Solomon's Return to Egypt in 1 Kings 1-12

My favourite biblical genre is Old Testament narrative, particularly that of Genesis and the books of Kings. Occasionally one comes across an article that demonstrates once again the exquisite literary art and subtlety of the these texts cause you to begin to frame sermons in your mind as you read them. Such an article is that  by Yong Ho Jeon, published in the latest edition of Tyndale Bulletin. Jeon summarises the fruits of the latest scholarship on 1 Kings 1-12 and brings together the best insights from this to demonstrate how the author incorporates the motifs of both "exodus" and "return to Egypt" into his description and critique of the reign of Solomon. The article will not be available online for 5 years, so here is a quote [from pp.31-32] to illustrate what I mean and hopefully, encourage you to obtain a copy of the full article:

The 'return to Egypt motif has been noticed only fragmentarily by some scholars who observe Solomon's becoming a 'Pharaoh', especially in chapter 9, where Solomon is described as imitating an Egyptian tyrant in implementing his enormous building project and [p.32] maintaining a standing army and forced labour system. In his building project, 'store cities', 'chariot cities', and 'cavalry cities' especially remind the reader of Egypt. Even though the Israelites do not go back to Egypt in a geographical sense, the Israelite kingdom itself is becoming an Egypt in a metaphorical sense. Additionally, the Israelites' complaint after Solomon's death (12:4), reveals, that Solomon loaded on them a heavy yoke and disciplined them with whips, that he exploited and oppressed them (12:4, 10-11, 14) just as Pharaoh had done to their ancestors (cf. 8:51); that is, the Israelites experienced a similar thing to their ancestors. In other words, they have been living in an 'Egypt' under Solomon's reign. However, in fact, the 'return to Egypt' motif is already observed in Solomon's becoming Pharaoh's son-in-law (3:1) at an early stage. The frequent mentions of 'Pharaoh's daughter' throughout the narrative (3:1; 7:8; 9:16, 24; 11:1), and, more directly, the mention of Solomon's making ships on the seashore of 'the Red Sea' (9:26) and sending his men to Egypt to buy Egyptian horses and chariots (10:28-29), betray the progressive development of the 'return to Egypt motif as the narrative unfolds. Furthermore, the fact that the leader of the northern ten tribes, Jeroboam, is portrayed as a new Moses who has escaped being killed by a tyrant (11:40), and at last succeeds in delivering his people from the heavy yoke of the tyrant (12:3-20), also shows that the previous condition of the Israelites was like the one to which the original Moses was sent by God to save his people.

Yong Ho Jeon, "The Retroactive Re-Evaluation Technique with Pharoah's Daughter and the Nature of Solomon's Corruption in 1 Kings 1-12," Tyndale Bulletin 62.1 (2011): 15-40.

OP/ED: Lara Logan is a very lucky woman

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  • CBS News Correspondent Lara Logan in Tahrir Square moments before she was attacked on Feb. 11, 2011. (CBS)

I do not know Lara Logan, and I must admit that, prior to her becoming the story out of Egypt's current upheavals, rather than reporting other news stories, I had never heard of her. Be that as it may, I watched as the 24/7 mainstream media variously declared that CBS's 'chief foreign correspondent' was 'brutally attacked,' 'sexually assaulted,' and/or 'raped.'

Since none of us were there in that alley with Lara Logan, we cannot know the extent of the attack, but that has not stopped the cacophony from various pundits and academics - 'experts' all - expounding on the story. I have tried to avoid writing about it myself. However, I am choosing to add my 2 cents' worth to the media noise today because, unlike 90% of those with uninformed opinions they are all to willing to share, I DO have authority to speak on this subject.

No matter what anyone calls what happened to Logan, I have absolutely no doubt that she thought she was going to die that day in Egypt. I guarantee it. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

Lara Logan lived, and that IS a blessing, although I have no way of knowing if Logan herself has come to that conclusion yet. According to stories in the immediate aftermath of that night in an Egyptian alley way, apparently Logan was rescued by a crowd of Egyptian women - 'sisters,' if you will. Logan is a very lucky woman. For many survivors, there is NO rescue from either an isolated rape/sexual assault by an unknown stranger(s), or from an ongoing, daily intimidation of sexual abuse by a relative or close friend....

