I would like to drive around the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus drove the evil spirits out of the Gadarene. Then, down the Jezreel Valley to Haifa on the northern coast. Along the way, we will see Mt. Tabor, where Israel defeated the chariot-driving Philistines, Megiddo, and Mt. Carmel, where Elisha slew the prophets of Baal. I would like to take in Caesaria, further south along the coast, and there are some Neanderthal caves on the western side of Mt. Carmel which have long fascinated me.
Then it's south through the Judean Hills. We will see the Valley of Elah, where David gave poor Goliath the headache of his life, the Well of the Oath in Beersheva, and then over to the Dead Sea.
Masada is next on the agenda. This was the last holdout of the Great Jewish Revolt. In AD 73, 960 Jews holed up on this huge rock fortress and then killed themselves rather than submit to Rome. Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul, is just up the road. There is a beautiful waterfall there, and we would like to take a dip in the Dead Sea.
We will spend a day in Jericho, the lowest city on planet earth. There is a cable car that takes you to the top of the Mount of Temptation, where you can walk down to St. George's monastery. The ruins of ancient Jericho lie on the north end of town, as does the spring that Elijah sweetened with salt.
Finally, we have scheduled four full days in Jerusalem. My highest priority is to get up on the Temple Mount, which is apparently hard to arrange. There are tunnels below the western wall that need exploring. The pools of Bethesda and Siloam intrigue me, as does the Tunnel of Hezekiah. There is the Mount of Olives, the Garden Tomb, the resurrection site, etc.
After reading about these places for 50 years, we are chomping at the bit to see them!
No comments:
Post a Comment