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!