Israel 2015 day 5

Day 5 Saturday, May 30, 2015 – Last Night in Tiberias Chorazin (Korazin, Korazim) is located on the side of a large hill about two and one-half miles north of Capernaum. These little Hyraxs (Rock Badgers) are used to tourists and came scampering out of the rocks as soon as the bus pulled up. One or two are kind of cute but I was a little creeped out when they appeared en masse because they seem very closely related to the rodent family.

This is one of three key cities, Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida, in which Jesus spent much of his ministry and where most of Jesus’ miracles were displayed (Matt. 11:20).

These same three cities also have the distinction of being cursed by Jesus because of the miracles done in their presence and their lack of faith. (Matt. 11:21; Lk. 10:13) Woe to Unrepentant Cities Matthew 11:21 20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the Day of Judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

The synagogue in Chorazin was discovered as a result of a survey conducted by the Palestine Exploration Fund in 1869. The synagogue measures about 50 feet by 70 feet in size.

Prominently displayed in the synagogue is the “seat of Moses,” likely referred to by Jesus in Matthew 23:1-3 “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”

Very near the synagogue a Jewish ritual bath (mikveh) has been excavated.

Sea of Galilee ran red with blood.... Towns continually destroyed and rebuilt.

Continued Judgment until 8th century.

TEL DAN: The city of Dan was, practically speaking, the northernmost city of Israel in the Old Testament. It is the site of an ancient Canaanite t own, Laish (known also as Leshem). The tribe of Dan rebuilt it and named the city Dan. When the writers of Scripture wanted to speak of all Israel (from north to south), they would say “from Dan to Beersheba.� Today Dan is near the border of Lebanon and Syria.

Ancient Dan walls look more like river rock than other ancient walls we have seen and reminds us of the contribution of the tributaries of Dan to the nation of Israel. The Old City of Jaffa is in the original block of Dan but they moved North after they were run out of their original southern territory by the Philistines.

1. Genesis 14: A five kingdom alliance rebelled and Lot was captured by... and taken to Laish. Abram came and rescued. Abraham gave 10% to Melchizedek (Tithe started before Moses) 2. Judges 19: Levite leaves Judah with concubine. Employed by a rich man of Ephraim... Danites take this section from Ephraim who had not completely conquered Canaanites 3. 1 Kings 12: Northern 10 tribes break from Judah and Jeroboam becomes king of Northern Kingdom.

Elders sat at the city gate. (This was the place in Tel Dan but Harry discussed Lot’s assimilation into Sodom. He was camped nearby, then he lived in the city and finally he was prominent enough to have a seat at the city gates. Abraham came all the way up to Dan to rescue Lot. Has the "cult" ture assimilated us or the other way around?

1 Kings 12:25-33 Jeroboam's Golden Calves 25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there.

And he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 29 And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. 31 He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. 32 And Jeroboam appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made. 33 He went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month that he had devised from his own heart. And he instituted a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to make offerings.

Control the people...control their worldview... Control their heart worship.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~ Romans 12:1-2 As long as worship is about you then you can be lead astray. Not about entertainment. Blessing of God's people is the consequences of worship. Sacrifices of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication is the Worship that keeps the focus on HIM If they don't know what to do they will follow more readily.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ~ Hebrews 10:25 Many cults use the same vocabulary but do not mean the same thing. Theological Liberalism is the greatest enemy of evangelical.

During the Canaanite period the city was known by the name Leshem (Joshua 19:47) or Laish (Judges 18:29). During the 18th century BC, Laish was fortified with huge man-made earthen embankments which created ramparts encircling the entire city. The ramparts of Canaanite Dan constitute one of the best examples of the defense systems common in that period.

Beyond this exterior arch was a central archway and a third interior arch leading to the inside road. This triple arch was a wonder of its time.

Only the exterior arch is visible at this time and it has been filled back in to preserve its integrity.

On the eastern side of the city, an intact city gate complex was preserved, consisting of two towers flanking a recessed arched gateway. Stone steps led from the outside to the 2.4 m. wide entrances. During this period, the patriarch Abraham came to the city, after defeating the kings of the north who took his nephew Lot prisoner. (Genesis14:14) Classical archaeologists once boasted that it was the Romans who invented the arch sometime in the mid-first millennium BCE. We now know not only that the arch originated in the Near East, but that the so-called Canaanite gate at Tel Dan preserves the earliest intact archway in the world at almost 4000 years old!

