Israel Study Tour - The Forge (Pine Cove)

February 26 - March 10, 2017

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Hello from Galilee

While the morning began a little stormy, with strong winds, and hazily ominous skies, our day concluded with sunburnt noses, the most refreshing gifted-ice cream bars, and a peaceful sunset on our last night at the Sea of Galilee. We miss you all but are still enjoying our adventures.

We began the morning on a boat that brought us to the middle of the Sea of Galilee. There we learned that our fear informs our faith – and found ourselves country western dancing to George Strait. Because, you can take the people out of Texas – you can’t take the Texas out of the people. The Jezreel Valley was next, then onto Schytopolis (also known as the Hebrew city of Beth Shean), and finally, Susita. The sunset left us closing the day with reflections on our own stories, and how our faithful obedience might be a testament to God’s story in our lives.

As we ascended the rocky acropolis of Beth Shean and looked down upon the ruins of the capital pagan city in the first century, every jaw dropped. The place is (and was) ostentatious. We walked on curved paved roads with nymphian fountains announcing the availability of unspoken pleasures. The right side of the main street brought us to the Bath Houses, with heated floors and mosaic tiles, frescoes and state of the art technology for their time. The Theatre alone seated 7,000 people and afforded the people opportunity for drink and entertainment in worship of their “god of wine.” This city - this monument for success - afforded every modern amenity, and stood in stark comparison to the cities of Galilee we have seen up till now. A place filled with so much luxury, education, entertainment and pomp made it easy to hear the resounding and humbling echo of my insides shouting “ I WANT this.” Archeology and history reveals to us that this place called “House of Security” was toppled in a seven second earthquake toward the end of the 8th century. How ironic, that this place that held so much security crumbled at the hand of nature.

Beth Shean

Located 17 miles (27 km) south of the Sea of Galilee, Beth Shean is situated at the strategic junction of the Harod and Jordan Valleys. The fertility of the land and the abundance of water led the Jewish sages to say, “If the Garden of Eden is in the land of Israel, then its gate is Beth Shean.” It is no surprise then that the site has been almost continuously settled from the Chalcolithic period to the present.

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Today was a heavy day for me six years ago. Returning today was no less moving, albeit a time of rejoicing for the Lord’s continued patience with His people and our fickle affections. Beth Shean is and will be a reminder to me that whatever captures our hearts directs and determines our faithfulness. Our affections inform our devotion. Truthfully, what we love determines what we worship. As healthy of a heart check as this was for me, I imagine the lesson is helpful for us all, regardless of the state of our affections. We live in modern day Beth Shean, and have a culture that fights in many ways for our affectionate devotion. I am moved to pray earnestly for a reordering of my own.

Again, we miss you all! We are thankful for your prayers and ask that you continue to keep us and your prayers.

Boker Tov,
Katelyn

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