Day 6 – Tuesday, June 11: Beth Shean, Sahne, Jericho, Dead Sea, Jerusalem: Mt. of Olives, Western Wall (Shavuot Eve)
Today we drove south. We had the chance to get wet two times today! Our end-of-day destination was Jerusalem, just in time for the eve of Shavuot (Pentecost!). Once again, we made many biblical connections with the sites we visited. The weather was on the hot side, with full sun and highs around 100 by the time we got to Jericho. We read from Matthew 5-7 after we loaded the bus and departed the hotel at 7:30.
Beth Shean
Leaving Ein Gev, we traveled south of the Sea of Galilee nearly 20 miles through the Jordan Valley to Beth Shean. This ancient site is an incredibly large site, with many ruins from the Roman Period. We saw colonnaded streets, the bathhouse, agora, public latrenes, and the theater. Some in the group climbed to the top of the OT site. According to 1 Samuel 31 (and 1 Chronicles 10), the body of Saul was hung on the walls of the town square after he died on near by Mt. Gilboa. The men from Jabesh Gilead (located on the east side of the Jordan Valley), came at night to rescue the body of Saul.
Sahne
Nearby to Beth Shean, we added an extra site to cool off and have fun in the water! This national park is called Sahne (Gan HaShlosha). This natural pool is fed by the Harod Spring at the base of Mt. Gilboa (the same spring mentioned in the Gideon story (Judges 6-7). We had a great time swimming and getting under the water falls. We spent about an hour here.
Jericho
From Sahne we drove due south down the Jordan Valley. We arrived at Jericho for a late lunch. Following lunch, we visited Tel es-Sultan, or Old Testament Jericho. We first looked east and could see the Jordan Valley, with Mt. Nebo on the ridge on the horizon (Dt. 34). Elijah was taken to heaven in the area across the river (2 Kings 2). Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River at “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (John 1). Looking south we could see the area of NT Jericho (where Zacchaeus and Bartimeaus lived, and where Herod the Great died in 4 BC). We then turned our attention to the ancient OT site of Jericho. The archaeology of this ancient site of Jericho supports and confirms the Bible’s historicity. Besides seeing the oldest structure (a round tower) in Israel, on the southern end we saw the double retaining walls of this Canaanite city taken my Joshua (Joshua 6). A mud brick wall once stood on top of these stone walls. They came tumblin down. We even blew the shofar that we had with us.
Dead Sea
A little further south than Jericho is the Dead Sea. After changing into our swimming suits again, we enjoyed floating on this unique body of water (33% salt and minerals). It was a unique experience. The temperature of the water was about 90, while the air temp was 102. It was a dry heat and with the breeze was tolerable!
“Today was a water day! Besides great sites like Beth Shean and Jericho, we enjoyed the waters of the Harod Spring at Sahne as well as floating in the unique Dead Sea. Our final destination today was Jerusalem, just in time for Shavuot (Pentecost). We walked to the Western Wall tonight. It was very special!”
Jerusalem
After showering and cleaning up, we drove west to Jerusalem. The drive “up” to Jerusalem was special. Your first view of the Old City and Temple Mount was spectacular! We checked into our hotel (a small Botique one called St. Andrews Scottish Guest House). Following dinner, we walked to the Western Wall for Shavuot (Pentecost). It was packed with Orthodox Jews. It was incredible to be part of this!
Day 7 – Wednesday, June 12: Masada, Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Qelt Desert
