Day Eight

 How time flies when you are busy.  Today is our final day in Israel. It begins and ends in a garden!

Waking a little early we quickly make our way to the Garden of Gethsemane, however, today instead of entering the crowd filled traditional site, our guide has arranged for us to enter a small gate and a private olive grove. As a lone group of 37, we read the account of Christ’s pray to His Father that “if it is possible let this cup pass from me .  .  . nevertheless, not my will but yours” (Matthew 26). We also read from Philippians 2. “He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross”.  Then we break up into solo or small groups and reflect on Christ’s willingness to die for us. 

After 20 minutes, we quietly leave the garden and rejoice the hustling bustling crowds of Jerusalem and make our way to the Jewish quarter. Destroyed by the Jordanians in 1948, it was recaptured by the Jews in 1967 and is now a modern city within an ancient city.  It bustles with kids going to school, mother’s finding some groceries and men with briefcases heading to work.  It was our opportunity to see the everyday life in the Jewish quarter. 

We also visited the Temple Institute with the preparations for the construction of a third temple. The golden menorah ($2 millions dollars worth of pure gold) as well as the priestly garments, sacrificial altars and all the musical instruments are ready to go. All they need is a Temple and the permission to built it on Temple mount. Hmmmmm. not sure the Moslems are ready for that. 

After a lunch amid the Jewish multitudes, we were off to the last Garden, a site called the Garden Tomb. In contrast to the church of the Holy Sepulcher (the traditional site of Christ’s death and burial) this is a quiet garden overlooking a skull like rock outcropping and next to it an empty tomb.  Tim led us in singing and after reading of Christ’s death and resurrection, we partook of the Lord’s supper.  A great way to end our time in Israel.

WiFi has been sketchy throughout the trip, so will post pictures later.

Day Seven

The Way of Suffering!  

Day Seven was spent entirely inside the walls of old Jerusalem. The bus dropped us off at the gate leading to the Western Wall and picked us up at the opposite corner.  In between we saw the Moslem, Christian and Armenian quarters of Old Jerusalem. 

The first stop was the Western or Wailing wall. The classic picture of Jewish men and women praying by the wall became real and personal. We were touching the stones laid by Herod the Great to develop the temple mount. A unique element is that a tunnel has been dug along the old wall and when we popped out, we were at the Pool of Bethesda just north of temple mount.  The stones were massive. One was 500 tons and somehow they had been placed so precisely the cracks are virtually hidden.  

Reaching the Pool of Bethesda, we were allowed to sing within a church at the site. It is noted for having perfect acoustics. Tim sang a solo and then as a group we sang "Nothing but the Blood". A group of Christians from Armenia joined us but sang in their own language. It was a special moment. 

Then, it was up the Via Delorossa, the way of Suffering. Passing each station we were reminded of the various events that happened as Jesus was beaten and then carried the cross to Golgotha. The streets were narrow and are now busy markets in the Moslem quarter. Amid a similar street life, Jesus would have hardly been noticed as He went to the cross.

The next stop was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  It is the traditional site for the cross on Golgotha and the tomb. To be honest the church and so many pictures, statutes, candles and a host of other elements cover the original site and you can't see Golgotha or the tomb.  It epitomizes so many sites in Israel where centuries of religious additions almost eliminate the original reality. 

Our final stop was at Caiaphas' house where Jesus was tried, beaten, slapped and spit on by the Jewish authorities. It is also the place where Peter denied the Lord.  It capped a day that made us aware that while the Lord Jesus was making His way to die for the sins of man, most people are unaware of what is really happening OR quickly cover His work with their own form of worship OR deny any relationship to Him. 

Some Fun Facts

Israel became a nation around 1450 BC some 2000 years before the rise of Islam, Jewish people have lived in the land continuously since the days of Joshua - some 3000 years,

The Jewish people were the main population in the land from 1000 BC to AD 637 - a period of 1637 years,

Even if the Arabs had become the main population in the land from 637 to the present - which they did not - they would have to remain to equal the time the Jewish people were the main population for 268 more years merely to equal the time the Jewish people are the main population prior to AD 637. 

