June 27th Israel Travels and Impressions

We left Jerusalem this morning early for a 4 day field trip into the northern regions of Israel. Over the next several days we will be covering Samaria, Jezreel Valley, Golan Heights, Upper and Lower Galilee. The later areas are what brings real excitement to my heart I will have the opportunity to place the biblical texts with the biblical place.
Our first stop along the way brought us to the Sharon Plane north of the Philistia Plain and south of the Carmel range. Along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea is a city called Caesarea Maritime. This was a city in which have a rich history and a historical connection to the NT. The city was built by Herod the Great in 22 BC. This is also the city that Peter visited and where he led the first Gentile to Christ (Acts 10). The city has had several major periods of growth including the Crusaders and during the Byzantine period. This city is also known in the Bible for being the place where Paul was speedily taken after his arrest. He was taken to Herod’s palace and help in prison for 2 years here in Caesarea. This would be the place where he received his hearing with Herod Antipas (Acts 23)
Leaving Caesarea we made our way through the Jokeneam Pass through the Carmel Range into the Jezreel Valley. The Jezreel Valley is a very fertile valley and is a major east west route as well as a North South route . We stopped on top of We took some time on Mount Carmel to read about 1Kings 18 and the great confrontation of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. To be at the possible site of this event was rather eye opening. We could see the spring at the foot of the Mountain where the servants brought Elijah water. We could also see off to our right the Kishon Valley that lead into the Acco Plain were the pagan religions of Baal had seeped itno Israel. It was in this valley where Elijah chose to slaughter all the prophets and priest of Baal after God sovereignly revealed Himself and consumed the sacrifice answering Elijah’s prayer.
Our next stop took us about 10 minutes down the road to a place called Megiddo. Today there is a Tel standing where the city once thrives. This city rests at the northern end of the Megiddo Pass through the Carmel Range. This valley pass and the city of Megiddo had been destroyed over 25 times. Ahab fortified the city in his day and had a palace located there. The Jezreel Valley is at the north end of the ancient city. Biblical prophecy tells us that one day the final battle of all time will take place at this location, the Battle of Armegeddon.
Leaving Megiddo, we made our way through Nazareth and on the Ein Gev on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This is our home for the next three nights. Around the northern end of this fresh water lake is where Jesus performed many miracles, called His disciples and taught many. In a few days we will spend time driving around the Sea of Galilee talking about these various accounts in the life of Jesus.

I am reminded as I sit here looking out across the Sea toward Tiberius. This is where Jesus called His first disciple to leave their nets and follow Him. These men were not the best of the best. But He believed that they could be like Him. Lord, let me follow as they did. “It is amazing the freedom we find from the things we leave behind.

Picture One - Caeserea Maritime Theater
Picture Two - Caeserea Maritime hippodrome
Picture Three - Me on Mount Carmel
Picture Four - Solomonic Gate at Megiddo
Picture Five - My first view of the Sea of Galilee