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Israel Study Tour - Joshua Wilderness Institute
April 10-22, 2015
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The History of Israel, the Old and the New
Of course, day 5 in Israel did not disappoint. We began our day by going to Katzrin, which is a city from the first century time that has been rebuilt to give tours like us an idea of what homes and communities looked like in first century times. We sat around a threshing floor as our guides explained to us the process used in ancient times to harvest wheat. We we able to actually take wheat stocks and separate the wheat from the shaft and use an ancient stone appliance to create flour. Later on in our tour we used that flour to make pita bread and cook it on an outdoor fire. We were able to go inside a reconstructed first-century home. All of these experiences further opened our eyes to the context of our Bible.
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
After this, we made our way to the Golan Heights where we got to see an unoccupied Israeli Bunker. Ronen, our tour guide, explained to us the role Israeli citizens play in the military. For example he, in the reserve, would need to be ready in 4 hours from the time a notice is given of any threat. Nearly the entire country joins together in defense. From the outside of the bunker we saw parts of Syria, and throughout the day we also saw parts of Jordan and Lebanon. It is eye-opening to be in a country where war is something everybody is acquainted with, whereas in the United States it’s not as commonplace; we are fortunate to live where we live, but good to see what the majority of countries in this world deal with. After the tour, we enjoyed hot chocolate and coffee from a nearby coffee shop.
Golan Heights
The Golan Heights belonged to the country of Syria until 1967. During the Six Day War, Israel took this high ground overlooking the Huleh Basin and Sea of Galilee. Today evidence of Syrian habitation, including military bases and mosques lie in ruins throughout the area. The region is now populated by Druze (who there before the war) and Israelis who have moved in since the war. Syria insists on the return of the Golan Heights as part of any peace agreement.
The next stop consisted of a 45 minute walk through a beautiful, lush, green place with waterfalls, a rushing river and some ancient ruins along the way. We found out later, after lunch, that this was Caesarea Philippi. We gathered by the ruins of the city to hear Rich teach about this once-pagan city which Jesus came into to ask his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
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 final stop before arriving back at the kibbutz was Dan. We hiked on rocks through flowing streams of water, maim chayim, and arrived at our destination--the ruins of a city. We discussed the importance of the City Gate. The we went to where an altar once stood and Craig spoke on Acts 9, the very moment that Saul’s eyes were opened and he finally began to proclaim the name of Christ rather than persecute it.
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.
Once we reached our kibbutz, Rich and our tour guides told us those who were getting baptized would be the first Joshua students to be baptized in the Sea of Galilee. There were ten students including myself (Lexi) who decided to make the public declaration of their faith. One by one, each student would walk out to be greeted by Rich and either Allie or Jessy and on a special occasion Jen. They would then remind us what baptism meant. They then sent us under and once up the whole class gave a cheer of excitement. Then a few students would take the student who was baptized aside to share in the joy and pray over them.
The first half of our trip has been great. We can’t wait for the next half because there is still much more to see and learn.
--Courtney, Catherine, and Lexi
If you would like to see photos of the baptisms, visit the Joshua Wilderness Institute news post, "Baptisms on the Sea of Galilee"
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