The Muslim controlled the land from 637 to 1099 - 462 years, Jewish people still lived there.Crusaders, who tortured and killed Jews in their quest for ascendancy,

The Muslims retook the land from 1291 to 1917 - a total of 626 years., However, by 1880 the Jews again were the main population in Jerusalem, as they had been in Safed and Liberia's,

The British captured the Holy Land from the Muslim Ottoman Turks in 1917.

On November 29, 1947, the UN announced a partition. The Arabs were not happy and instigated riots and proclaimed they would fight for every inch of the territory. You can read some background at

 https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/background-and-overview-israel-war-of-independence

The State of Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948. David Ben-Gurion, head of the World Zionist Organization, made the declaration of the establishment of the Jewish State. He was also the chairman of the Jewish Agency for Palestine. The historic announcement would end the British Mandate over Israel at midnight on that day.

Six Day War:

In response to Jordanian shelling, Israeli Troops moved into the West Bank and attacked East Jerusalem on June 5, 1967.

The brief yet intense war was a stunning victory for the Israelis. Though outnumbered, the Israelis inflicted heavy casualties on its Arab enemies. In the Arab world, the war was demoralizing. Gamal Abdel Nasser, who had been boasting of his plans to destroy Israel, announced he would resign as the nation's leader until massive demonstrations urged him to stay on.

For Israel, the victories on the battlefield proved it was the dominant military force in the region, and it validated its policy of unyielding self-defense. The war also began a new era in Israeli history, as it brought more than one million Palestinians in occupied territories under Israeli rule.

Yom Kippur War:

Fighting commenced when Egyptian and Syrian forces crossed their corresponding ceasefire lines with Israel and invaded the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights from 6 to 25 October 1973.

Israel’s victory came at the cost of heavy casualties, and Israelis criticized the government’s lack of preparedness. In April 1974, the nation’s prime minister, Golda Meir (1898-1978), stepped down.

You can read more details at https://www.jewishhistory.org/the-yom-kippur-war/

Some historical novels to read:

https://www.amazon.com/Zion-Chronicles-Books-Daughter-Return/dp/B004AQG4UA/ref=sr_1_13?crid=3I4LI4UP5LCJE&keywords=zion+chronicles+series+by+bodie+thoene&qid=1663651646&sprefix=zion+chronicles+series+by+bodie+thoene%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-13

https://www.amazon.com/Zion-Covenant-set-Bodie-Thoene/dp/B07GXT8WDC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1RBYKQM8X134C&keywords=zion+covenant+series+by+bodie+thoene&qid=1663651525&sprefix=zion+con%2Caps%2C260&sr=8-6

Day Six

Starting at the top of the Mount of Olives, Day 6 would be focused on sites around but not in the old city of Jerusalem. Walking the Palm Sunday Path we followed the route Jesus took from the Mount of Olives to the Kidron Valley.  On the path we passed a church to remember Christ's "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem. . . how often would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings but you would not" (Mt. 23:37). The path ended at the Garden of Gethsemane and the opportunity to personally and quietly reflect on Christ's betrayal and surrender to His Father's will of the cross. 

The bus  picked us up and our next stop was the City of David. The bustling city life pressed in on us as we left the bus and took a 30 minute walk through the remains of David's city and down into Hezekiah's Tunnel. To our joy the tunnel ended at the Pool of Siloam and our bus. 

From the tunnel we visited an Olive shop with beautiful carved olive works. They even served us PIZZA.  

The afternoon began with a visit to the famous and awesome model of Jerusalem. Like a major lego land, we could visually appreciate Jerusalem in Jesus day. The temple, Antonio's fortress, the city walls and Golgotha suddenly were put into perspective.  A short walk from the model was the Shrine of the Book dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It confirmed the accuracy of our Bibles, 

The day ended at the Holocaust Museum which was a very moving experience (no pictures allowed). The famous quote by Martin Niemoller caps it all. 

