The Difference

My readings made me encounter interesting facts which I would not have stumbled upon otherwise.

Among such facts of interest is the difference between the two seas in Palestine. One is called the Sea of Galilee and the other is called the Dead Sea.

The two seas, lakes actually, are very different. The Sea of Galilee is also known as Bahr Tubariya, Ginnosar, Lake of Galilee, Lake of Genesaret and Lake of Tiberias among others. About five miles long and two miles wide, the Plain of Gennesareth stretches alongside the Sea of Galilee's northwest shore and it is said to be one of the most fertile places on the planet. The Sea of Galilee is fed by a river, rainfall and springs on the northern side. More properly designated as a lake, the Sea of Galilee is 13miles long and 7miles wide. Its deepest point is 150 feet deep.

The Dead Sea is also known as Bahr Lut, Eastern Sea, Lake of Asphalt and Sea of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as the Sea of the Devil and Stinking Lake . This inland body of water is appropriately named as the Dead Sea because its high mineral content allows nothing to live in its waters. All the names, with which the Dead Sea is known, reflect something of the nature of this lake. The Dead Sea is at the lowest point of the earth, so it means that water does not drain from this lake.

Even more interesting is the fact that one river, the Jordan River, flows into both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The central Jordan River begins north of the Sea of Galilee, leaving the southern exit of the lake. The lower Jordan River flows southward dropping the 1,310 feet below sea level, emptying into the Dead Sea.

So, why is the Dead Sea, well, very dead, while, from all accounts, the Sea of Gallilee is teeming and surrounded with life?

You see, according to what I have read, the Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee from the top and flows out the bottom. It is as if the Sea of Galilee receives and gives. The Jordan River, then, flows into the Dead Sea and never gets out. Its as if the Dead Sea receives but does not give. The Dead Sea receives and keeps and, I think, this seeming selfishness is what makes the Dead Sea, dead. On the other hand, the seeming generosity of the Sea of Galilee is what made it the exact opposite of the Dead Sea.

Also from my readings, I learned that the prophet Ezekiel has prophesied that one day the Dead Sea will have fresh water and fishermen will spread their nets along its shore. The said prophesy is yet to come true. Maybe it will when the Dead Sea gets to give what it has received...