This morning we were able to sleep in an extra 15 minutes! We didn’t need to leave until 7:15 am. Wow, was that nice. After breakfast at the hotel which began at 6:30 am, at which we noticed how a tour group from Korea swarmed the buffet, (they must not have gotten the extra 15 minutes like us) we hoped on the bus and headed north to Tel Hazor (in the Rift Valley a little north of the Sea of Galilee). This has historically been a significant city because it guarded some of the main trade routes. There is evidence of a Canaanite city being here during the time of the patriarchs. Emily pointed out that it is mentioned in Joshua 11 as a leading city against the Israelites trying to take the land. She also pointed out that it is mentioned in 1 Kings 9 as one of the cities that King Solomon fortified. The city has gone between the rule of Israeli and non-Israeli leaders throughout it’s history.
It is a very large Tel with an upper and lower level. There has been a lot of work done on the upper level but no work done on the lower level. In fact we were surprised to see that the lower level is being farmed and wheat has been planted on it.
Next we went a little further north to Tel Dan. This Tel has plenty of fresh water. A spring provides about 1/3 of the water that forms the Jordan River. Israel and Syria divert a lot of that water so that today the Jordan River is not as big as it once was. As you might imagine, water is a very precious item in this region. There are many groves and farms in this northern part of Israel. We hiked along the trail in the greenery along the stream up to the Tel. There was a gate system that we took note of. Also we went further up to a high place where there was a scale model of an altar. We were reminded of when the kingdom of Israel was divided into the north and south, King Jeroboam of the northern kingdom set up golden calves at Bethel and Dan so that the people didn’t need to go to Jerusalem to worship. Dan was another city on a major trade route.
From there we went to Caesarea Philippi, the city furthest north that we have record of Jesus bringing his disciples. While there, Jesus asked his disciples who people said he was. Then he asked them who he was. You may remember that Peter answered that he was the Christ the Son of the Living God. At Caesarea Philippi there was a temple to the god Pan. Jesus could have been making a contrast between himself and the “dead” god that was being worshiped there. Here there is another spring that is part of the head waters of the Jordan River. The city received it’s name from King Herod Philip – he named it after Caesar and also after himself.
The weather has been cloudy today. At Caesarea Philippi the rain finally started coming down. It is also much cooler up here. I expect (and hope) this will be the coldest day of the trip and the rain will be over for a few more days (may it come again after we return home – apparently Israel has been in a bit of a drought for the past several years).
Our final stop was up to the Golan Heights. Johnny, our driver, did a great job of getting us up there. By the time we got to the top of the mount it was raining and we were in the clouds. Nevertheless Emily marched us up to the lookout and in the rain called us to use our imaginations as she pointed out the various geographic locations. We were reminded of the Damascus Road experience of Saul (Paul) following the road to Damascus which we imagined we could see. We were also reminded of when Jesus took three disciples and went up the mountain. There he met with Moses and Elijah and a cloud enveloped them. Emily was sure that God sent the cloud to give us that same kind of feeling.
Most of us were feeling a little cold and damp. So as soon as Emily was done we hustled over to the coffee and gift shop located up there. They did a rousing business from our group mostly in terms of hot drinks but the gift shop made a few sales as well. The gal working there encouraged us to come in and shop because the forecast was for snow and fog tomorrow – or so she said. She didn’t expect any customers tomorrow. Some members of our group were willing to help her out. We just have such giving people in this group.
After that we returned to our hotel and got back a little earlier than expected. We tried to keep things moving to get ahead of the rain so we finished a little early. That gave us time to meet at 6 pm for group devotions and we had our evening meal at 7. Another good day. Thank you Lord. And thank you for your continued prayers. We hope and pray all is well on the home front. It is hard to believe that we have 2 more days of learning, then a free day and after that we head home.
Sounds like you and the bus have become good friends:) May the Holy Spirit continue to bless your hearts and minds as you finish up!!!
ReplyDeleteIt decided to get really cold here today. The wind is blowing pretty good (20-30m with gusts up to 35m). Tomorrow will be a high of 15 degrees. No worries thought, the temp is supposed to be back up in the 40's when you get home:)