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Home , Antonio Barluzzi, Burial of Jesus, Dominus Flevit Church, Hephzibah, King of Jerusalem, Mount of Transfiguration

Study Guide

Pilgramage to

Hosts: Galen and Doris Hackman

Guide: Raed Makhouli

23 February to 7 March 2012 2

Historical Periods-A Primer

The history of Israel dates back to the earliest of times. While we have allempted to design our itinerary to be generally chronological, its impossible to escape the intermingling of events and historical periods. To allemptto simplify our history, the following time line is offered:

Stone Age-Before 4000 BC Crusader Period (1099-1291 AD) Christians from Europe Chalcolithic Age-4000-3150 BC-Discovery of copper; utensils of stone and copper Mameluke Period (1291-1516 AD) Muslims from Bronze (Canaanite) Age • 3150-2200 BC-Early Bronze-Early Canaanite Ottoman Period (1516-1917 AD) • 2200-1550 BC-Middle Bronze-Patriarchs Muslims from Turkey • 1550-1200 BC-Late Bronze-Joshua, Judges British Mandatory Period (1917-1948 AD) Iron (Israelite) Age • 1200-1000 BC-Judges, King (1,004-968 State of Israel established (1948) BC) • Sinai Campaign (1956) • 1000-800 BC-Solomon (968-928 BC) • Six-Day War (1967) Kingdom Divided (928 BC) • Yom Kippur War (1973) • 800-586 BC-Destruction of Kingdom of Israel • Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty (1979) (722 BC) • Litani Campaign (1978) Destruction of (586 BC) • Operation Peace for (1982) • Oslo Accords (1993) Babylonian I Persian Period • Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty (1995) • Cyrus' Decree-Return of first exiles (538 BC) • Dedication of Zerubabel's Temple (516 BC) • Return of exiles with Ezra (457 BC) • Nehemiah rebuilds 's walls (445 BC)

Hellenistic Period • Reign of Alexander the Great (332-323 BC) • Under Ptolemies from Egypt (323-198 BC) • Under Seleucids from Damascus (198-143 BC) • Antiochus IV profaned Temple (168 BC) • HasmoneanlMaccabean Revolt (168-165 BC) A note on dates-you will often see dates labeled • Temple Rededicated (165 BC) 'BCE' and 'CE'. As abstain from the BC/AD • Hasmonean Rule (143-37 BC) references to , these designations are used instead. Roman Period • BCE = Before Common Era = BC • Rule of (37-4 BC) • CE Common Era AD • Birth of Jesus of (-6 BC) = = • Destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) • Masada falls (73 AD) • Bar Kochba (Second) Revolt (132-135 AD) • builds (in place of Jerusalem) (135 AD)

Byzantine Period- accepts (324-636 AD)

Islamic Period (636-1099 AD) Muslims from Arabia Thursday 23 February 2012

Leave the USA on a night flight to Israeli

Friday 24 February 2012

We arrive early at the Ben Gurion airport outside Tel Aviv, Israel. En route to Tiberias for our first night we will visit:

Caesarea-King Herod built the city in honor of Caesar . It was Herod's official residence, the Roman Procurators-including -and the early Church's Bishop of the Holy Land. Herod's outer harbor was built using hydraulic concrete-a material previously unknown in this region. • Acts 8:40-Philip preached the here. • Acts 9:30-Paul, in danger in Jerusalem, was brought here by the brothers to sail for Tarsus. • Acts 10: 1-Cornelius the Centurion, stationed here, was the first non-Jew to accept Christianity after Peter came here to preach to him. • Acts 24:25-27-Paul imprisoned here. After appearing before Festus and King Agrippa, he was sent as a prisoner to Rome.

Mt. Carmel is mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament-II Kings 4:8 & 25, 7:5, 35:2, Amos 9:3. But without doubt, its best-known reference is in I Kings 18 which recounts the time-honored account of Elijah's challenge of the Prophets of Baal.

From the top of Mt Carmel we get an amazing view of the biblical famous Jezreel Valley, the location of many biblical events (see below under Tuesday, 28 Feb).

Saturday 25 February 2012

Sea of Galilee-The most-common name for this inland lake (Mat 4: 18, Mk 1: 16). But also known as Sea of Kinneret (Num 34: 11, Joshua 12:3, 13:27), Lake of Genassaret (: 1), Sea of Tiberias (: 1, 21: 1).

Fresh water was a critical source of physical sustenance, just as it is today. It had fish, and provided irrigation for crops and watering for flocks and herds. How symbolic that some 85% of Jesus' ministry was performed here-­ adding the spiritual plane to the existential!

We will experience the Sea by taking a ride aboard a wooden boat, just as did Jesus and His disciples on numerous occasions (Mk 4:35-39, 5: 1-2, 6:45-51, 8: 10, Matt 9:1, 14:22, Luke 5:3, 8:22, John 6: 17-21)

Mount of -In Mat 5-7 Jesus delivers His -traditionally, this is the spot. The so-called "Sermon on the Mount" is recorded in -7 and . The alleged discrepancy between Matthew's version being on a hill and Luke's being on a level place is easily reconciled with observation of many level places on the Galilean hillsides. Scripture gives no indication of the exact location of this event, but the Byzantines built a church to commemorate it at the bottom of the hill. Some of Napoleon's men placed it on the nearby Arbel mountain.

The suggestion of this hill for the location of the Sermon on the Mount is a good one. Once known as Mt. Eremos, this hill is located between and Tabgha and is just above the "Cove of the Sower." This spacious hillside provides much room for crowds to gather, as evidenced by preparation for 100,000 Catholics to observe mass nearby with the 's visit in March 2000 (it rained and fewer came, but the space was available).

The mountain is topped by a Catholic chapel built in 1939 by the Franciscan Sisters with the support of the Italian ruler Mussolini. The building which was constructed by the noted architect is full of numerical symbolism. In front of the church, the symbols on the pavement represent Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, Charity, Faith and Temperance. Inside the church hangs the cloak from Pope Paul VI's visit in 1964.

The Mt. of Beatitudes overlooks the four-mile long Plain of Gennesaret, an area famed for its fertility. said this plain was the location of "nature's crowning achievement." Several times the records 4 that Jesus was in this area including when he healed the multitudes here and faced Pharisaic condemnation for ritual impurity (-7).

Tabgha-Traditionally the site of the feeding of the multitudes-the only one of Jesus' miracles to be mentioned in all four : Mat 14:13-36, Mk 6:30-56, :10-17, John 6:1-21. But many scholars believe that these accounts place the event further north, at or near . Perhaps the second miraculous feeding (Mat 15:29­ 39, Mk 8:1-10) took place here, as Jesus went to nearby Magdala immediately thereafter.