There is much more to this column, and rather than take over Wake Up America, I'll direct you to Assoluta Tranquillita here.

Reporter, Lara Logan, Sexually Assaulted While Covering Protests In Egypt: Reactions, Good, Bad And Ugly

CBS News released the story of their own reporter, Lara Logan, being separated from her crew while covering the protest in Egypt then being brutally beaten and sexually assaulted before being rescued and returning to the U.S. to recover.

On Friday, Feb. 11, the day Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, CBS chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan was covering the jubilation in Tahrir Square for a "60 Minutes" story when she and her team and their security were surrounded by a dangerous element amidst the celebration. It was a mob of more than 200 people whipped into frenzy.

In the crush of the mob, she was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers. She reconnected with the CBS team, returned to her hotel and returned to the United States on the first flight the next morning. She is currently home recovering.

Reactions to this news have been mixed. Many think that one places themselves into danger when covering violence, in America or across the world and that people like Logan and CNN's Anderson Copper, who was recently attacked, understand the dangers of their jobs before going in.

Be that as it may, being beaten and sexually assaulted for doing the job, whether people approve of that job or those doing the job, is not a reason to show a lack of sympathy and outright hostility towards the victim, when anyone is harmed doing it.

Yet, hostility is exactly what I have seen as I browse the reactions to this story. Not just hostility, but in some cases people are actually claiming "she had it coming." (WARNING ALERT- horrendously offensive post on Logan's assault, linked only as an example of the vitriol I am seeing as I browse)

Jim Geraghty at NRO, provides examples of Nir Rosen, a fellow at the NYU Center for Law and Security, from his Twitter feed (account has now been deleted, but Geraghty captured the screen shots).

I’m sure Rosen will apologize at some point, and perhaps we’ll get some tut-tutting statement from NYU about the need for “civility” and “restraint” and “sensitivity.” Brows will be furrowed. Maybe they’ll hold a seminar about technology and emotional reactions to breaking news events.

But let’s just remember one thing going forward: Nir Rosen believed this was the right moment to let the world know that he “ran out of sympathy for her” and that we should “remember her role as a major war monger” and that we “have to find humor in the small things.”

Make no mistake, this post is not an attack on any political side of the aisle, I have seen sickeningly disgusting posts from both sides, with one even deciding to bash Muslims/Islam as a whole because of the attack.

So sad, too bad, Lara. No one told her to go there. She knew the risks. And she should have known what Islam is all about. Now she knows. Or so we’d hope. But in the case of the media vis-a-vis Islam, that’s a hope that’s generally unanswered.

This never happened to her or any other mainstream media reporter when Mubarak was allowed to treat his country of savages in the only way they can be controlled.

Now that’s all gone. How fitting that Lara Logan was “liberated” by Muslims in Liberation Square while she was gushing over the other part of the “liberation.”

Hope you’re enjoying the revolution, Lara! Alhamdilllullah [praise allah].

I will say the examples above are not representative of bloggers as a whole, no matter their political affiliation, and for that I am grateful. I see both sides condemning the few that are without moral conscience and highlighting all the comments, not just those from one "side" or another.

As an aside- Sexual assault does not always equal rape, yet I am seeing writers assume that because the words sexual assault were used it automatically means Logan was raped. Unless Logan, CBS News or someone familiar with the case confirms she was raped, folks should refer to it as CBS did, sexual assault. It makes the assault no less traumatizing, no less wrong and her injuries no less horrid.

[Update] In response to Nir Rosen's comments, which were mentioned above, via NRO, NYU Center for Law and Security has issued a formal statement:

From Karen J. Greenberg, Executive Director, Center on Law and Security:

Nir Rosen is always provocative, but he crossed the line with his comments about Lara Logan. I am deeply distressed by what he wrote about Ms. Logan and strongly denounce his comments. They were cruel and insensitive and completely unacceptable. Mr. Rosen tells me that he misunderstood the severity of the attack on her in Cairo. He has apologized, withdrawn his remarks, and submitted his resignation as a fellow, which I have accepted. However, this in no way compensates for the harm his comments have inflicted. We are all horrified by what happened to Ms. Logan, and our thoughts are with her during this difficult time.

