Day 13 – Wednesday, November 19: Precipice of Nazareth, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Caesarea, Jerusalem, Optional Western Wall Walk
This morning we depart the Galilee towards Jerusalem. We checked out of our hotel at 7:30 enroute to the area of Nazareth. The weather was perfect throughout the day, with a warmer morning, full sun, fairly good visibility, and afternoon highs in the mid 70s. We read portions of Matthew 5-7 as we departed.
Precipice of Nazareth
We drove south through the Lower Galilee to the Precipice of Nazareth. The visibility from here was fairly good, allowing us to see Mt. Tabor (Judges 4), the Hill of Moreh (Judges 7), Mt. Gilboa (1 Samuel 31), and Mt. Carmel to the west (1 Kings 18). This was essentially the “backyard” of Jesus while He grew up in Nazareth. We considered the life of Jesus as read from Luke 4. Jesus came for the purpose of offering redemption to both Jews and Gentiles alike. While Nathaniel questioned “What good can come from Nazareth?,” Philip responded, “Come and see!” (John 1).
Megiddo
Located along the edge of the Jezreel Valley is Megiddo. We drove across this broad Jezreel Valley to get here. 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 about 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! We walked to the water system that was engineered to bring water safely inside the walls of the city. It was fascinating as we took about 180 steps down and 50 steps back up on the other (outer) side of the site. The bus picked us up here.
Mt. Carmel
Driving along the “byways” (edge) of the valley, we then ascended to Mt. Carmel. This is actually more a mountain range that overlooks the Jezreel Valley on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. We first enjoyed a wonderful buffet lunch at a Druze restaurant.
Then we drove a bit further to the highest peak of the Carmel Range called Muhraha. Here we stood on the roof of the chapel and saw the Jezreel Valley (again). Looking west we could see Caesarea. We then entered a Carmelite chapel. The passages of Amos 1 and 9, Isaiah 35, and Songs of Songs 7 all refer to Carmel. The primary story (1 Kings 18) involved Elijah who confronted the 450 prophets of Baal, the Phoenician/Canaanite god of rain and thunder! Elisha was also on this mountain range (2 Kings 4).
“We traveled to Jerusalem today, keeping the very best until last! On the way, we visited the Precipice of Nazareth, Megiddo, Carmel, and Caesarea. Each site had their own biblical connection. Here in Jerusalem, we walked to the Western Wall tonight. Incredible!”
Caesarea
Next, we descended down to the Sharon Plain to Caesarea. In the theater of this city built by Herod the Great in 22-10 BC, we read from Acts 8 Philip), Acts 9 (Paul), Acts 10 (Peter), Acts 12 (Agrippa 1), Acts 21 (Philip again), and Acts 26 (Paul). We then walked across this ancient city to see the palace, hippodrome, the location of the grand harbor, and a movie about Herod the Great. We left the site through the Crusader gate, wall, and mote. Before leaving the site we saw the aqueduct and enjoyed sticking our feet in the Mediterranean Sea. The sunset was amazing!
Jerusalem/Western Wall
In the late afternoon (4:25), we began our drive around Tel Aviv before we ascended to Jerusalem. We entered this magnificent city and saw our first glimpse of the Old City. We checked into our hotel and enjoyed an later dinner. Following dinner, almost everyone walked to the Western Wall, the most holy place for Jews today! We are looking forward to our first full day in Jerusalem tomorrow, Israel’s capital!
Day 14 – Thursday, November 20: Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, Herodium, Shepherds’ Fields, Bethlehem
