DAY 10 – WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25: MT. CARMEL, CAESAREA, SHILOH, JERUSALEM, JUDEAN DESERT, WESTERN WALL WALK
Today was yet another sunny day, with highs in the 70s. For January weather, this has been an incredible streak of sunny and rain free days! Today was also a longer driving day as we eventually made our way to Jerusalem. We saw three sites on the way, all of which we inspiring.
Mt. Carmel
We left our hotel and the Sea of Galilee area about 7:35. We read Luke 7 and 2 Kings 2 along the way. Our first destination was to Mt. Carmel, a mountain range overlooking the Jezreel Valley on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. At a place called Muhraha, we went into the Carmelite chapel to read passages such as Isaiah 35, Amos 1 & 9, 2 Kings 4, Songs of Songs 7, and 1 Kings 18. This last narrative is about the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal! We enjoyed singing a few songs too! What wonderful harmony! Also, we walked to the rooftop for the view of the Jezreel Valley. The hazy skies did not allow us to see very far other than Mt. Tabor in the distance.
Caesarea
Next we descended down to the Sharon Plain to Caesarea. We first began at there aqueduct that brought water into this city built by Herod the Great over a 12 year period (22-10 BC). In the theater we read from Acts 10 (Peter), Acts 12 (Agrippa 1), Acts 21 (Philip), and Acts 26 (Paul). From here we walked across the city to see the palace, hippodrome, the location of the grand harbor, and the Crusader gate, wall, and mote. We also saw an impressive porphyry (purple) statue, probably that of Hadrian.
“We traveled from the Galilee to Jerusalem today. We saw a few sites on the way, including Mt. Carmel, Caesarea, and Shiloh. The geography changed dramatically through each region. The land of Israel is certainly unique in such a short distance.”
Shiloh
Next, we drove into the Hill Country of Ephraim to Shiloh. When we arrived, we made our way up this ancient site where the Tabernacle once stood here for over 300 years. It was destroyed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4). We watched a short movie about the events that took place here. We also read from 1 Samuel 3 (the call of Samuel) and Jeremiah 7. Among the ruins we saw a massive Middle Bronze wall that was incorporated into the Israelite site. Other structures, including perhaps the Holy of Holies area (as proposed by archaeologist Dr. Scott Stripling) could also be seen. It was young Samuel who said, “Hineni” (“Here I am!”) when God called Him into service. Samuel followed this with…”Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”
Jerusalem
Driving now to Jerusalem from the north, we entered this magnificent city and saw our first glimpse the Old City. We checked into our hotel and enjoyed a great dinner. Following dinner, many in the group walked to the Western Wall, the most holy place for Jews today. It was wonderful to see this at night.
DAY 11 – THURSDAY, JANUARY 26: JERUSALEM, MT. OF OLIVES, HERODIUM, BETHLEHEM/SHEPHERDS’ FIELDS
