Day 10 – Sunday, November 16: Wadi Qelt, Shiloh, Beth Shean, Tiberias
We headed north today, with our final destination to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. On the way we saw more sites and regions connected with the Bible. The weather was perfect, with partly sunny skies, with highs around 70. We left the hotel at 7:45 following breakfast and checkout. We read Matthew 3 and Luke 10 as we started out!
Wadi Qelt
We drove along the western coastline of the Dead Sea (again) towards Jericho before turning west to begin our ascent towards our first stop. This stop provided a wonderful view of a specific part of the Judean Desert called the Wadi Qelt. The view of the Wadi Qelt was spectacular. Here we heard the “prophet Isaiah” (all dressed up in a robe, headscarf, and beard HA) as he shared the powerful words, “Prepare the way for the Lord…” (from Isaiah 40). John the Baptizer would echo the exact same words here in the same place 700+ years later (see Matthew 3). Also, Shlomo sang in Hebrew Psalm 23. It was a great way to begin the day!
Shiloh
Next, we drove into the Hill Country of Ephraim to Shiloh. On the way, we drove through the Desert of Pareth (Parat) where Jeremiah hid the linen belt (Jeremiah 13). We even saw a few gazelle’s on the way as well as the backside of the Mt. of Olives further to the west. We also past by Mishmash (1 Samuel 13-14), Bethel (Genesis 12) and Ai (Joshua 7-8).
When we arrived at Shiloh, we made our way up this ancient site where the Tabernacle once stood here for over 300 years. We passed under the almond trees (Jeremiah 1) as we walked to the top of the site. Shiloh was destroyed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4). We saw a very good video before walking through some of the ruins. Most importantly, we saw what is suggested by Dr. Scott Stripling and the ABR team) as the Holy of Holies area of the Tabernacle. Further below we saw a massive Middle Bronze wall that was incorporated into the Israelite site as well as the gate complex (where Eli died?, 1 Samuel 4). It was young Samuel who said, “Hineni” (“Here I am!”) When God called Him into service. Abraham (Genesis 22), Moses (Exodus 3) Isaiah (Isaiah 6), and God (Isaiah 65:1) used this word. Jesus may have used it too (see Hebrews 10 quoting from Psalm 40). Before leaving Shiloh.
Descending off the site, about half in the group enjoyed the hamburgers we ordered for lunch from nearby Eli (an Israeli community). Before we left Shiloh, we watched a hologram about the Tabernacle.
“We traveled north today, with our destination being Tiberias. It was a great day of seeing the beauty of the Judean Desert, being inspired at Shiloh, and being impressed at Beth Shean. Wow! Incredible experiences once again!”
Beth Shean
Leaving Shiloh, we traveled through the Desert of Samaria to Beth Shean. The ride took about an hour and a half. 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. In the theater we enjoyed the singing of group members.
From here we drove to our hotel on the northern end of Tiberias (Ron Beach). We checked into our hotel and enjoyed a wonderful dinner together at 6:30. We are looking forward to spending three nights here along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee and two full days here in the north.
Day 11 – Monday, November 17: Hippos, Qatzrin, Syrian Border, Mt. Hermon, Caesarea Philippi, Dan, Lebanon Border