Capernaum (Kfar Nahum, Village of Nahum)-The main city In this region in Jesus' time and center of His ministry. Mat 8:8,9:1,9:9,17:24, Mk 1:21, 1:33,2:14, :31-18,5:27, John 6:59. o Mat 8:5-13 & :1-10-Jesus healed the Centurion's paralyzed servant. o Mk 2:3-12, Mat 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26-Jesus healed a palsied man carried by four friends and lowered through the roof. o Luke 4:31-37, Mk 1:21-28-Jesus drove an evil spirit from the synagogue. o Luke 4:38-40, Mat 8: 14-17, Mk 1:29-34-Jesus heals Peter's mother-In-law. o John 6:59-Teaching of Bread of Life was in Capernaum. o Mk 9:33-37-Jesus reprimands His disciples. o Mat 17:24-27-Jesus sent Peter to catch a fish that would have a coin in its mouth with which to pay their Temple tax. o Mat 11 :20-24-Capernaum is one of three towns cursed.

Corazin (Also known as Karraza, Kh. Karazeh, Chorizim, Kerazeh, Korazim, Korazin). , along with Bethsaida and Capernaum, was reproached by Jesus for failing to repent in spite of the many mighty works done there (Matt 11 :20-24; :13-15). This is the only NT reference to the city. It is not mentioned in the OT or in Josephus; however, it may be the place mentioned in the Babylonian (Menahoth 85 a) as famous for its wheat.

Eusebius, in the 4 th cent., said it was 2 Roman miles from Capernaum; and the ruins at Kerazeh, about 2.5 mi. (4 km.) N of the modern Tell Hum, are generally accepted as the site. A less likely suggestion is Khersa on the east shore of the lake.

Extensive ruins at Khirbet Kerazeh indicate a city of some importance. Traces can be seen of a Roman road connecting Chorazin with the great caravan route leading past the lake on its way to Damascus. As a city (cf. Matt 11 :20) it would have a synagogue, and the remains of an early synagogue constructed of black volcanic rock have been found. Of special interest is the cathedra Mosis, a carved seat with an Aramaic inscription (cf. Matt 23:2) uncovered at Kerazeh. Apparently there was once a tradition that the antichrist would come from Chorazin, and the severe words spoken to the city by Jesus may be related to this tradition

The synagogue at Chorazin is a typical "Galilean" style synagogue. These synagogues are characterized by 1) a basilical shape with three hallways separated by two rows of pillars; 2) three doorways and the central one is the largest; 3) benches around the interior walls; 4) a stylobate to support the weight of the arches.

Jesus Boat: In 1986 a wooden vessel from the first century was discovered near Nof Ginosar on the lake's northwestern shore. Studies have determined the type of wood that was used (mainly cedar and oak), the style of construction (mortise and tenon joints), the date (on the basis of construction techniques, pottery and Carbon 14 tests) and the size (26 by 7 feet - big enough for 15 men).

Sunday 26 February

Golan Heights (Biblical , also known as Batanea, Gaulanitis, Geshur, Karnaim) -- Cattle have been raised in this area, in ancient times as well as today. Both beef and dairy cattle are currently raised in the Golan Heights. In biblical times, this area (known as Bashan) was known for its cattle and its oak trees. Amos 4:1-2 (NASB) "Hear this word, you cows of Bashan..." (cf. Ps 22:12). Zechariah 11:2 (KJV) "Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, 0 ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down" (cf. Isa 2: 13).

The Golan Heights belonged to the country of Syria until 1967. During the Six Day War, Israel took this high ground overlooking the Huleh Basin and . Today evidence of Syrian habitation, including military 5 bases and (right) lie in ruins throughout the area. The region is now populated by Druze (who there before the war) and Israelis who have moved in since the war. Syria insists on the return of the Golan Heights as part of any peace agreement.

Tel Hazor-eonquered by Joshua (11:1-15), later ruled by Jabin whose Chief of Staff Sisera did battle with Deborah and Barak in the Jezreel Valley (Judges 4: 1-23). In I Kings 9: 15 Solomon fortified Hazor. In II Kings 15:29 it was taken by Tiglat-Pilesser III.

Tel Dan-Best-known for Jeroboam's altar (I Kings 12:29). We hike the beautiful nature reserve, and tour the archaeological site.

Mt Hermon -- Mt. Hermon is the southern tip of the anti- mountain range. The highest peak of Mt. Hermon is 9,230 ft. The highest point inside Israel's borders today is Mizpe Shelagim, the "snow observatory," at 7,295 ft. In the it is known as Ba'al Hermon, Sirion, and Sion. Psalm 133 gives an image of the pleasantness and fruitfulness of this mountain. It speaks of the bounty of water, a place that receives much precipitation. Hermon, on average, gets 60 inches of precipitation a year (in 1992 it received 100 in). It is quite possible that the Transfiguration took place somewhere on the slopes of Mt. Hermon, as Jesus and his disciples were previously noted to be in the "region of ." Caesarea Philippi sits at the base of Mt. Hermon and thus Mt. Hermon could be the mountain where Jesus took the disciples. Many believe this to have been the (Mat 17: 1-9, Mk 9:2-9) because of its height and proximity to Caesarea­ Philippi. Also mentioned in Deut3:8-11, Joshua 11:3 & 7; 12:1 & 5; 13:5 & 11, Ps 42:6,89:12133:3, Song of Songs 4:8.

Banias-Caesarea-Philippi-Banyas is one of three major sources of the , providing about 25% of its water at source. A shrine to Pan was built here in Hellenistic times. Herod-Philippus built his capital city which he called Caesarea-Philippi here.

It was here that Jesus had His key conversation with His disciples, in which Simon Peter identified Him as the , and Jesus designated him "the rock" (Mat 16:13-24). See also Mk 8:27-34 and Luke 9:18-23.

Druze Villages-There are four Druze villages in the Golan, we may drive through two of them-Buqata and Massade. This small faith broke from in 1017 AD under leadership of EI-Daraze of Egypt, an early follower of Caliph AI-Hakim. For 24 years, they welcomed all. Then, under persecution by Islam, they ceased accepting any new members, and from that point on, the only way to become a Druze is to be born of Druze parents.

Kuneitra-Road to Damascus-This was the route taken by Saul of Tarsus in Acts 9: 1-9 when he had his significant encounter with Jesus. We stand above the current (since 1974) border between Israel and Syria.

Monday 27 February 2012

Mount Tabor (Also known as Har Tavor, Itabyrium, Jebel et-Tur, Mount of Transfiguration) -- Mt. Tabor sits at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, 11 miles (17 km) west of the Sea of Galilee. Its elevation at the summit is 1,843 feet (575 m) high. It is used in Scripture as a symbol of majesty. 46: 18 (NASB) '''As I live: declares the King Whose name is the Lord of hosts, 'Surely one shall come who looms up like Tabor among the mountains, Or like Carmel by the sea'" (cf. Ps 89:12).

The Israelite tribes gathered on in the days of Deborah. The Canaanites were assembled at Harosheth Haggoyim (likely on the opposite side of the Jezreel Valley) and Barak led the Israelite charge of 10,000 men against Sisera's army. It seems that the Lord's intervention on behalf of the Israelites was in the form of a rainstorm, such that the Kishon River flooded and made chariot travel for the Canaanites impossible (Judges 4-5).

