Israel 2015
(Traveled from Jerusalem)
Monday 3 November 2015
We drove by Qumran (which we visited later) to get to Masada. Masada was built by King Herod in 32 BC. We went thru a large bathhouse. It had some original mosaic on the floor. He had a steam room. The floors were raised and got so hot that they had to wear wooden sandals.
The palace was basically just for Herod's use. The Jewish zealots retreated to this location in 70 AD. They still had plenty of food and water. There was a small group of Roman soldiers stationed there that they overcame. At the end about 700 people filled to Masada for refuge.
Herod grew up in Petra; his mother was a Nabataean and that's where he learned architecture.
The Romans would have left them alone, except that they would come down from Masada and terrorize the Roman legions. In the end, they brought 10,000 Roman soldiers to siege Masada.
They built an 18 foot high wall all the way around Masada to keep them from getting out.
It was nice that some of the original walls with painting were still up there. We saw where they raised pigeons and stored water.
At Qumran we had lunch and saw a brief movie about Qumran. We could see the caves up on the mountain. The scrolls they found there really validated the Jewish scriptures. The site itself was kind of anti-climatic. You couldn't climb up to the caves or see where they actually found the scrolls.
We ended the day at the Dead Sea. People think it's therapeutic to swim in the Dead Sea, which has a high salt content. It's the lowest point on earth. Folks also spread mud from the Dead Sea floor on their body and then wait for it to dry. This is also supposed to be great for your skin. It was just fun to smear the mud on and take pictures. There is a shower to rinse off.
At the hotel, we went swimming in a real pool.
Wednesday 4 November
We drove thru the Becham valley, thru Rehov, to Bet She'an. Named in the New Testament only as the Decropolis, which is the general area. But you had to go thru Bet She'an to get to Jerusalem. This was one of ten cities that Rome allowed to rule themselves. They did this because the cities were very successful financially, and they didn't want to kill the golden goose. The hill, which is in ruins now, was where Saul and his sons hung on the walls after losing the battle.
They have a nice amphitheater. Judith danced on the stage. We did a nice group picture in the stands. Whenever you have a large group of people, you need a large bathroom, and they had one there. Ancient-style.
The next site was Megiddo. There are 25 layers of civilization. 25 cities destroyed and rebuilt at this location. It was key to the whole area because the main thoroughfare from Egypt to the north came through this point . Whoever controlled that location of the map controlled the flow of goods thru the civilized world. And whoever controlled the flow of goods controlled the money.
The water supply was outside the city wall, just like Jerusalem. Hezekiah probably built his tunnel based on the tunnel at Megiddo.
Next on to Kinneret. We drove by Afula. In the distance we saw Mount Tabor where the transfiguration occurred.
At Kinneret is one of the possible baptism sites of Jesus. It's the one in the bible resources. The Gospel of John says the baptism took place near Bethbara.
There were groups of the faithful, getting baptized. As it turned out, most of them were getting re-baptized. They are led down into the water, and the officiant says:
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? (Answer given). [Formal name] Based on your confession of Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
They do full immersion baptisms. They have a famous-persons picture board. On it were Pastor Hagge (Sister Motley's uncle), Coln Oliver North, and Glenn Beck, among many others.
We stayed at the Royal Plaza Hotel 2 nights.
Thursday 5 November
Our first event for the day was a boat ride on the East side of the Sea of Galilee. The boat was about 50 feet long. There was a fair breeze, but the waves were minimal. It was quite pleasant, not very cool. The boat is apparently docked right by where Jesus casts out demons from a possessed man, the demons go into some pigs, and the pigs run into the Sea.
We visited historic Capernaum and saw the synagogue. They also have a new space ship looking church over a Basilica church which is theoretically over Peter's home.
Next we visited the hill where the Beatitudes sermon was given. It's a beautiful garden area very nicely maintained.
Next, on to the traditional church of the multiplication of fish (Church of the Multiplication, located in Tabgha on the northwest of the Sea of Galilee). They have a nice mosaic, but otherwise the location is bad because it's supposed to be on a hill.
We visited the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter (also in Tabgha), where Peter was given Primacy; where the Savior asked him 'Lovest thou me?'
Lunch at Ali's restaurant (near Nof Ginosar, Migdal), featuring Tilapia fish, baked and served with the head still on.
We visited the path Josephus described the battle of cages and caves. Called Arbele.
Stop at Valley of the Doves in Magdala where Jesus walked from Nazareth. They then took a boat to Capernaum.
We went into Tiberius for some food and water. Then rt 77 to rt 65 to Mt Tabor
Mount Tabor has a very nice church built on the top. This is where Jesus was transfigured. You can only get half way up the hill on the bus. You have to take a van the rest of the way because of the switchbacks.
We drove back to the hotel thru Cana 77 to 754 kafar kanna stop at 'Cana wedding wine sovner' shop so some could buy luggage. Just up the street are three churches, each of which says they are built over the spot where Jesus turned water into wine.
Friday 6 November
We visited Nazareth village an area that was remarkably untouched and unchanged since the time of Jesus. The land was owned by a hospital for many years and they had not developed on it. The land was purchased by a non-denominational christian group. This group built the village to illuminate the life, times and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. As excavation began they found things from the time of Jesus. They found a wine-press and a watchtower. The original farm has been restored with olive trees, terraces, an irrigation system and stone quarry. They created a workroom for Joseph and a spinning room for Mary. Volunteers demonstrate woodworking and yarn making. They give meaning to some of the parables as they teach about the cultivation of the olive tree and demonstrate the wine press. The last building we saw there was a 1st century synagogue, where our guide, who is a Messianic Jew, shared his conversion story.
We visited Saforis/Zippori is where Joseph and his children worked. This was Herod's 2nd capital since his step brother got all the best locations because he was the first son. The Archeologists excavated was a rich man's home with a dining room like the last supper. Many of the homes have beautiful mosaics.
We had lunch at Liali al-Carmel restaurant, featuring authentic Druze food.
Finally on to Caesarea and see Hippodrome and harbor, where Paul gave his speech to King Agrippa. Herods room is supposed to be placed to watch the chariot races at the turn where all the crashes happened.
Back to Tel Aviv.
On the airplane.
Home!