Israel Study Tour - The Bridge Bible Church

December 9-19, 2018

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Shalom family and friends at home!

What a wonderful first day we have had! Today’s tour sites included Kiriath-Jearim, Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Adullam, Bet Guvrin/Maresha, and Lachish. Our understanding of geography and culture grew exponentially today, and to say that this trip is bringing the Bible to life is a real understatement. The running joke so far has been that we will try to see 50-60 different historically significant sites while here, but we will drive pass 200-300 sites on the way! And it is so true! The hardest part is trying to take it all in. Here are just a few of the highlights from today.

First, our time at Kiriath-Jearim broadened our understanding of the tangible value behind the land that God had promised to the Israelites in the Promised Land. We learned about the threshing floor, olive press, and wine press used in ancient Israel, and the customs surrounding each of those. We also learned about the custom of burial and the importance of the mikveh, or ritual bath, and how these traditions point to the fulfillment of Jesus when he calls himself “living water” in John 7. Secondly, God’s goodness and faithfulness to his people, even despite their brokenness, was brought to life in our time at Beth Shemesh as we studied the story of Samson. Here we were also able to climb down into an underground cistern, or well, and once again be reminded of how pursuing the living water that God makes available to us is far greater than any stagnant watering-hole we could create for ourselves. And finally, we were challenged at Azekah, the region where David and Goliath had their infamous showdown, to think about what our stone is and where will we throw it- meaning what has God given us individually and where will we use it to demonstrate the glory of God. It was a powerful time!

Azekah

Azekah (Heb: עזקה, ʿazeqah) was a town in the Shephelah guarding the upper reaches of the Valley of Elah, about 26 km (16 mi) northwest of Hebron. The current tell (ruin) by that name has been identified with the biblical Azekah, dating back to the Canaanite period. According to Eusebius' Onomasticon, the name meant "white" in the Canaanite tongue. The tell is pear shaped with the tip pointing northward. Due to its location in the Elah Valley it functioned as one of the main Judahite border cities, sitting on the boundary between the lower and higher Shephelah.[1] Although listed in Joshua 15:35 as being a city in the plain, it is actually partly in the hill country, partly in the plain.

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We wish we could give you more details, but trust we are furiously taking notes and will hopefully has lots more pictures and details to share with you later. But for now, we are going to get some much needed rest tonight and prepare for another incredible day tomorrow. Thanks for all the prayers!

Maresha

Beth Guvrin is the OT site of Maresha, a city of Judah given to the clan of Caleb (Josh 15:44). It was destroyed by Sennacherib in 701 BC and eventually became the capital city of the Idumeans. After a destruction by the Parthians in 40 BC, the population center moved two miles north to a place known as Beth Guvrin. Beth Guvrin had been a suburb of Maresha but it became the major living center by the Roman Period.

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