Day 3 – Monday, May 9: Caesarea, Carmel, Megiddo, Precipice of Nazareth, Tiberias
Today was our first full day in Israel. The weather was perfect, with full sun and highs in the upper 70s. We left the hotel at 7:35, reading from Psalm 44 as we started our day.
Caesarea Maritima
We drove north in the Sharon Plain to get to our first site, Caesarea Maritima. It was a city built between 22-10 BC by Herod the Great.We started the the theater where we read from Acts 10, 12, 21, and 26. Peter, Phillip, and Paul were all here sharing their faith in Christ. Among the ruins the praetorium (palace), hippodrome, and the area of the harbor. We left by walking through the Crusader part of the city.
Mt. Carmel
Our next site was the Carmel Range (or Mt. Carmel). This range separates the Sharon Plain with the Jezreel Valley. We drove to Muhraha, a Carmelite chapel located at the highest peak. In the chapel we read from Amos 1 and 9, Isaiah 35, Song of Songs 7 and 1 Kings 18 (the story of Elijah). After a time of singing in the chapel we ascended to the rooftop of the chapel for a wonderful view of the Jezreel Valley below. Nearby we ate lunch at a Druze restaurant.
Megiddo
We descended to the edge of the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, an archaeological site that has about 25 levels of occupation that span 2,500 years! After seeing a model of the tel (ancient mound), we walked to the top of this Canaanite/Israelite site. We saw two Canaanite gate complexes, the gate, stables and palace area of Solomon (1 Kings 9:15), a sacrificial altar (Canaanite), and a grain silo. The also enjoyed a great view of the surrounding hills from here and the valley itself (Revelation 16:16). We left the site through the impressive water system.
Jezreel & Mt. Gilboa
We added an extra two stops, the first of which was the site of Jezreel. While we enjoyed a great view of the Hill of Moreh (Judges 6-7) and Shunem (2 Kings 4), we also read a few passages that mention Jezreel (1 Kings 18, 21; 2 Kings 8). Jezebel did not have a good end to her life her either (2 Kings 9). Close by was the road that took us to the top of Mt. Gilboa, the second additional site we added to the program. Looking east, we had a great view of the Hills of Gilead (in Jordan today across the Jordan Valley), and Beth Shan. We read from 1 Samuel 28-31 about Saul’s death here.
“This first full day in Israel was fantastic. When Dr. John said that our understanding of the Bible would change dramatically and would come to life in ‘3-D’ color, that is certainly what happened. We made so many biblical connections today!”
Precipice of Nazareth
We drove across the Jezreel Valley to the area of Nazareth. We ascended towards the top of the Precipice. A short walk took us to a panoramic view of the Jezreel Valley. We read from Luke 4 about Jesus’ synagogue teaching. While Nathaniel asked, “What good can come out of Nazareth?” It was Philip who replied, “Come and see!” (John 1). We celebrated Jesus as Messiah here!
Sea of Galilee
It took about 50 minutes (past Cana, John 2 and 4) to arrive at our hotel (Nof Ginnosar) along the western coastline of the Sea of Galilee. We enjoyed dinner here and a free evening.
Day 4 – Tuesday, May 10: Boat Ride/Ancient Boat, Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Syrian Border, Katzrin, Hippos/Sussita
