Day 6 – Friday, March 25: Beth Shean, Shiloh, Parat Desert, Jericho, Dead Sea
It rained all night and we woke up to a few lingering showers through the morning hours. However, we enjoyed partly cloudy skies in the afternoon! Temperatures were once again cool in the morning, but warmer in the south. Following breakfast we loaded the bus and began our drive southward. As we left this area of the Sea of Galilee, we read the kingdom parables from Matthew 13. We ended the day all the way down at the southern end of the Dead Sea.
Beth Shean
We drove south to Beth Shean located about 20 miles south of the Sea of Galilee. We saw 1000s of migrating storks along the way! Beth Shean was the only city of the Decapolis on the western side of the Jordan Valley. At this massive Roman site we saw the bathhouses, colonnaded streets, the Forum, public latrenes, and the impressive theater. Some in the group climbed to the top of the Old Testament site of Beth Shean where the body of Saul (after his death on nearby Mt. Gilboa) was hung on the walls of the walls of there city square.
Shiloh
Next, our drive took us further south along the Jordan Valley. Then we turned westward into the Hill Country of Samaria. The Patriarchs came through this area. Further south in this area is is where Shiloh is located. We climbed this ancient site where the Tabernacle was located for over 300 years. Some of the ruins date to this time period. We read from 1 Samuel 3 about the call of Samuel. We ended with reading Jeremiah 7.
Parath Desert
The next part of the drive took us past Bethel (Genesis 12, 28) and Ai (Joshua 7-8). Passing by Michmash (1 Samuel 13-14) we descended down through the Judean Desert, specifically the area of Parath. We read from Jeremiah 13. The desert was uniquely beautifully decorated with green grasses and wild flowers!
Jericho
When we arrived at Jericho, we first ate lunch before walking to the top of the ancient site. Looking east first, we could see the area where Elijah ascended to heaven (2 King 2), and Bethany Beyond the Jordan (where Jesus was baptized, John 1). Just to the south of the OT site of Jericho was NT Jericho where Zachaeus and Bartimeaus were from. King Herod also had a winter palace here. This is also where he died. On the OT site we saw the fortification walls that supported the mud-brick walls that “came tumblin’ down” (Joshua 6). Among the ruins we saw the oldest tower in the country (from the Neolithic Period), a sample of the mud-brick wall, and the two stone revetment walls on the south end of the site. We celebrate the historicity of the Bible!
“We drove south to the Dead Sea today. On the way we had great stops! It is still hard to believe how larger Beth Shean was. Also, to see the walls of Jericho was pretty special too. I’ve read the story many times, but to be here was incredible!”
Dead Sea
From here we drove to the southern end of the Dead Sea. After checking in to our hotel, many enjoyed floating in this unique water (33% salt & minerals) before a wonderful Erev Shabbat (evening of the Sabbath) dinner.
From here we drive to the southern end of the Dead Sea to our hotel. Prior to dinner, you will have a chance to float in the salt and mineral-rich waters of this unique body of water!
Day 7 – Saturday, March 26: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Wilderness of Judah, Jerusalem
