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Israel Study Tour - The Church At Rocky Peak (Sep)
September 8-19, 2014
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Nothing gets in the way
Today we left the Galilee and made our way toward Jerusalem. Our first stop was Mount Precipice overlooking Nazareth where the angel told Mary she was going to have a son. The place where it is said to have happened is called the Church of Annunciation. Pastor Mike then talked about our word of the day, open-minded. He talked about how holding on to small works beliefs can make you miss out on the new things God wants for you. For instance, Paul shared the gospel in Berea, in which the people were open-minded and examined the scriptures to see if it was true. We are to let the Bible be the final authority, not our personal theologies. In Luke 4 & Mark 6, Pastor Mike talked about how Jesus read Isaiah 61 in the synagogue and declared that the prophecy was fulfilled. By doing that, he redefined their concept of Messiah and challenged their theology. The next place we visited was Tel Megiddo, one of the chariot cities that Solomon built. Pastor Mike gave a side lesson, saying that just because you have a good start doesn't guarantee a good end. He used Solomon as an example. God told him he should not intermarry (among other things) and he disobeyed (1 Kings 11). Then his kingdom was eventually divided. If we obey what we know, we'll know more (aka the dimmer switch principle).
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.
The third place we went to was Mount Carmel where Elijah challenged King Ahab's prophets to see whose God would rain down fire from the heavens on the sacrifice. After this, Elijah was running for his life. No matter how strong we are spiritually, there will be moments when we feel like we're done and was severely discouraged. In those times, God will call us back to our roots and remind us about who we are. He will strengthen us.
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).
Next we grabbed lunch in a Druze village and visited the Mediterranean Sea. Our last stop before heading to Jerusalem was Caesarea National Park. Here we visited the Roman city where Pilate resided. This place was so significant because it was the first place where Peter shared the Gospel with non-Jews (Acts 10). Pastor Mike then challenged us with a question: Are we sharing the Gospel and loving people well?
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.
The lesson that spoke to me the most today was how God encouraged Elijah in his lowest moments. We've all felt like Elijah at some point, where we're just done with whatever life has thrown at us. We ask God to get us out of a situation or change things. But instead we should look to God for strength, wisdom, and renewal. We need to remind ourselves with his Word who we are in him. Another point Pastor Mike brought up with this story was that when Elijah asked the people about who their God is, whether it is God or Baal, they said nothing. Jesus brought this same point up in his ministry saying a person can't serve two gods. When it comes to God, if you're only halfway in, the truth of the matter is that you're really out. It should be a priority for us to make sure that nothing gets in the way of our relationship with God.
Linsey Wilson
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