Wilderness of Judea

The wilderness of Judea is the dry, rugged country falling away eastward from the hills of Jerusalem and Bethlehem toward the Dead Sea and the Jordan valley. Joshua lists the towns of Judah 'In the wilderness,' among them En-gedi beside the Dead Sea. David knew this land well as a fugitive from Saul, abiding 'in the wilderness in strong holds' while Saul sought him every day. Centuries later John the Baptist came 'preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,' calling people to repent and fulfillling Isaiah's words about a voice crying in the wilderness. After His baptism, Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, traditionally understood as this same barren region. It is a landscape of hiding, hunger, and preparation, where God met His servants again and again.