The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  Romans 13:1.

 One of the most popular tourist destinations in Israel is the fortress of Masada.  Sitting on top of an isolated rock cliff at the western end of the Judean Desert, it has become a symbol of Jewish heroism and an inspiration to the younger generation.  But there is another story here of how our belief system can lead us in the wrong direction and in this case became a matter of choosing life or death.

The Romans conquered Israel and understood one thing, that they did NOT understand the Jewish people!  This was a nation who believed in one God and had a Temple with no statues!  They did not need a puppet king to rule for the Romans.  King Herod was not a fan of Jewish leadership, nor was he Jewish, so he collaborated with Rome to foster his own ambitions.  Twice the Jews tried to topple him, so Herod needed a stronghold to run to when the uprisings got too fierce …. enter Masada.

Masada was built in 31-36 BC with a garrison, a casement wall, storehouses, large cisterns for water, barracks, palaces and an armory.  It was a beautiful place in the middle of nowhere, on the shores of the Dead Sea.  Across from Masada was Herod’s country of Edom, a place where he could run if the uprisings became too intense.  Roman governors came and went and ruled Israel until 66 AD, when the Jews rebelled again!  This time, the Jews overcame the garrison at Masada and took over the fortress.   After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, they were joined by Zealots and their families who had fled the destruction of the Holy City.  There, they held out for three years harassing the Romans.

One day in 73 AD, they woke up to see Flavius Silva marching against Masada with 6,000 Roman troops and thousands of prisoners-of-war.  They set up camp and laid siege to the mountain stronghold, the last place of Jewish resistance.  They cut all communication with the outside and built a ramp up the side of the mountain.  The Jews fought heroically, but it was to no avail!  The Romans used fiery darts to set fire to the walls and created a big hole with their battering rams.   Both sides retreated until morning.

The Jews knew it was the end for them.  The Zealot leader, Elazar ben Yair, decided that all the defenders should commit suicide rather than face slavery to the Romans.  They preferred to die in freedom.  When the Romans broke through the wall the next morning, only 7 living souls remained.  Freedom is good, but the Bible says, “So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” John 8:36.

Forty years earlier, Jesus came and preached salvation to mankind.  Some believed His message but many did not.  “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified:  a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:22-24.  The Jewish people had a problem with the cross.  The Zealots believed they were doing God a favor by killing their families.  The story of Masada is a story of human heroism, but no where in the Bible will we find the solution for freedom is to kill wives and children.  The Zealots were sincerely wrong.  God always provides a way out for His people.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 6:23.

Shalom, my dear friends, Jean