15-Day Tour of Israel

We meet today at the airport for our flight to Tel Aviv, Israel.

We arrive at the Ben Gurion Airport and are met by our Israeli guide and driver. We leave the airport and drive to our hotel. If there is time, we will make a stop in Jaffa. This is where the Jonah story begins, as well as the story of Peter (Acts 10). Both were being asked by God to go to a people outside of Israel with the Good News of God’s grace. We spend our first night in Tel Aviv along the Mediterranean Sea. We enjoy dinner and an orientation meeting to help us prepare for the exciting days of studying God’s Word “in context.” (REGIONS to study: Coastal Plains).

We spend the day in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah. We begin by driving to Gezer. Here, we see ruins from Solomon’s day and beyond. The famous “Gezer calendar” was found here. From here, we drive to Beth Shemesh, where the Ark of the Covenant was returned. Next, we travel to Azekah and see where David fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17). As we listen to the story, we see how this famous battle took place! We pause to consider David’s courage in facing the Philistine giant! Continuing south, we visit the Maresha Caves in Beit Guvrin with hundreds of bell-shaped caves caused by ancient Roman quarrying. This was the home of the prophet Micah (Micah 1). Our last site of the day is Lachish, a city that was conquered by the Assyrians (2 Chronicles 32). Here, we see where the famous“Lachish Letters” were discovered. We end the day by driving south to Beersheba for overnight. After dinner, we gather to review the day and prepare for tomorrow (REGIONS to study: Shephelah, Negev).

Our first stop of the day is the ancient site of Beersheba, the primary city in the Biblical Negev. We will see the well and gate structure, the rounded streets, and a typical four-room Israelite house. We remember that Abraham was here (Genesis 21), as well as Isaac, Jacob, and Elijah. Next, we drive to the northeast Negev to the archaeological site of Arad, a Canaanite and later Israelite city where Josiah enacted his reforms (2 Chronicles 34). We consider the importance of Kings like Hezekiah and Josiah who brought religious reform to Judah. From here, we drive south to Sde Boker, the site of the tomb of Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. Here, we learn about the history of the State of Israel. We will also enjoy hiking in the majestic canyon of the Wilderness of Zin, and we have the option to hike all the way to the opposite rim of the canyon. Nearby is the Nabatean city of Avdat. While the Nabateans had their capital in Petra (Jordan), there are a few Nabatean sites here in Israel. We will climb to the top of the site for a great view of the area. We end the day by driving further south to Mitzpe Ramon that sits on the edge of Israel’s “Grand Canyon.” This large crater is called the Machtesh Ramon. We will enjoy dinner and overnight at our hotel in Mitzpe Ramon.

Following breakfast, we drive east to the Aravah and then north to Masada. We will begin to see the southern end of the Dead Sea! Then we arrive at Masada, where we will take the cable car to the top. Here, we will be introduced to the story of the Jewish zealots who resisted the Romans for three years after the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed. Among the ruins on top we will see two palaces, the columbarium (for pigeons), large cisterns, the synagogue, the bathhouse, and storage rooms. Leaving the site, we have the option of walking down the Snake Path, while others ride the cable car down. Next, we drive north along the Dead Sea to Ein Gedi, where we relive the story of David hiding in a cave from King Saul (1 Samuel 24). We will have a chance to hike into the valley and enjoy the waterfalls as we consider the refreshment God brings to us in our “deserts” of life. Our last site of the day is about 25 minutes north. The site is called Qumran. It was the settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. At the site, we see first century miqvot (ritual baths), a scriptorium, and cisterns. We end the day by floating in the Dead Sea at a public beach. Then, we drive to our hotel near Qumran at Kibbutz Kalia for dinner and overnight. (REGIONS to study: Aravah Valley, Dead Sea, Judean Desert).

