On Sunday after an extended time of news and prayers, the pastor, Rev. Peter Richmond, gave a 'potted' history of Hebron. Abraham went to live there after he split up with Lot; he buried his wife there and later his body was buried in the same cave by his sons Isaac and Ishmael. Over the generations the tomb became the resting place of Rebecca and Isaac; Leah and Jacob.
The land around Hebron was fertile and wealth-bringing. It was from here that the 12 Israelites spying out the Promised Land brought back massive clusters of grapes to the wilderness. To this day a grape cluster is an emblem of the Israeli tourism authorities.
When the children of Israel conquered Canaan, this land was promised to Caleb. He faced the giants who remained, and gave Hebron as a city of refuge and a dwelling place for the Levites.
It was from Hebron that King David ruled Judah following the death of Saul. The city was fortified by Reheboam, and in 37-34 BC King Herod built a memorial tower and boundary walls enclosing the tombs of the patriarchs. Within the century, Hebron had been destroyed, though the tower survived and was alternately converted into a church and a mosque, as everyone regarded it as an important religious site. In 1996 the city was given to the Palestinian Authority.
The word Hebron means 'fellowship,' and the city illustrates a part of God's character. "We can have fellowship with God, our refuge," said Peter. "And like the richness of Hebron, in Jesus we have a Saviour who provides everything we need.
"Hebron was Caleb's reward for his wholehearted faithfulness. Satan would want to keep us from Hebron, the place of fellowship, and he has put giants in our way.
"Lord, give me the strength to take Hebron."
Services usually take place every Sunday in the Avenue Centre, Tenby, at 6 pm, but this Sunday the fellowship will be joining other churches in a united service at St. Johns Church.