Bet Shean

One place that we visited in late November on our CFI trip was Bet Shean located in the Jordan Valley south of the Sea of Galilee. The ruins at Bet Shean are very good. Bet Shean is Biblically known as the city where the bodies of King Saul and his sons, including Johnathan, were hung on the walls after they were killed in battle on nearby Mt. Gilboa. So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. And they cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent word throughout the land of the Philistines, to proclaim it in the temple of their idols and among the people. Then they put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. 1st Samuel 30:8-10.

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The brave men of Jabesh Gilead remembered when King Saul befriended them. Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and traveled all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. 1st Samuel 31:11-13.

The ruins of the Roman amphitheater at Bet Shean are in excellent condition.

Below is the entrance way to the amphitheater.

A grove of palm trees just east of the amphitheater.

Bet Shean is one the cities mentioned where the Israelites did not eliminate the Canaanites like they were intructed to do. However, Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land. And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites under tribute, but did not completely drive them out. Judges 1:27-28.

The standing columns make it possible to see the outline of the ancient city.

An earthquake brought an end to Bet Shean but it also preserved many large columns.

During the ministry of the Lord Jesus, Bet Shean was called Scythopolis, one of the ten cities of the Decapolis. Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. Mark 7:31.

Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. Matthew 4:25.

The demoniac whom the Lord Jesus healed became a preacher in the Decapolis. Perhaps he spoke here about the demons that were sent into a herd of swine. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. Mark 5:18-20.

The main road (street) of Bet Shean.

This photo reflects the lowering sun in the afternoon.

A large flock of penquins were flying over.

This group formed their "Flying V".

It is easy to spend two hours walking around Bet Shean.

The Roman amphitheater in the distance.

Trying to get the entire amphitheater in the photo.

Frank, from Australia, who sang for us at the amphitheater in Caesarea also entertained us at Bet Shean with Italian Opera. Frank said the acoustics at Bet Shean were excellent. He could "hear himself sing". None of the rest of us displayed our singing ability. We took his word for it.

Many, many columns have been restored at Bet Shean which helps defines the ruins.

Looking past the Roman ruins with Tel Bet Shean on the left, you can see Jordan in the distance.

A better close up of Jordan looking past Bet Shean. Bet Shean was a border city for the tribe of Manassah. ... and by the borders of the children of Manasseh were Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph, the son of Israel. 1st Chronicles 7:29.

This is a Roman sporting coliseum for events like gladiators or "Christians vs. the Lions".

Caesarea Re-visited and Tanks on the Golan

On our weekend CFI outing in late November, our first stop was at Caesarea. Today Caesarea is an exclusive little town on the Mediterranean Sea just south of Haifa. This was my 3rd visit this year. Two thousand years ago, Caesarea was officially the first place where the Good News of the Lord Jesus the Messiah was extended to the Gentiles when Peter met the Roman Centurion. And the following day they entered Caesarea... Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:24-35.

Saul (Paul) sailed from Caesarea to Tarsus when he was being persecuted. Caesarea was a port city and Paul would go through Caesarea several times on his journeys. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Acts 9:29-30.

He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea; Job 9:8

The LORD on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:4.

A view of the Mediterranean from ancient Caesarea.

The Roman amphitheater at Caesarea is still used today for concerts.

Frank, a co-volunteer from Australia, displayed his singing ability at the amphitheater with a little Italian Opera.

Ancient Caesarea where Paul preached the gospel faithfully before King Agrippa before being sent to Rome. And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. Acts 25:13... Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26:28.

“All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. Isaiah 40:6.

An ancient mosque in Caesarea. Caesarea's history includes being ruled by the Romans, the Byzantines, the Crusaders, and the Moslems.

"His Eye is on the Sparrow" is one of my favorite hymns. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31.

One of the walls of ancient Caesarea.

Along one of the walkways from the Hippodrome where chariot races were held.

