Israel

A little seed was born in me the year that I corresponded with a former Sunday school when he studied abroad in Israel—I would have been 8 or 9 or 10…somewhere around there.  I don’t remember much, only that he sent me a bookmark and a tiny paper flag and a small wooden Jerusalem bell. What I do know is that I’ve “always” wanted to go to Israel, and as I walked Israeli streets earlier this month, I thought of Mr. Brown and realized that my “always” probably went back to his patience and generosity with an elementary-aged student.

That, my friends, was about 20 years ago.

Twenty years of dreaming—and in 11 days it began and ended. Eleven days that I would repeat in a heartbeat. Eleven days I don’t think I’ll ever quite get over…as if I want to.

Going to Israel was a blessing…it was relaxing.

Just hours on Israeli soil, and this is the view from our hotel.

 

It was refreshing.

Oasis in En Gedi--the home of so many Psalms.
This, Day 6, was the toughest physically...so, so worth it.

 

It was fun.

Camel riding...not for the fainthearted. ;) At least the mounting part.
Have you ever seen a camel go from sitting to standing??

 

It was convicting.

Our Pastor teaching in front of the high place in Dan, where Jereboam set it up after the Kingdom split. It was not a "little altar to come to when you wanted"--that steel frame is a representation of how huge that altar actually was. Without the trees back then, all the Northern Kingdom would have seen that thing for miles. It was ugly, rebellious, sinful idolatry. Sin--idolatry--is not just a little thing. God hates it...I wish I really hated it to. I have a good visual in my mind now that reminds me to hate sin!

 

It did not disappoint in any aspect—and don’t ask me what my favorite part was, because I can only say, “Well, I have a Top 20…”

Of course, the sunsets/sunrises over bodies of water. Can't. Get. Enough.

Mediterranean Sea--our first night in Israel

The Sea of Galilee

Sunrise over the Dead Sea--as a runner-want-to-be, I went running once (not a particularly great idea if you haven't run since you broke your toe 2 months ago...but I lived to tell the story, obviously. :) )

In front of my first ruins, in Caesarea Maritima (Caesarea-by-the-Sea). We saw the ruins of where Paul was possibly kept during his time in prison (last 2 years of Acts).

 

If my life depended on it, I could say my favorite was the Mount of Beattitudes. It was the first time it really hit me that "I'm walking where Jesus walked!" So beautiful on top of that mountain, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and after our Pastor taught from a little of the Sermon on the Mount, we had time to read by ourselves!

 

My excitement was for the Biblical significance of the sites, but every once-in-a-while (perhaps more often than that!), the history-lover in me got excited, too.

In Beth Shan, in front of a Roman Bath!

 

We visited Masada, a fortress built on top of that mountain behind me. Its significance is mostly historically around the fall of Jerusalem, and it was a fascinating place. We hiked down, rather than take the cable car that took us up there. So. Many. Steps.

 

En Gedi again. I was reading David's psalms in my Bible reading at this time--so incredible to think of him in this place, hounded by pursuing enemies, yet covered by God's protection and resting in His goodness!

 

And we're on to Jerusalem. Totally fell in love with the people and the place!

"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them [Israel] is that they may be saved." --Romans 10:1 

 

I loved going to Caiaphas' house...so humbling to think what went on there the night Jesus was arrested. He loved God, and He loved me, enough to endure all of it.

 

 

And of course, one of the main highlights...Gordon's Calvary (Golgotha) and the Garden Tomb. "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ...He was buried...He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." --1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

One of three possible sights, but this "place of the skull" is what a lot of conservatives think is the actual site.

In front of an actual-size rolling stone. The "large stone" in the Gospels would have been just a little bigger than this one!

 

There are so many different "sites" at the Temple Mount! This time I'm standing on the southern steps that Solomon built!

 

On the way home...enjoying free coffee due to a delayed flight, and finishing up the Psalms of David.

 

So, so blessed to have been able to go. I have a greater appreciation and understanding of the geography, of the word pictures Jesus used as He taught, of the burden the people carry for rejecting the Messiah.

If you ever have the opportunity to go, GO.  You will never read your Bible the same. You will never be the same.