Faith Bible Church

Cedar Rapids, IA

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Day 22

Another long day. Spent 4 hours at Petra. Then on to Edomite territory (Busayra and Wadi Dana). Then on to Moabite territory (Arnon Valley). Then Dibon. Now we are headed back to Amman for a late supper and sleep. We were at Petra at 7:30 AM. We won’t get to our hotel in Amman until 8:30 PM. 7 miles walking. I have never seen anything like Petra.

Our Jordanian guide gave this explanation: “Bedouins thought there was gold inside the urn on the top. Thus, they called it the treasury.” This was probably built in the 1st Century BC
Shrine of Aaron from the hotel lobby – Muslim tradition is that Aaron is buried there
Map of ancient Petra
Walking in to Petra. Petra began to prosper as the capital of the Nabatean Empire from the 1st century BC. It grew through trade in frankincense, myrrh and spices. Petra was annexed into the Roman Empire and thrived until an earthquake destroyed much of the city in 363 AD. Trade routes also shifted so that by the 7th century AD Petra was largely deserted. Bedouins started living here. In 1812 Swiss explorer Johannes Burckhardt convinced Bedouins to take him to the “lost city.”
Caves used during the day for the workers
Djinn Blocks – Nabataean tombs carved in the first century AD.
Little different tack than what we use in the US!
Nabotean soldier re-enactors
Dam and tunnel built to protect the city from flooding wadis
The Siq is the narrow gorge leading into Petra. It resulted from a natural splitting of the rock and is 1.2 km long.
Idols were placed to here along the Siq to worship them
Water channel chiseled into the rock to bring down water
Continuing down the Siq
The aqueduct along the Siq
Siq walls – cool structures
Two idols carved into the rock of the Siq walls for those leaving the city
Natural rock formation that looks like an elephant
Look at the yellow in the rock face
Three idols carved into the Siq walls representing the Nabotean trinity
Carving in the Siq walls
Siq wall: Depiction of camel being led through the passageway carrying idols coming into the city.
Clay tile fragment for the drinking water
Place for weddings – bride and groom stand in the two columns and the officiant places his feet in front of them
First look at the Treasury
Street of facades
Street of facades
The Street of Facades contains Nabataean tombs carved in the cliff face
This theater is the only one in the world carved into rock
Temple
Busayra, Jordan, in the land of Edom on the King’s Highway. This is the ancient capital of Edom. Right along the King’s Highway there is enough water to have some vegetation.
The Edomite’s were destroyed in 552 BC. The Nabataeans take over.
Genesis 36 – genealogy of Esau
Numbers 20 – connection between Israel and Edom
Saul and David both battle Edom, trying to gain access to trade
Solomon also establishes some trade south of here
Edom takes Judahite land and resources (Isaiah 34:5-7). Isaiah 63:1-2 God condemns judgment against Edom.
The book of Obadiah is a prophecy against Edom
Wadi Dana – Edomite territory
Arnon Valley, Jordon – this is Moab
Arnon Valley, Jordon – this is Moab
Dibon, Jordan – on the Medaba plateau. Moab always wanted this region. So this region is somewhat considered Moabite territory. The tribes of Gad and Reuben and the Medabites lived on the Medaba plateau.
Dibon is just north of the Arnon Valley. It is technically outside of Moab. Genesis 49:3 – Dibon is in the land of the tribal allotment for Reuben. Passages pertinent to Dibon: Genesis 49:3; Judges 5:16; Deut. 33:6. Reuben settles in this area.
Tribe of Gad associated with this place: Numbers 33-34.
Read 2 Kings 3 – there is a Stella (stone with inscriptions) found here in Dibon. The winning king puts up the propaganda Stella. The Stella found here at Dibon attributes Mesha king of Moab with the victory and he mentions Dibon.