Lessons From the Desert: Building For God versus Ourselves

This month at Pasture Living, I'm sharing what I learned during my Israel trip and why I think this series is very relevant to healthy living. I believe being physically healthy is important, but being mentally, psychologically, and spiritually healthy is also extremely important for a fulfilling and joyful life. If you missed any of this series, click here.

Advent Day 23

We saw a few of Herod the Great’s mighty palaces and fortresses and he built for himself, including Herodium and the ones in Masada and Caesarea.

Remnants of Herodium

Herod's palace at Caesarea had a freshwater pool built in the middle of the mediterranean sea (how ridiculously mind blowing is that?). When Jesus was born, Herodium was one of the largest palaces in the world, including baths, a gigantic pool, gardens, and a colonnade over 1000 feet long. It's his fortress-palace and also his burial place. Towards the end of his life, he destroyed this palace (Herodium) by filling them with sands so that only his tomb stood out and no one could use the place. Sure, he was considered the greatest builder of his time, but he built everything for his selfish self. Compare Herod to Abraham who planted tamarisk trees for the benefit for other people. Jesus "built" everything for God. So who is it that we're "building" our lives for? It is for ourselves or for God?

Remnants of the fresh water pool at Herod's palace in Caesarea

Herod's palace by the Mediterranean sea