1BL Israel Study Tour
May 25 - June 4, 2015
Subscription options are no longer available for this tour.
Help support our friends in Israel in their time of need.
Where it was originally spoken
At dinner, Keith and I like to talk about our favorite site of the day and it is always hard to nail down just one. Today was no different. We started out at Beth She'an with the city of Scythopolis just down the hill. Scythopolis was a HUGE city with luxuries that tempted many people to walk away from worshiping the one true God. We were reminded by Pastor Brent that Nazareth was a one day walk from this city and that Jesus likely came face to face with the temptations here. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but One who was tempted in every way yet was without sin. The resisting of temptation produces character.
Beth Shean
Located 17 miles (27 km) south of the Sea of Galilee, Beth Shean is situated at the strategic junction of the Harod and Jordan Valleys. The fertility of the land and the abundance of water led the Jewish sages to say, “If the Garden of Eden is in the land of Israel, then its gate is Beth Shean.” It is no surprise then that the site has been almost continuously settled from the Chalcolithic period to the present.
The highlight of the day for many of us was our trip to Megiddo. Megiddo was one of Solomon's three Chariot cities and the most important. It overlooked the Jezriel Valley which was the only route that connected the Sea of Galilee region to the coast without crossing the mountains. This city has continually been fought over and as we read in chapters 16 and 19 of Revelation, it will be the final battleground for the end of humanity as we know it. Standing in the place where Armageddon will take place was surreal.
Megiddo
From the earliest times (EB) to the earliest historical records of the area (Thutmose III) to the future (Revelation 16), Megiddo assumes a prominent role. This is largely owing to its strategic location astride the Megiddo Pass (Wadi Ara) and inside the busy Jezreel Valley.
Mount Carmel was beautiful and Pastor Darin reminded us of the story in 1 Kings 18 when Elijah showed God there in a powerful way. We were challenged to follow God wholeheartedly and not to allow pride, possessions, and other idols to come before God.
Mt. Carmel
Biblically, Mt. Carmel is referenced most often as a symbol of beauty and fertility. To be given the “splendor of Carmel” was to be blessed indeed (Isa 35:2). Solomon praised his beloved: “your head crowns you like Mount Carmel” (Song 7:5). But for Carmel to wither was a sign of devastating judgment (Nahum 1:4).
Last, but definitely not least was our final stop at Cesarea. It was the first major city built by Herod and the largest harbor of its time. It was also a one day walk from Nazareth. A portion of the ruins were only discovered 20 years ago, including a tablet that proved the existence of Pontus Pilate as the Roman governor of Judea. This is the only proof of his existence and supports Biblical inerrancy. Cesarea was where Paul was imprisoned and where was given an opportunity to defend himself but instead attempted to persuade all who could hear that Jesus was the Christ. Paul's testimony was read aloud from Acts 26 and was powerful and inspiring to hear in the area where it was originally spoken.
Now on to Jerusalem. . .
Keith & Lisa Gilbert
Caesarea Maritima
The city and harbor were built under Herod the Great during c. 22–10 BC near the site of a former Phoenician naval station known as Stratonos pyrgos (Στράτωνος πύργος).[2] It later became the provincial capital of Roman Judea, Roman Syria Palaestina and Byzantine Palaestina Prima provinces. The city was populated throughout the 1st to 6th centuries CE and became an important early center of Christianity during the Byzantine period, but was mostly abandoned following the Muslim conquest of 640. It was re-fortified by the Crusaders, and finally slighted by the Mamluks in 1265.
Upcoming Signature Tours
With 30 years of experience creating trips for other ministries, we've prepared our own signature study tours featuring some of our favorite itineraries and compelling teachers! If you've never been on a GTI Study Tour, take a moment to learn more about what you can expect.
GTI Signature Germany Study Tour
Sep 11-19, 2024
Learn More
Turkey / Greece Signature Study Tour
Sep 15-25, 2024
Learn More
Egypt / Jordan Signature Study Tour
Mar 5-17, 2025
Learn More