Early Church fathers believed that the Transfiguration took place on Mt. Tabor, including Cyril of Jerusalem (in 348), Epiphanius, and . was uncertain if it took place on Mt. Tabor or on Mt. Hermon. One reason for this identification was a misunderstanding of :1. This verse was taken to mean that Jesus took the disciples up a mountain "by itself," rather than that he took the disciples up a mountain "by themselves." 6

Nazareth-We know lillie of Nazareth from secular sources-many experts suggest the small, poor village had some 400 residents, so this should come as no surprise. But it is mentioned many times in the New Testament­ not all of it in a positive vein: • :26-38-The 's to Mary. • :4-5-Joseph and Mary journey from Nazareth to . • Mat 2:23 & Luke 2:39-Return to Nazareth from Egypt. • Luke 2:51-52,4:16, Mark 6:3-Jesus grows up in Nazareth, had brothers and sisters, became carpenter, well-known by town folk. • Luke 4:16-30, Mat 13:58, Mk 6:5-6-Jesus tries to preach in Nazareth synagogue, is driven out of town. • :46-Nazareth, can anything god come from there? • Mat 2:23-Nazareth, Nazarene-drawn from : 1-A shoot will come up from the root of , branch will bear fruit.

Church of Annunciation -- A Byzantine church was built over the place where it is believed that the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary. In 1966 the Roman began constructing a new over these remains and today this church is the largest church building in the .

St. Gabriel Greek-Orthodox Church - is located in the center of downtown Nazareth, on the main road, near Mary's Well water trough structure. According to the Greek Orthodox tradition, this was the place where Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, was announced by the angel Gabriel that she will have a son of God. In the 3rd Century AD a church was built over the spring, following the tradition that the spring was the place of the annunciation. It was later destroyed by the Arab conquest of the 7th century, and rebuilt by the Crusaders in the . Then it was destroyed again after their defeat (1263). In 1767 St Gabriel Church was rebuilt on top of the ruins of the Crusader Church. The Crusader's stones around the spring were left intact. The spring is located in the crypt of the church.

Old Synagogue Church -- The Synagogue Church is a 12 century AD Church, built by the Crusaders. According to tradition, the church was built above the original location of the Roman period Synagogue where Jesus first learned, prayed and later preached as a young man. The Church is located in the middle of Nazareth old market (road #6120), in the Churches district, adjacent to the Greek Catholic church of the Annunciation. The church is a small and simple single hall structure, but the sense of history fills the room with holiness. In 570AD an Italian visitor described the synagogue, and reported that the original Bible was still there, including the bench where Jesus used to sit. The Crusaders built a church over the site in the 12th C AD. The church was under the control of the until the 18th C, when the ruler Daher al-Omar passed it to the Greek Catholics. Today the Church is under the management of the Melkite Greek Catholics, and their modern church, added in 1887, is adjacent to the old structure.

Nazareth Village - hllp:/Iwww.nazarethvillage.com -- Nazareth Village offers you exactly what you come to the Holy Land for: to touch the time of Jesus, see its sights, hear its sounds, and even breathe in its aromas. Located on a pastoral patch of farmland in the modern city of Nazareth, a tour of Nazareth Village provides an authentic experience of the land of . You are greeted by costumed "inhabitants" (the staff actually did grow up in Nazareth), and feel Jesus' teachings come alive along the Parable Walk. You can see women spinning, drawing water and baking bread, and men tilling the soil or harvesting, and herding sheep and goats. At the olive oil press you'll learn that the word "Nazareth" comes from the Hebrew for a new shoot of an olive tree, the "branch" of Isaiah 11 :1. An entire house has been reconstructed, along with a synagogue of the type in which Jesus preached in this very town (Luke 4:16-28). Nazareth Village is a truly unique way to immerse yourself in the Bible.

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Jezreel Valley -- Also known as Campus Legionis, Esdraelon, Esdraelon Valley, Plain of Megiddo, Plains of Megiddo, Great Plain, Great Plain of Esdraelon, Great Plain of Megiddo, Merj ibn-'Amir, Plain of Megiddo, "The Valley," Valley of Megiddon

The spacious Jezreel Valley spreads out to the north and east from , providing convenient passage for international travelers in ancient times. The fertile alluvial soil makes this the country's breadbasket as well. The Bible speaks of the gathering of armies in this valley at the place of Armageddon (from the Hebrew, 7

Har Meggido-the Hill of Meggido). From the Nazareth ridge, Mt. Tabor looms large to the east. Mount Gilboa is on the southeastern side of the Jezreel Valley.

• Joseph sold into slavery (Gen 37) • Deborah and Barak were victorious over Sisera (Judg 4). • The Philistines were victorious over King Saul (1 Sam 31:1-3). • Egyptians mortally wounded Josiah, king of Judah, when he attempted to intercept the army of Pharaoh Necho (:29). • Syrians were blinded by God in the time of Elisha (2 Kings 6:8-23)

Sepphoris -- Josephus called Sepphoris "the ornament of all Galilee." chose this site in 4 B.C. as the capital of his government. He most likely built the theater as well. Josephus said Sepphoris was the largest city in Galilee and an exceptionally strong fortress at the time of the First Revolt in 66 A.D. The people of Sepphoris supported Vespasian in the Jewish Revolt, surrendering to the Romans and thus preventing the destruction of the city (War 111.2.4). They even minted coins in honor of Vespasian as the "peace maker."

Sepphoris was rebuilt and fortified after Galilee came under the rule of Herod Antipas. He made Sepphoris his capital until he built Tiberias in 19 A. D. Some scholars believe that Joseph and Jesus may have helped in the reconstruction of Sepphoris. Since Herod Antipas rebuilt the city about 4 B.C., and since stone is the main building craft of the area, Joseph, living in the nearby Nazareth, was probably a builder in stone as well as wood. Sepphoris was about an hour's walk from Nazareth. This colonnaded street was built in the Roman period and was one of the main streets of city.

Megiddo (The "Chariot City") - perhaps best-known of the Biblical city-states---

Additionally, many key events took place within eyeshot of Megiddo: • Judges 4-Deborah and Barak defeat Sisera in the plains between Mt. Tabor and Megiddo. • Judges 6-Gideon assembles a 'guerilla' force of 300 men who defeat the Midyanites in Charod Valley. •I Sam 28-Saul's final battle a9ainst the Philistines

Ein Harod -- At the foot of Mount Gilboa is Ein (the spring of) Harod. Judges 7 describes Gideon's actions in thinning his army out. He brought the men to the spring and sorted them on the basis of how they drank from the water. Today the swimming pool sits just in front of the cave where the spring emerges.

Wednesday 29 February 2012 (Leap Year Day)

Bet Shean-Nissa-Scytopolis-Bet Shean was a Canaanite city at the critical junction of the Jordan Valley and the Bet SheannCharodeJezreel[ Zebulon Valleys which offered an easy way to traverse The Land.

