Lessons From Masada – Part 1

When I was in Israel recently, we visited a place called Masada. An interesting but sad event took place there that I couldn’t help but think more about. I wondered how I would have felt and what I might have done if I was in that situation.

Perhaps you’ve seen the movie about this historical event called “Masada.” It is definitely heart-rending, I’m sure, although I haven’t seen it.

The setting is high atop the walled fortress city of Masada, a protected place that Herod the Great fortified in case he needed to escape to safety.

If you’re a history buff and want to read more about it, check out the information  here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Masada

On this fateful day, a group of over 900 Jewish rebels who had settled there was presented with a dilemma. They were outnumbered by Roman troops who had ingeniously found a way to reach them. They knew that the next morning would be the end, so they got together to deliberate about their fate.

They figured they would rather kill their families than have them tortured and abused and taken captive by their enemies. As for themselves, since they didn’t believe in suicide, they drew lots to kill each other, with only the one last man required to kill himself. They thought they were being heroes. But was there a better way?

As I reflected on this, it brought up a lot of questions for my own life. I was sad for them, that the choices they made led to such severe and lasting consequences: their legacy was wiped out along with all the possibilities of what might have been in their future. And just think about the immense grief they must have died with.

As I think about the lessons I can learn from them, I see a mixture of pride and fear.

They dwelt on their fears and beliefs of what would happen to those they loved and felt as failures that they were not able to protect and defend their families as they had believed. They were in turmoil and listened to their greatest fears.

They did not trust that any good could come out of it. They did not know about resilience and the strength of character that can come from adversity – and even the new places and positions that could arise out of it, much less the legacy of their children in generations to come.

Here’s what I had to ask myself:

What does my safe place look like? Where am I hiding in my secret fortress that I feel is safe and impenetrable? Where am I depending on my own answers and not allowing God’s perspective to bring me to a better place?

Let me ask you to consider some questions for yourself:

• What would you have chosen if you were one of the leaders in that situation? Why?
• How might that be parallel to something you are facing today?
• Would you rather kill your dreams out of fear of what might happen? Or would you rather fight to the death for your dreams – or be willing to be do something that doesn’t seem palatable to you now (even a job or volunteer position) so you can still have your life and dreams that may come to pass in a very different way than you imagine?
• What is God speaking to you today about your own life and decisions? And more important – what are you going to do about it?

I wonder what might have happened if those men had turned to God for his answers and deliverance, or for strength to go through whatever would come upon them at the hand of the enemies. Even if we think we know the hearts and intentions of our enemies, God has shown us many times where he turned the hearts of the Israelites’ enemies one way or another for his good purposes. He even defeated their enemies many times in supernatural and natural ways. Nothing is impossible with God.

Maybe it’s time for a faith-building moment…

What does your history show you about God and how he can bring good out of bad situations?

Perhaps this is the time to prayerfully consider the places in your life where you may be limiting and not trusting God to work his purposes for good even in the midst of what might appear not so good in your life.

Something to ponder today and turn over to God to deliver you from those secret “safe” places you are holding out where he wants to move in your life today. Trust in him alone to be your safe place – to hide you under his wings – in the shadow of the Almighty, even as you submit your biggest dreams and deepest fears to his care.

Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. – Psalm 17:7-9, NIV

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. – Jer.17:7-8, NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Prov. 3:5-6, NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Rom. 15:13, NIV