We started early in the morning with the packing of our belongings for a three day road trip into the Shephelah and Negev region of southern Israel. This region is within the tribal allotments of the tribe of Judah and Simeon.
The land is hot, dry and incredibly vast. It is hard to believe that people live in this region of Israel. This area of Israel would be the same area that Abraham and Isaac would have been in at various times in the OT.
One of the first things that we were able to see as we journeyed through the Hussan Valley route from the hill country of Judah down to the Shephelah was an old Roman road. This very easily could have been the road that the Ethiopian Eunuch was traveling when he was reading the Scriptures and prayed that god would send someone to teach him (Acts 8:26-40). Philip was brought to the Eunuch teaching him and baptizing him. The Romans later cut steps into the cenomanian stones in places in order to make the travel easier for travels.
Our first major stop was at the Bel Caves at Meresha. The bell caves were started by cutting a round hole through than terra rosa soil (sp?) and begin digging through the harder rock for building. These caves were massive from top to bottom and were shaped in the form of a bell. This was done not by design but by the progress of the work. The workers once through the hard solid on top would begin moving their work in an outward direction as they moved deeper into the ground. It is amazing how much cooler the caves were than on the surface of the ground. Dr. Mullins explained that Jewish priests during times of Romans persecution who had lost limbs in the arenas to lions were sent her to live out their lives.
At the same sight just a few hundred yards away, a ancient Sedonian Tomb was found. The tomb probably belonged to a wealthy family. When discovered and completely unearthed the tomb was remarkable. The walls were covered with very colorful drawings of animals and people. The tombs were probably 3rd century AD and were plenty big enough for 20 plus people.
We made a quick stop at Tel Lachish one of the former Philistines cities. The city was a pivotal city in the ancient world along the inner coastal highway and in many ways was a last defense guarding the Lachish Valley Route that would connect with the Patriarchal Highway along the ridge of the Judean Hill country that would lead to Jerusalem. Still visible at this site is the siege ramp that Sennacrib built somewhere around 701 BC as he was making his way north to Jerusalem.
Our last stop of the day brought us to Tel Ashkelon, another Philistine city along the Mediterranean Sea. Several years ago the Canaanite gate was discovered revealing architecture previously credited to the Romans but found here dating before the Romans. This ancient city was spread over acres along the sea coast.
The Mediterranean Sea was beautiful. The wind was blowing in from the west bringing huge waves crashing onto the beach. Although it was good to relax at the beach, the day was my least favorite day of the trip so far. Not quite sure because there were many significant visits along the way.
Picture 1 - Old Roman Road
Picture 2 - Looking from Tel Azekah on the Elah Valley - place where David slew Goliath
Picture 3 - Meresah Bell Cave
Picture 4 - Sedonian Tomb
Picture 5 - Mediterranean Sea
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