Day 4 – Thursday, May 1: Ancient Boat, Katzrin, Ben Tal (Syrian Border), Caesarea Philippi, Dan, Misgav Am (Lebanon Border)
Today was our second full day here in Israel. We spent the entire day in the Golan Heights in the northern area of the country. The weather was a bit cooler today, with highs in the 70s. Some of the haze of yesterday dissipated, allowing us to enjoy partly sunny skies. We read from Matthew 4 as we left the hotel at 7:30 following breakfast.
Ancient Boat
We started our day by driving north along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee to the Nof Ginnosar Kibbutz. Here, an ancient boat (called the “Jesus Boat”) is displayed. This was a 1st century wooden vessel discovered in 1986 by two brothers of the kibbutz here.
Katzrin
Next, we drove around the northern part of the Sea of Galilee, passing by a number of traditional sites connected with Jesus. At the northern end of there lake is Bethsaida, the home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1). We finally arrived at Katzrin, the largest city in the Golan Heights. We visited the Talmudic Village that is here (from about the 3rd-8th centuries AD). We saw good examples of olive presses, the synagogue, and other house structures. We then gathered in a completely-restored stone house where we read from Mark 2. We could see the story unfolding before our eyes! Before leaving Katzrin, we enjoyed visiting an olive oil factory.
Ben Tal/Syrian Border
From here we drove further north (and a bit east) to Ben Tal, an old Israeli military establishment overlooking the Syrian border, From the lower slopes below Ben Tal we could see over the border to a city inside Syria called Kuneitra. Shlomo shared some details about the 1967 and 1973 wars against the Syrians. Today, Israel has expanded their control of some areas in Syria for the purpose of security.
Mt. Hermon
Driving through a few Druze towns we passed by Mt. Hermon. It is the highest peak in the region, with an elevation 9,200 feet (Lebanon controls the lower western slopes). In the winter months, the mountain has snow. Mt. Hermon is mentioned a few places in the Bible (Psalm 42, 84, 133; Song of Songs 4).
Caesarea Philippi/Banias
Descending down of the Golan Heights, we stopped at the archaeological site of Caesarea Philippi. This was a very pagan city in the days of Jesus and through the Roman Period. The city enjoyed the waters of the Banias Spring, one of the three tributaries of the Jordan. We read from Matthew 16 where Jesus asked His disciples the “final exam” question, “Who do you say I am?” Among the ruins at the Grotto once stood the Temples of Augustus, Zeus/Jupiter, Nemesis, the Shrine of the Dancing Goats, and the niches dedicated to Pan, the promiscuous shepherding god of the Greeks and Romans. Six days later, Jesus was transfigured (perhaps somewhere on the lower slopes of Mt. Hermon, Matthew 17).
“We traveled up into the northern Golan Heights today! Along with many more biblical connections, our experiences included learning more about modern Israel. We visited the borders with Syria and Lebanon, and learned about Israel’s ongoing challenges with these countries.”
Dan Nature Preserve & Archaeological Site
Nearby a short distance to the west is the Nature Preserve and and archaeological site of Tel Dan. The Dan Spring served this ancient city originally called Laish. We walked along the river to a quite place where we recalled Psalm 42 (“as the deer pants for water…”) before we walked to the archaeological ruins of the high place. We read from Judges 18 and 1 Kings 12 about the patterns of disobedience displayed here. Looking north, Mickey shared briefly about the border with Lebanon. Leaving the site of Dan we saw the a mud-brick Middle Bronze gate (seen by Abraham?) and the Iron Age/Israelite gate and where the famous Dan Inscription was found in July, 1993.
Misgav Am/Lebanon Border
Our last stop of the day was to Misgav Am, a community overlooking the Lebanon border. The view into Lebanon was outstanding. Again, Shlomo shared some modern history about Lebanon and the challenge that Hezbollah has posed over the years. To see the total destruction by the IDF of Lebanese towns where Hezbollah were entrenched (and from where they shot 1000s of rockets into Israel) was incredible to see!
We returned back to our hotel for another incredible dinner (and the amazing chocolate gooey dessert HA) and a free evening.
Day 5 – Friday, May 2: Arbel, Yardenit (Jordan River Baptism), Kinneret Cemetery, Magdala, Kh. Cana, “Hill 713”
