After stops at Tel Dan and Caesarea Philippi, we made our way to Bental, an old IDF outpost overlooking the Syrian border. The well-fortified bunker served as a frontline observation post during the 1967 6-Day War, and more recently featured a coffee shop said to have had the best coffee in Israel. That coffee shop is now shuttered (thanks to Covid and the war), and the trenches of Bental are left for tourists to explore.

It is always sobering to stand at the border with Syria and/or Lebanon, knowing the past and future battles that are waged there. Israel miraculously took the Golan Heights in 1967, fought back Arab armies again in 1972, and has continued to fight terrorism from the north when it rears its ugly head. Today, the IDF even has soldiers inside Syria, including on the Syrian side of Mt Hermon to ward off attacks.

One day, however, God’s Word tells us that Israel will be attacked by a coalition of enemies named in Ezekiel 38, and they will come over the very territory in which we viewed today.

So, we prayed for Israel and for this area particularly. Iranian-backed terrorists remain in proximity to Israel’s borders, and per Ezekiel 38, will attack when Israel is living in safety and security.

Israel’s war history is truly miraculous. Following Israel’s Independence Day on May 14, 1948, they were attacked the next day by 5 neighboring Arab countries. Israel had no planes to speak of, very little ammunition, and a ragtag “military force” made up of Holocaust survivors who had been recently liberated. Yet, by the miraculous hand of God, Israel defeated those enemies and established their nation.

Another war with Egypt broke out in 1975. Again, Israel miraculously defeated a much larger and more sophisticated army. By the time 1967 rolled around, Israel knew they must pre-emptively strike Egyptian and Syrian forces after leaders of those countries vowed to annihilate Israel. Once again out-manned, out-equipped, and out-financed, God brought miraculous victory again and Israel tripled in size. They took the Golan Heights, the entire West Bank and the Egyptian Sinai peninsula.

Yet, the biggest conquest was Temple Mount, which was under rule of the Jordanians. But, because of the promise of peace, Israel gave back the Sinai and allowed Jordanians to continue overseeing Temple Mount. To this day, neither Jews nor Gentiles are allowed to pray on Temple Mount! We will go there later this week, but are legally prohibited from praying. Perhaps you can shut our mouths, but you cannot shutoff our relationship with Jesus, to whom we can pray on our own, whenever and wherever we please!

We finished our day with a stop at an Olive factory where they demonstrate how olive oil is produced. Then, of course, we tasted various varieties of olive oil and purchased oil and skin care products made from pure virgin olive oil. Many of our groups have stopped here and it is a favorite!

To our surprise, though, the reception area of the factory was filled with IDF soldiers preparing a ceremony for a commander who was being promoted higher in rank and to another unit. Interacting with the soldiers was a highlight for many, and an opportunity to engage directly with young men and women serving their country. Below is an example of Israel’s young people serving in the IDF. (They were not yet on duty, so were allowed to be out of uniform for the time being.)

Comparatively speaking, it was an early return to our hotel (around 5:15pm), leaving time for a quick walk around our hotel grounds, or a shower before dinner. BTW – Have I told you how well we’re eating!?! On Israel tours, breakfast and dinner are served at the hotel and the variety of food and desserts are endless. Our buffet is filled with wonderful choices, and plenty of desserts!

Now, if you’ll pardon me, I think I’ll go for another chunk of lava cake!

Tomorrow’s itinerary is packed with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, visits at a few Biblical sites in the Galilee area, baptism in the Jordan River and a visit from an OFI staff member. Check back often as the journey continues!