Day 05 - Galilee: Golan Heights, Katzrin, Hazor, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan

Rain rain rain…. Off to the north. Morning worship was "Resurrender."

Devotion led by Paster Ronnie - learning to love God's family.

Scripture Matt 16:13-18….who do people say the son of man is? Simon Peter said, "You are the Messiah, son of the living God."

Peter, the "rock on which I will build my church".

The church is not a building, it’s a body of believers.

Who is God to me today in this season of my life?

Names have meaning…God reveals himself through his names: Yaweah, Elshadai, Jehovah Jirah.

Off to the Golan Heights - mentioned once in Bible. Area of Tribes of Reuben and Dan… they were know for nomadic living, raised cows.

Roman’s came and pave roads, 1 c BC…increasing the population Gamla the Masada of Golan Heights.

Now a good place to live!

On our drive we learned about where we stayed, Kibbutz Ein Gev (Kibbutz - a gathering or collective farm). Theodore Hertzl wrote a book called “old, new land” calling again for  Zionist Jews- “conquer the land”go back to old ways, revive Israel, establishment of Jewish state. Work hard, not an easy life.

We then arrived at Katzrin- an ancient city whose ruins were found after the 6 day war in 1967.

We reviewed the 7 species of the land…and we learned about why olive oil so important, needed for daily survival….this is why it was used for anointing it meant that person was special and needed.

We had a special time getting to grind and press olives and made our own bottle of oil.

We walked to ancient ruins. We talked about why homes were made the way they were. High windows were for safety, stability and they focused on their own family, not concerned with others stuff.

Paster Shane gave a very relevant message from Luke 5:17, the story on the paralyzed man whose friends dropped him through the roof for Jesus to heal. Very surreal to be sitting in this small home and picture this.

Jesus deals with the man’s sin first before his physical issue….just like that man, our greatest need is forgiveness of sin.

Ronen contrasted the idea that Jesus was a carpenter….most if not all the homes are made of stone…Jesus was likely a stone mason.

We then sat in a shelter as it poured rain and made fresh bread and enjoyed lots of different dips: cream cheese, hyssop and date honey…although the rain continued the fellowship was awesome.

Our next stop was Oil Essence from the Sea of Galilee. We learned more of the olive oil benefits….skin and medicine. We had a yummy olive oil tasting.

Coming down the mountain to the Hula Valley to Hazor. This was previously a swamp with huge quantities of mosquitos….many first Zionists died from malaria. Then entire area was then purchased and eucalyptus trees were planted and they sucked water and returned the swamp to a fertile place again.

Return of conquering the land, life returning to like biblical times.

There are 5 regions of Galilee. Naphtali, Lebanon and Golan mountains surround.

1947-1967 very hostile area, with Syrians attacking. Then the 6 Day War. 6/5/67 Israel attacked, took Sinai and West Bank, then the Golan heights because of the Eucalyptus trees planted because of Israeli spy. Thriving area now.

We drove through pouring rain.

Our next stop was Caesarea Philippi. This was the land of Phillip the son of Herod. Built by the Hermon stream. This palace was built to honor the God of Pan, who was worshiped with singing, dancing, sexual immortality.

Why did Jesus come here?

Show power over evil, make disciples, to reveal there is only 1 God.

Matt 16:13- thou art the Christ the son of the living God… Jesus says to Peter, upon this rock I will build my church!

Why did we come here? Because Jesus is the Messiah. What fear or mountain do we need to climb to get closer to him?

Onto Dan located on boarder of Lebanon, the old city of Laish. Ronen shared three biblical stories from this area.

First was from Judges 18. The Danites, the tribe of Dan, were to be located in central Israel but they wanted it to be easy, they didn’t follow scripture.

Key message was in order to have a relationship with God we have to be an active participant, listen and follow.

The next was 1 Kings 12. The story of King Rehoboam the son of Solomon who didn’t forgive his father's enemies and took bad advice. He made his own gods and festivals. His disobedience led ultimately to the Danites being the first tribe to be conquered….they were the worst tribe ever, in fact in the final tribes mentioned in Revelation 7, there is no Dan tribe.

The last story was found in Genesis 14, where Abraham comes to save his nephew Lot at the city gate.

This gate is actually the ancient gate of Laish over 4000 years old. Now called Abraham’s gate. This is further proof of validity of Bible.

The take away to this was Abraham was the patriarch would do anything to redeem his family, much like the prodigal son.

What has God done to redeem us? Sending Jesus!

The day concluded with 16 of us being baptized in the Sea of Galilee….as the sun shone through the clouds…the entire group was there to celebrate… We all raised our voices and said “yay Jesus!”

Despite the rain, we had another wonderful day of laughter, fellowship, learning and growing closer to the Lord.

We all feel so blessed.

Off to Jerusalem tomorrow!

Laila Tov (goodnight)

Shalom