Day 3 – Monday, January 6: Crossing in Israel via Allenby Bridge, Shephelah: Gezer, Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Lachish, Beersheba
Today was our first full day. Following a nice breakfast at the hotel in Amman, we loaded the bus and drove to the Allenby Bridge/King Hussein Border Crossing. Sammy (John’s Jordanian guide) accompanied us. We read from Joshua 1 as we departed shortly after 7 am.
Border Crossing
We arrived at the border at about 8 a.m. There were a multiple of delays this morning causing us to arrive on the Israeli side not until about 11 a.m. A patient spirit displayed in all got us through.
We were met by Shlomo and David (our Israeli guide and driver) once we got through the Israeli passport area. It was a great feeling being in Israel! From here we drove west through the Judean Desert and up and over the Judean Hill Country for an afternoon in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah. We are thankful that we got to see four of the five sites on our program despite the late arrival into Israel! The perfect weather was also welcome, with full sun and afternoon temps in the mid 60s! We hope for clear skies the next week or so.
Tel Gezer
Once we descended down into the Shephelah, our first stop was Tel Gezer. This off-the-beaten-path site located along the Aijalon Valley was both a Canaanite and Israelite city, full of walls, towers, and gates. We saw the replica of the “Gezer Calendar.” We also recalled Solomon’s reference to the “seasons of life” from Ecclesiastes 3. From the observation mound we saw the Aijalon Valley mentioned in Joshua 10. Among the Middle Bronze ruins many of us used the new steel stairway down to see the water system (175 steps down). This water system was originally used by Canaanites. We then left these Canaanite ruins and continued to the Israelite (Iron Age) area to see ancient house structures and a chambered gate dating to Solomon (1 Kings 9). Walking back to the bus we saw the Canaanite high place and standing stones.
Beth Shemesh
From here we continued south to visit the site of Beth Shemesh. Located along the Sorek Valley, Bethshemesh was a prominent Israelite town known for their many water cisterns. Across the valley is Zorah, the hometown of Samson. Further west down the valley was the Philistine city of Timnah where Samson’s first wife was from (only 4 miles away). We also read the narrative of 1 Samuel 6 about the Ark of the Covenant being returned to Israel by the Philistines living in Ekron. We could see the story unfold right before our very eyes!
“Today was our first full day. While the crossing into Israel longer than normal, everything went well and we are thankful! The afternoon sites we visited really began connecting the land with the Bible! To see where David fought Goliath was special!”
Tel Azekah
Continuing south, we climbed the site of Azekah. On the drive to the top, we could see biblical Gath (the hometown of Goliath) to the west only about 5-6 miles away. This ancient city that has been excavated in recent years is located along the Elah Valley. Azekah is mentioned in the story of 1 Samuel 17 (the Philistines camped on the ride between Azekah and Socoh further east. It was in the narrow part of the valley (“gai”) where David battled Goliath. David faced the battle with this giant in the confidence of the Lord!
Lachish
Our last site of the day was Lachish. We arrived just as it was getting dark. Lachish was a Canaanite city taken by Joshua in two days (Joshua 10). Later, it became an important well-fortified city under the leadership of Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11). The Judean city saw two destructions, one at the hands of the Assyrians in 701 BC (2 Kings 20, Isaiah 36), and later by the Babylonians in 587 BC. We saw a replica of the Lachish Letter #4, one of about 18-20 ostraca (pottery with inscriptions). It mentions Azekah and Lachish as two Judean cities holding out. Jeremiah 34:7 says the same thing. Among the ruins we saw the double walls and gates, the Assyrian siege ramp, and the palace.
Beersheba
From Lachish in the dark now, we drove about 55 minutes to Beersheba where we checked in to our hotel. We enjoyed dinner together, followed by a brief gathering to prepare for the next two days. It was a great first day!
Day 4 – Tuesday January 7: Beersheba, Sde Boker, Wilderness of Zin, Arad, Judean Desert
