DAY 8 (DAY 3 OF ISRAEL TOUR) – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22: CAESAREA, CARMEL, MEGIDDO, PRECIPICE OF NAZARETH, TIBERIAS
Today was our first full day in Israel. The day was filled with bright sun, and temps in the 70s. We traveled north all day, arriving in the region of the Sea of Galilee to end the day. We read from Psalm 44:8 – “In God we glory all day long; and you name we will praise forever, Selah.”
Caesarea Maritima
We left our hotel at 8 a.m. after we received our negative Covid test results. Unfortunately, one person missed the day because of a positive test. Praise God he is able to rejoin us for tomorrow. We arrived at Caesarea Maratima, a massive harbor city built by King Herod between 22-10 BC. Sitting in the theater, we read from Acts 10 (Pater & Cornelius), Acts 12 (Agrippa I), Acts 21 (Paul stayed with Phillip here), and Acts 26 (Paul sharing his testimony at the end of his two years of imprisonment here and before he would sail to Rome from here). Almog the other ruins, we saw the palace (pretorium), the hippodrome (amphitheater), the Crusader walls and gates, the area of the harbor, and the aqueduct that brought water from the Carmel Range.
Mt. Carmel
From Caesarea we drove through the Sharon Plain to the Carmel Range. Following a great lunch (falafels), we visited Muhrakah located on top of the range. We gathered in the small chapel where we read from Isaiah 35, Amos 9, Songs of Songs 7 (all passages that mention Carmel), and 1 Kings 18 (the primary story involving Elijah vs. the prophets of Baal). The view from the rooftop of the Jezreel Valley below was fair with the hazy skies, but good enough to see most of the valley below.
Megiddo
Located on the edge of the valley is the site of Megiddo. This was a Canaanite and Israelite city. The site was about 25 layers of occupation that span about 2,500 years. After seeing the model of the site, we climb the tel (ancient mound) where we saw chambered gates (one but by Solomon, see 1 Kings 9), stables and storehouses, and a grain silo. We left the site by descending down the incredible water system that was engineers to bring water safely into the city.
“Israel is a place where the Bible comes to life! Already on our first full day we saw sites that are mentioned in the Bible. The connections being made with the Bible is eye-opening. New meaning and understanding of the text is taking place!”
Precipice of Nazareth
We drove across the Jezreel Valley to the Precipice of Nazareth. From here we could see Mt. Tabor (Judges 4-5), the Hill of Moreh (Judges 6-7), and Mt. Gilboa (1 Samuel 31). We enjoyed a marvelous view of Jesus’ “backyard” with the city of Nazareth located on the ridge. We read from Luke 4 and reflected upon God’s redemptive plan fulfilled by Jesus.
Nof Ginnosar
Driving through modern Cana, we arrived at our hotel for the next 2 nights. Nof Ginnosar is located on the western shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. We enjoyed a great dinner together, followed by an optional walk down to the water’s edge. We look forward to a full day in this area of the lake!
DAY 9 (DAY 4 OF ISRAEL TOUR) – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23: BOAT RIDE, CAPERNAUM, MT. OF BEATITUDES, MAGDALA, ARBEL, JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM
