We awoke to a glorious day on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Our seaside resort is one of my favorite places to stay. We have beautiful views of the Galilee, as well as a private beach and very spacious accommodations.
Following breakfast, we journeyed up to the expansive Golan Heights where we spent the entire day. It is a large, flat plateau situated on the border between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.
Our first stop was Gamla, known for two things. First, it was the scene of the last Jewish revolt against the Romans in 135AD. The revolt was squashed, and much like Masada in 70AD, the Jewish people would rather die than fall into the tyrannical control of the Romans, so many jumped to their death from the top of the steep hill.
In modern times, Gamla is a nature preserve and home to griffons, some of the largest vultures in the world. We saw many soaring above the cliffs of Gamla.
Our next stop was the Katzrin Talmudic Village, a reconstructed village from 1,600 years ago. It depicted authentic Jewish life, including a restructured home, a synagogue, an oil press, and a threshing floor. It was a good representation of ancient Jewish life.
Near the Katzrin Village is an olive factory that produces world famous products such as healing ointments, skin care products, and of course olive oil. We left with lighter wallets and feeling many years younger! (If you want to believe that!)
Then, we were off to the Syrian border. Until you actually see the proximity of Israel’s enemies, it is difficult to fathom the threat posed prior to October 7, 2023. Following the vicious attack by Hamas from Gaza, Hezbollah piled on from the north on October 8. With “gloves off,” Israel finally pushed the Palestinian threat deeper into the Gaza Strip, the Hezbollah threat deeper into Lebanon, and the Syrian army threat (commanded by a terrorist) deeper into Syria. From a lookout just below Bental (the eyes and ears of Israel’s northern border), one can see a considerable distance into Syria and all is calm at this point.
A lunch stop was next and, given we were in the territory of the Druze, we had a wonderful Druze-style lunch of falafel, veggies, hummus, eggplant and our choice of beef, chicken, or beef. Very tasty! The Druze are typically peaceful people with their own religious beliefs, and are often valiant warriors in the IDF.
Then, on to a very interesting site called Misgav Am. It is a kibbutz with a military outpost, situated on a small finger of Israel that reaches into Lebanon. Surrounded on three sides by Lebanon, Misgav Am has lived for many years on high alert. After Hezbollah joined the war in October 2023, the same Misgav Am lookout in which we sat today, took a direct hit from a Hezbollah rocket. But I’m happy to tell you, while the Lebanese neighborhoods lie in ruins, Misgav Am is rebuilt and it is more peaceful today than it has been in many years!
The fence with Lebanon is literally only a reach away. In years past, I have walked up to the fence to peer at beautiful neighborhoods of new houses. Yet, I never saw a person or a vehicle in the neighborhood. What’s up with that?
Even years ago, we were told those neighborhoods, so fancy on the outside, were nothing but rocket storage facilities and launchers. As we arrived today, the first thing I noticed was those Iranian-sponsored terror houses were totally destroyed! Not one is left standing! The IDF has now driven Hezbollah deep into Lebanon, many miles from the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Hearing Buddy, the Misgav Am representative, tell the stories of before and after was amazing, and so was sitting in the newly rebuilt lookout! Friends, if you question whether or not Israel is God’s chosen land, visit Misgav Am!
Today, Misgav Am is a nice calm place. However, a day will come when Israel’s enemies will once again attack from the north according to Ezekiel 38-39. This very area which we saw today is situated in the crosshairs of Bible prophecy, but praise God, He will prevail on Israel’s behalf!
Our final stop of the day was a new site for me, called Tel Hazor. It is the largest archaelogical site in northern Israel and features a very large lower level excavation dating back to the Canaanite period, and a a significant upper lever excavated to the Israelite period. There is evidence of King Solomon’s involvement in it’s construction, as the architecture is very similar to other structures he built, such as the fortress at Megiddo. The site is filled with fabulous historical findings.
It was a very long and busy day and many took advantage of the hour-long ride back to the hotel to nap. I might have gotten in a wink or two myself!
Tomorrow, we say goodbye to the Galilee area and head south. On our way, we will make stops at Gideon’s Spring and Bet She’an before journeying to Qumran and ultimately all the way to Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city, situated on the Red Sea.
Check back tomorrow for more details!