• Joshua 17: 11-18-The Lord allocated Bet Shean to Menashe, but they were unable to settle it due to Canaanite strength and iron chariots. Judges 1:27-28 suggests Israelites grew stronger. •I Sam 31:9-13-After Philistine defeat of Saul and his sons and their deaths on Mt. Gilboa, their bodies and decapitated heads were displayed on the walls of Bet Shean.

After Alexander the Great's conquest in 332 BC, Nissa-Scytopolis was built here. It would become capital of the -the ten-city confederation established in about 1 AD.

Jericho -- (also known as Tell es-Sultan, er-Riha, Eriha, Yeriho) 8

The "City of Palms" spreads out on the west side of the Jordan River at 825 feet below sea level. The Old Testament site of Tell es-Sultan is in the distance and is the city Joshua destroyed. In Jesus' day a new center had been constructed on the wadi banks in the foreground by the Hasmonean rulers and Herod the Great.

We're going UP to Jerusalem' From we begin our physical ascent of some 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) to Jerusalem. See Psalm 122-A Song of Ascent.

Bethany - On our way, about 3 miles before we reach Jerusalem (:18), on the southeast slopes of the Mt. of Olives, on the Jericho road (:1; :29), we arrive at . Here lived (:3), and Mary, , and Lazarus (John 11:18). Apparently Jesus usually spent the night there when He went to Jerusalem (Matt 21:17; Mark 11:11). On at least one occasion He was entertained in the home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). At Bethany He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). In the home of Simon the leper He was anointed by Mary (Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; :1-9). That Martha served the meal on this occasion (John 12:2) suggests that this may also have been the home of Martha and Mary, though their relation to Simon is not stated.

Today Bethany is called el - 'Azariyeh, a corrupted form of "Lazarus." Tourists are shown the of Lazarus, as well as the house of Mary and Martha; but both sites are uncertain.

Jerusalem-Before and after David

Biblical references to Jerusalem over the ages are just so bountiful that there's just no way to list them all: • Gen. 14:18-Malchizedek, King of Salem, blessed Abram. • Gen. 15:18-21-To Abram: "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates"-including the land of the Jebusites. Reconfirmed to Moses in Ex. 3:8, 17; 13:5; 23:23; 33:2; 34:11. • Gen. 22- ordered to offer-up Isaac on a mountain in the region of Moriah. • Deut. 7: 1-2-Moses commands the Israelites to totally destroy the seven nations including the Jebusites, who were living in , and to make no treaty with them (20: 17). Repeated in Joshua 3: 1O. • Joshua 9: 1-2-AII the kings west of the Jordan, including the Jebusites under Adoni-Zedek (10: 1) joined forces to make war against Joshua and Israel. They were all conquered in the big battle of Gibeon when the sun stood still (Joshua 10). • Judges 1:8-After death of Joshua, men of Judah conquer Jebus and burn it down, but don't dislodge all Jebusites who continue to live there amongst the Benjaminites (vs. 21). Yet Judges 19:12 calls Jebus "an alien city whose people are not Israelites." •I Sam 17:1-David defeated Goliath in Elah Valley, cut-off Goliath's head and took it to Jerusalem (vs. 54). • II Sam 5:5-9-After David reigned in for 7 years, all the tribes of Israel asked him to be their king. He then captured "the fortress of " from the Jebusites, entering through the water shaft, made it his capital and called it "". David built his palace there (vs. 11) and transferred the ark there, pitching a special tent for it (II Sam 6:17; I Chron 16:1). • In Jerusalem, the Lord promised David that one of his sons would always reign there (II Sam 7:13, 15, 16; Ps. 89:3-4, 29, 35-37; Ps. 132:11. • Jerusalem "the place the Lord will choose as a dwelling for his Name." (Deut 16:6). There His Temple had to be built on the mountain He calls "chief among the mountains." (Micah 4:1). See also Ezek 20:40; :20; Joel 3:17; Obadiah 16, 17; Zech. 8:3, Is 2:2, Ps. 68:16. • II Chron 3:1-King Solomon built the on Mt. Moriah on the threshing floor of Aravna that was bought by King David (I Chron 21 :15-18; 22:1-5; II Sam 24:16-18). •I Kings 6:1-King Solomon starts building the Temple from about 965 BC, using 270 metric tons of gold, 585 of silver, 610 of bronze, 3,450 of iron (I Chron 29:1-9; II Chron 2:5). Stone blocks were dressed at the quarry and no iron tool heard at Temple site (vs. 7). The Lord promised His blessing to Solomon (vs. 11-13). It took 7 years to build, and was finished in the eighth month, just before winter (vs. 38) • II Chron 5, 6, 7-Dedication of Solomon's Temple. • II Chron 24:18-Sometimes, reform was necessary due to unfaithfulness in Temple worship. II Chron 24:4­ 14 relates how King Joash repaired the Temple and restored worship in about 836 BC. • II Chron 29:18-King purified the Temple in about 727 BC. • II Chron 34, 35-King Josiah ordered extensive repair to Temple in about 623 BC. A forgotten Book of the Law was found, leading to renewal of Temple worship. 9

• II Chron 36:22-23-ln 586 BC, Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed and burnt by Nebuchadnezzar, and treasures taken to . Jer. 52:17-23-"My mountain I will give away as plunder. .. because of sin." • II Chron 36:22-23-By 539 BC, the Lord gave Jerusalem, together with the whole Babylonian Empire into the hands of Cyrus, King of Persia, and ordered him to build a new Temple in Jerusalem. • Ezra 1-3-Cyrus sent family heads of Judah and Benjamin-Zerubabel and Jeshua-who volunteered to do this work. Altar was rebuilt "on its foundation" (3:3). Daily sacrifices were reinstated on the 1st day of 7'h month (3:6; Ex. 29:38-39). First feast was Tabernacles (3:4). In the second year after their return they laid the foundation of the Temple (3:10-13). Temple was dedicated in about 516 BC (Ezra 6:13-18; Haggai 1:1-8, 13-15,2:4-5,18,19; Zech 2:6-13; 4:8-10; 8:2-3). • Ezra 7-ln about 457 BC, Ezra, a priest from the line of Aaron, was sent by King Artaxerxes of Persia to promote worship of "the God of heaven" in the Temple in Jerusalem. Seeing the spiritual decline, he tore his clothes, pulled hair from head and beard and sat down appalled before the Temple (Ezra 9:3). He prayed (9:4-15). The result was a spontaneous revival and big assembly pledging themselves to the Lord (vs. 10). • Nehemiah 8:1-18-ln Ezra's time, the correct way of celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles was rediscovered. This included daily reading of the Law to the assembly. A high wooden platform was built for Ezra in the square before the Water Gate. • Jesus often visited the Temple. At 40 days old, Joseph and Mary present him to the Lord (Luke 2:22). Two prophets- and Anna proclaimed this to be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:25-38). Fulfillment of Psalm 2:6-"1 have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."? • At age 12, Jesus had his coming-of-age ceremony and stayed behind at the Temple (Luke 2:42-50). Later, during his Temptation, the devil took Jesus to the highest point of the Temple (Mat 4:5). He referred to himself as "one greater than the Temple" (Mat 12:6). He cleared the Temple of merchants and money­ changers (:13-17). During Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus taught in the Temple and on the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said: "If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him." (:14, 37, 38). When in Jerusalem, Jesus often taught at the Temple (Luke 19:47; Mat 26:55). • Mat 27:5-Judas threw the money into the Temple, went away and hanged himself. • Mat 27:51-When Jesus died, the curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and so the Temple cult was abrogated. • After , believers gathered daily in the Temple courts (:46). Peter and John went to the Temple at the time of prayer. A crippled beggar was healed and Peter spoke to the onlookers (Acts 3). An angel brought the apostles out of jail and told them: "Go, stand in the Temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life" (Acts 5:20, 25). When Paul visited Jerusalem, he worshipped in the Temple. That is where he was arrested and nearly killed by the Jews (Acts 21 :26-32). • Mat 24:1-2-Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem which took place in 70 AD when the Roman armies destroyed the city. • Zech 12:6-Prophecy of Jerusalem as the city that will remain in the same place. • Is 62:3-This is the city chosen by the Lord to be His crown of splendor and His royal diadem. Jerusalem will receive a new name: no longer "Deserted," but: ""-my delight is in herl" (vs. 4). And we are called upon to remind the Lord of His promise day and night "until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth" (vs. 6-7). • Rev 21 and 22-A new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, a place where God and His people will live together in peace and justice (21 :2-4).

