Oil of Life

The day started out as many of the rest with a full breakfast buffet and plenty of coffee for most. We all seem to be well rested at this point and on Israeli time.

We headed out to the Golan Heights area of Israel. Our first stop was in Katzrin (Qatzrin) to experience a Talmudic Jewish 4th century village. The village was primarily an agricultural and manufacturing area producing olive oil and cheeses. We learned how they clear the olives from the trees in the late fall/early winter time period. In that time the entire family would pick the olives and utilize the olive crusher, then an olive press to create the oil/water mixture. They would allow the mixture to rest for a period of time to separate the “water” from the olive oil. The “water” that remains was typically used as a herbicide to kill the grasses between the rows of the olive trees as this “water” was not safe to drink or consume by man or animal. We made and baked pitas and enjoyed fresh olive oil, cheese and olives with our hot pitas. While there we discussed Mark 2; Jesus was back in Capernaum and the 4 men brought the paralyzed man to see Jesus. When Jesus saw the men and their willingness to “fight” for their friend; Jesus commends them for their great faith. Jesus used this opportunity to show his divinity. The message is that we each need to “fight” to bring those we love to Jesus. We heard this message while in a traditional Jewish home. There was an “upper room” in this home; as I stood within it I imagined what it would be like with 12 disciples and Jesus, crammed in the room; enjoying each other’s company, eating and drinking with Jesus before they shared communion together. I don’t think I will ever take communion again with out envisioning this room.

After our experience at the Talmudic village we headed to Olea Essence which is a modern day olive oil plant. They produce olive oil along with a variety of cosmetic products. We were able to sample their various olive oils, cosmetics and learn more about their production. www.oleaessence.com

Our next stop was a quick one, at a rest stop that over looked the Israel-Syrian border. We learned the Druze’s are the only ones that can go back and forth between Israel and Syria because of the border changes over the years and their population living in both countries at this time.

Our next stop was at Caesarea Philippi. This is referred to as the “Gate of Hell” since pagan’s lived here; it was a place of chaos, unclean activities and they believed that the cave was where the devil came out. Jesus came here with the disciples and many refer to it as “graduation day” for them since afterwards they headed to Jerusalem. Matthew 16:13 is where Peter proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah and that whomever is bound to Christ here on earth will be bound in heaven.

Our final stop of the day was at Tel Dan and Abraham’s Gate. Tel Dan is the “main entrance” from Mesopotamia. It is the northern part of the Rift Valley within Israel. Abraham’s Gate was built is 1750 BC. The focus of the lesson here was that God recovers his lost children and redeems them like Abraham redeemed a lost nephew. How far are you willing to go for lost sheep in our world?

Blessings,

Lyn