DAY 12 – FRIDAY, JANUARY 28: WESTERN WALL/TUNNEL, CITY OF DAVID, HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL, FREE TIME IN OLD CITY
Today was another cold (low 40s) and rainy day, but with a few breaks throughout the day and coming just at the right time. We enjoyed another great breakfast, with many choices. As we left the hotel at 7:40, we read from 2 Samuel 5.
Western Wall / Tunnel
We drove to the Old City and entered the Dung Gate into the Kotel (Western Wall area). Our tour of the Western Wall Tunnel was fascinating. Herod’s Temple project (beginning in 20 BC) was expansive! We doubled the size of the Temple platform from the size it was in the 1st Temple Period. We saw massive stones that were part of this retaining wall, as well as the small odeon. We also enjoyed some time down at the Western Wall. It was quite empty of people.
Southern Wall Excavations
We walked to the SW corner of the Temple where we walked on the Herodian pavement. This corner may have been the pinnacle of the Temple where Jesus was tempted (Mt. 4). We walked up the southern steps used by commoners in Jesus’ day. Jesus Himself would have used these steps to enter the Temple. We recalled the many mentioned in the NT who used these steps (Luke 2, John 2, Mark 13, and Acts 2, etc…). The sun broke out for a moment when we were here.
“We’ve hit an unusual string of cold and rainy days here in Jerusalem! But we made the most of today once again. We were inside for a few visits, and the sun peaked out when we were on the southern steps of the Temple. It was actually warmer in Hezekiah’s Tunnel walking through the water than outside!
City of David
Our last visit was to the City of David. After gathering on the observation tower, we saw a 3D movie. We then walked down through the excavations (“Area G”). We saw David’s palace, city walls, and houses. Some in the group then walked to the Siloam Pool while others took the steps through Warren’s Shaft (2 Samuel 5, although most think that this shaft wasn’t the “water shaft” used) and the 1,700 foot-long Hezekiah’s Tunnel (2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32). The water was extremely high inside Hezekiah’s tunnel, but 6 inches higher than normal. Both groups then met at the Pool of Siloam where we read John 9 in dramatic fashion.
About 2 p.m., we enjoyed some free time for the rest of the afternoon. Some explored the Old City while others went back to the hotel. We gathered for a great “Erev Shabbat” (evening of the Sabbath) dinner!
DAY 13 – SATURDAY, JANUARY 29: GARDEN TOMB, OLD CITY, HOLY SEPULCHER CHURCH, ISRAEL MUSEUM, FAREWELL DINNER, NIGHT FLIGHT HOME
