Day 12 - City of David, Hezekiah's Tunnel, Southern Steps, Western Wall, Sifting Project

City of David – Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Our last day in Israel began with exploring Hezekiah’s tunnel. In 701 BC, King Hezekiah realized that getting water outside the city gates made the Israelites more susceptible to siege. So, he built a tunnel to bring water into the city. They built this ½-mile-long tunnel with only pickaxes and candles!

The tunnel adventure included moments when ice-cold water was up to our thighs and others when we had to bend halfway over to squeeze through. We also finally realized why we were given GTI flashlights!

After the tunnels, we went to the Pool of Siloam and read about Jesus healing a blind man there (John 9).

Southern Steps of the Temple

We sat down on the southern steps of the temple and learned how Jewish feast days point to Jesus. Then we read Acts 2 about the coming of the Holy Spirit which happened on the feast of Shavuot.

This familiar story became even more powerful when Scott explained that the Holy Spirit likely descended right where we sat! Jews refer to the temple as “the house” which is why many of us imagine the disciples in the room of a house. But faithful Jews would have gathered on the very stairs we were sitting on. So, this would’ve been where thousands of people were nearby to hear the disciples preaching.

Western Wall

Next, we went to the wall closest to the temple. The wall is divided into separate praying areas for men and women. Many people fold up their written prayers and stick them in gaps in the wall. Others place their palms and foreheads against the wall. There are also shelves of prayer books and covered areas to sit and pray. We even saw two bar mitzvah’s taking place nearby!

Sifting Project

We ended the day by becoming amateur archeologists. There were 9000 tons of dirt removed from the Temple Mount in 1999. They are still sorting through the rubble, one bucket at a time. We were trained to sift through dirt and rock to find pieces of pottery, glass, bones, and special stones. Our group’s finds included a 17th-century pipe, ancient pieces of marble, and even a human tooth!

Thank you!

It’s been a joy to write this blog. Thank you to everyone who read along. I am a freelance writer and love the opportunity to use my gifts for the Kingdom. 

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