Israel day 3 & 4

 

We were invited to do Mikvah

live Shalom, be a Kingdom of Priests

 

 

Esther

 

 

Amazing how strong the current was even with low water.

When the Israelites went through the Jordan they stepped in

and God divided the water

At that time it was flood stage, now the lowest of the year

 

 

With wet feet, sloshing in our shoes we went to Scythopolis

learned about Hellenism (Humanism in our time)

Power, Pleasure and Leasure

and the value system that goes with it

(Accumulation, Accomplishment and Appearance)

Money, sport and beauty

 

Sane values of the world we live in

if it feels good: Do it!

 

 

We were challenged to be a "Kingdom of Priests"

Obedience and walk your faith

bring Shalom to others

 

 

We learned that often a teaching from Jesus comes both

out of the Old Testament and addresses the culture

like the water changed to wine in Cana

Joel 3: “In that day the mountains will drip new wine,

also in the culture, it was believed that

the god Dionysus changed water to wine 

 

 

We visited the place where in ancient days the fishermen came

 to wash their nets. (fresh non mineral water)

Maybe where Jesus called His disciples (likely)

because of the warm springs sardines swim in this part

John 21: Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,

but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them,“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat

 and you will find some.” When they did,

 they were unable to haul the net in

 because of the large number of fish.

 

 

In Bethsaida the fishing village where likely 5 disciples lived

they uncovered a gate from about 600-700BC

In the gate you find what people worship

(in this case a bull, so Baal worship)

 

Poor people also lived in the gates in Israel

Deuteronomy 14: At the end of every third year

you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year

and store it up within your gates. 

And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you,

 and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow

who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied,

that the Lord your God may bless you

 in all the work of your hand which you do.

 

There were ancient ashes in the city gate

Isaiah 1; Your country is desolate,    your cities burned with fire;

 

 

We walked into the fields

fields are small family owned and kept (Nahalah)

but King Salomon gave it to a foreigner: 1 Kings 9:

then King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities

in the land of Galilee

 

In the parable of the soils (Path, thistles, rocks and good soil)

we are invited to take care of the soil of our hearts

 

 

That includes removing the stones from our field

Jeremiah 23: “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord,

“and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

 

On top of Mount Carmel

Where Elijah's contest with the Baal prophets happened

1 Kings 18

 

 

Elijah went to Sinai and after that he called Elisha as his disciple

we also are called to "make disciples"

 

 

Moria studies in Jerusalem,

she came for the afternoon all the way to Carmel to be with us

it took some perseverance, but we were so happy to see her!