Hebron in biblical times

In biblical times, when a person was killed, it was the custom that the nearest relative became the "avenger of blood" (Num. 35:19, 21-27; Deut. 19:12) who then had to kill the perpetrator. However, if the killer acted accidentally or unintentionally, six cities of refuge were provided as an asylum, "that by fleeing to one of these cities he might live" (Deut. 4:42). One of these cities was called Hebron.

In the New Testament, the cities of refuge became a symbol of our salvation through Christ: "We . . . have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us" (Heb. 6:18). What is this hope? The apostle Paul explains, "Having now been justified by his [Christ's] blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Rom. 5:9) and "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). As sinners, we can flee to Christ and find refuge in Him, regardless of our sin: "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37).

In 2001 God gave Gerhard Du Plooy a vision to build a centre that was to become a place where God's people would be healed, restored, rested and equipped in respect of:

• their personal lives;
• their relationships with God and others, especially those close to them; and
• their professional lives at their workplaces and businesses.

However, this centre was to be more than a place of restoration. It was to be a place where the joy of important personal events such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms and other festivities could be shared in surroundings dedicated to God and celebrated in a manner which glorifies Him.

In 2002 Gerhard and his wife Leoné bought the farm which they later renamed Hebron following a Godly revelation of this name to a dear friend.

Hebron became the fulfillment of Gerhard's vision.

Shortly after moving to Hebron, Leoné found a rock whilst walking in the game camp on the farm and was struck by the resemblance of an eagle resting on a branch, "etched" on the rock. This "etch" was not done by a human hand but was created - as if by design for her to found - thousands of years ago.

Through the ages the eagle has been admired as a majestic bird and in the Bible various characteristics of the eagle are used in metaphors, - for instance its swiftness (Deut 28:49) and the fact that it makes its nest in high places (Jer 49:16).

However, two characteristics of the eagle are particularly pertinent to the vision for Hebron:

• An eagle lives many years and it is believed that once in its lifetime it sheds all its feathers, thus renewing its strength and youthful appearance. Isaiah 40:31 says: "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles" Ps 103:5 says: "He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's!"
• When teaching her eaglet to fly, a mother eagle carries the eaglet on her back until it masters the art of flying. This characteristic is used in Deut 32:11 by Moses to describe God's strength and His care for His people: "As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings. So the Lord alone led him."

It is Gerhard and Leoné's prayer that at Hebron God's people will be renewed like the eagle and that they will experience His strength and care as He carries them on eagle's wings.

The logo

The rock Leoné had found became the central theme and inspiration for Hebron's logo.

The various elements of the logo are:

• the background in the same shape as the rock symbolizing Jesus our spiritual Rock;
• the three eagles, symbolizing the Trinity of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
• the colours:
  
  
  • black meaning sin, death, darkness, famine;
  • green meaning new life, healing, restoration; and
  • white meaning pureness, righteousness, peace;
    
     
  symbolizing the movement from darkness to light through the process of healing, restoration and discipling.