Room where the "lots" were discovered. 

What went down at Masada

We recently visited Israel. A trip to Masada near the Dead Sea is inspiring. The history is awesome from Herod, the Romans and the iconic story of resistance by the Jewish Zealots. Under seige by the Romans for 3 years the wall was finally breached by a seige tower hauled up an enormous man made earth ramp. That night the zealots had to decide their fate; prisoners or death at their own hand. They chose the latter. Men women and children killed by others. Then the final 10 drew lots to decide who would kill the other 9. The final man committed suicide. The Romans arrived to a hollow victory.
Today some Israeli Army units take their oath of alleigence on the summit of Masada. The cry is "never again" If anyone thinks that Israelis are going to surrender land that endangers their survival then they ignore history.
The past does affect the future. Even actions from 2,000 years ago can affect the choices made today.

“Since we long ago resolved never to be servants to the Romans, nor to any other than to God Himself, Who alone is the true and just Lord of mankind, the time is now come that obliges us to make that resolution true in practice...We were the very first that revolted, and we are the last to fight against them; and I cannot but esteem it as a favor that God has granted us, that it is still in our power to die bravely, and in a state of freedom.”

Elazar ben Yai

www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Masada1

wassup with that?

There are many mysteries that make me stop and ponder. Living in New Zealand gives one an interesting perspective but an unfortunate political environment. Thankfully, I am interested in a longer timeframe with a spiritual dimension. The way of a man interacting with his God. After all, you look at life swirling around you and there has to be more eh? The really interesting bit is that despite the western view of me, myself and I as the only significant thing, we are shaped by others. Other generations reach down and touch us by genes and the choices they made. Curse or blessing. A powerful force touching us from the past. Do you think we are alone on our own? Or are your ancestors affecting the way you live now?

winter at the beach