This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.” Zechariah 8:7-8 The last stop of our first day was at Ramoth Gilead, where King Ahab lost his life (1 Kings 22). Plains surround it, stretching out for miles. As the sun was setting, the full moon popped above the opposite horizon. I don’t remember ever being able to see both the full […]
Category Archives: Travel
Across the River
So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, `Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’ “ Joshua 1:10-11 I had one more day with my mom and friends last week before they departed. We had a fun day seeing some sites around Jerusalem. But their time was soon up and they departed. I, on the other hand, had other travels to make. Our final field study […]
I See Dead Archaeologists
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 I’ve been back from Galilee for over a week. There’s just one more Physical Settings trip remaining, which will begin this […]
Around the Lake
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 Our fourth and last day in the Galilee began with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Our day would focus on sites around the lake. Jesus and his disciples traversed this lake extensively. We stopped at the Jordan River about a mile […]
Land Invaders
“Announce in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem and say: ‘Sound the trumpet throughout the land!’Cry aloud and say: ‘Gather together! Let us flee to the fortified cities!’Raise the signal to go to Zion! Flee for safety without delay!For I am bringing disaster from the north, even terrible destruction.” Jeremiah 4:5-6 The third day of our Galilee trip led us north. The Rift Valley runs north and south of the Sea of Galilee. To the north a few miles lies the city of Hazor. This was a major city 3000+ years ago, forming one of the protective barriers of the northern […]
Overlooks
Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past.Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind,he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. Deuteronomy 32:7-8 The second day of our Galilee trip began south of the Sea of Galilee at the site of Beth Shean. It’s located in the Rift Valley where the rift connects with another valley heading west that attaches to the large Jezreel Valley, making this another […]
From Sea to Dusty Sea
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry.Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away.The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it. Nahum 1:3-5 I’m falling little behind after a long weekend traversing the Galilee region in northern Israel. We were on the […]
Rejoice, Rewind!
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Today is the eighth day of Sukkot, marking the end of a week of celebrations. Jerusalem has been busy with extra people visiting the city for the holiday. The eighth day is known as Simchat Torah or The Rejoicing of the Torah. On this day, people around the world pull out the Torah Scrolls and dance around them with, celebrating God’s revelation through his […]
Signal Fires
And may (my lord) be apprised that we are watching for the fire signals of Lachish according to all the signs which my lord has given, because we cannot see Azekah. Lachish Letter 4 Saturday was another field study, but for another class than Physical Settings. We visited Lachish and Mareshah, two cities in the Shephelah. Lachish was probably the second most important city in the kingdom of Judah, having large fortifications. The Assyrians (c. 701 BC) and Babylonians (c. 587 BC) both besieged here and destroyed the city. There were ostraca (potsherds with writing on them) found here which […]
A JUC Sukkot
Last night (Friday evening) we had JUC Coffeehouse, drinking some good beverages (I had a yummy hot cocoa). We also had performance: people singing or reading. I decided to write a poem and read it, which was well received. There’s some inside jokes here, but I think you’ll be able to appreciate it nonetheless. ‘Twas a night during Sukkot, when all through the LandAll the people were stirring, from the small to the grand!The sukkah was built rock solid with care,In hopes that Elijah soon would be there. The students were active far from their beds,While books and papers spun […]