Day 4 - Tuesday: Northern Israel

Rising early, we started the day with a delicious breakfast at our hotel. Made-to-order omelets, chocolate croissants, pancakes, fish, fruit and yogurt are a few of our team's favorite dishes, but there are many more choices available!

Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

We spent the day exploring the mountainous region of northern Israel. Our first stop was Tel Dan. We hiked through this beautiful region enjoying multiple views of the tributaries that form the Jordan River. The wooded trail opened up to reveal the remains of the temple Jeroboam had built to secure the people's devotion. 1 Kings 12:26-30 describes how Jeroboam made two golden calves placing one in Tel Dan and the other in Bethel so that the people would not go to Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom to worship at the temple. When God divided the kingdom of Israel, He had promised to bless Jeroboam and allow him to reign over whatever he desired (1 Kings 11:26-38). Not trusting the promises of God, Jeroboam led Israel deeper into idolatry.

Jeroboam's temple

Continuing along the path, we next came to a beautiful clearing where we could see into Lebanon. Our tour guide Jacob told us about the 1967 war and the land Israel gained as a result.

Logan and Chandelle

Kendale

Logan, Cole, and Shande

Debbie and Lee Ann listen as Jacob explains the war of 1967

Elise and Chris

Matthew

Next on our journey was the oldest of the sites. Abraham's Gate stood at the entry into the promised land when Abraham journey here from Ur. At about 4000 years old, it is considered to be the oldest of its kind in the world. It was through this gate that Jacob fled from Esau to find a wife from Laban's household. It was also through this gate that Abraham pursued Lot's captors to restore him to his family. After Abraham refused any spoils of war from the King of Sodom, God appeared to Abraham once again promising that his reward would be great (Genesis 14:13-15:1). We discussed the contrast between Jeroboam's grasp for the promise kingdom and Abraham's unwavering trust in God's promise and provision.

Our group at Abraham's Gate

The final site along the Tel Dan trail was the gate to the city Jeroboam built. We enjoyed exploring these ruins where we saw how the leader would sit at the city gate to hear people's pleas and complaints in order to pronounce judgement.

Evan sits as King at the gate

Logan protected his mom from falling on the rough stones

After the long walk, we were glad to rest on the bus for the 30 minute ride to Caesarea Philippi. At the time of Christ, this area was known for its worship of the god Pan. The place at the back of the temple where the sacrifices were made is actually called the Gates of Hell. This natural cavern was so deep, it seemed to reach into hell itself. Above and around the cavern stretches a mountain of rock. At the base, the spring of Hermon form the beginning of the Jordan River. It was here that Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Simon responded, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus renamed him Peter and said that upon this rock he will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:13-21) Shande read this passage to the group, and we explored the ruins of the pagan temples located here. We contemplated the significance of Jesus' words and how he had chosen this particular place to speak them.

Logan and Chandelle at the spot where Herod's temple to Pan stood.

The Gates of Hell can be seen behind Rick.

Vicki standing in front of the rocky mountain

After lunch at a Druze village, we headed next to Bental. Here we could see the bunkers and other military relics from the Yom Kippur War with Syria for the Golan Heights in 1973. From this high perch, we could see into Syria in the valley below and look toward the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon.

Lee, Terry, and Rick discussing the difficulties of war

We ended the journey through northern Israel by seeing a Talmudic village in Katsrin. Jacob showed us the three step process of making olive oil. Then, we sat in a house similar to the ones Jesus would have visited. As we looked at the roof above us, we could envision the men who took apart a roof to lower their friend to Jesus. (Mark 2:1-12 - This happened in Capernaum, but the house would have looked like the one in which we sat.) We visited the synagogue before leaving this ancient village.

Olive press

Synagogue

We stopped for some quick shopping before getting back to the hotel for dinner. After another delicious meal, some chose to pack and go to bed. Others took one final opportunity for a stroll by the Sea of Galilee. Still others enjoyed their time together playing cards. Our time in the Galilee region draws to close, for tomorrow we head south to Jerusalem.

Shande and Cole found Jerusalem hats!