DAY 8 – MONDAY, JANUARY 24: GAMLA, KATZRIN, SYRIAN BORDER, MT. HERMON, CAESAREA PHILIPPI, DAN
The prediction for the day was for rain most of the day. While it didn’t rain a few times, overall we had a cold but dry day, with temps in the 50s (40s up north). We read from Matthew 13 as we left the hotel after breakfast at 7:35.
Gamla
We drove once again around the northern pat of the lake and began our ascent to the Golan Heights. As we climbed the fog grew thicker. Once we arrived at Gamla, a Jewish city at the time of Jesus, we couldn’t see the actually site below us from the overview area. There is a 1st century synagogue here where Jesus may have taught (Matthew 4).
Katzrin
Further north is Katzrin. We went to an olive oil factory before arriving at the ancient Talmudic Village of Katrin. Here we saw ruins from the 3rd-7th centuries AD. This included a synagogue. In a reconstructed stone house we gathered to hear the story of Mark 2.
Syrian Border
Continuing northward, we stopped for a brief stop to look over into Syria. Thankfully, the skies cleared a bit to enable us to see Kuneitra, a Syrian city.
Mt. Hermon
We ate lunch at a Druze restaurant at Birkhat Ram where we had a great view of the snow-capped Mt. Hermon. There is actually a ski resort on top of the mountain. Many enjoyed the Druze flatbread with cheese and/or chocolate inside. Others enjoyed another falafel.
“The number of sites we are covering on this trip has been incredible! We saw more today that connect us directly with the Bible. Everywhere one goes here in Israel, there is a biblical connection of some kind. And the rain held off too for most of the day!”
Caesarea Philippi
Driving down off the Golan Heights we visited Caesarea Philippi. This was a pagan city in the days of Jesus that included temples to Augustus, Jupiter, and Nemesis. The Pan deity was especially honored here. It was good to see that recent excavations of the Augustus Temple revealed amazing mosaics and other structures. The Banias Spring begins here, one of the three tributaries of the Upper Jordan River. It was in the region of this city that Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16).
Tel Dan
Our last site of the day was Tel Dan. We walked through the beautiful nature preserve along the Dan Spring. We stopped by the water to hear Shlomo play another song on his recorder. We also read from (and sang) Psalm 42, As the Deer. We continued our walk to the culture center. Here, Jeroboam built an altar and set a golden calf on the high place. Sitting on the steps of the high place, we read from Judges 18 and 1 Kings 12. We also overlooked the border with Lebanon. Before leaving, we saw the Canaanite mud brick gate and the Israelite gate complex.
We drove south along the Huleh Valley back to our hotel, passing the Canaanite city of Hazor on the way. Once again, we enjoyed a huge dinner and a free evening.
DAY 9 – TUESDAY, JANUARY 25: OPTIONAL HIKE IN UPPER GALILEE, ARBEL, MT. OF BEATITUDES, ANCIENT BOAT & BOAT RIDE
