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Israel Study Tour with Allen Bible Church
April 18-28, 2018
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God’s Omnipotence
Early morning at the Temple Mount has a calmness that is coiled with anticipation. As we made our way towards the Dome of the Rock, we passed the Wailing Wall and watched as the Jewish men prepared for the day’s Bar Mitzvas. Once we were at the top the mount it opened to a large plaza where the Dome of the Rock stretched glistening on the South side. The temple is built on Mount Mariah where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice Isaac. On the Temple Mount God’s omnipotence is displayed as it worked through Abraham, Solomon and then Jesus, Himself.
The excitement to visit Hezekiah’s tunnel pulled us down the mount. There are two tunnels that were used to access water in the City of David. The older tunnel is dry and was used by the Canaanites. Hezekiah’s tunnel is filled with water and takes about 20 minutes of walking through tight quarters to get from one end to the other. Some in our group chose the dry, Canaanite tunnel where they saw a wall from the time of Nehemiah. A large majority of us braved the long, narrow waterway of Hezekiah. Moments of anxiety inspired sporadic singing through the constricted tunnel and relief was audible as the tunnel opened and daylight welcomed us to the Pool of Siloam.
Hezekiah's Tunnel
A 1750-foot (530m) tunnel carved during the reign of Hezekiah to bring water from one side of the city to the other, Hezekiah’s Tunnel together with the 6th c. tunnel of Euphalios in Greece are considered the greatest works of water engineering technology in the pre-Classical period. Had it followed a straight line, the length would have been 1070 ft (335m) or 40% shorter.
As we sat down on the steps of The Pool of Siloam (Siloam means sent) to dry off our feet we visualized John 9. A very clear picture took shape in our minds of how far the blind man had to walk to wash his eyes. God’s omnipotence was on display once again as Jesus said in John 9:3, “…It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” The blind man washed his eyes in the Pool of Siloam, where we were sitting, and then immediately went into the temple now that he was healed.
And so, we ourselves, went up the Southern Steps to the temple, the same steps Jesus walked with His disciples. As we stood scanning the surroundings, Matthew 21: 12-13 came into our thoughts. We also took time to reflect on the early church through Peter in Acts 2 and the qualities that made it endure. They were a community unified in their faith who worshiped together, broke bread together, took care of those in need and had a great reputation.
Southern Steps
An enormous flight of steps leads to the Southern Wall from the south. They were excavated after 1967 by archaeologist Benjamin Mazar and are the northernmost extension of the Jerusalem pilgrim road leading from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount via the Double Gate and the Triple Gate, collectively called the Huldah Gates. These are the steps that Jesus of Nazareth[2][3] and other Jews of his era walked up to approach the Temple, especially on the great pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. [2] The stairs that lead to the double gate are intact and "well-preserved."[4] The steps that lead to the triple gate were mostly destroyed.[4] / The risers are low, a mere 7 to 10 inches high, and each step is 12 to 35 inches deep, forcing the ascending pilgrims to walk with a stately, deliberate tread.[2] The pilgrims entered the temple precincts through the double and triple gates still visible in the Southern Wall.[5][2] Together, the double and triple gates are known as the Hulda Gates, after the prophetess Huldah.[2]
We soon left the City of David to break bread together ourselves. After a quick lunch we hiked up to the Herodium. Herod the Great was an innovative builder. Each of his palaces had the most elaborate living quarters, such as bathhouses and swimming pools. In the splendor of the Herodium you can look out and see Bethlehem in the distance. The juxtaposition is perfect as we considered Herod’s greatness to the lowliness of Christ’s birth just over the hill. Herod worked tirelessly to leave his stamp on this world, but again we were reminded that the omnipotence of God surpasses earthly ranks.
Herodium
Herodium is 3 miles southeast of Bethlehem and 8 miles south of Jerusalem. Its summit is 2,460 feet above sea level.
Herod built or re-built eleven fortresses. This one he constructed on the location of his victory over Antigonus in 40 BC.
As it began to rain we found good reason to set out for Bethlehem, which is now in full Palestinian control. Bethlehem is endearing. Although the city is built up quite a bit, it personifies the spirit of the little engine that could compared to Jerusalem. The church of the Nativity, where Jesus is said to have been born, is shared by three denominations, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian. Bethlehem tradition passed through the generations states that there was a cave with a sort of inn on top where Jesus was born. Each generation knew the place of this cave until the Church of the Nativity was built directly on top.
After touring the cave and the church we had the opportunity to go shopping in Bethlehem. We met a wonderful Christian family who owned the shop and they shared their love of Christ and Bethlehem. It was a beautiful way to bring our day to a close, with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Christ. God’s omnipotence was on display once again.
Bethlehem
Biblical scholars believe Bethlehem, located in the "hill country" of Judah, may be the same as the Biblical Ephrath which means "fertile", as there is a reference to it in the Book of Micah as Bethlehem Ephratah.[17] The Bible also calls it Beth-Lehem Judah,and the New Testament describes it as the "City of David". It is first mentioned in the Bible as the place where the matriarch Rachel died and was buried "by the wayside" (Gen. 48:7). Rachel's Tomb, the traditional grave site, stands at the entrance to Bethlehem. According to the Book of Ruth, the valley to the east is where Ruth of Moab gleaned the fields and returned to town with Naomi. It was the home of Jesse, father of King David of Israel, and the site of David's anointment by the prophet Samuel. It was from the well of Bethlehem that three of his warriors brought him water when he was hiding in the cave of Adullam.
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