As for Debbie Schlussel's comments about Muslims/Islam as a whole, let me say as an American Jew that has spent much time highlighting the acts of moderate Muslims that condemn the acts of the violent extremists, as well as the acts of those violent extremists that use the Islamic religion as some type of justification for their extremists actions, I find her comments no less disturbing than when I see attacks against Jews as a whole.

They say tragedy brings out the best and the worst in people. Today I have seen that proven unquestioningly true.

I find extremism from the far left and the far right to be just as disgusting as violence in the name of religion. Extremist bloggers just use their keyboards in place of bombs, fists and weapons.

[Update #2] TMZ reports Logan is vowing to be back to work within weeks.

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NASA To Honor Dead Egyptian Bimbo, Not Once Did NASA Honor One 9/11 Victim!

By Findalis

What is with this government?  Every day there is another slur on American Culture, American Values. This time the agency is NASA.  Instead of naming a new rocket after an American Hero or a victim of the 9/11 attacks, they have decided to name the rocket after an Egyptian Whore Bimbo Woman killed in the riots.

The United States space agency NASA has okayed the naming of one of its spaceships after a young Egyptian woman killed in late January during an anti-goverment protest, according to Egyptian daily Al-Masry-al-Youm.

The paper quoted Essam Mohamed Haji, a young researcher at NASA as saying on Thursday he had received approval to put the young woman Sally Zahran's name on a spaceship heading for Mars.

Zahran, a 23 English graduated and translator died after she was beaten about the head on 28 January with a truncheons during clashes with security forces in in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Sohag. Anti-government protesters claim her killers were thugs in the pay of police.

“This is the least we could provide to Egyptian youth and revolutionaries. This step represents transferring the dreams of Egyptian youth from a small stretch of earth to the enormous expanse of space,” said Haji was cited as telling Al-Masri Al-Youm by phone from California.

Egypt on Thursday entered it 17th day of unrest, with many thousands of people taking to the streets in the capital, Cairo and filling its central Tahrir Square.

Doctors, bus drivers, lawyers and textile workers were on strike in Cairo on Thursday, with trade unions reporting walkouts and protests across the country.

The protesters have vowed to keep up their revolt against authoritarian president Hosni Mubarak, who they want to leave office immediately.

Around 300 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and over 1,400 have been injured since the unrest began on 25 January against Mubarak, who took power in 1981 and whom they blame for widespread poverty, corruption and police brutality.

Mubarak, a staunch ally of the west, has said he will not run for another presidential term in elections due in September, but the anti-government protesters want more rapid political and economic change.

He has come under increasing pressure from the US to speed the transition to democracy. CIA director Leon Panetta, in testimony before an intelligence committee of the US legislature on Thursday said there was "a strong likelihood that Mubarak will step down this evening."

State television interrupted all programming to present a message from the high council of the Egyptian armed forces that promised to to take "necessary measures to protect the nation," the military also said it would "support the legitimate demands of the people" and remain in "continuous session".

How nice.  We are learning to be Dhimmis very fast.  Next it will be like Great Britain with Halal only meats sold in stores, blasphemy laws stifling free speech against Islam, then forced conversions.

Here is a strange idea for NASA.  How about these men and women to name the rocket for:

Apollo 1

Crew of Apollo 1

Virgil "Gus" Ivan Grissom, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF

Edward Higgins White, II, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF

Roger Bruce Chaffee, Lieutenant Commander, USN

Space Shuttle Challenger

Crew of Challenger

(front row) Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair; 

(back row) Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik.

Space Shuttle Columbia

Crew of the Columbia

If NASA wants to honor a foreign hero they could honor Ilan Ramon (Israel) who died on the Columbia.

Or NASA could honor the 2,998 victims of 9/11.  They could put all the names in a box and pull out one.

Some of the victims of 9/11

If you find this appalling what NASA is doing you can contact them here.

If they will not listen to the AMERICAN TAXPAYER, you should contact your Congressional Representative or Senator.

NASA is funded only by the American Taxpayer.  It should be the American Taxpayer who has the final say on the naming of our spacecrafts.