We begin the day at nearby Jericho. Here, we see the portion of the actual revetment wall dating to the time of Joshua (Joshua 6). We then drive through the Pareth Desert, where we will stop and enjoy a brief hike. We consider the role of the prophet Jeremiah here (Jeremiah 13). From here, it’s on to the ancient site of Shiloh. Here, we revisit the stories of Eli, Samuel, and the Ark (1 Samuel 2-4) and see where the Tabernacle once stood. We will take time to reflect upon Samuel’s response to God, “Here, I am!” (Hineni, in Hebrew). We then drive through the hill country of Samaria, talking about the stories that occurred here at nearby Bethel (Genesis 28), Shechem (Joshua 24), and Sychar (John 4). Our last site is Beth Shean, a massive Roman city. This is where the body of Saul was hung on the city walls (1 Samuel 31), but in the days of Jesus, it was a large Roman city. To end the day, we drive to the western shoreline of the Sea of Galilee to our hotel. We enjoy dinner together and a brief gathering by the water’s edge. (REGIONS to study: Judean Desert, Samaritan Desert & Hill Country, Jordan River Valley, Sea of Galilee).

Our morning begins at Yardenit, where you may participate in an optional Baptism in the Jordan River. Afterwards, we drive to Magdala to see another ancient synagogue that dates to the time of Christ. Mary “Magdalene” was also from here (Luke 8). Located also on this corner of the Sea of Galilee is Chorizim, one of the three cities condemned by Jesus (Matthew 11). We see the basaltic ruins and synagogue which dates to the 2nd-3rd centuries. From Chorizim, you will have the opportunity to walk on a trail to Capernaum with Dr. John. The rest of the group will bus to Capernaum, the home center of ministry for Jesus in Galilee. Here, we read from the Gospels about the many things that took place here (Mark 1, Luke 7 & John 6) in the 4th-5th century synagogue. We end the day with a visit to see the “Jesus boat” from the first century, a vessel found here along the shores of Galilee in 1986. A boat ride on the Sea of Galilee follows, with a quiet and peaceful worship service together. We recall the storm narratives (Mark 4 & 6). Upon landing, we return to our hotel for dinner and a free evening. (REGIONS to study: Lower Galilee, Sea of Galilee).

We begin the day by driving into the Golan Heights. Our first site is Gamla, a large Jewish city in the days of Jesus. You will have an option to hike down to the 1st century synagogue. This city was the first to be taken (in AD 67) by the Romans in the First Revolt. Close by is the site of Qatzrin, a partially reconstructed Talmudic village. We see what a typical village looked like during the days of Jesus. Sitting in a reconstructed stone house, we’ll read from Mark 2 about the lame man being lowered down to Jesus through the roof. Driving to the border, we next visit the Syrian border where we learn about the modern wars of Israel (primarily the 1967 and 1973 wars). We then descend the Golan Heights and visit Caesarea Philippi. It was here where Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Matt. 16). Nearby is the amazing nature preserve and archaeological site of Dan. We walk through this quiet national park and impressive Old Testament city and hear the stories of disobedience that took place here (Judges 18, 1 Kings 12). Before we drive back to our hotel in Tiberias, we will visit the Lebanon border as well. After dinner, we enjoy another free evening. (REGIONS to study: Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, Huleh Valley).

Today we begin the day with a visit to Mt. Arbel, a mountain NW of the Sea of Galilee. An option will be given to hike to the top of this 800-foot cliff (the bus will take others to the top from the other side). The view from on top is the best there is of the whole Sea of Galilee! While on top, we will enjoy some reflection time while reading from Mathew 5-7 and 13. Next, we drive to the southeast side of the lake to Hippos, one of the Decapolis cities in the days of Jesus. We will see many Roman ruins here, plus a great view of the Sea of Galilee. We will consider the story of Mark 5 and the demoniac’s transformation. In the afternoon, you will have a choice to return to the hotel for a relaxing time by the pool or lake, or you can continue the day with an optional “off-the-beaten-track” visit. First, we’ll visit biblical Cana! The drive to Cana requires taking a dirt road to approach the site. The hike to the top of the site is about 25 minutes. We then end the day by driving a bit further, ascending to the Upper Galilee to Mitzpe Ha Yamim (“Hill 713”). Weather dependent, this is the very best view of the entire Galilee! We return to our hotel for dinner and another free evening. (REGIONS to study: Sea of Galilee).