Thursday 1 March 2012

Mount of Olives-A mountain chain east of Mount Moriah, separated from it by the Kidron Valley, that includes to the north, and to the south. Elevation is some 830 meters (2,700 feet) above sea level. Biblical references include: • II Sam 15:3Q-David flees Jerusalem because of Absalom's conspiracy, and prays on Mount Of Olives. • Ezekiel 11 :23-The Lord's glory left Jerusalem and settled atop the Mount of Olives. • EzekieI43:2-The Lord's glory came from east and entered the Temple through the gate facing east. • Zech 14:4-The Messiah's feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. • Mk 13:3-Jesus sat on Mount of Olives and taught His disciples. • : 11-12-Jesus was taken to heaven from Mount of Olives. 10

Dominus Flevit Church is a small Fransciscan church located on the upper western slope of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Dominus Flevit Church is believed to mark the place where Jesus' mourning over Jerusalem occurred (Luke 19:41). The current Church was commissioned by the Franciscans, who still run the site, and designed by Italian architect Anton Barluzzin. Constructed in 1954, the church is in the shape of a tear drop to symbolize the Lord's tears. The current church stands on the ruins of a 7th-century church, some of which still remain. The western window in Dominus Flevit provides a beautiful view of the . During the construction of the modern church, an ancient Jewish tomb dating to as early as the first century BC was discovered beneath. The tomb and several ossuaries (bone boxes) can be seen by visitors.

Garden of (Gat Shemanim)-When we hear the term 'garden' we think of something decorative. But the name means a press and oils-therefore, the garden was certainly agricultural. See the ancient olive trees that some say are 2,000 years old. Ponder the symbolism of the intense pressure required to press olive oil as it relates to Jesus' agony on that fateful night. Primary references: • Mat 26:30-50, Mk 14:26-52, :39-53, :1-12 Jesus retires here with His disciples after the Passover Meal, tries to teach them, suffers in total agony, and is betrayed here by .

The , officially named the Basilica of the Agony, is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem next to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Catholic church enshrines a section of stone in the Garden of Gethsemane that is believed to be where Jesus prayed on the night of his arrest (:36). The modern church stands on the foundations of two ancient churches: a 4th-century Byzantine basilica, destroyed by an earthquake in 746 and a 12th-century Crusader chapel, which was abandoned in 1345. The Basilica of the Agony was built from 1919-24 with funding from 12 different countries, which gave it its nickname: "the Church of All Nations."

Caiphas' Palace-After Jesus' arrest at Gethsemane, He was taken for a hearing before Caiphas the High Priest and the (Mat 26:57-75, Mk 14:53-72, Luke 22:54-71, John 18: 12-27). The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu marks the traditional site. While the prison and dungeon aren't mentioned in scripture, they remind us of Jesus' SUffering. The stairs in the garden date from the 1st century AD, and as they would have connected between the Upper Room on Mt. Zion and Kidron Valley, it's entirely likely that they were traversed by Jesus a number of times on this critical evening and morning.

The Upper Room I Cenaculum I Room-On Mt. Zion above King David's Tomb, is the traditional site of The Passover Meal (Last Supper) (Luke 22, Mk 14). The room that we will see is Gothic-from Crusader times-so the Passover Meal may have taken place on this spot, but not under this roof.

The Garden Tomb: in the 19th century, a number of scholars disputed the identification of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the actual site of Jesus's and burial. In 1842, Otto Thenius proposed that a rocky outcrop outside the walls was (Golgotha), the place of the skull.

The Garden Tomb itself was discovered in 1867, and was soon identified as the burial place of Jesus, mainly because of its location in the area that had been identified as Calvary. Another factor in its favor was the recent discovery the tombstone of the deacon Nonnus in the nearby Church of St. Stephen, which mentioned the Holy Sepulchre.

The Anglican Church committed itself to the site as the place of Jesus' burial and "Gordon's Tomb" became the "Garden Tomb." The Church has since withdrawn its formal support, but the Garden Tomb continues to be identified by popular Protestant piety.

Authenticity: It is easy to see why the Garden Tomb is a popular site for Protestant piety - it is clearly located outside the walls, it is next to a place that looks like a skull, it conforms to what one imagines when reading the Gospel accounts, and it is far easier to pray and contemplate here than in the crowded Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

But is the Garden Tomb really the ? The main reason some people think so is that early accounts of the burial (e.g. Hebrews 13:12) describe it as occurring outside the city walls. And today, the Garden Tomb is outside the walls while the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is within them. However, the city walls were expanded by Herod Agrippa in 41-44 AD and only then enclosed the site of the Holy Sepulchre, so both sites were outside the walls at the time of Jesus. However, scholars are generally agreed that the Garden Tomb is not the actual site of Jesus' burial.

One problem with the Garden Tomb is that, based on its configuration, it dates from the late Old Testament era (9th­ 7th century BC). Thus it was not a "new tomb" (Matt 27:60; :41) at the time of the crucifixion. In addition, the 11 burial benches were cut down in the Byzantine period (4th-6th century AD) to create rock sarcophagi, radically disfiguring the tomb. This clearly indicates that early Christians did not believe this was the burial place of Christ.

The site of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, on the other hand, seems to have attracted Christian devotion since before Constantine. (See under "Authenticity" in that article for more information.)

