ABSTRACT
TheoldcivilizationsofEgyptandMesopotamiawerebornonthe banksoftheNileandthetworivers.Theywere,however,closeto thedesertbywhichtheywerenurturedandrefined.Itwasinthe desertthatGodspoketoMoses,andthechildrenofIsraelwere disciplinedandpurified.Inthedeserttheancientrevolutionary prophetElijahheardthe'stillvoiceofGod'orderinghimtofacethe tyrannyofanoppressiveking.2Inthedesert,Christprepared himselfthroughfastingandprayersforamissionwhichwastoshape Westernhistory.Inthesolitudeofthedeserttheprophet Muhammadcontemplatedtheorderofcreationandthesadstateof hisownpeople.