Egypt Update: Hosni Mubarak Refuses To Step Down, Then Does

The Washington Post has the entire Hosni Mubarak speech, where despite rumors to the contrary, the President of Egypt did not step down and relinquish his title. Instead he indicated he would delegate more power to his VP.

CBS News reports Mubarak immediately left Cairo after the speech, with sources making it clear it was only a temporary exit.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has temporarily left Cairo, a day after transferring some power to Vice President Omar Suleiman in an effort to quell weeks of protests, CBS News has confirmed.

The embattled ruler left the capital for the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. He is not expected to stay there indefinitely but will return to Cairo. Reports that he has fled the country for a safe haven elsewhere in the Arab world - or for medical care in Europe - are inaccurate, sources told CBS News.

Mubarak reportedly left during or immediately after his speech to the nation last night, which was taped in advance. Anger has flared on the Egyptian streets following the speech.

Mubarak was widely expected to announce he was stepping down Thursday. Instead he said he would transfer some unspecified powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman and remain president until elections in September. As Mubarak's speech was broadcast, premature victory celebrations among protesters in central Tahrir Square turned to bafflement, dismay, and rage.

Protesters were not mollified according to the NYT.

Angry protesters, who had swarmed by the thousands into the streets here Friday morning, were hardly mollified by the news of Mr. Mubarak’s exit and an accompanying statement by the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces over state television and radio. They said they would not believe he was gone until he had formally relinquished his title as president, and until Mr. Suleiman, his handpicked successor, had been ousted as well.

The protesters did let out a cheer at news on state radio that Naguib Sawiris, a wealthy and widely respected businessman, has agreed to act as a mediator between the opposition and the authorities in carrying through the political reforms.

WSJ reports that the White House, who also thought Mubarak was going to fully step down, was in a state of disbelief after the speech and wondering what the next public step should be. Quotes also show that Obama's handling of the situation could have added to the instability in the Middle East.

After Mr. Mubarak's speech, the White House was consumed with a sense of "disbelief," one U.S. official said.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, at the same hearing on Capitol Hill as Mr. Panetta, acknowledged the difficulty of predicting fast-moving events, comparing it to foreseeing "earthquakes in California."

The White House is now squeezed between Arab and Israeli allies, who have complained that Mr. Obama was pushing Mr. Mubarak too hard to step down, and lawmakers who accuse the White House of not pushing hard enough. Now, the White House finds itself largely a bystander.

"This is really bad," a senior U.S. official said after Mr. Mubarak's address. "We need to push harder—if not, the protests will get violent."

More:

Arab and Israeli diplomats said Mr. Obama's decision to throw his full support behind the opposition after eight days of protests has likely broken ties with Mr. Mubarak beyond repair.

The move also had the effect of pushing Mr. Mubarak closer to regional allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have urged Mr. Mubarak to hold his ground.

As a result, said one Arab diplomat, Washington's influence in dictating events in Cairo could be limited.

SNIP

"I don't think Mubarak trusts too many people from the U.S. anymore," the Arab diplomat said. "It looks like Omar Suleiman is the right point of contact, but they're all ticked off with the U.S. position, which they view as throwing Mubarak under the bus."

In talks with American counterparts in Washington Thursday, top Israeli officials accompanying Defense Minister Ehud Barak made a similar case, warning that the upheaval could be the start of a broader "earthquake" that could sweep the region, said officials briefed on the exchange.

They questioned Washington's wisdom in appearing to push for Mr. Mubarak's ouster and whether the military can keep chaos and Islamist forces at bay, a participant said.

Israeli officials also told the U.S. Thursday that right-wing parties in Israel could gain strength in future Israeli elections as a result, complicating efforts to advance peace talks with Palestinians.

The NYT:

The chaotic events on Thursday called much of the administration’s strategy in dealing with the Egyptian crisis into question. For days, the administration has pinned its hopes on a transition process managed by the Egyptian vice president, Omar Suleiman. But Mr. Suleiman followed Mr. Mubarak on television, aligning himself squarely with his boss, urging the protesters to decamp, go back to work and stop watching foreign satellite TV channels. That extravagant show of loyalty may doom any chances for Mr. Suleiman to function as an honest broker in the transition — something on which the administration had been counting, in part because it has good relations with Mr. Suleiman, a former head of Egyptian intelligence.