The Tel Dan Stele is a broken stele (inscribed stone) discovered in 1993–94 during excavations at Tel Dan It consists of several fragments making up part of a triumphal inscription in Aramaic, left most probably

by Hazael of Aram-Damascus, an important regional figure in the late 9th century BCE. Hazael (or more accurately, the unnamed king) boasts of his victories over the king of Israel and his ally the king of the "House of David" (bytdwd). This is the first time the name David had been found outside of the Bible. It is currently on display in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

War over Water The British wanted the border line between the British Mandate area of Eretz Israel and the French Mandate area of Syria and Lebanon to reflect the Biblical verse, “from Dan to Beersheva”.

This line, very slightly north of the Tel Dan Post, was drawn in 1923 and marked on the map with a pencil. Both sides claimed sovereignty over the area covered by the pencil line, which represented 130 meters of land, including Ein Dan (Spring of Dan) which is one of the most profuse springs in the Middle East.

In 1964, Syria used the thickness of the pencil line as grounds to claim the right to draw water from En Dan and the Dan River.

The Syrians built a post in the village of Nohila (400 meters across from the Tel Dan post) and stationed tanks there.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces paved the patrol road and blocked Syrian access to the Dan water system.The most serious incident began on November 13, 1964 when the Syrians shelled nearby Kibbutz Dan. The Israeli Army army reacted forcefully, bringing in its armored forces, artillery and air force, and silenced the Syrian cannons and stilled the excavation equipment. Israel was thus successful in preventing the sources of the Jordan River from being diverted. The remains of a trench/ fox holes at the Tel Dan Post crisscross the lookout.

CAESAREA PHILLIPI (BANIAS SPRING) Caesarea Philippi was originally called Panion or Panias after the Greek god Pan. Herod the Great’s son, Philip, established it as the capital of his tetrarchy and named it Caesarea to honor the emperor of Rome. It was known as Caesarea Philippi (Philip’s Caesarea”) to distinguish it from other cities with the same name. At the base of Mt. Hermon, Caesarea Philippi is the location of one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan River. Caesarea Philippi was situated near the northern extremity of the land of Israel, about 4 miles east of Dan, 150 miles north of Jerusalem and 50 miles southwest of Damascus.

Caesarea Philippi located below the natural springs. Pagan worshippers built shrines in the face of the rock to Pan and later built temples in the high place.

Harry’s Thoughts at Caesarea Philippi: Banias is an Arabic pronunciation of Panias. A place for the pagan worship of Pan, the god of nature... “Panic” comes from the same root. This place holds remnants of Greek, Roman & Hasmonian culture. The pagan sacrifices were thrown into the cave at base of Mt Hermon where springs came out. Idolatry in Israel was so pervasive that at one point a statue of Molech was placed in Temple so it stands to reason that human sacrifices to Molech might have occurred here. Underground Palace along the road into Banias Spring.

Built by Phillip the Tetrarch, son of Herod the Great and named for Tiberius Caesar.  First EE training (Diagnostic Questions) o Who do the people say that I am? o Who do you say that I am?  In the shadow of a pagan place of worship Christ answers Peter's profession with the statement that upon that truth he would build his church and the gates of hell would not prevail. Christ came to the very gates and put Satan on the defensive!

Picture of Unity: Dew of Herman Psalm 133 When Brothers Dwell in Unity A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!

3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion!

For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Three types of Baptism in Old Testament: Water, Blood & Oil. Three Rivers that feed the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus left this place he turned his face to Jerusalem.

JESUS throws down the gauntlet affirming Peters confession Matthew 16:13-20 Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “ Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “ You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar- Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ (ESV) Jesus demands a decision... No middle ground. Not only affirms his deity but …

Either Jesus was a lunatic, utterly self-deluded; He was a liar, purposely deluding others or He was who He claimed to be…but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” ~ C.S. Lewis Gates of Hell shall not prevail... How does a gate prevail? It is a defensive weapon and it will not withstand.

Christ on the Cross is like D-day. After the beaches Hitler was toast but battles had to continue to be fought hedgerow by hedgerow.