Friday 2 March 2012

Bethlehem-Security conditions permitting, we hope to visit this afternoon. The little town on the southern edge of Jerusalem is important Biblically for four main reasons: • Gen 35:16-20- died while giving birth to Benjamin, and was buried in Ephrata, which was Bethlehem. • Ruth-Naomi, from Bethlehem, went to to weather a famine. Her husband and two sons died there. Her daughter-in-law Ruth uttered the famous words "Whither you go, I will go; your people are my people", and accompanied her mother-in-law back to Bethlehem where she met and married Boaz. She gave birth to Obed, who fathered Jesse, who in turn fathered David. •I Sam 16:1-The Lord sent Samuel to the house of Jesse as He had chosen one of his sons to be king. • Mat 1-2, Luke 2-3-The .

Church of the Nativity: The in Bethlehem is a major Christian holy site, as it marks the traditional place of Christ's birth. It is also one of the oldest surviving Christian churches.

But both Matthew and Luke agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth. According to Luke 2:7 (in the traditional translation), Mary "laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn." But the Greek can also be rendered, "she iaid him in a manger because they had no space in the room" - we should perhaps imagine Jesus being born in a quiet back room of an overflowing one-room house.

The gospel accounts don't mention a cave, but less than a century later, both Justin Martyr and the Protoevangelium of James say Jesus was born in a cave. This is reasonable, as many houses in the area are still built in front of a cave. The cave part would have been used for stabling and storage - thus the manger.

History: The first evidence of a cave in Bethlehem being venerated as Christ's birthplace is in the writings of Justin Martyr around 160 AD. The tradition is also attested by and Eusebius in the 3rd century.

In 326, Constantine and his mother St. Helena commissioned a church to be built over the cave. This first church, dedicated on May 31, 339, had an octagonal floor plan and was placed directly above the cave. In the center, a 4­ meter-wide hole surrounded by a railing provided a view of the cave. Portions of the floor survive from this period. St. Jerome lived and worked in Bethlehem from 384 AD, and he was buried in a cave beneath the Church of the Nativity.

The Constantinian church was destroyed by Justinian in 530 AD, who built the much larger church that remains today. The Persians spared it during their invasion in 614 AD because, according to legend, they were impressed by a representation of the Magi - fellow Persians - that decorated the building. This was quoted at a 9th-century synod in Jerusalem to show the utility of religious images.

Muslims prevented the application of Hakim's decree (1009) ordering the destruction of Christian monuments because, since the time of Omar (639), they had been permitted to use the south transept for worship.

The Crusaders took Jerusalem on 6 June 1009. Baldwin I and II were crowned there, and in an impressive display of tolerance the Franks and Byzantines cooperated in fully redecorating the interior (1165-69). A Greek inscription in the north transept records this event.

The Church of the Nativity was much neglected in the and Ottoman periods, but not destroyed. Much of the church's marble was looted by the Ottomans and now adorns the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. An earthquake in 1834 and a fire in 1869 destroyed the furnishings of the cave, but the church again survived. In 1847, the theft of the silver star marking the exact site of the Nativity was an ostensible factor in the international crisis over the Holy Places that ultimately led to the Crimean War (1854-56). In 1852, shared custody of the church was granted to the Roman Catholic, Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches. The Greeks care for the Grotto of the Nativity. 12

The Shepherd's Field: The roads descending to the east of Bethlehem lead through the mostly Christian village of (or Bait Sahur), which includes the Shepherds' Fields: the fields identified since ancient times with the shepherds who saw the Star of Nativity.

Herodium-- Herodium is 3 miles southeast of Bethlehem and 8 miles south of Jerusalem. Its summit is 2460 feet above sea level.

Herod built or re-built eleven fortresses. This one he constructed on the location of his victory over Antigonus in 40 B.C. Constructed over a small pre-existing hill, the Herodium was a fortress for Herod to quickly flee to from Jerusalem and a luxurious palace for his enjoyment. He chose to be buried here and the mountain is the shape of a tumulus. Herod's tomb was discovered in the recent excavations by archaeologist Ehud Netzer in 2007.

Bethlehem Bible College, http://www.bethbc.org, is an interdenominational Bible College with centers in Bethlehem and Nazareth is training evangelists and pastors and leaders for ministry in the Arab world. We will visit here if time permits.

Saturday 3 March 2012

The -By Israeli standards, the walls of the Old City are too new to be considered 'old'-most date from Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent who built them starting in 1516 AD. The Old City has 7 active gates, plus the 'golden' gate that is sealed until the Messiah returns.

Bethesda-:1-15 relates the account of Jesus healing the invalid. In Roman times, a temple to Escalapius-the pagan god of health and medicine-stood here.The Church of SI. Anne, located by the pool, is a beautiful 12th-century Crusader church, erected over the traditional site of the birthplace of Anne (Hannah), the mother of Mary. It is an excellent example of Romanesque architecture. SI. Anne's Church was built between 1131 and 1138 to repiace a previous Byzantine church. Shortly after its construction, it was enlarged by moving the facade fOlWard by several meters. In 1192, Saladin turned the church into a Muslim theological school, which is commemorated in an inscription above the church's entrance. Eventually abandoned, the church fell into ruin until the Ottomans donated it to France in 1856. It was subsequently restored, but most of what remains today is original.

Via Dolorosa --We will make our way to the first station of the . The 14 stations we will visit serve to remind us of the events of the day of Jesus' crucifixion. Most are scripturally-based, though some are purely tradition. Throughout Christian history, various paths have been used-this one has been in use since Crusader times. Final stations of the Via Dolorosa are in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, recognized for some 1,700 years now as the true site of the crucifixion and .

1. John 18:28-33-Trial before Pontius Pilate 2. Mat 27:26-Flagellation; John 19:17-Cross to bear 3. Tradition-Jesus stumbles 4. Tradition-Mary cries as she sees Jesus' fate 5. :26-Simon of Cyrenea co-opted to help bear cross 6. Tradition-Veronica wipes the sweat from Jesus' brow 7. Location of Trial Gate out of city for condemned 8. Luke 23:28-Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me 9. Tradition-Jesus again stumbles 10. :24-Lots drawn for Jesus' regal robes 11. Mat 27:35-Jesus is crucified 12. Mark 15:25-28-Place of the crucifixion 13. John 19:39-40-lnitial preparation of body for burial 14. Mat 27:60-61-'s tomb

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known as the Church of the Resurrection (Anastasis) to Eastern Orthodox Christians, is a church in the Old City of Jerusalem that is the holiest Christian site in the world. It stands on a site that is believed to encompass both Golgotha, or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb (sepulchre) where he was buried. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been an important pilgrimage destination since the 4th century.

