Adventures in Jordan!
Starring Liz n Kev
In ancient times, Jordan was three countries, each named after its founder. Going from north to south there was Amon, Moab, and Edom. Amon and Moab were the two sons of Lot (Gen 19:37-38), and Edom was the nickname of Esau, Jacob's brother. In fact, the city of Amman, Jordan is derived from Amon. This big wadi is just south of Amman and is the border between Amon and Moab, and you can see why. The road that goes through it is about a lane and a half wide and turns back on itself several times as it descends and then ascends out of the wadi. Often times there is no guard rail between your bus and a drop of a few hundred feet. The reason the road has one and a half lanes is that tourists used to complain, so the Jordanians had to widen the road.
This is from the top of Mt Nebo, looking to the west. God told Moses to climb up here and look to the west to see the land that was promised to Israel just before he died. Moses' view was probably a little better since the trees and farmland that existed at that time kept the dust from becoming airborne. If it weren't for the dust you could see the Mediterranian Sea. As it is now, you can almost see the Jordan River and the Judean hills
A Cross? On the top of Mt Nebo is a crusader church that is currently being excavated. It is built on the site where believed Moses saw the promised land. This metal work represents the bronze serpent that was lifted up on a pole in the wilderness. Several Israelites had been bitten by poisonous snakes, so God told Moses to set a broze serpent up on a pole so that whomever would look at it would be healed from the poison. The symbol of the medical profession is taken fron this event. Thus, the Jordanians believe that the serpent represents healing.