Syrian Plain

Acts 9 relates the account of Jesus appearing to Saul on the road to Damascus. While traveling around noon, a bright light shined down upon Saul and those that were with him. Jesus spoke to Saul and instructed him to go to Damascus where he would be told what he needed to do. From this overlook on the Israel/Syria border, the city of Damascus lies about 25 miles to our northeast. Depending on the route Saul took, it is possible that he walked very close to here.

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Are you interested in traveling to Israel? Join me this October for a 12-day Bible Study tour of this beautiful land. See the Israel Tour Page for an itinerary and pricing details.

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Podcast #4 - Peter's Confession at Caesarea Philippi

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/193785730" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] In Matthew 18, the apostle records the conversation that Jesus had with his disciples. In this conversation, Peter makes his great confession. But Matthew includes an extra piece of information concerning where this event took place. And that is what we will be discussing in this program.

Tristram's Starling at Masada

The Tristram’s starling is a common feature in the Judaean Hill Country. It was first discovered by Reverend Henry Tristram during an ornithological study in Israel in 1863. This lovely male, with his distinctive rust-color stripe overlooks the Dead Sea from the walls of Masada. Here, their piping calls remind over-hot visitors that if other creatures can survive the heat, they can, too.

Tel Qasile & the Philistine Temples

The site of Tel Qasile was Philistine city built at the mouth of the Yarkon River in modern Tel Aviv. A series of Philistine temples were found here, built on top of each other over the years. Most notable in the design are the columns and the large stone threshold. The temple and much of the city was finally destroyed by fire sometime around the 10^th century.

Tyrian Sheqel -- The Temple Tax

The Tyrian Shekel (or Tyrian tetradrachma) was the coin used in the first century to pay the Jewish temple tax. These coins were actually minted in Israel after Rome shut down the mint in Tyre, though the imagery was required to stay the same—the representation of a Tyrian god and an eagle. Money changers in and around the temple would likely have been exchanging common currency for these coins.

Chorazin, Overlooking Galilee

The first-century remains of ancient Chorazin (modern Kerazeh) overlook the Sea of Galilee. This is a particularly striking city, built of black basalt, which creates an ominous mood as one walks through the crumbling ruins. Chorazin was mentioned as one of the three cities upon which Christ pronounced the woes of Matthew 11:20-21.

Approaching the City of David

This view of the iconic Jerusalem skyline is a staple to many a postcard vendor. However, panning out a bit outside the Ottoman-era walls reveals two important locations. First is the Temple Mount which today features the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock. And, across the street from the Temple Mount and slightly beneath the brilliant blue rooftop is the Iron Age City of David—the original Jerusalem. This small mound was protected on all sides from approach, except from the north, where an enemy could approach unseen down the ridgeline. Thus, the Temple Mount not only served as a holy place, but also as fortified protection from hostile forces from the north.

Sorek Bees

One night, in the city of Timnah in the Sorek Valley, Philistine men impudently answered Sampson’s riddle with the words:  “What is sweeter than honey?”  Today, that answer is still true, and bees still thrive in the Sorek Valley, just a few meters from the ancient site of Timnah.  Luckily, however, their keepers have found more hospitable housing for them than the carcass of a lion.

Hezekiah's Tunnel

As Hezekiah prepared for Sennacherib’s approach at the end of the 8th century, he knew the city would need water supplies to survive the inevitable siege. II Kings 20:20 notes his solution, which is evident today in the engineering marvel called Hezekiah’s Tunnel (or, Siloam Tunnel). The tunnel is 533 m long with a 0.6% gradient from the mouth of the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, where it empties.

Caiaphas Ossuary

The first-century ossuary was an oblong box, usually carved out of softened limestone for the purpose of storing the bones of the dead, which had lain in a tomb for a year. Though many were plain, or featured a simple geometric design, this particular example is extraordinarily elaborate in its decoration. The reasoning for this may be found in the starkly crude letters carved into the side, which call to mind Matthew 26:3: “Joseph, son of Caiaphus.”

Podcast #3 - God Stopped The Waters At Adam

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/191530415" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] The Israelites had survived Pharoah chasing them toward the Red Sea. They had spent time at Mount Sinai. They had survived forty years of wandering in the wilderness. But before they could begin their conquest of the Promised Land, they had one more barrier to cross...the Jordan River. How did this happen? Joshua 3 tells us this incredible story. And that is what we will be discussing on today's program.