Authenticity: Although it is not certain, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre could be located over the actual tomb of Christ. The most important supporting evidence is as follows: 13 • In the early 1st century AD the site was a disused quarry outside the city walls. dated to the 1st centuries BC and AD had been cut into the vertical west wall left by the quarrymen. • The1topographical elements of the church's site are compatible with the Gospel descriptions, which say that Jesus was crucified on rock that looked like a skull outside the city (John 19:17) and there was a grave nearby (John 19:41-2). Windblown earth and seeds watered by winter rains would have created the green covering on the rock that John calls a "garden." • The Christian community of Jerusalem held worship services at the site until 66 AD (at least according to historians Eusebius and Socrates Scholasticus, who wrote several centuries later). • Even when the area was brought within the city walls in 41-43 AD it was not built over by the local inhabitants. • The Roman Emperor Hadrian built a Temple of Venus over the site in 135 AD, which could be an indication that the site was regarded as holy by Christians and Hadrian wished to claim the site for traditional Roman religion. • The local tradition of the community would have been scrutinized carefully when Constantine set out to build his church in 326 AD, because the chosen site was inconvenient and expensive. Substantial buildings had to be torn down, most notably the temple built over the site by Hadrian. Just to the south was a spot that would have been otherwise perfect - the open space of Hadrian's forum. • The eyewitness historian Eusebius claimed that in the course of the excavations, the original memorial was discovered. However, he also claimed that all three crosses (those of Jesus and the two thieves) were found at the site, which seems less likely. (Life of Constantine 3:28)

History: The early Christian community of Jerusalem appears to have held liturgical celebrations at Christ's tomb from the time of the resurrection until the city was taken by the Romans in 66 AD. Less than a century later, in 135 AD, Emperor Hadrian filled in the quarry to provide a level foundation for a temple to Aphrodite.

The site remained buried beneath the pagan temple until Emperor converted to Christianity in 312 AD. He soon showed an interest in the holy places associated with his new faith, and commissioned numerous churches to be built throughout the Holy Land. The most important of these, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was begun in 326 AD.

Constantine's builders dug away the hillside to leave the rock-hewn tomb of Christ isolated and with enough room to built a church around it. They also cleared away Hadrian's temple and the material with which an old quarry had been filled to provide the temple's foundations. In the process, according to contemporary Christian historians, the Rock of Golgotha was found. The Church was formally dedicated in 335 with an oration by Constantine's biographer, Eusebius of Caesarea.

The Constantinian church was much larger than the one that stands today, but had a simpler layout. It consisted of an atrium (which reused part of Hadrian's temenos wall), a covered basilica, an open courtyard with the stone of Golgotha in the southeast corner, and the tomb of Christ, enshrined in a small, circular edifice. The tomb of Christ was not completed until 384 AD, well after the dedication of the church, because of the immense labor involved in cutting away the rock cliff in order to isolate the tomb.

This building was severely damaged by fire in 614 AD when the Persians invaded Jerusalem. They also captured the , but in 630, Emperor Heraclius marched triumphantly into Jerusalem and restored the True Cross to the rebuilt Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church was reconstructed under the patriarch Modestus with no major changes to the original plan.

In 638, the Christians were forced to surrender Jerusalem to Muslim control under caliph Omar. In a remarkable gesture for the time, Omar refused to pray in the Church of the Holy SepUlchre, saying, "If I had prayed in the church it would have been lost to you, for the Believers [Muslims] would have taken it saying: Omar prayed here." This act of generosity would have unfortunate consequences, however.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre continued to function as a Christian church under the protection of Omar and the early Muslim rulers, but this changed on October 18, 1009, when the "mad" Fatimid caliph Hakim brutally and systematically destroyed the great church.

Ironically, if Omar had turned the church into a , Hakim would have left it alone. But instead, Hakim had wrecking crews knock over the walls and he attacked the tomb of Christ with pricks and hammers, stopping only 14 when the debris covered the remains. The east and west walls were completely destroyed, but the north and south walls were likely protected by the rubble from further damage.

The Christian community of Jerusalem could not afford repairs, but in 1048 Emperor Constantine Monomachos provided money for reconstruction, subject to stringent conditions imposed by the caliphate. The funds were not adequate to completely repair the original church, however, and a large part of it had to be abandoned. The atrium and the basilica were completely lost; only the courtyard and the rotunda remained. The latter was made into a church by the insertion of a large apse into the facade. This was the church to which the knights of the arrived to sing their Te Deum after capturing Jerusalem on July 15, 1099. The Crusader chief , who became the first king of Jerusalem, declared himself Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri, "Defender of the Holy Sepulchre."

The Crusaders were slow to renovate the church, only beginning to make modifications in the Romanesque style in 1112. They first built a monastery where the Constantinian basilica used to be, having first excavated the Crypt of St. Helena. In 1119 the shrine of Christ's tomb was replaced. The of Fulk and Melisende at the church in 1131 necessitated more radical modifications. The Constantinian courtyard was covered with a Romanesque church (dedicated in 1149), which was connected to the rotunda by a great arched opening resulting from the demolition of the 11th-century apse. A bell tower was added in 1170.

The three primary custodians of the church, first appointed when Crusaders held Jerusalem, are the Greek Orthodox, the Armenian Apostolic and Roman Catholic churches. In the 19th century, the Coptic Orthodox, the Ethiopian Orthodox and the Syrian Orthodox acquired lesser responsibilities, which include shrines and other structures within and around the building. An agreement regulates times and places of worship for each Church.

SUbsequent centuries were not altogether kind to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It suffered from damage, desecration, and neglect, and attempts at repair (a significant renovation was conducted by the Franciscans in 1555) often did more damage than good. In recent times, a fire (1808) and an earthquake (1927) did extensive damage.

Not until 1959 did the three major communities (Latins, Greeks, Armenians) agree on a major renovation plan. The guiding principle was that only elements incapable of fUlfilling their structural function would be replaced. Local masons were trained to trim stone in the style of the for the rotunda, and in the 12th-century style for the church.

The church's chaotic history is evident in what visitors see today. Byzantine, medieval, Crusader, and modern elements mix in an odd mish-mash of styles, and each governing Christian community has decorated its shrines in its own distinctive way. In many ways, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not what one would imagine for the holiest site in all Christendom, and it can easily disappoint. But at the same time, its noble history and immense religious importance is such that a visit can also be very meaningful.

Sunday 4 March 2012

Temple Mount, refers to the area built up and fortified by Herod the Great, as a platform to surround his beautified Temple. Beneath Temple Mount lies the Foundation Stone, the spot from which some believe our universe originated. Atop that stone, Abraham prepared to offer-up Isaac (Gen 22), Solomon built his Temple (I Kings 5-7) in about 965 BC. After the Babylonian destruction and exile, the Children of Israel returned, and in about 528 BC, the Second Temple was built by Zerubabel (Ezra 1-6). This Temple was expanded, embellished and beautified by Herod the Great (37-4 BC). This Temple was destroyed by Rome in 70 AD, and while none has been rebuilt (thus far), Temple Mount and its walls--especially the -remain Judaism's most sacred site.

We explore the South Wall (Ophel) with the original 'teaching steps', sections of original Therapion Way, Robinson's Arch, and the new Davidson Center. We then visit the Western Wall to pray and place our prayers in the cracks of the wall. We then embark on a tour of the Western Wall Tunnels, part of which date from Hasmonean times (2nd century BC). ,

15

City of David-Jerusalem began south of today's Old City, in a Jebusite city that was captured by David after his Chief of Staff Joab ben Tzuriah gained entry via the 'tsinor'. David would build his palace here, and later extended his city north into the Ophel and onto Mt. Moriah where Solomon would build the First Temple.

