Israel 2017 (day 4-5)

Greetings from Israel, Shalom.
Yesterday we went to many ancient historic sites. On Friday we traveled around the Galilee region. We went to the Tel Dan where the tribe Dan once settled and a temple established by King Jeroboam, it was a place where people would worship and sacrifice to a golden calf. From that sight we saw where the old Israeli and Lebanon boarder was before the Six Day War and from there you could see the new border a mile or so away.

Next we went to a brick gate not far away where it is possible Abraham entered to rescue Lot (Gen. 14).

We visited Caesarea Philippi where a Canaanite worship center once stood and where Peter went as a powerful weapon to share the Gospel.

We traveled up the Golan Heights to an inactive volcano where our tour guide, Erez, shared his testimony and about conflict in the middle East while looking over the border of Syria, Lebanon and Jordon. We were about 4 miles away from the border of Syria. It was interesting to see the contrast of the land. Israel green with vegetation while Syria lacked and looked more like a desert. We heard about the conflict between the countries but it definitely becomes more a reality while visiting a war zone.

SATURDAY (day 5)

Today we went around the Sea of Galilee. We started our day off by going up to Mount Arbel and looking out over the Sea of Galilee and the cities below.

We went through Jesus' ministry in Galilee and what we were looking at and discussed some of the following.

Selection of the twelve disciples
Sermon on the mount
A Storm on the sea
Feeding of the 5,000 & 4,000 men plus women and children
Peter's testimony
And transfiguration

We then took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and learned a Jewish dance. It was amazing to be on the water and see the land and the sights.

We traveled to Capernaum and talked about how in life we become busy and put off God sometimes, (just like Martha was distracted by serving and not spending time with Jesus) but that's when we need to remember He is for us.  "Live for God radically, and He will fill the gaps." We also saw the possible sight of the Mount of Beatitudes, where a Catholic Church now stands.

We saw the temple in Capernaum and how close Peter's house was in comparison. No more than 30 yards away from the synagogue. Matthew 8 discusses the activities of a whole day, and in the evening after synagogue, immediately afterwards they (Jesus included) went to Peter's house where his mother in law was sick with a fever.

There were other sights that were visited and passages we discussed and we ended the day at the Jordon River. There took place a few baptisms from our group then we headed back for the day.

More adventures await tomorrow.