Friday, March 14 – Day 6
We left Tiberias at 7:45 this morning. We headed south towards the end of the Sea of Galilee. The morning sky was better than the last two days. We made our first stop briefly at the Kenneret Cemetery. A Jewish woman named “Rachel” was buried here. She was a famous poet. Leaving the lake, we continued south to Beth Shean (Bethshan). We read from 1 Samuel 31 about how Saul’s body was placed on the walls of this city by the Philistines. We also read from 2 Corinthians 1 about Paul’s admonition to “stand firm” in our faith that much like a sturdy Roman pillar. We site is massive, complete with an OT “tel” (which over half climbed for the view) and very impressive Roman ruins.
Jericho was our next stop. After lunch in this “City of Palm, we ascended the tel. Looking east we could see where Moses died (Mt. Nebo) and see where Joshua crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 2). Jesus was also baptized in this area (John 1). The archaeological dating of the wall structures was discussed, with the historicity of the Bible being upheld. All the ruins perfectly fit the Joshua 6 text of how Joshua conquered the city.
Driving nearly 4,000 feet in elevation, our last stop of the day was Bethlehem. Our visit of the “City of David” included reading Luke 2 and singing Christmas carols in a cave, the Church of Nativity, and the olive-wood shop.
We returned for dinner at our hotel, the Dan Boutique. This was a free evening, with a few exploring around Jerusalem. We stay here in Jerusalem for the rest of the tour.
Saturday, March 15, Day 7
The day will include sites in the Judean Desert: Masada, Engedi, Qumran, and the Dead Sea.