Remembering and Forgetting

Our first stop of the day was at the Yad HaShmona Biblical Gardens. The history that I was able to experience there was very moving. In Isaiah 5:2 it says, “…he plowed the land, cleared its stones, and planted it with the best vines. In the middle he built a watchtower and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks.” Then our guide pointed to the actual watchtower—I was shocked—I was standing next to a reference point that is noted in the Bible! (Steffany)

While standing on the Tel of Beth Shemesh, I was looking across at the hills on the other side of the valley where Samson was born. I was instantly reminded about Samson’s riddle: “Out of the eater came something to eat, out of the strong, came something sweet“ Judges 14:14; this was an event that would have happened right here in this area! (Jim)

In Azekah, I saw the terrain where the Israelites were high up on the hill and the Philistines would have been down below. This hillside overlooked the valley where David picked up 5 smooth stones and struck Goliath with the first stone. We were then able to go down to the stream where David gathered his smooth stones, and collect some of our own. Along the way, we saw a mustard plant with its seeds—nothing like what I expected or saw in California—they looked like little chili peppers with 2 or 3 seeds inside the pod. (Steffany)

At Beth Guvrin, I recalled the story in Jeremiah 38:6, where Jeremiah was lowered into a cistern and sank into the mud. To be down inside the cistern gave me a better understanding of what Jeremiah went through at this time of his life. While this was not the exact cistern that Jeremiah would have been inside, I was able to gain perspective for this reading. (Jim)

The view from the top of Lachish showed me why this was such an important city for Israel. This location would have been critical for the defense of Jerusalem, as it was a gateway from the Via Maris. Also, to see all of the rocks piled up from the Assyrians’ siege ramp was awesome. (Jim)

The theme throughout the day was on remembering and forgetting, something that the ancient Israelites struggled with throughout the Old Testament in regard to what God had done for them. At Be’er Sheba we saw a well and tamarisk tree similar to what was mentioned in Genesis 21, where Abimelech and Abraham made an oath that established Abraham’s right to the well in trade for 7 ewe lambs. The tamarisk tree that was planted would eventually grow to provide shade for the next generations—the oath and the planting of the tree would be a remembrance for future generations about the significance of the oath that was made there. (Steffany)

Jim and Steffany Marshall
Real Life Church - Valencia, CA