Dan-A Place of Disobedience and Discovery

Water.  We take it for granted.  The people of Israel never have.  Promised Land may have flowed with milk and honey, but it never flowed with easy water.  So when water gushes somewhere, it is a place of luxury in Israel.  Such is the gift from the 120 acres now reserved as Tel Dan National Park.  This rambling piece of land has the only gushing stream in Israel.  Sourced by an underground spring, it shares its precious wealth with the Jordan River.  As it does, the waters transform this area into a green and wooded land beside clear water, an oasis in the desert.

 

This is the gate that Abram may have passed through when he chased the enemies that kidnapped Lot.  The idea that Abram passed by here was an incredulous realization.  This area pre-dates Abram's story of raising up a people of God.  The stone entrance features the oldest stone arch ever unearthed.  Such history abounds here. The cover gave protection for these fragile findings, but we appreciated the little shade it gave us, as well.

But this land also tells a story that is not just filled with beauty and relics.  It reminds us why God is a jealous God and requires whole-hearted faithfulness.

 

Fast forward to the time of Judges, the time when everyone did what was right in their own eyes.  Here is where the tribe of Dan settled after they met Micah, the man with his own collection of gods.  Not only did Danites steal his idols, they stole the family-appointed priest.  Their rationalization twisted God’s plan with careless self-centeredness.  “Wouldn’t it be better to serve our clan than just your family?” And idols were there to stay.

We came to the four horns of the altar.  It looked like an iron canopy for a very large bed.  I have heard of grabbing the horns of the altar.  I always thought it was a old-time metaphor.  Not so.  The four posts were places that offered shelter.  Grab a horn of the altar and no one could touch you. The good news is that we don't have to go to Israel to find such safety!

Then, I turned to the rough stone stairs.  These led to the high place where Jereboam erected the Golden Calf.  My stomach turned at the thought.  They just couldn't get away from idols.  They wanted God’s blessings their way.  It was a different kind of worship war where personal preference brought them down. 

Perhaps, we should take note.