Who is the Rock? Peter or the confession? Third choice: The rock is Peter and the apostles who gave us the Gospel. Jesus as the Cornerstone

We intended to eat lunch in a Druze community cafeteria on our way to Mount Bental. Although we had a reservation another unscheduled tour bus beat us to the punch and would have delayed our meal significantly so Deena and Harry called an audible and we continued to Mount Bental.

Along the way she gave us more detail about the Druze community. The Druze community in Israel is officially recognized as a separate religious entity with its own courts (with jurisdiction in matters of personal status - marriage, divorce, maintenance and adoption) and spiritual leadership. Their culture is Arab and their language Arabic but they opted against mainstream Arab nationalism in 1948 and have since served (first as volunteers, later within the draft system) in the Israel Defense Forces and the Border Police. Amel Clooney's father was a Druze.

As we passed through one of their towns she stopped and went in to talk to the owner of the Alsultan Restaurant about accommodating such a large crowd. He said he would need a little time but to come back and he would try to be ready. She explained that the Druze have a special type of pita that is a real treat and should not be missed. As we continue toward Mt Bental the cherries were ready for harvest on every side! Both beautiful and delicious!

We drive around Nimrod’s Fortress/Castle on the southern slopes of Mount Hermon, on a ridge rising about 800 m (2600 feet) above sea level. It is a medieval Muslim castle which overlooks the Golan Heights and was built with the purpose of guarding a major access route to Damascus against armies coming from the west.

The area is currently under Israeli administration since 1967 together with the adjacent Golan Heights.

The Mount Bental overlook is beautiful and provides amazing views of Mount Hermon and the Golan. Located in the Golan Heights, Mount Bental is 1,170 meters above sea level. The road to the top has recently been repaved and tourist facilities have been renovated and rebuilt. In a region where much is inaccessible to tourists due to restrictions on non-military traffic and poor roads, Mount Bental offers a rare and rewarding sight. The overlook is managed by Kibbutz Merom Golan, the first Kibbutz established in this region after the 1967 war. From the overlook one can see Mount Hermon (3,000 meters above sea level), several Druze villages as well as a network of old bunkers and trenches.

Just to the east of Mount Bental is Syria, with Damascus lying just 60km away. Deena points out the very vivid line between Syria and Israel where adjacent lands in Israel are irrigated and furtile while Syrian lands are barren and dry.

In the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Mount Bental was the site of one of the largest tank battles in history. Mount Bental is a key strategic point for Israel due to its advantageous observation point. Israel knew it count not risk losing this mountain, nor any of the Golan Heights . The Syrians attacked the Golan with 1,500 tanks and 1,000 artillery pieces. Israel countered with only 160 tanks and 60 artillery pieces. The long stretch of valley in between Mount Bental and Mount Hermon became known as the Valley of Tears. The 100 Israeli tanks were reduced to seven under extreme enemy fire. However, the Israelis managed to take down 600 Syrian tanks in the process. The Syrians eventually retreated, but not without inflicting heavy casualties on Israel.

The UN presence is noticeable and international forces continue to patrol amidst the ruins of armaments and foxholes. This is contrasted by the more modern tourist influence of Cloud Coffee and a modern sculpture garden on the way up the hill from the parking lot.

After our visit to Mount Bental we returned to Alsultan’s Restaurant for a very late lunch.

Although the food was prepared our massive group still overwhelmed the place and Deena and Avi pitched in with the servers and our own folks to get everyone served. It was very good and we were very hungry but a memorable experience none the less!

Kursi: The Other Side Mark 5 Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “ What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “ Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “ What is your name?” He replied, “ My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “ Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon- possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon- possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “ Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled (ESV) Send us into pigs rather than abyss... Unclean pigs... Demons... Sea is the door to the abyss (Rivers good...

Sea bad) 1. No person so lost that Jesus cannot seek and save them 2. No power so great that Jesus cannot overcome it Light dispels darkness.... Open the word and pray 3. No place he will not go to seek and save. Industry of sin...

Good Friday comes before 4. There is no person he saved that he will not use to save others.

Result: The disciples returned three to five months later to a great revival and another feeding of multitudes.

Continued drive around the Sea of Galilee and back to Tiberias for our final night before leaving for Dead Sea.

Beautiful Sunday Sunrise over Galilee before we departed Tiberias May 31 for the Dead Sea.