Aragorn: Gentlemen! We do not stop ’til nightfall.Pippin: But what about breakfast?Aragorn: You’ve already had it.Pippin: We’ve had one, yes. But what about second breakfast?Merry: Don’t think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.Pippin: What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn’t he?Merry: I wouldn’t count on it. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring What is it like being part of an archaeological dig? Now that I’ve been doing it a week, here’s an example rundown of a day: 4:45 am – wake up, eat pre-breakfast in my room that I got the […]
Category Archives: Travel
Welcome to Dan
Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.”After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. […]
The Journey North
The Danites rebuilt the city and settled there. They named it Dan after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city used to be called Laish. Judges 18:28b-29 I mentioned last time how the tribe of Dan had trouble controlling the territory allotted to them. Therefore, at some point a group of them went exploring and found the city of Laish, way up in the north. They conquered the city and settled there. Like the Danites, I’ve moved locations. On Sunday we took a train up the coast from Tel Aviv to Akko, then a bus from Akko […]
Joppa
To reach a port we must set sail –Sail, not tie at anchorSail, not drift. Franklin D. Roosevelt Before the tribe of Dan settled in the city of Dan, they had a tribal allotment like the other eleven tribes of Israel. Their allotment was in a small stretch along the Mediterranean and inland, west of Jerusalem. This is where they were supposed to settle. I’ve been in the inland part of their territory on past trips, but today I’m in Joppa, one city allocated to Dan (Joshua 19:46) that’s on the coast. Dan, however, had difficulty controlling the coast because […]
Digging a New Trip
I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you in the lack of bloggage the last few months. That will now change, which means a new trip. Yes, I am sitting in an airport, waiting for a Boeing 777 to take me back to Israel. This will be my fifth time there. It’s almost becoming routine. If I’ve been there so many times, what keeps drawing me back? There is more to see! More to experience! More to learn! What’s more, this will be a new experience; I will be joining an archaeological dig at the site of Tel Dan. For years I’ve […]
Where the Patriarchs Sleep
Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her. Genesis 23:1-2 During my first Israel trip 10 years ago, my group visited the traditional Cave of Machpelah in Hebron. When Abraham’s wife Sarah died, he bought the cave for her burial. Upon his death, his sons buried him there, too. Two generations later it is mentioned again by Jacob: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in […]
Mt Meron
Upper Galilee is a region few visit on normal tours. Will tall, rugged hills and remote villages, it historically has been more out of the way. Few Bible stories took place here. After the first Jewish revolt ended, many fled here to escape Rome’s watchful eye. The second highest point in the country is located in Upper Galilee. Standing tall at nearly 4,000 feet, Mount Meron offers a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside. I wasn’t sure what we would find there. Driving most of the way up and parking our car near the top, we set off on a trail […]
Baram
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 Located in the remote hills of upper Galilee are the remains of a synagogue at the ancient town of Kefar Baram. Constructed around the third century, the synagogue remained in use for centuries. The word ‘synagogue’ actually comes from Greek. In Hebrew it is beit kenesset, which means ‘house of assembly’. While built centuries after Jesus, the synagogue gives an idea of where he went to teach. He grew up regularly attending the synagogue on […]
The Cows of Kedesh
Then the Lord said to Moses: “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly.’” Numbers 35:9-12 Kedesh is situated far in the north on the west side of the rift valley. With good farmland, it is obvious to see this being a solid spot to live. There aren’t […]
A Galilean Village
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 Located northeast of the Sea of Galilee in the Golan region, Qazrin is an excellent representation of Galilean towns from the time of Jesus and the centuries that soon followed. The archaeological site is similar to the towns Jesus is recorded as having visited like Capernaum and Korazin. The site gives a good feel of what everyday life was during the Jesus’ time.