Note: If you are reading this post in an email, you can visit the Podcast page on the Exploring Bible Lands website to listen to the podcast.

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Podcast Links Joshua 3 - Bible Gateway

Socoh, Azekah, Khirbet Qeiyafa

In I Samuel 17, the Philistine armies have gathered at Socoh, and are encamped between Socoh and Azekah.  Across the Elah Valley, were the Israelites, with a river between them and their enemies.  To the left of this photo is Socoh with Azekah rising at the end of the valley.  To the right is the site of Khirbet Qeiyafa, the possible location of the Israelite camp.

Boy with Bread

We often read of dutiful children in the Biblical narrative, such as girls like Rebekah and Rachel drawing water, Samuel ministering in the Tabernacle, or David tending the family flocks.  Middle Eastern children today still often contribute to their family’s upkeep by selling small items and carrying merchandise, like this fresh bread, to family-owned shops in the souq.

Galilee Sunrise

The sunrise over the Sea of Galilee would often signal the end of a night’s work for ancient fishermen.  The beauty of the breaking dawn may have been lost on a weary team of boats who had caught nothing all night.  It was to just such a group that Christ told to cast their nets on the other side (Luke 5:3-5).

Israel Sandstorm

For the past couple of days, parts of the Middle East have been suffering from a sandstorm. Winds started earlier this week by blowing large amounts of sand and dust across the Mediterranean Sea toward Turkey. Since then, the winds have a more west to east component and the dust has been blown toward Egypt, Israel, West Bank and Jordan. (The picture above was taken this morning.)

In Deuteronomy, the people of that time are warned that by not obeying God, things like this would happen.

But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. “The Lord will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me. The Lord will make the pestilence stick to you until he has consumed you off the land that you are entering to take possession of it. The Lord will strike you with wasting disease and with fever, inflammation and fiery heat, and with drought and with blight and with mildew. They shall pursue you until you perish. And the heavens over your head shall be bronze, and the earth under you shall be iron. The Lord will make the rain of your land powder. From heaven dust shall come down on you until you are destroyed. - Deuteronomy 28:15-24

Photo courtesy of AFP/Getty Images.

Balaam Inscription

The Balaam Inscription (ca. 800 BC) was discovered at Deir ‘Alla, often identified as Biblical Succoth.  The ink on plaster inscription details “the sayings of Balaam, son of Beor, the man who was a seer of the gods,” and describes the destruction the gods have planned for the city

Gezer

Gezer is a beautiful, soaring tell bordering both the hill country and the Shephelah.  On one side, the Mediterranean can be seen sparkling in the sun, while movements through the hill country to the east would have been easily spotted.  The site also boasts a beautiful 6-chambered gate.  This calls to mind I Kings 9:15-16, when Solomon rebuilt the city—the dowry of Pharaoh’s daughter.

Makhtesh Ramon

The spectacular Makhtesh Ramon is not noted in the Biblical account, but it borders a valuable route leading from both Petra to Gaza, as well from the Judaean Hill Country down to the Gulf of Aqaba.  Though sometimes called a crater, the makhteshim are not impact craters, but are created when the soft sandstone strata erodes from under the harder upper layer, leading to its collapse.  Unique mineral deposits have created a variety of sandstone colors, including pink, yellow, and black.

Ashkelon Cat

The modern housecat was likely domesticated in 4th millennium Egypt, when tabby African wildcats were invited into the human community.  In Egypt, they were not only important for controlling vermin, but paintings depict cats used for hunting birds.  Their ancestors roam throughout archaeological sites today, often begging for treats and earning nicknames from lonely archaeologists (like Bagheera, pictured here in Ashkelon).

Negev Desert Cistern

The desert does not necessarily have to be deadly, if you know how to survive in it.  Water is of primary importance, and so wells and cisterns, or pits dug to catch water, are of primary importance.  The first-century Arabs of the Negev, the Nabateans, knew this, and built cisterns throughout the Southern Highlands.  Desert creatures like camels and wild donkeys still come to these cisterns for water today.