Day Five

Today we went from 1400 feet below sea level to 3000 feet above sea level.   How did we do that? Did we begin in a submarine and end in an airplane? No but we did begin at the Dead Sea (1400 feet below) and drive up to Jerusalem (3000 feet above). Talk about an air pressure and temperature change.  Like a hyperbolic chamber, the Dead Sea has intensified air pressure which some say has health benefits.  

But the focus of our day was neither the Dead Sea or Jerusalem but 5 significant sites.

Our first stop was Masada, the winter palace of Herod the Great which became the last stand of nearly 1000 jews after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.  What a somber account. Surrounded by the Roman legions, the Jews held out until the Romans were ready to breech the walls.  Rather than surrender and become slaves, the fathers killed their wives and children. Then the men cast lots and killed each other until the final man committed suicide.  To this day, it challenges the Jews to realize they can never feel safe or surrender. 

From Masada, we went to En Gedi, the flowing stream in the Judean Wilderness where David went to escape Saul (1 Samuel 24) and were reminded of David's allowing God to deal with his enemy, Saul. 

From En Gedi, we went to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 and which reminded us of the amazing accuracy in the preservation of God's Word. 

A highlight of the day was a short side trip to a spot overlooking the "Valley of the Shadow of Death". 

We ended the day at a living history location called Abraham's tent. Everyone was allowed to take a camel ride (or walk) to a tent in the approximate location the Bible gives for Abraham. Abraham and Eliazar, his servant, spoke with us and offered us tea, coffee and sweet dates, apricots and raisins.

Day Four

Day four is devoted to making our way from the Sea of Galilee, down the Jordan River valley and to the southern end of the Dead Sea.  Before leaving the Galilee we stopped at a recently discovered and new to us site: Magdala.  It is believed to be the place where Mary Magdalene lived and now open to us seeing the ancient harbor and houses.  We went to the Southern end of the Sea of Galilee and the headwaters of the Jordan River where some were baptized. It was a moving experience.

Leaving the baptismal site we drove a short drive to the ruins of the ancient city Bet Shean. It was a Roman city so we could sit in the theater, walk the main market street and wander through the baths. Some brave individuals climbed the 400 steps to the top of the mount overlooking the city and where King Saul and Jonathan's bodies were hung in display of the victory over the Israelites.  

We enjoyed the drive down the Jordan valley, visiting the spring where Gideon and his 300 defeated the Midianites. Today it is a bustling national park used by Israeli families for fun and sun.  Passing through Palestinian territory we passed ancient Jericho and then on to the Dead Sea.  Our hotel was a few hundred feet from the sea so all who wanted had the privilege to float in the water that is 10 times more salty than ocean water. 

Day Three

W

e left Liberia's and meandered the narrow and winding roads in the hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee. At one moment we enjoyed a view of the entire Sea, then the bus led us to a place where we saw the remains of a fishing village from the day of Christ and then we drove up the rich farm land in the Hula valley until we reached Caesarea Philippi where Peter gave the right answer to "Who do men say that I am?".

Our return took us through the Druzes villages on the Golan heights and then to the site of the great tank battle fought between Israel and Syria and then back down to the Sea of Galilee and a boat ride that allowed us to see all the locations where Jesus ministered.  

The day ended at Capernaum, the center of ministry for Jesus. Know as Kfar Nahum (Hebrew for "hometown of Nahum", Capernaum was located at the convergence of several trade routes and a Roman custom house and therefore a significant city in the days of Christ. It was here that Jesus taught, healed, cast out demons and interacted with the people. 

Yet as we tour the house of Peter and an ancient synagogue we are reminded that Christ said "And to you Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?  You will be brought down to Hades, for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom it would have repented and remained until this day" (Matthew 11:23). Capernaum reminds us of Opportunity Squandered!. 

Day Two

Mt. Carmel - Will the Real god Show Up?

After our tour of Caesarea Maritime we take a relaxing bus trip to Mt. carmel.

