Day 3 – Thursday, September 5: Crossing into Israel, Caesarea, Carmel, Megiddo, Mt. Gilboa, Tiberias (Theme of the Day: Discovering connections with the past

 

The morning began early today for us in Amman, Jordan. Following an early wake-up call and breakfast, we departed at 6:45 a.m. and drove to the Allenby Bridge border crossing. Crossing the border required patience (as always), but we made it across by 9:30. We read from portions of Joshua 3-4 as we left the hotel. The high afternoon temperature reached a comfortable high in the high 80s. On our way to our first site, we picked up Rick and Yany in Netanya (they flew directly into Tel Aviv).

 

Caesarea

Our first stop here in the Sharon Plain was Caesarea. Located in the Sharon Plain just north of Netanya, this ancient site was an impressive coastal city built by Herod the Great over a 12 year period (22-10 BC). In the theater we read from Acts 8 (Phillip), 9 (Paul), 10 (Peter), Acts 12 (Agrippa 1), Acts 21 (Philip), and Acts 26 (Paul). From here we walked across the city to see the palace and the hippodrome. Before we left the site, we saw the aqueduct that brought water into the city.

 

Mt. Carmel

Our second destination of the day was to Mt. Carmel, a mountain range overlooking the Jezreel Valley on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. Following a quick lunch at a Druze restaurant on the Carmel Range, we visited a Carmelite chapel called Muhraha. We enjoyed a wonderful view of the Jezreel Valley below. Here we could see Mt. Gilboa (1 Samuel 31), the Hill of Moreh (Judges 6-7, 2 Kings 4), Mt. Tabor (Judges 4-5), and Nazareth (Luke 1,4). We read passages such as Isaiah 35, Amos 1 & 9, 2 Kings 4, Songs of Songs 7, and 1 Kings 18 that reference Mt. Carmel. This last narrative captures the confrontation that took place between Elijah and the prophets of Baal! We also sang a few songs in the chapel. We sounded like a great choir!

 

Megiddo

Located along the edge of the Jezreel Valley is Megiddo. This archaeological site was about 25 layers of occupation spanning a period of about 2,500 years! It was a Canaanite and Israelite city. Pharaohs like Thutmose III conquered it in 1468 BC. Climbing the site, we saw 3 series of city gates, Solomon’s stables and palace, a sacrificial altar from the Early Bronze Period, and a grain silo.  We also had a great view of the Jezreel Valley referred to as the Valley of Armageddon in Revelation 16. In the end, God wins when Jesus returns! Lastly, we walked to the top of the water system that was engineered to bring water safely inside the walls of the city. Unfortunately it was closed because of safety concerns for rock slides.

 
“Today was first full day here in Israel. The border crossing from Jordan went well. It was a great feeling to cross approximately in the same area as Joshua and the Israelites did. Once we cross, we were on our way, connecting with the Bible at a number of sites.”
Megiddo Sept 2024 Israel Tour John DeLancey

Tel Jezreel & Mt. Gilboa

Further east is Tel Jezreel. Since there is really not much to see archaeologically here, we simply passed by the site as we referenced 1 Kings 21 and 2 Kings 8-9. These stories reference Naboth (who had a vineyard), Joram, Jehu, and Jezebel.

High up on the slopes of the Gilboa Range nearby we walked to a wonderful view of the Harod Valley. Looking east we could see Beth Shean. We read from 1 Chronicles 10 about Saul and his three sons dying on Gilboa. Their bodies were hung on the walls of the town square at Beth Shean. We enjoyed a time of reflection and prayer before we walked back to the bus.

From here we drove to Tiberias via the Jordan Valley. Our hotel is located right on the Sea of Galilee. We enjoyed a late dinner (7:15) and a free evening. It was a great first full day!

 

Day 4 – Friday, September 6: Arbel, Yardenit, Magdala, Ancient Boat, Capernaum, Bethsaida (Theme of the Day: Walking as “Talmidim” of Jesus)

Caesarea Sept 2024 Israel Tour John DeLancey
Mt. Carmel Sept 2024 Israel Tour John DeLancey
Popsicle Sept 2024 Israel Tour John DeLancey
Mt. Carmel Sept 2024 Israel Tour John DeLancey
Megiddo Sept 2024 Israel Tour John DeLancey
Mt. Gilboa Sept 2024 Israel Tour John DeLancey

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