It rained most of the day Saturday but we enjoyed a very good lunch near the Lebanon Border. After lunch, I had an opportunity to take some photos around the log cabin restaurant.

Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. Deuteronomy 32:2.

Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew? Job 38:28.

The fig tree puts forth her green figs ... Song of Solomon 2:13.

Late Saturday afternoon, we were headed up the Golan Heights. These clouds looked they were on the ground. Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy? Job 36:29

Sunday morning we had the privilege of taking some "care packages" to an IDF Tank Unit on the Golan Heights. The care packages consisted of warm fleece neck scarfs and gloves for the cold winter near the Syrian border. This is the same tank battalion that held the ground against overwhelming odds when Syria attacked in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

These young men train everyday and are very well prepared. “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. Ezekiel 38:7.

Young soldiers listening intently. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. Exodus 18:19.

There's always time for a call from a loved one.

We stayed at Kibbutz Ein Gev on the Sea of Galilee. We shared our rooms with dozens of barn swallows looking for a little sleep in dry conditions. Kay and I used to have barn swallows build a nest every year on our back porch.

A date palm tree at Kibbutz Ein Gev.

Nazareth & The Jezreel Valley

One weekend in November, we had a short CFI outing to northern Israel. We were to spend two nights on the Sea of Galilee. On the way the way to the Galilee, we went on top of Mt. Carmel, through the Jezreel Valley (Armageddon), and had lunch in Nazareth. Below is the Jezreel Valley as seen from Mt. Carmel. And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon. Revelation 16:16.

The Jezreel Valley is certainly an open area where "multitudes" will gather as the prophet Joel states. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:14.

In order to get the best photos, you have to crawl on top of some rocks to see over the trees. I'm always amazed how God can grow flowers out of rocks. "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" Jeremiah 32:27.
Even different colors. These were violet, a very light purple.
I managed to take this photo without breaking my neck but could have used a bigger rock to get over the tree tops. The prophet Hosea obeyed God and married a harlot. Their son is the valley's namesake. And the LORD said to him, "Name him Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will punish the house of Jehu for the bloodshed of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. "On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel." Hosea 1:4-5

On top of Mt. Carmel.

It was a beautiful, cloudy day in Israel.

Close to the bus.

Driving to Nazareth, the Jezreel Valley is actually very fertile farm land. Naboth's vineyard that King Ahab desired would have been close to here. As we came down the east side of Mt. Carmel, we passed Megiddo where Ahab ruled. Now it came about after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which {was} in Jezreel beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 1st Kings 21:1.

Current day Nazareth with a mosque in the middle.

Driving through the streets of Nazareth, I saw a replica of the Statue of Liberty.

A small market selling some nice looking fruit.

No doubt that football (soccer) is the favorite past time of Nazereth boys.

Nazareth streets are very narrow and crowded.

Nazareth Village where local Christian Arabs show how Nazareth looked during the time of the Lord Jesus. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Mark 1:9.

Purple daisies?

There is a small musuem but most of Nazareth Village is outdoors.

A shepherd who was taking care of his sheep. "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:14-15.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

Neighborhood surrounding Nazareth Village.

A real working olive press used to get the oil out of olives. "You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually. Exodus 27:20. This donkey sure looked like Kay's "Hershey".

Making yarn out of wool.

A carpenter's shop like Joseph's in ancient Nazareth. "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? Matthew 13:55.

A small synagogue similar to the one in Nazareth where the Lord Jesus announced that He was the long anticipated and expected Messiah. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." Luke 4:16-19.

Walking around right after lunch.

From an open area of the "carpenter's shop" in Nazareth? Philip *found Nathanael and *said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and {also} the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." John 1:45

Two thousand years ago, Nazareth would have been a small, quiet little village. Who would know that the Promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus, would come from such a humble setting? Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip *said to him, "Come and see." John 1:46.

But the Lord Jesus did come from Nazareth which was also a fulfillment of prophecy. ... "He shall be called a Nazarene." Matthew 2:23.