More of Israel – One Blog is Not Enough

We are back in the blogging business. Our last post wasn’t quite complete when I had to publish. Come to find out we had a certain amount of gigabytes and we exceeded it with the last posting. Not being a great techie, it took a few days to figure out what was going on and how to add more gigabytes.

Before I begin sharing our next leg of our journey, there is so much more of Israel (the pictures that didn’t upload) we want to share. Especially during the Christmas season we can’t talk enough about this area of our world.

Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus. The population is approximately 20% Christians living in our little town of Bethlehem. We were told Israel is building apartment complexes and practically giving them away with subsidies if you are Christian in order to build the population back up. Although the Muslims, Jews, and Christians appear to be living quietly together, there are pockets that are not. Billboards with not very nice things being displayed by a certain sector of Muslims toward the Christians near the place where the church of the Nativity and a mosque sits. Even though the percentage is low, our Palestinian guide told us the mayor still has to be Christian and a certain number of seats on their city counsel has to be Christian.

King Herod the Great, the villain of our Christmas story, was considered a visionary of grand buildings. He used these massive building projects to strengthen his relationship with the Romans. He built Ceasarea into one of the most amazing seaports.

In the Masada, King Herod built a fortress on top of a platea. At the end of this plateau were luxurious bathhouses, swimming pools, storehouses, and cistern holding millions of gallons of water for this very dry desert area. It was too massive and overwhelming to get great pictures. Here is a model and the view on top and the plateau.

The Masada bathhouses, mosaics on the walls, and other areas.

Although we didn’t make it to Jericho, King Herod designed huge building projects there as well.

In Jerusalem, he rebuilt the temple on the temple mount on which the Dome of the Rock currently sits.

On display at the Israel Museum is a huge replica of old Jerusalem in King Herod’s day.

Herod might have been know as a visionary and builder in his day, however all his works are massive ruins and piles of rubble now. He lived to honor only himself. That never lasts. As I’m thinking through all that, I have to ask myself, what is lasting in my life? How about you, what is lasting in your life?

Jaffa, an ancient seaport south of Tel-aviv, is a very artsy town these days. That has not always been the case.

Jaffa was known as Joppa in the biblical days. It was first mentioned in Joshua 19 as a part of the tribe of Dan’s inheritance. Then, again in 2 Chronicles with the building of Solomon’s temple, “And we will cut whatever timber you need from Lebanon and bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa, so that you may take it up to Jerusalem.”

Peter did some of his works right here in Jaffa, such as restoring Dorcas (Tabitha’s) life. See Acts 9:36-43.

My favorite is Jonah’s story. This is where he left for Tarshish. After swimming with them, I think the fish that swallowed Jonah was a whale shark.

As I mentioned in the previous blog my favorite place was the garden tomb. Of all the places we visited that week, I could imagine all that is written in John 20, “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb…..”

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?'”….

Oh, just sitting in this area, I can see Mary here with Jesus. Our guide shared with us that the protestants and catholics have a difference of opinion regarding where Christ was crucified. Golgotha for the catholics is at the church of the Holy Sepulcher. Although not outside the walls of old Jerusalem now, archeological reviews show it was at the time of the crucifixion.

Golgotha, in Aramaic means “place of the skull”. The Latin word of skull is calvaria and in English, Calvary. This is Skull Hill where the protestants believe the crucifixion took place.

Some of the hill has eroded away, although an older picture of this area shows the skull shape in the rocks.

What we have learned is this country is cities built upon cities, built upon cities, built upon cities. It’s difficult to determine exact locations of many historical sites. Our guide pointed out the two places are about 500 meters from each other. For us, the exact location is irrelevant.

Here is what we know, Christ was born in a little town called Bethlehem. He lived a sinless life, sharing the Good News that, He, the Messiah, has come just like the scriptures foretold and prophesy fulfilled. Christ was crucified and raised from the dead for us, one sacrifice, once and for all. That’s the best news.

There is so much history in this country the size of New Jersey. And history continuing to be made as we watch our world news. Just this year with the relocation of our embassy in March is a great example.

Israel’s army consists of young men and women right out of high school. Men serve for three years, then college. Women serve two years, then college. It would appear the big talk in high school would possibly be, “what division do I want to serve and what do I need to accomplish to be considered and accepted?” Even while serving, these young people continue their historical education of their country by touring with guides their museums and national sites.

The miracle of missiles being fired constantly at these people and intercepted as they continue to live their daily lives. Everyone in the country is given a gas mask. Each building has a bomb shelter. Children are taught about the sirens just as our children are taught about tornado warnings or earthquakes.

One miracle war story our guide told us, Syria was invading Israel with numerous tank on one major front. Israel had one piece of artillery back then, an antique cannon. Israel fired the cannon and hit one of Syria’s tanks. Syria thought they had underestimated Israel’s army when the tank was hit, so they retreated. The antique cannon is still siting in the same spot which is in the front yard of an Israeli home. (We drove by it, however I couldn’t get a picture of the cannon)

God’s chosen people – He still has His hand on them.

Shalom and Blessings, Jay and Kelly