Day 3 – Monday, September 12: Caesarea, Carmel, Megiddo, Mt. Gilboa, Precipice of Nazareth, Tiberias
Today was our first full day in Israel. The weather was sunny and mild, with highs in the upper 80s. 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 in the theater where we read from Acts 10, 12, 21, and 26. Peter, Phillip, and Paul were all here sharing their faith in Christ here. Among the ruins we saw 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, and the gate, stables and palace areas attributed to Solomon (1 Kings 9:15). Additionally, we saw a sacrificial altar (Canaanite), and a grain silo Israelite). The also enjoyed a great view of the surrounding area 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 stop to our program. We passed by the site of Jezreel (1 Kings 21, 2 Kings 8-9) and took the windy road to the top of Mt. Gilboa. Looking east, we had a great view of the Hills of Gilead (in Jordan today across the Jordan Valley), and Beth Shan, where the bodies of Saul and his three sons were hung on the walls of the town square. We read from 1 Chronicles 10 about Saul’s death here.
“Today was our first full day in Israel and it was incredible! We saw ruins at sites from both the Old and New Testament. The connections made between the Bible and the land were numerous! And now we are staying along the Sea of Galilee! What an amazing experience so far, and today was just the first day!”
Precipice of Nazareth
Lastly, 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. From here we enjoyed a great view of Mt. Tabor (Judgers 4-5), the Hill of Moreh (Judges 6-7) and Nain (Luke 7).
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 wonderful gathering following dinner out on the stone jetty beyond the shoreline. The rising moon over the Golan Heights was spectacular! What a great first day here in Israel!
Day 4 – Tuesday, September 13: Hippos/Susita, Qatzrin, Syrian Border, Caesarea Philippi, Dan, Upper Galilee View from Hill 713