Archaeological exploration began here in the 1860's with Charles Warren, and continued sporadically since under many acclaimed archaeologists. Intensive, systematic excavation began only in the last decade, and every season of excavation brings startling new discoveries AND regular rethinking of what we previously accepted as fact. We're happy to have found the time to add this visit to our program.

• Sam 5:6-10, I Chronicles 11-David takes Jebusite city • Sam 5:7-Canaanite-Jebusite Fortress of Zion • Sam 5:11-Building of David's palace • Sam 5:17-David descends to citadel • Sam 11--David, Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite • Sam 24:18-25-David buys threshing floor of Aravna • Kings 1:11-31-Solomon, son of Bathsheba permitted to succeed • Kings 1:38-39-Solomon anointed by Zadok the Priest near pool • II Kings 20:20, II Chron 32:2-4, II Chron 32:30-Hezekiah's Tunnel Inscription: "The tunneling was completed... While the hewers wielded the ax, each man toward his fellow... there was heard a man's voice calling to his fellow... the hewers hacked each toward the other, ax against ax, and the water flowed from the spring to the pool, a distance of 1,200 cubits... " The original inscription is in the Istanbul Museum; a reproduction has recentfy been installed near the current exit of the tunnel.

• :1-11-Jesus cures the blind man by the

Located on the Temple Mount today, in place of the Jewish Temple, is the and the AI-aqsa Mosque.

Dome of the Rock: The most famous Islamic site in Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock (Qubbat as-Sakhrah). An impressive and beautiful edifice, the Dome of the Rock can be seen from all over Jerusalem. It is the crowning glory of the Haram es-Sharif ("Noble Sanctuary"), or Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock is not a mosque, but a Muslim shrine. Like the Ka'ba in Mecca, it is built over a sacred stone. This stone is believed to be the place from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven during his Night Journey to heaven. The Dome of the Rock is the oldest Islamic monument that stands today and certainly one of the most beautiful. It also boasts the oldest surviving mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) in the world.

The AI-Aqsa Mosque (also spelled EI-Aksa; "Distant Mosque") is the most important mosque in Jerusalem. Located on the Haram esh-Sharif (the Nobie Sanctuary) or Temple Mount, it is the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. It is the central focus of the Muslim community in Jerusalem, hosting daily prayers and accommodating large crowds for Friday sermons.

Monday 5 March 2012

Today we leave Jerusalem behind and head south to the region of the Dead Sea. We descend to the Dead Sea Valley-at some 1,400 feet below sea ievel, the lowest spot on earth.

Qumran-Joshua 15:62 speaks of the City of Salt (Ir Hamelach). An ancient non-Biblical source calls the place Mesad-Gasidim, and the name, by which it is known today is Qumran. Believed to have been a monastic Essene village during the time of the Second Temple, some of the oldest-known Biblical scrolls-better-known as the Dead Sea Scrolls-were found here and in the surrounding area since 1947. Oldest remains on the site are believed to date back to King Uziah of the First Temple Period.

En Gedi is the largest oasis along the western shore of the Dead Sea. The springs here have allowed nearly continuous inhabitation of the site since the Chalcolithic period. The area was allotted to the tribe of Judah, and was famous in the time of Solomon (Josh 15:62). Today the Israeli kibbutz of En Gedi sits along the southern bank of the Nahal Arugot. Around 1000 B.C., En Gedi served as one of the main places of refuge for David as he fled from Saul. David "dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi" (1 Sam. 23:29). En Gedi means literally "the spring of the kid (goat)." Evidence exists that young ibex have always lived near the springs of En Gedi. One time when 16

David was fleeing from King Saul, the pursuers searched the "Crags of the Ibex" in the vicinity of En Gedi. In a cave near here, David cut off the corner of Saul's robe (1 Sam 24)

Overnight by the Dead Sea with time for a float in its unique waters. The Dead Sea (Salt Sea) is in a depression 400 meters (over 1,300 feet) below sea level-the lowest spot on earth. By comparison, Death Valley, the lowest spot in the Western Hemisphere is only 93 feet (28 meters) below sea level.

Biblical references to the Dead Sea are numerous: Gen 13:10, 14:3, 19:23-29, Num 34:3, 34:12, Deut3:17, Josh 3:16, 12:3, II Sam 8:13, I Chron 18:12, II Chron 25:11, Joel 3:18, and prophecy of Ezek 47:8-11.

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Today we depart for Tel Aviv and our night flight back home. En route we visit:

Masada-While there are Biblical allusions to this imposing stronghold (I Sam 22:1-5, I Sam 24:22, I Chron 12:8 & 16 and Psalms 18:2, 31:3, 71:3,144:2), we have no clear historical evidence. We therefore consider Masada to be Inter-Testamental.

Our first knowledge of Masada is from The Hasmonean period (168-37 BC), when they built it as one of many royal fortresses. Herod the Idumean married Hasmonean Princess Mariamne, and after killing-off all of his rivals, became King of in 37 BC. He fortified Masada, brought water and established it as a last-ditch stronghold.

Herod never used Masada as a last-ditch stronghold-he died as King in 4 BC and Masada came into Roman hands. In 70 AD, with Jerusalem about to be destroyed, it was taken by a band of some 900 Jewish zealots who would hold-out there for three years before choosing to take the lives of their loved-ones, then kill one-another and finally themselves-rather than be forced into servitude to Rome.

Bedouin Heritage Center-While we don't generally think of our Patriarchs as Bedouin, that's just what they were-nomadic people, living in tents, migrating from place to place in search of water and grazing for their flocks and herds. We will spend the afternoon studying Bedouin heritage, gaining some insight to the lives of our Patriarchs.

We travel through the ancient Land of the Philistines to Jaffa (Joppa)-the historic port city.

Jaffa (Joppa) is the most-ancient of ports of The Land of Israel. Since the establishment of Jerusalem, the two cities were inseparably-linked. It is mentioned numerous times in Old Testament and New Testament: • Joshua 19:46-ltlay in the territory of Dan. • II Chron 2:16-Port through which Hiram would float cedar for construction of Solomon's Temple. • Ezra 3:7-Zerubabel and Jeshua received cedar from Lebanon for rebuilding of the Temple. • Jonah 1:3-Jonah fled from Jaffa to . • Acts 9:32-43-Near Lod where Peter healed Aeneas, and later scene of his healing of Tabitha. • Acts 10:5, 6, 23, 45-Scene of Peter's at the home of Simon the Tanner, place of his visit by messengers of Cornelius who brought Peter to Caesarea. • Acts 11:12-Six brothers from Jaffa accompanied Peter as he accounted for himself at church meeting in Jerusalem.

We will take our last meal in Israel in old Joppa, freshen up, and proceed to the airport for our overnight flight home.

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Board our flight during the very early hours of the morning for a night flight back to the USA.

Sources: Nat Zitomer, Nat-Tours-Israel, study guides prepared for previous tours International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Bibleplaces.com Sacred-destinations.com