More from The Politico on the Obama administration counting their chickens before they were hatched.

In a speech in Michigan, President Barack Obama seemed to feed the narrative that dramatic change in Egypt was imminent. “What is absolutely clear is that we are witnessing history unfold,” an upbeat Obama said. “It’s a moment of transformation that’s taking place because the people of Egypt are calling for change.”

But by evening, the Obama team’s hopes for an “immediate” transition seemed to have been dashed as Mubarak took to the airwaves in Egypt to say he planned to stay as president until September but cede an unspecified degree of authority to his hand-picked vice president, Omar Suleiman.

Responding to the day’s events in a statement that did not mention Mubarak, Obama said that while a “transition of authority” has been promised the Egyptian people, “it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient.”

The lesson Obama should learn from this is that America's "influence" is no longer what it once was and the fate of Egypt is in the hands of their people, their Army and their leaders.

The White House should have worked behind the scenes but publicly stuck to the issue of condemning violence. Instead they publicly inserted themselves and it just made their lack of influence all the more public.

Rumor has it that the speech was simply face saving on the part of Mubarak as well as a highly visible FU to "foreign dictations", then it will be announced that he has resigned the office completely in the near future.

[Update] That was quick.

To clarify, many news agencies were so overwhelmed by the news of the resignation itself that they didn’t say how it was communicated. It’s simple: a few minutes ago, Vice President Omar Suleiman appeared on State TV for a scheduled speech. He said, “President Hosni Mubarak has waived the office of president, and has asked the armed forces to take charge of the country’s affairs.” It was an exceedingly terse speech. I will try to have a full transcription soon.

[Update #2] USA Today confirms:

Update at 11:08 a.m. ET: Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators erupted in jubilation in Tahrir Square as vice president Omar Suleiman announces that President Mubarak has resigned and called on the army to "run the affairs of the country."

Bloomberg:

“Mubarak has decided to relinquish the office of the presidency,” said Vice President Omar Suleiman in a statement on state television today. “He has instructed the Supreme Council of the armed forces to take over the affairs of the country.”

More to come as this unfolds.

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What You Need To Know On Egyptian Protests

Some of you may have some questions about what is going on in Egypt these days. Or perhaps you have friends who do. Either way, you can find a short primer at my blog The Third Way providing some of the basic information you need to make sense of current events.

Egypt Updates: Linkfest

A week of protests across Egypt with Egyptian demonstrators demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak and his 30 year rule, the Egypt government shutting down their Internet and cutting their people off from the rest of the world and the protests becoming larger and larger each day for the last six days and heading into the seventh, with Tuesday expected to be the largest yet.

Recent news coming out from Al Jazeera, one of the few places news is still coming out directly, shows a country uprising against it's government.

To some this seems to be coming from left field as they proclaim surprise at the demonstrations and the possibility that the people of Egypt may topple the Mubarak regime, but others clearly saw it coming and warned the U.S. and others of the instability, as reported by The Politico.

Everyone seems to be weighing in on the subject with their opinion of what should and what should not happen and the ramifications across the world if Mubarak is toppled, but those in Egypt, the people, are the ones that will be forced to deal with the immediate consequences of any outcome.

This is about Egypt first and foremost, Egypt's allies across the globe are secondary. The instability of the Middle East just got worse no matter how it is cut and no matter the outcome.

LINKFEST:

Some links to places updating as the days of protests continue.

WSJ: Opposition Unites in Egypt

ABC News: ‘This Week’ Transcript: Crisis in Egypt

BBC: Egypt protests enter seventh day

Al Jazeera: Al Jazeera camera equipment seized

NYT: Protests Persist in Egypt as New Cabinet Is Seated

Other Links

LA Times: White House quietly prepares for a post-Mubarak era in Egypt

New York Times: Clinton Urges Egyptian Dialogue

CBS News: Clinton: In Egypt, "Words Alone" Are Not Enough

Quote of the Day I chose as I see headlines with Obama, Clinton, just about everybody issuing "suggestions" and I sit here and think, this is about Egypt folks, not us, not those that will be affected the most harshly afterward, but right now, right this second, this is between Egypt's people and their government.

