Israel Study Tour with Joshua Wilderness Institute

April 9-21, 2016

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Going Up to “the House”

Howdy! Emily, Mimi, and Alexa here. Adventure is around every corner here in the Holy Land. It has been so much fun getting a chance to watch our Bible come alive and to hear again all those stories we learned about growing up in Sunday school while actually sitting in those very same spots they happened.

Today we started off the morning by packing our bags back onto our cozy buses. From there we enjoyed the yummy breakfast then went out to a grassy spot overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Jen spoke some really encouraging words into us that I feel like many of us needed. She talked about how people process differently, and that we need to continue to be attentive and learning. We need to find a way to remember where we have been and what was taught, something we could use to go back to those moments another time, whether later in the day, the next week, or in months from now. She also explained to us that it is okay for us to not have super strong “OH MY GOODNESS” moments right now because we are being fed so much it can be overwhelming. She encouraged us to remember that the majesty of Israel is not the water or rocks or ruins but what God did with those things in those places. It was a a great way to start the morning, especially for those of us who were maybe feeling a bit discouraged for not having those huge moments yet.

After our morning devos with Jen, we loaded the bus and off we went. Our first site was at Megiddo, where Rich discussed with us why it was such an important spot in Israel. It is located at the crossroads of two of the biggest trade routes, including the only major trade route to travel from east to west through the Jezreel Valley, the biggest valley in Israel. Whoever had control of Megiddo had control of the trade routes. Because of this, more battles in history, both ancient and modern, have been fought in the Jezreel Valley than anywhere else. Rich talked briefly about how the final battle in Revelation is said to take place in Jezreel but is saving the rest of the discussion for when we are back in theology class in the Joshua building.

Jezreel Valley

The spacious Jezreel Valley spreads out to the north and east from Mount Carmel, providing convenient passage for international travelers in ancient times. The fertile alluvial soil makes this the country’s breadbasket as well. The Bible speaks of the gathering of armies in this valley at the place of Armageddon.

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From there we went to the top of Mount Carmel. It was such a beautiful view. We went through the story of Elijah and the challenge with the prophets of Baal. We learned how important it is to have total and complete faith in God. Jeff shared with us how our view of God not only affects our obedience but affects those around us. He challenged us to take a look at our view of God and how it is affecting the things we do in our everyday lives.

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).

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After Mount Carmel, we went to a place called Caesarea Maritima. It was absolutely beautiful and the history there was so amazing. The way this place was built using revolutionary building techniques, such as creating artificial islands and harbors out of an early form of cement, and all the business and cultural events that took place in it just blew our minds. We got some free time to walk around and look at it for ourselves. Some of us got some ice cream while others went to the shore to explore the ruins of the harbor and Herod’s indoor swimming pool and dip our feet in the cool water. Once we were done there, we set off to our hotel in Jerusalem. It was a long ride but definitely worth the drive.

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.

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We are safely in Jerusalem, or “the house” as it is known around here, and are all looking forward to some dark days ahead. I say this because tomorrow we are trekking through Hezekiah’s Tunnel—which will be dark—not because I believe that we are headed towards dreary times.

We are all processing the trip differently. Some are immediately, externally trumpeting our feelings and grabbing mementos from wherever we go. Others are overwhelmed yet attempting to take it all in, knowing that they will fully unpack and process once we land again in LAX. God is doing amazing things on this trip, and we are excited to see what He will continue to do for the remainder. Stay tuned!

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