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Israel Study Tour - Chris Brown
January 20-29, 2015
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Gardens and Caves
Today was the team’s first full day exploring Israel. A few minutes away from our hotel in the mountains of Judea, was a local garden. But, this garden also had full replicas of everyday items found in the bible. We spent the morning getting acquainted with a wine press, olive press, hillside terraces, ceremonial bath, and a threshing floor. A first glance, the site seemed to be questionable. Why spend time walking around a garden with replicas when there was an entire country to still explore? Shortly into the tour, any doubts were . This site provided cultural, agricultural, and geographical context to many stories our team had previously taught like Gideon’s encounter with the angel of the Lord (Judges 6) and Jesus turning water into wine (John 2:1-12).
Next, we would head to Beth Shemesh. This location was the setting for many old testament stories in the bible including the return of the Ark by the Philistines (1 Samuel 6). We parked next to a small hill next to the highway. By all appearances, it was just a rest stop. But, on the top of the hill was an incredible vista. From our vantage point, our tour guide showed us the city of Zorah (the birthplace of Samson). Before we climbed back into the bus, we explored a cistern. This experience gave the old story of Joseph a new dimension.
Beth Shemesh
A border city between Judah and Dan, Beth Shemesh was given to the Levites. Beth Shemesh was the most important Israelite city in the Sorek Valley as it watched both east-west traffic through the Sorek Valley and north-south traffic along the “Diagonal Route.” Recent excavations have shown a thriving city here from the Middle Bronze Age through the Iron II period.
We quickly scarfed down lunch before heading to an underground city in Adullam. The city was carved into the limestone mountains and contained dozens of chambers. It is believed to have housed 2,000 people at one point! Why would the Israelites build their homes underground? It provided a variety of benefits including shade during the summer heat, a source of water, and military advantages. We spent the last half of our day moving through the various chambers within this underground city.
Tel Azekah and Elah Valley
The Brook Elah is famous for the five stones it contributed to the young slinger, David. Some surmise that David chose five stones instead of the one needed in case he needed to face Goliath’s four brothers.
Day two in Israel provided so many aha moments for the team. Everyone was excited to reread stories about previous characters and locations to apply our new context. The conversations happening between sites, on the bus, and in our hotel rooms were full of theological examinations and personal revelations. North Coast – Thank you for allowing the student ministries team to experience this!
Chris Geddis
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