This morning, we depart the Galilee towards Jerusalem. Our first stop will be the Precipice of Nazareth where we will gain our first of a number of views of the Jezreel Valley below. We will consider the story of Luke 4 from here. We then drive across the valley to Megiddo, a Canaanite and Israel archaeological site with about 25 layers of occupation. We will climb the site and see many interesting ruins, including the impressive water system. Next, winding our way up and through the Mt. Carmel range, we visit Muhraqa, where we read the story about Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Our last site is Caesarea Maritima, to view part of the city initially built by Herod the Great. Here, we visit the theater, palace area, and aqueduct. From here, we drive to Jerusalem. After checking in to the hotel and dinner, we enjoy an “orientation walk” to the Western Wall within the Old City. (REGIONS to study: Lower Galilee, Jezreel Valley, Carmel Range, Sharon Plain, Hill Country of Judah).

We start the day with an orientation to Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives. We then follow the traditional Palm Sunday Road to the church known as the Dominus Flevit (“the Lord weeps”). We stop to read the passages related to this area (Luke 19, Acts 1, Zechariah 14). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text. From here, we enter the Old City, where we first visit the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne’s Church, perfectly preserved from the Crusader period with remarkable acoustics. We then walk the Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulcher, one of two possible locations for Christ’s crucifixion and burial. In the afternoon, we visit Herodium, located on the edge of the Judean Desert, where Herod the Great was buried (Matthew 2). We see the brand-new excavations related to Herod’s tomb! We end the day by visiting the Shepherds’ Field outside of Bethlehem. We step into a cave and read from Luke 2 as well as sing a few Christmas carols. We will also stop at an olive wood factory and store in Bethlehem. We return to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and another walk. (REGION to study: Hill Country of Judah).

We begin the day by entering the City of David and the excavations of David’s Palace (2 Samuel 5) Those who want to can take an optional adventurous walk through the water of Hezekiah’s Tunnel (1,720 feet long, 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32, Isaiah 8 & 37). We then sit on the steps of the Siloam Pool and listen to the story of the blind man healed by Jesus (John 9). From here, we walk to the southern Temple excavations on the “Pilgrim Road.” This brings us to the southwest corner of the Temple and the southern steps. We see the massive stones erected by King Herod and sit on the very steps used by Jesus and His disciples. From here, we visit the Jewish Quarter for lunch on our own. We will also visit Shorashim where we hear Moshe, an Orthodox Jew, talk about his faith. We also will visit the Herodian Mansion. This was a large Jewish complex (perhaps of the priestly family?) with fascinating ruins from the 1st century. We end the day by walking on the Rampart Walls of the Old City (optional). We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Tonight is a free night to explore the city on your own. (REGION to study: Hill Country of Judah).

We begin the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum. It will be a reflective time as we hear and see the stories of the tragedies of World War II and the killing of 6 million Jews. Nearby, we drive to West Jerusalem, where we visit the Israel Museum and the spectacular Jerusalem Model of the Second Temple Period. Dr. DeLancey will take us around the archaeological display, seeing the highlighted artifacts from sites we visited. In the afternoon, we visit the Garden Tomb. This location is the Protestant alternative site for the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. We will enjoy some worship and Communion here as we end the trip. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (REGION to study: Hill Country of Judah).

Today we enjoy a “desert hike” in the morning. We will drive back to the Judean Desert. Located in the Wadi Qelt is St. George Greek Orthodox Monastery. It was literally built into the cliff of the canyon. After all of us view this from a vista point, those who want to hike down to the bottom of the Qelt and then about two miles east on the trail that leads directly to Herodian Jericho will join Dr. John. Those who chose not to do this will bus around to Jericho. Both groups will converge at the ruins. We then drive back to Jerusalem for a free afternoon in the Old City. You may also choose to rest at the hotel in preparation for our trip home tomorrow. We will enjoy our farewell dinner at the hotel and another overnight.

In the morning, we load the bus and drive to the airport for our flight home.