himself. He becomes, like the Dead Sea, incapable of sustaining life.

No pilgrim who visits the Dead Sea, returns without giving a look at Qumran on the north western side of the Dead Sea. Qumran is the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. These scrolls have created a revolution in modern Biblical research and studies. It is situated about 2 kms away to the north west of the Sea. It is on an elevation, and is full of rocks, sand hills and caves. It has now become highly renowned. It lies 19 kms south of the city of Jericho and is part of the Judean desert. Though no explicit reference to Qumran can be seen in the Bible, on the basis of the excavations and discoveries made there, it can be seen to have been closely associated with the Bible. Bible scholars are of the opinion that the "salt city" mentioned in the list of cities apportioned and given to the tribe of Juda in the book of Joshua 15:62, could be Qumran.

Qumran entered the history of Biblical research quite unexpectedly. In 1947, a shepherd lad, grazing his sheep on the slopes of the Qumran mountains, happened to see a cave on the mountain slopes. Within this cave, he came upon a number of ancient leather scrolls well-preserved in mud pots. These leather scrolls were the manuscript copies of the books of the Old Testament written in Hebrew and Aramaic. It was only when these scrolls passed from the hands of the shepherd lad into the custody of researchers and scholars, that their importance was high-lighted. There followed an extensive search in the Qumran hills. A good number of scrolls written on papyrus and leather, were discovered from eleven caves. Of these leather scrolls, the most important one, made in the 1st century before Christ, was the manuscript copy of the complete book of Isaiah. This is preserved very carefully in the museum called "The Shrine of the Book." These scrolls led to another significant discovery. A good deal of information came to be known about a Jewish monastic sect that lived before and during the first century AD. As a result of the research conducted there, the ruins of the monasteries, where lived this religious sect known as "Essenes", were discovered. According to the opinion of archeological excavators, some monasteries of the Jews existed here even before the time of Christ. The chief occupation of this community of monks, who lived a life based on the Bible precepts, was to transcribe the books of the Bible on the leather scrolls. Scholars are of the opinion that in the event of possible destruction from attacks of enemies or from natural disasters like earthquakes, they must have preserved these scrolls in mud jars and left the place. Despite the passing of two thousand years, most of these copies have been found intact. This has helped to throw much light on the historicity of the Holy Bible.

The "Essene" monks were a community of men. Their monasticism was characterized by heroic asceticism, penance, constant and hard work and community life. It is also surmised that these were a group of priests who had gone away from Jerusalem, in order to attain greater holiness. They gave up human habitations, ascended the Qumran mountain, and established a monastery in the deserted sandy areas of Judea, filled with rocks and brambles.

They were a community of ascetics who had a particular purpose and aim before them. The virtues they excelled in, were the observance of the vow of poverty, fraternal charity, humility and celibacy. There are some scholars who think John the Baptist belonged to this community. However that might be, the contribution they have made to the study of the Bible is priceless.

This is the last lap of our pilgrimage. We have now reached the threshold of the city of Jerusalem.
 

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