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Israel Study Tour - Living Oaks Church
October 17-29, 2014
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From Galilee to Jerusalem
This morning we left the Galilee after 4 days of following Jesus travels. We met down at the lake and shared the ways the Lord had spoken to each of us. Folks were humbled by being at Ein Gev and loved staying in the kabutz.
Off to the tel of Megiddo – the deepest tel found so far – 26 layers deep. Solomon received this location in a marriage (one of many) to an Egyptian wife. This location allowed him to control the East/West trade route. King Josiah was killed here. This is in the areas of Issachar and Manasseh tribes. We walked through the ruins after a short climb.
Pastor Doug taught on Armegedon in the book of Revelation. At the end of the 7 year tribulation period, there will be the final battle on earth in the Valley of Megiddo. In Revelation 16 we learn about the final 7 bowls of God’s wrath ending with the Euphrates being dried up and 200 million brought by Satan, the anti-christ and the beast battling here. It was difficult to imagine the beautiful valley of Yizre’el being the final place on earth.
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.
Mt. Carmel (God’s vineyard) was our second stop. I’ve never seen a more beautiful panorama. Although it was a slightly hazy (but mildly warm) day ,we were able to see to the Mediterranean, back towards the Galilee, out to Megiddo. Amazingly inspiring. This is where Elijah faced the 850 prophets of Baal and God provided fire for his sacrifice, when all 450 were not able to call on any of their gods to do the same. This was from 1 King 17-19. Humbling again, to be there.
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).
Had lunch at a Druze (Jewish sect) restaurant of pita with schnitzel (chicken) or falafel (my personal favorite) and many salads and all the hummus you could eat.
On to Caesarea on the Mediterranean. At the time Herod built it in the first century, it was the largest harbor in the world. This was during the time that Julius Caesar and Augustus were kings. The Romans built a seductive, elaborate city with free theatre, hypodrome, a palace for Herod built out over the sea with views on three sides and a fresh water swimming pool. Until 20 years ago everything in Caesarea was covered by sand so the excavation has been amazing. The foundation of most of the building was sandstone with marble and granite imported from surrounding Mediterranean countries.
Paul began all of his journeys from Caesarea and was put on trial here.
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.
We are ending this incredible day with a two hour drive to our hotel in Jerusalem. It’s amazing that we have been here for 8 days and we’ve made our journey to Jerusalem. Jim and I are so thankful to have bee able to do this. Learning so much about our Jewish heritage and then understanding so much more about Jesus is truly a gift.
Thank you Lord,
Dusty Sawyer
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