Up to Jerusalem!

Mike started devotions this morning reading some Psalms of Ascent since we will be going up to Jerusalem today. He read verses from Psalm 121, 125, 128, 129, and 130.  We got our last views of the Sea of Galilee and Jordan River. It is sad to be leaving. The views were beautiful. We’ve seen many farms, hills, and fields in northern Israel. A lot of the landscape doesn’t look like it has changed in thousands of years.

Our first stop today was Gideon’s Spring. When we arrived Clarence, our Institute of Jewish Studies director here at The Friends of Israel read the story of Gideon from Judges 6 and 7. He talked about how we can get busy with our lives and forget the main character of life: God. As Clarence continued to read, Mark and Ryan showed of how the men drank from the water (vs. 7:4-7) and then we all reenacted verses 19 and 20, blowing trumpets and shouting. Clarence warned how Gideon fell away from the Lord. It wasn’t the sword of Gideon and then the Lord, it was the sword of the Lord and then Gideon (vs. 20).

The springs were beautiful. The area around it is a park and very peaceful. I really wouldn’t mind spending the day here. It’d be a great place for a picnic. (If shawarma could be eaten on a picnic!)

We headed next to the ruins of Beth Shean. It was nothing like I had expected. The view across the city is spectacular. The ruins are in wonderful condition. Our guide took us through the amphitheater. We also visited the ancient public restroom. We were told that you can tell the wealth of the city by the condition the marble toilet seats are in today. Some of us sat on the toilet stones. They make great benches today although you can’t think too hard about it! Some went to visit the top of the Tel (hill) for a view of the city. They said it was an amazing view.

We at lunch at a small restaurant with outdoor seating. Our guide recommended the schnitzel and some also had falafel. The schnitzel was good but I am really ready for some more shawarma!

We entered the West Bank on our way to Jerusalem. Tito pointed out Jewish settlements and Bedouins. The road is through a mountainous area. It’s steep very steep. Unlike the green north, we are now in the desert and it’s mostly brown, but still beautiful. We pass flocks of sheep with shepherds. As we made our way into Jericho, there was a sign that said “Israeli’s are banned.” There were lots of shops and children leaving school in the city. We stopped at a hand-blown glass shop. The glass was very pretty.

Next stop: Jerusalem! We climbed 4000 feet in about 10 miles. You could hear the bus struggling. They don’t call it “Up to Jerusalem” for nothing. And finally, we got our first sight of the Holy city, Jerusalem! We checked into our hotel and were able to go to the eleventh floor where we saw an amazing view of the city. We could see the old city walls and the Dome of the Rock.

After dinner Clarence took a group of us on a walk through the city. We walked through Mamilla Mall, an outdoor mall and also around parts of the Old City. We spent some time at the Western Wall too. I’m excited to spend some more time there in the next few days.