What comes to mind? Let's look at some facts

• It is named Carmel which means "Vineyard of God"
• It is a place where soil, moisture and sun allow for productive vineyards
• It is a part of the north end of mountains that are the backbone of Israel
• It is close to where this range just into the Mediterranean Sea just south Haifa
• It is abut 1800 Feet ab love sea level
• it is called beautiful and fruitful 2Chr. 26:10

Yet I suspect the first thought in our mind when we think of Mr. Carmel is of Elijah and his show down with the 450 Prophets of Baal (I Kings 18). The facts are these:

• After Solomon the nation of Israel split into 2 nations, the north was called Israel and the south called Judah
• Every king of Israel (North)
• King Ahab of Israel (North ) married a Phoenician woman named Jezebel
• Jezebel ordered and King Ahab allowed the massacre of the Lord's prophets
• Elijah confronted Ahab and it resulted in a showdown on Mt. Carmel
• Elijah challenged Israel to consider which God they would follow

The famous statement of Elijah was:

Let them give us 2 bulls; and let them choose 1 bull for themselves cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it and I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord and the 

God who answers by fire, He is God (I Kings 18:23,34)

Let them give us 2 bull; and let them choose 1 bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and layout on the wood, b ut put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord and the God who answers by fire, He is God (I Kings 18:23, 34)

What is our Insight from Israel? At Mt Carmel we are reminded that even God's people are prone to be influenced by the world around them and the gods they worship. At Mt. Carmel we realize we have to make a choice between the gods of the world or the true and living God! At Mt. Carmel we earn that that the only true God is alive and able of sending fire from heaven. At Mt. Carmel we ask "Will the True God Show Up?"

Day One

 Arrival and First Night

We arrived at Ben Gurion Airport and were welcomed by our guide and a bus to a beautiful hotel, the Resort Ramada in Hadera, Israel.  It is a short trip up the coast from Tel Aviv which is the modern city built over the Biblical city of Joppa. 

A unique feature of the Israeli coast is the lack of natural harbors.  Until the Romans built Caesarea on the sea, Joppa was the only significant harbor for the nation of Israel. It was in Joppa where the timbers for Solomon's tempe came from Lebanon and then were hauled up to Jerusalem (2 Car 2:16). It was also the harbor where the cedars used in the second temple came (Ezra 3:7). In the book of Acts we read it was Joppa where Dorcas (Tabitha) lived and was raised from the dead (Acts 9:40).

Yet for us Gentiles, two events that happened at Joppa has significance.  First it is the port from which Jonah attempt to escape the call of God to preach to the Gentiles of Ninevah (Jonah 1:1-3).  Second it was the city in which Peter saw a sheet lowered from heaven and was told to "rise, Peter, kill and eat" (Acts 10:13). In Joppa Peter was invited to visit Cornelius, a Gentile in Caesarea on the Sea. 

What do these have in common?  Both remind us that salvation has never been limited to the Jews but God has always wanted His people to have a burden for all men. 

Take Off - Israel

Today is the day! We are headed to the airport. In spite of a delay in our first flight, it looks like we will make it to Israel around 8 pm on the 14th, just in time for a good nights sleep and ready to start our tour on September 15. 

Things to pray for:

•     safe flights
•     for the 13 people who will have to navigate their own way to Israel
•     for the 24 people who will be flying from Phoenix with us 
•     for hearts and lives to be changed as we "walk where Jesus walked"

I trust, as you follow this blog, you will be overwhelmed with God's goodness as we delve into the History of the Holy Land. 

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my Dad's 96th birthday. I have been so thankful to have grown up in a home where both parents love me and each other. As I see our cultural declining with so many adults with emotional issues due to never feeling loved and appreciated, the more I realize how precious this legacy is.

After my mom passed away a few years ago, my dad found the letters he wrote to my mom while he was fighting in the Pacific during WWII. He has spent the last few years compiling stories and experiences from that time. He also included these letters. They each were signed "With Love and Kisses on Every Wave."

So, Happy Birthday Dad. We love you!