· Mt. Arbel
o
Worship Service
o
Tomb of Jethro (Ex. 18)
· Kfar Cana
o
Arab Christians
o
Jesus 1st miracle: Water to Wine (Jn. 2:1-12)
o
Jesus 2nd miracle: Healing of Nobleman’s son (Jn. 4:46-54)
o
Home of Nathaniel/Bartholomew (Jn. 21:2)
· Mt. Tabor (Judges 4:46-54)
o
Nain (Lk. 7:11-17)
o
Endor (1 Sam. 28:5-25)
o
Hill Moreh (Judges 7:1)
·
Tel Dor (Josh 11:1-9)
o
Museum, Mollusks
· Caesarea
o
Cornelieus (Acts 10)
o
Paul in prison (Acts 23:22-35; Ch. 23-26)
o
Swim the Mediterranean
· Ein Harod (Judges 7:1-8)
· Mount Gilboa (1 Sam. 31:1-8)
This may seem to be said so often as to lose its significance but we had another special day today, an unexpected experience. It was also a small bit relaxed (what in the world does that mean, a “small bit relaxed?”) The day was complicated a bit because it was a second Shabbat (Sabbath) in a row, today being Feast of Pentecost. What that means is that the Jewish families are out in force, for example, at Caesarea. And grocery stores were closed again.
We began by leaving our Tiberias hotel at 9AM … later than usual. We had our own worship service with some great singing and a message from Lev. 17:11.
Our first stop was at Mt. Arbel which is a magnificent cliff that overlooks the Sea of Galilee. That was the primary reason for stopping there although there are other interesting things there. We did have a long-range view of the Tomb of Jethro which is the major place of worship for the Druze in Israel. You do the research on that. The Druze are quite secretive and I really don’t understand what is with Moses’ father-in-law.
Then we headed for Cana of Galilee. I debated with myself as we drove as to whether we had time to stop. The modern city of Cana is not the Biblical city; it has been found a short distance NW of there. But we turned in, saw the church that is dedicated to Bartholomew (Jesus’ Apostle who was from Cana) and the Catholic church that is dedicated to the first miracle (water to wine). Then as we left, turning around and driving through a very narrow alley, we saw Shifa, the wife of the pastor of the Baptist church in Cana that we have known for many years now. This “chance” meeting became the highlight of the day: she told us to go to the church and to their house which we did. They showed hospitality with Turkish coffee and chocolate cake. And Pastor Hani shared his testimony and the progress of the ministry at the church. What a blessing this was.
Anyway, then it was on to Caesarea (we did cut out the museum at Tel Dor) where we spent some leisurely time, including lunch. No one wanted to swim in the Med. We then made our way to our hotel which is in Gidona, Israel. The hotel sits right up against Mount Gilboa (where King Saul and his sons were killed in battle with the Philistines) with a view of Ein Harod (the spring/well that produces the stream where Gideon reduced his army down to 300 men).
How cool to be in these places reminded us that the stories in the Bible are real. These are not made up fantasies or myths. It is interesting that the Israeli’s also believe this. At the various Biblical sites (the ones that are National Parks) they post New Testament scriptures that relate to the site. We saw that today in signs speaking of Paul’s imprisonment at Caesarea as well as a couple days ago and the verses from the Gospels about our Lord Jesus at Capernaum.
God’s blessings on you this day. We will look forward to recounting His blessings on us tomorrow. If you are praying with us, pray for strength. We began our second week today.
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