Day 11 – Tuesday, February 25: Hippos, Gamla, Syrian Border, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, Lebanon Border
Today was a Golan Heights day. We visited sites on the northern borders with Syria and Lebanon. The weather was perfectly sunny, with cool temps (and wind) in the morning (40s), but with warming temps in the afternoon (50s). We really enjoyed being in the Golan Heights for the sites, the views, and perspectives.
Hippos/Sussita
Our first site of the day was Hippos/Sussita. We first drove around the northern end of the Sea of Galilee (near Bethsaida where the Feeding of the 5000 took place, Luke 9) before turning south down the eastern side. On the way we made a brief stop to see the cliffs mentioned in Mark 5.
At Hippos (a Decapolis city), we saw many Roman ruins. During the Byzantine Period (4th-6th centuries AD), there were no less than a half a dozen churches were built here. With a great view of the entire lake (13 miles long), we read the transformational story of the demoniac from Mark 5.
Gamla
Next, we drove back to the northern end of the lake and ascended into the Golan Heights. We continued to the plateau to the site of Gamla. This Jewish city played a significant role in the First Revolt (66 AD). The Romans came here and defeated the city run 67 AD. Many in the group walked down (and then back up) the difficult trail to the excavations. We entered the 1st century synagogue where we read from Matthew 9. Even though Gamla is not mentioned in the Gospels, there is a high probability that Jesus taught from this rectangular synagogue!
Syrian Border
Continuing northward, we stopped for a brief stop to look over into Syria. We drove to an area right below Mt. Bental, an old military outpost used in the 1967 war. We enjoyed a nice view into Syria from here (including the city of Kuneitra). As of the last two months or so, Israel now controls more of the buffer area, including the outskirts of Quneitra. They also control the highest peak of Mt. Hermon (9,200 feet).
Caesarea Philippi
Driving through a few Druze cities and past the snow-capped Mt. Hermon, we drove down to the slopes of the Golan Heights to Caesarea Philippi.
This was a pagan city in the days of Jesus that included temples to Augustus, Zeus (Jupiter), and Nemesis. The Pan deity was especially honored here. It was good to see that recent excavations of the Augustus Temple revealed amazing mosaics and other structures. The Banias Spring begins here, one of the three tributaries of the Upper Jordan River. It was in the region of this city that Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16). We also recalled the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17) that took place perhaps on the slopes of Mt. Hermon, or further south (or Nimrod? Arbel?).
“We enjoyed sunny skies once again today, although the temperatures in the morning were on the cold side. The Golan Heights provides us the opportunity to see more archaeological sites as well as look across the borders into both Syria and Lebanon. All was quiet on these borders!”
Tel Dan
Our last site of the day was Tel Dan. We walked through the beautiful nature preserve along the Dan Spring. We stopped by the water to read from Psalm 42. Shlomo also played a ballad on his recorder for us. We continued our walk to the culture center. Here, Jeroboam built an altar and set a golden calf on the high place. Sitting on the steps of the high place, we read from Judges 18 and 1 Kings 12. A pattern of disobedience here led to the end of Dan in 734 BC. We also overlooked the border with Lebanon. Before leaving, we walked past the Canaanite mud brick gate (that was most likely a ceremonial gate built after the time of Abraham). Since we were ushered out of the site because of the time, we did not get to see the Israelite gate complex (9th century BC).
We drove south along the Huleh Valley back to our hotel, passing the Canaanite city of Hazor on the way. Once again, we enjoyed a huge dinner and a free evening.
Day 12 – Wednesday, February 26: Arbel, Jordan River/Yardenit, Magdala, Capernaum, Boat Ride/Ancient Boat
