Israel Flashback #10

The following is my final journal entry regarding my trip in Israel. While the journal concludes, the trip has marked me and changed me forever. Dated 27 May 2010

I have 3 days of reflection papers to write. Oh brother. -- We did a lot on Tuesday. Part of the reason was that we had a flat tire, or two, on Monday and it took time to repair them. Therefore, we had to cram Arbel into Tuesday's schedule. I enjoyed visiting Kursi and Bethsaida. Basalt rock is common in this area of the Galilee region, and it is a different change to see buildings made out of black basalt as opposed to lighter limestones. You use what you have.

I enjoyed Capernaum as well. The synagogue there was beautiful. Even though basalt was used in many places, they imported marble or limestone (I forget which) to build the synagogue. When I read Jesus' accounts in the Gospels, I think of space and time differently than what it must have been. I have realized how much of my culture I have read into the Bible. For instance, the towns where Jesus spent most of His time and did most of His work (Bethsaida, Capernaum, Corazin) where not very big. I had pictured them as though they were the size of a modern day town. I also realized that I do not read the Bible in real time. When it says Jesus went up the mountain, He didn't do it in a couple of minutes. It took a while. Much of Jesus' life was spent walking or doing physical things.

My favorite parts of the day were the climb to Arbel and the boat ride. Arbel is a huge cliff that overlooks the Sea of Galilee. You can see all the way around the Sea, and it was a great view. Unfortunately, we did not have any time for reflection (1 minute does not count). I also really enjoyed the hour-ish boat ride across the Sea. It was calm, good, peaceful, and I had a good conversation with Kevin.

Wednesday we drove north. In fact we were so far north and east that, on separate occasions, we saw the lands of Lebanon and Syria. I was excited for that because we have seen a total of 6 countries on this trip: Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.

Hazor was another large tell. It did have a palace and a dais though. We took a nice nature hike at Dan. It was a very nice area that had remnants of the temple, an old army bunker facing Lebanon, and a mud brick gate dating back to the age of the patriarchs. The gate may classify as the oldest thing I have ever seen. We were also able to visualize better how the gate system worked and how the leader of the city would sit out there and allow entry or judge matters.

One cool thing we saw were the ruins of the temples dedicated to the Greek gods at Casarea Philippi. This is the place where Jesus said, "On this Rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." The religion of the ancient Greeks has passed away (or changed into different forms) but Jesus' Church still stands. Christ can, does, and will overcome the power of Satan.

Today was a short day. The only place we went of biblical significance was Beth Shean (OT name)/Scythopolis (NT name). This is the place were Saul's body hung on the gates as a trophy and later was one of the Decapolis cities. In its day it was a grand city, but time and earthquakes have taken their toll. No matter the majesty or grandeur or man, the majesty and grandeur of God is far greater and more powerful.

The Jordan River is a great example of how time affects geography. In biblical times it was a barrier to travel and could only be crossed in a few places. Now it is a stream that could be swum across. Greg says in flooding season it is more formidable. The river shows the effects of man as well since farming and other agricultural practices have changed and dried the river.