Petra -

The Town of Petra from the Seven Wonders Hotel

History from Biblical Era

Petra is mentioned in the First Testamen as the Israelites approached Edom after their 40 years in the desert.  Just after 1000 BC King David moved to take control of Petra and all of Edom.  King Solomon consolidated Israelite grip on trade and technology and for fifty years diverted Petra's prophets into his own coffers.  We have all read of the Israelite kingdom collapse. 

The Nabateans came on the scene in 647 BC.  They grew in power and Petra's golden age was first centuries BC and AD. 

Petra By Night

My introduction to Petra was a candlelit walk through the Sig with only the light of candles every few feet to guide the way.  Once I, about 100 others too, reached the Treasury,  we listened to Bedouin music played on a pipe.  We were served tea and listened to stories about Petra.

The Treasury building by night.

In the Light of Day

Walking the Sig, 1.22km to the Treasury in the day time caused praises to God for my safety the night before. Some of the path still show first century stones, some areas have been redone, some and some still in need. 

The Treasury was designed to impress.  Like most of the remaining monuments, the entire building was sculpted in situ, gouged out of of unshapped rock in a kind of reverse architecture.  Good to see it in the light, however I could not get the whole boilding in my photo.

So much to learn, not enough time.  

My guide explained how water was brought down.

He said a lot of the monuments were actually tumbs.  The wealthy people had the larger fancier structures.   There were many along the way and I went inside one.

My guide explained much more,  just a few photos should peak your desire to visit.

The history lesson is over I enjoyed the walk back.  I enjoyed watching artists. 

Buying from children.

Seeing children enjoying their family outing.

 Feeling sorry for the horses.

This young man was very glad I bought a necklace from him.

As I walked through the Sig, for the 4th time, I took time to enjoy God's beauty in the rocks and the changes of coloring from the setting sun.

Shebna

The United Methodist women's reading for today, Isaiah 22:15-25, with this Petra background it is more understandable.

"Go say to this steward,  

To Shebna, who is in charge of the palace: 

What are you doing here and who gave you permission 

to cut out a grave for yourself here,

Hewing your grave on the height

And chilseling your resting place in the rock?

Beware, the Lord is about to take firm hold of you....."

Shebna was a steward who failed to take care of his assignment.
My prayer is that God will find us faithful stewards of our call.