What could get any better than what we experienced yesterday! Well, how about the fact that the tour “builds upon itself” as we journey through the land watching the Biblical narrative being woven into place by the places we see and the people we meet!
Today was our first moving day, so we packed up our bags, loaded the bus and took off on another glorious adventure! Our first stop…another opportunity to engage with elderly Israelis in Haifa. We passed the beautiful Baha’i temple enroute to Ebenezer Senior Citizens Home, the only Messianic retirement home in Israel. There, we heard about the extraordinary care taken and the proliferation of Bible study, songs, fellowship and a lifestyle designed to allow the faith of these believers to shine. Everyone in the neighborhood knows who they are and what they are about, and they are a bright shining light to everyone they encounter. We also got a tour of the facility, including the bomb shelter available on all 5 floors, making it readily accessibe to all the residents. The engineering of the shelter was amazing. The director, David, was an engineer in the IDF and he brought his skills here to make sure the shelter is properly ventilated, has access between floors, is sufficient to withstand chemical attacks, and so much more! It was amazing.
Our greatest blessing came when we met 93-year-old Sharona, one of the residents. What a spitfire for Jesus! You have never heard passion until you hear a Jewish person who knows Jesus tell it like it is! I missed vidoetaping the most inspiring portion, but you will still hear her passion. It was clear that we got the bigger blessing by being there!
After that, we made our way to Mt Carmel to contemplate and visualize Elijah’s battle with the Baals. The question was: Whose God was real? Both Elijah and the prophets of Baal built and prepared altars, and each asked their God to rain down fire upon the altar. Of course, we know how it ends! The Baals called upon false gods who were powerless to consume the altar, while Elijah call upon the One True God who rained fire from heaven to consume his altar. (Read the account in 1 Kings 18.)
There on Mt Carmel is a 360 degree viewpoint including the Mediterranean coastline, Lebanon to the far north, Ramat David Air Force Base in the Valley of Megiddo, and the hills that lie between Carmel to the west and the Galilee area to the east. One certainly gets the lay of the land at the overlook!
Then it was on to Tel Megiddo. “Tel,” in Hebrew is a stack of civilizations. One is built, then destroyed, another comes to rebuild on top of what’s there, and is destroyed, then another civilization builds on top of that. At Tel Megiddo, there are roughly 30 levels of civilization, so the ruins are excavated to different levels, primarily the Canaanite period and the Israelite period. There are items that give us specific clues as to how old the ruins are. For example, the Canaanite gates to the city and an altar of that time period are found in the Canaanite layer. Whereas, the Israelite gate and Solomon’s stables identify that layer as the Israelite era.
(Stones streets and walls of that period.)
He had many horses and chariots around Israel.
Also of interest here is the reference to the sixth bowl judgment in Revelation 16:12-16. This is a judgment of the tribulation in which John prophesies of the gathering of armies by the kings of the world to do battle on the great day of God Almighty. This occurs at a place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Megiddo is also known as Har Megiddo. Sound similar?
Turning eastward, we arrived at Nazareth Village, the recreated village of Jesus’ boyhood days. People in costume take us back to the time of Jesus and we saw what life was like in those days. From olive harvesters, to weavers, to carpenters and more, we got an idea of how Jesus might have lived with his family in Nazareth.
A trip to Nazareth wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Home of Jesus the King Church, pastored by my dear friend, Pastor Saleem Shalash. Our extension group participated in putting together Christmas goodie bags for children while we were there last week, but this group simply got to hear about the ministry and the work of Pastor Saleem and his congregation. This church family is predominately Arab and they love Jesus! Through their humanitarian center, they provide food and other necessary items to those in need. The city’s mayor (Arab) and the Jewish rabbi are both tremendously appreciative of the love and kindness of this congregation, and they are treated very well by the municipality.
Pastor Saleem and his congregation reach Jews, Arabs and anyone else in need of the love and mercy of God. If you do nothing else, please watch this 6-minute video as Pastor Saleem shares how God changed the heart of a Jew-hating Arab man to one of love and compassion for Jews and everyone around him. I know the man. This is real, and Pastor Saleem loves Jesus like no one I’ve ever known! It is such a joy to see him!
We finished our day with a drive to the Sea of Galilee. Arriving after dark, we checked into our beautiful hotel. The view of the Sea will have to wait until morning.
Blessings to you who are faithfully following friends and family on this journey. I hope you are tremendously blessed as you join us virtually. Stay tuned for a trip to the norther borders tomorrow!
