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Israel Study Tour - Troy Thomas & Marshall Holtvluwer
April 23 - May 3, 2018
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Loving him just for who He is.
We began our day in Kiriath-Jearim. We learned that the Ark of the Covenant was located here for about 20 years. We looked at I Choronicals and learned that the Israelites were looking towards the Ark as a sort of good luck charm. We reflected on how we may be looking at God for good-luck, rather than worshiping him and loving him just for who He is.
We made our way to Beth Shemesh, located near the boarder of Israelite and Philistine territory at the time of Samson. We looked into the book of Judges and saw that Samson was supposed to be a man whe seperated himself from ungodly people around him. Instead, he conformed to many of the ways of the Philistines. We spent some time reflecting on where in our lives we have an opportunity to be in the world, but still hold tight to the truths in God's word. We got to walk into a large underground water-holding chamber that was used in that time.
Beth Shemesh
A border city between Judah and Dan, Beth Shemesh was given to the Levites. Beth Shemesh was the most important Israelite city in the Sorek Valley as it watched both east-west traffic through the Sorek Valley and north-south traffic along the “Diagonal Route.” Recent excavations have shown a thriving city here from the Middle Bronze Age through the Iron II period.
Next, we traveled to Azekah. It was a large valley, located between very large, rolling hills. On one side, the Israelites camed; on the other side, the Philistines. This is the location where David faught and killed Goliath. We got to explore the valley and collect some stones to remember the stones that David used in his sling. (We do have a memeber of the group who claims to have found the actual stones that David used.)
We then explored the Bell Caves at Bet Guvrin. A beautiful man-made cave cut out of the limestone. The make of the cave created incredible acutics for singing. We spent time singing hymns and worshiping as our song filled the cave. It was a very touching experience.
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.
Lastly, we arrived at Lachish. This was one of four gate cites that protected Jerusaelm. We got to stand at the top of the hill and see very far into the distance. You could see why it was chosen as a city to place a lookout to see enemies coming.
We are now on our way to finsih the day at Ber Sheeba. We are very thankful for your prayers!
Kyle Frier
Lachish
Identified first as Lachish by Albright in 1929, the tell was excavated by James Leslie Starkey 1932-38 and by Tel Aviv University 1973-87.
Lachish is generally regarded as the second most important city in the southern kingdom of Judah. It enters the biblical narrative in the battle accounts of Joshua, Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar.
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