Ross Douthat, NYT column, titled "The Devil We Know."

The only comfort, as we watch Egyptians struggle for their country’s future, is that some choices aren’t America’s to make.

Read the whole thing, it is worth the few minutes it takes.

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Egypt: A Possible Game Changer

Forget everything you know. Forget everything about the dynamic of the peace process, about the Israeli-Arab conflict, indeed, about Israeli politics themselves. The events in Egypt, as they unfold, can mean very radical changes to the region in every single imaginable aspect. One way or another, Israel has become accustomed to the "cold peace" we have enjoyed with Egypt since Anwar El-Sadat and Menachem Begin signed the Camp David accord in 1978.

Hosni Mubarak has been a chilly, yet reliable presence in the region for 30 years. Even during the tense times of the Lebanon conflicts and the Intifadas, Egypt has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel, even in the face of popular criticism and condemnation. In short, Mubarak's icy but steady approach is something Israel has take for granted for several decades.

Now everything is in flux, but one thing is for sure: nothing will be the same.
If a radical leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, such as Muhammad Badi'e, ends up maneuvering himself into power, Israel will have to, for the first time in over 30 years, face the prospect of a very powerful enemy on its southwestern border.

No more Taba vacations, no more discreet cooperation controlling border crossings with Gaza, and perhaps, there will even be open support for the Hamas regime.  An outright hostile powerful neighbor that will make Hezbollah look like a walk in the park. Think a 1979 Iran scenario, but right on the border.

On the other hand, if a moderate, such as the former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and 2005 Nobel Peace Price winner, Mohamed ElBaradei, finds himself in the Egyptian presidency, it could give Egypt a stature and reputation that may increase its influence as a peace broker in the region. Perhaps not good for Netanyahu, but overall a much better prospect for Israel.

The point, however, with revolutions is precisely how unpredictable they are. From Iran to Tianamen Square, to the Romanian revolution of 1989, uncertainty and confusion are the name of the game, and outcomes are hard to predict. The only thing for sure is, even if Mubarak manages to hold on to power, everything is about to change, so better hold onto your seats because this is going to be a bumpy ride.

Egypt Government Cuts Off Internet As Citizens Rise Against Government On The Streets

Renesys shows an almost universal blackout on the Internet from Egypt where providers simultaneously went dark, virtually cutting off access for the Egyptian citizenry to the rest of the world.

According to that report "every Egyptian provider, every business, bank, Internet cafe, website, school, embassy, and government office that relied on the big four Egyptian ISPs for their Internet connectivity is now cut off from the rest of the world. Link Egypt, Vodafone/Raya, Telecom Egypt, Etisalat Misr, and all their customers and partners are, for the moment, off the air."

More:

This is a completely different situation from the modest Internet manipulation that took place in Tunisia, where specific routes were blocked, or Iran, where the Internet stayed up in a rate-limited form designed to make Internet connectivity painfully slow. The Egyptian government's actions tonight have essentially wiped their country from the global map.

That has been confirmed by BGP mon.

The Guardian has live updates on the protests with photos, videos (some very disturbing).

Egyptian demonstrators are demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak and the shutdown of the Internet and mobile phone services coincide with a crackdown on the protesters.

Barack Obama took to YouTube to respond and VP Biden is saying Mubarak is an ally and not a dictator.

As Hot Air's Ed Morrissey phrases it "The guy’s been governing under “emergency” powers for 30 years."

AP reports:

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters poured into the streets of Egypt Friday, stoning and confronting police who fired back with rubber bullets and tear gas in the most violent and chaotic scenes yet in the challenge to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. One protester was killed and even a Nobel Peace laureate was placed under house arrest after joining demonstrations.

Groups of thousands of protesters, some chanting "out, out, out," defied a ban on any gatherings and turned out at different venues across Cairo, a city of about 18 million people, some marching toward major squares and across scenic Nile bridges. Burning tires sent up plumes of black smoke across the cityscape as the sun set. Security officials said there were protests in at least 11 of the country's 28 provinces.

