November 12, 2019

Today we spent most of our time in the road to Galilee.   We also saw the desert where Jesus fasted for 40 days while being tempted by satan. 

Psalm 23 - Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, 

for You are with me.

A tree just like the one that Zacheaus climbed when trying to see Jesus through the crowds

Jericho

We were able to stop to see Jericho on the way...so amazing!  I was shocked at the actual size of the city of Jericho.  As we stood on top of the city, we could see the the mountain top where the Israelites stood after wandering the desert for 40 years.  We could see where they climbed down the mountain and the approximate area that the Jordan River was parted in order for the Israelites to cross the water.  We could see the shore where the Israelites camped.  For 6 days, the Israelites walked inland to the City of Jericho (approximately 3 miles).  Then walked around the city once without making a sound (approximately 1/2 mile).  Then walked back to the shore (approximaltey 3 miles).  This totaled  about 6 1/2 miles per day.  On the 7th day, the Israelites marched around the camp 7 times (3 1/2 extra miles) and then as they shouted, the walls fell down.  After the walls fell, the Israelites fought and took the city for their own.  I always imagined the Israelites being so tired after all of the marching and then having to fight to take a city.  But in all actuality, the walking wasn't that much!  What a neat thing to learn and stand upon while in Israel!  This was one of my very favorite parts of the trip.

Actual rubble of the City of Jericho

A portion of the city still stands today.  It is burried under dirt and sand, but it is there!

Gideon’s Spring

As we passed through the Jordan River Valley, we stopped at Gideon's Spring to take in the view of the land and see the spring itself.  We touched the water where Gideon chose his 300 warriors to battle the Midianites. The warriors were chosen based on how they drank water (Judges 7:1-8).  Those who lapped the water like dogs were left behind in historical obscurity.  The 300 warriors who drank with a cupped hand went on to immortality.  Of course we had to cup the water with our own hands and pose for pictures.  It was incredibly peaceful at this place!

                    

                            

Nazareth

After that we drove into Nazareth which is very modernized. It was a bit shocking to see how, almost trashy, the town of Jesus looks now.  You would think that it would be better preserved.  But it will look completely restored when Jesus returns.  We did see replicas of what Jesus’ town would have looked like while he lived there however.  This helped with the imagination.

A tomb replica of what Jesus' might have looked like after the stone was rolled away

Olive Trees

Olive Press

Olives from Olive Trees

Wood Working

Making thread for clothing

Church for reading of the scrolls

Cana Baptist Church

We ended our evening at Cana Baptist church for worship. Our church has supported them for years. It was wonderful to pray over them and to hear about all of the amazing things they are doing in Israel!  It is interesting that as various holy lands are discovered, people want to purchase the land and build something on top of it in order to make their building holy as well.  

We prayed with the church for the land directly nextdoor.  It is believed that Jesus walked on this land, so another church, who does not believe in Jesus, wants to come there and push out the Cana church.  They believe they will have many people visit because of the significance of the land.  God will prevail!

Wardrobe Mishaps 

We moved onto a new hotel and a delicious dinner on the shores of the Sea of Galilee that evening.  It was soooo gorgeous!  As we set out our clothes for the next day's adventures, we pulled out our bathing suits and cover ups in excitement for a Jordan River baptism.  Mom had only let her suit air dry after our float in the Dead Sea.  It was caked with salt and stiff as a board!  We laughed sooooo hard that we cried and the neighbors next to us could hear us through the walls.  We imagined her suit cracking off of her at the baptism and her revealing all of her glory as a new child of God in the Jordan River!!