Day 06 - Galilee: Katzrin (cultural experience), Mount Bental, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan

And just like that, we are halfway through our tour of Israel! We started the day along the Sea of Galilee again. Terry gave us a brief history lesson of time periods before discussing why empires rise and fall.

Terry read to us from Romans 6, mirroring our baptism experience from yesterday. While baptism is a physical thing we are commanded to do, it is more than just a symbol. We are now dead to sin and alive to God. We are brand new creatures walking around in newness of life. The Holy Spirit is now working in us to make us into the likeness of Christ. We are being sanctified; working towards holiness.

This continual renewal requires continual repentance. What we are willing to hand over, Christ takes without question or condemnation. We must train ourselves to discipline our unreliable emotions to continue towards truth.

Next, we headed to Katzrin to experience pieces of Jewish village life with real artifacts. We visited the industrial area of the “house of the wooden pole” to make olive oil. We discussed how olive oil was essential to their daily lives and all of its many uses.

Then we went into the best-preserved village home to light the olive oil and experience what life would be life. Terry read from Mark 2, and had us imagine what it’s have been like for 4 friends to lower the paralytic man through the roof. We cannot forget that our God heals, and we are to earnestly bring those we love to his feet. Do you have 4 friends who would carry you to the feet of Jesus? Are you the kind of friend who would do that for someone else?

Lastly, we made fresh pita, over a saj. With it, we had olive oil and hyssop, a fresh cream spread, 100% date honey and the best olives many of our olive lovers have ever tasted. We laughed around the fire and tables as we enjoyed the fresh pitas with one another.

After hearing about the importance of olive oil, we went to an olive oil factory and did some shopping. This place was truly amazing and the owner was a riot! He was living his dream of making olive oil, and the pride he had in his business was apparent. The olive oil was also delicious! Based on conversation and a few murmurings, the garlic flavor seemed to be the crowd favorite.

Next we headed to the northern end of Israel to Mount Bental. From the peak of this mountain, which served as an army post, we saw the Syrian border and parts of Lebanon. Because of the remarkable weather, we were also able to clearly see the snow topped mountain of Hermon.

Then we ventured to Caesarea Phillipi. We started with lunch, and then took a quick stroll over to the site. Here, we saw a massive cave on the cliff. When they found it, Greek soldiers named it Banias (place of Pan) after their god, Pan. Pan was a satyr (half-man, half-goat) and was a overtly sexualized being. They also believed in the underworld and thought that this very cave was an entrance to Hades. According to the scriptures, Jesus and his disciples were in Caesarea Philippi, most likely staring at this very cave while Jesus said these words spoken in Matthew 16. Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” and Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” On the rock of Peter’s confession, not even death will prevail against God’s church! Death has no hold on us when we are in Christ Jesus. Early Christians believed this, and we need to remember this too. The church will always prevail against the culture, and that is never more evident than looking at the newest excavation of a church, representative of the “big C” Church, that is still thriving even after the gods and culture of old have melted away.

What a wonderful God we serve!

Tel Dan is a truly amazing site! In 1200 B.C., the tribe of Dan headed north to distance themselves from the Philistines. When they reached Laish, they conquered the city, ran everyone out of the town, and renamed the city Dan. Jeroboam had a temple constructed in 930 B.C. to the specifications listed in Leviticus. We could see the outline of the temple, the large altar and steps to the Holy of Holies. Seeing how precise they were in building the temple one might assume that the people of Dan were closely following God. Sadly, this was not the case.

The fact that the temple was built at all was highly offensive because God only ever intended for there to be one temple. The people of Dan were henotheistic; they had golden calves in the temple and were worshipping other gods. Pig bones were also found during excavation of the temple area. One might argue that the people here were serving God, but in reality, they were serving God on their own terms. God demands to be worshipped the way He says He should be worshipped. We must guard against this same idea. Are you serving God on his terms or your own?

We ended the day by taking a special trip to the Lebanese border to overlook a village that two of our group members (father and daughter) are descendent from. We are so grateful to our guide, Yehuda, and driver, Yigal, for adding so many special touches to our trip.

Tomorrow, we will leave the Sea of Galilee and head to Jerusalem!

Until then…

Ashley Fuhr