It was a major escalation in the movement that began on Tuesday to demand 82-year-old Mubarak's ouster and vent rage at years of government neglect of rampant poverty, unemployment and rising food prices. Security officials said protesters ransacked the headquarters of Mubarak's ruling party in the cities of Mansoura north of Cairo and Suez, east of the capital.

Friday is expected to be the largest day of planned protests and rioting.

Keep up with the news at it comes out at Memeorandum, links to all the news reports and live updates from all over. (Specific link to those stories right now, here)

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Tour d'Afrique 2010: Race Finished, Australian and German Cyclists Win!

The 2010 Tour d'Afrique came to an end this past weekend when the riders rolled into Cape Town amidst cheers from the locals gathered to welcome them. Sunday marked the final day of the annual race from Cairo to Cape Town that saw competitors in the saddle for more than 120 days, and covering over 7500 miles across the length of Africa.

27-year old Australian, Stuart Briggs was the winner in the men's category, claiming victory with an overall time 398:26 for the race. South African Jethro de Decker took second place with a time of, 16 hours back, and American Tim Thomas came in third at 418:09. de Decker won the most stages with 18, and the most sections, with 3, but Briggs was the overall more consistent rider from start to finish.

In the women's division there was no problem figuring out who won, as 26-year old German Gisela Gartmair dominated the field. Garmair racked up an incredible 56 stage wins, claimed all 9 of the race’s “mando” days, and was victorious on 7 of the 8 tour sections. Her final time was 404:34, second only to Briggs in the overall standings. Juliana Austin-Olsen, 39 and Jennifer Crake, 40, both of Canada, finished second and third respectively with times of 452:38 and 531:33.

There were 55 riders that rode the entire length of the Tour, with others coming and going from different sections. For some, iti s a highly competitive event, as winning a stage race of 120+ days is quite a feat. For others however, it is more about the adventure of the ride, which crossed through Egypt, the Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Personally, I can't think of a more amazing way to tour Africa, and it's many diverse landscapes.

Registration for the Tour d'Afrique 2011 is already open, so if you would like to take part in the adventure next year, sign up now and start planning. It's going to be a heck of a ride.

2010 Tour d'Afrique Starts This Weekend Too!

The Tour Down Under isn't the only cycling event to get underway this weekend, as the 2010 Tour d'Afrique prepares to start this Saturday as well. This annual event kicks off from Cairo, Egypt and ends four months later in Cape Town, South Africa. Riders will cover more than 7500 miles, and cross through ten countries in this trans-continental, north-south journey.

All told, this Tour includes 96 days of cycling, averaging 77 miles per day. The schedule also factors in 22 rest days and 2 additional days of travel by ferry, which brings the total travel time to 120 days. The stages range in length from about 50 miles on rough terrain to 112 miles over smooth, paved roads.

The route begins in Egypt and wanders south through the Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia, before finishing up at the Cape in South Africa. Some of the landmarks that the riders pass along the way include ancient Egyptian temples along the Nile, Ethiopia's Simian Mountains, Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent, and Victoria Falls. The conditions will range from arid, open plains, to dry deserts, and temperate cloud forests, and as you might expect, the wildlife will be spectacular as well.

The Tour can be done as one giant four month long ride, or travelers can elect to join at specific legs of the journey as they see fit. There are eight different legs that can be linked together in any fashion that the rider wishes.

I've written about the Tour d'Afrique a number of times in the past, and this is one of my ultimate trips. It looks like it would be quite the adventure to explore Africa on the back of your bike with a great group of fellow travelers. One of these days, when I'm a rich and famous blogger, I'll find a way to join the Tour, as it really does seem like the trip of a lifetime.

John N. Oswalt on The Egyptian Concept of Deity

The following article is now available for download in PDF:

John. N. Oswalt, "The Golden Calves and the Egyptian Concept of Deity," Evangelical Quarterly 45.1 (Jan.-Mar. 1973): 13-20.

In this brief but extremely helpful article Dr Oswalt explains why the worship of the Golden Calves was so offensive to Yahweh. He also demonstrates how valuable a knowledge of archaeology can be in biblical studies.