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Israel Study Tour - The Forge (Pine Cove)
March 15-27, 2015
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Who Do You Say That I Am?
Today we experienced rain in the Promised Land! During Biblical times rain was one kind of “Living Water” considered a great blessing in the land of Israel, and it continues to be so today.
We began our Shabbat day with a hike through the Caesarea Philippi region where we stopped by Bannais Falls which flows down into the Jordan River. Again we saw a picture of how water in Israel always comes from a rock. We continued along our hike through what felt like a vision of the Garden of Eden and were all in amazement at the beauty of creation surrounding us. In contrast to our first day in Israel in the wilderness/desert, today we were surrounded by the vivid colors of spring and were refreshed to be surrounded with the sights and sounds of fresh water. I found myself reflecting on how wonderful it will be one day when with unveiled eyes we will be able to fully see and experience God’s creation as it was originally intended. What a glorious day that will be!
When we got to Caesarea Phillipi Matt walked us through Matthew 16. It is at this place that Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” We were reminded that Peter could not have known this had the Father not revealed himself to him. Peter’s response is a declaration of his faith because God had given him eyes to see who He is: our Messiah! As the physical manifestation of Christ on earth, the Church, we are to follow Jesus on His terms and not our own.
Caesarea Philippi
This abundant water supply has made the area very fertile and attractive for religious worship. Numerous temples were built at this city in the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Our second lesson of the day came at Dan. We learned that the Danites chose their personal comfort over faith in God to provide. We also got to see the ruins of Jeroboam’s altar. After the exile, King Jeroboam chose to build this altar so that his people would not return to Jerusalem to worship. In the same way as leaders, if we get off track, even if only by 1 degree, we can lead others astray if we are not consistently submitted to the Lord. As sinful humans we are prone to wander, this is why community is so important!
Tel Dan
On the northern frontier of the kingdom, Dan was particularly well fortified. This gatehouse was built in the ninth century BCE, probably by Ahab, and is part of a series of gateways discovered.
Our final stop of the day was at Katzrin. Ronen enjoyed teaching us a lesson at an old-fashioned olive oil press. He shared with us the importance of olive oil in the Jewish community. During Jesus’s time, olive oil and salt were the most important products. Then, we were able to experience a first-century Jewish home. We read the story of when Jesus heals a Paralytic in Mark 2, and were really able to experience what this scenario must have felt like. The take-away from the story, when Jesus is the object of our faith it turns true friendship into something we give rather than something we use for ourselves.
Katzrin
The ancient Jewish farming village of Katzrin was built around a spring, which still flows. Although there were standing ruins on the site, archaeological excavations have increased the number of accessible ancient buildings. An ancient synagogue was discovered in 1967 and excavated between 1971 and 1984. Other parts of the village were excavated beginning in 1983. Some of the buildings have been reconstructed on their ancient foundations and furnished with replicas of household goods and tools
The Lord is gracious to allow us the opportunity to continue to grow and learn as a community in the Holy Land. As I’ve continued to read our Forge Bible Reading Plan throughout our week, so many things are coming alive in new ways as I’ve now experienced the context of the places we’re reading about! My prayer is that the Lord will continue to reveal Himself to us in new ways while we’re here.
Thank you for journeying with us! I pray our stories will encourage your own faith, and that one day you too will all be able to experience the land of God’s chosen people.
Shalom!
By Jenna Tynes
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