DAILY JOURNAL #7

Visited the “Jerusalem Model” a scale model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. It includes streets, Temple Mount, homes, etc… After seeing so much of Jerusalem in such a short time this is a great site to see, to pull it all together. To me, this site itself, is another miracle from God to us to help us better understand the past.

No words can express a visit to the Garden of Gethsemene. There are several olive trees there that experts have dated back 2,000 years. Perhaps these very trees were mere sprouts on the evening that Jesus prayed, sweat great drops of blood, and was arrested. Perhaps they were witness to Peter cutting off the ear of the man.

Visited the Western Wall and Rabbi Tunnel. Praying at the wall is always so special. The wall is not ‘magic,’ but I love to write out short prayers and put them in the cracks of the wall. It is a privilege to be here again and experience this.
Watching the other women at Mt. Moriah and at the Wailing Wall. God loves them each and knows them by name. As I stand at the wall and pray, I pray for the women around me from the four corners of the world. Some dressed in formal, fancy garb. They come here to pray to the One True and Living God.
We walked through the streets of the Jewish Quarter and the Old City. It is easy to imagine what it was like in those ancient days. We saw too many things to write down. I hope I will remember them.
Visited the Rabbi’s Tunnel (Kotel). A long walk underground. I imagine that Jesus must have seen these very stones. Nehemiah 3:12 mentions that a certain man ‘and his daughters,’ built a section of the wall. This the only specific mention of women helping rebuild the wall. Women were everywhere – behind the scenes and silent.
The Garden Tomb. Pastor Crisp always saves the best for last. The most glorious site. A quiet and serene empty tomb near an outcropping of rock that looks like the face of a skull. We observed the Lord’s Supper and sang hymns. Such a special memory. Most people cannot get through this site without shedding a few tears. Thank you God for giving us this garden spot to remember You and what You have done or us. What a way to end the tour!
Off to a great dinner – then through security at the airport. A long sleep home.


Note - if you have an interest in the women of the Holy Land be sure to see my other blogs: www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com; www.biblestudy2women.blogspot.com.

DAILY JOURNAL #6

One of the most moving sites on this trip is the “pit” of the church of St. Peter of Galluctu. This is where Jesus was brought from the Garden of Gethsemane to the home of the High priest. He was probably lowered down a narrow shaft that opened up into a small area used as a cell. (See the photos of the mosaic depicting this.) As we stood in the cave-like space, I tried to imagine what it was like for Jesus –dark and isolated. Pastor Crisp read Isaiah 53 – I could not help to be moved. Many in the group cried. To visit here is to have a visual reminder of how the Lord Jesus must have suffered for us. We turned off the lights and were in total darkness. When we visit the pit it is warm, dry and lighted. It smells good. We are able to come and go as we choose. We are surrounded by friends and family. Jesus had none of this.

Next was a drive across town to the Shrine of the Book. After seeing Quamran where the Scrolls were found, now we get to see some of the actual scrolls, housed in this building that, architecturally, looks like a clay jar from the time of Jesus. God worked a special set of miracles to bring us His Word. Thousands of small miracles, all linked together to give us our Scripture today. We take it so for granted.

The Holocaust Museum is without description. Every Christian, no, every human being should see it. God calls the Jews, “the apple of His eye,” yet this happened. When we get to heaven we will have to ask God, “Why?”

We saw many other things today.

DAILY JOURNAL #5

To Bethlehem. Changed to a different bus and tour guides at the checkpoint to get into this Palestinian controlled area. Not all tour groups get to see Bethlehem. Seeing the site of the birth of Jesus is amazing. Many think this is the original site.

This was one of the highlights of this trip for me. I had been to Bethlehem on previous trips, but we also were able to go ‘downstairs,’ beneath the church and see where Jerome translated the Scripture into Latin Vulgate. An amazing link in the chain of men and events that God provided to give us His inspired Word. We sure take the words of God to us for granted! The mosaic on the wall in “Jerome’s study” indicated that there were two women who somehow helped Jerome. I will have to research that aspect.

The city of Bethlehem is also the city of Ruth and Naomi and their story of faithfulness and the providence of God. Little did these two simple women know what an important role they would play in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Despite the hurt and disappointments of their lives they both are remembered through the centuries.

Back to Jerusalem and to the steps of the rebuilt southern wall of Temple Mount. Our Lord Jesus and the disciples may have walked on some of these steps. The choirs of the Temple must have stood on these steps and praised God. Perhaps Mary and Joseph walked on these steps when the brought the baby Jesus to the Temple for His dedication.

Saw the Hulda Gate at the southern steps Named after the prophetess who gave a word from God to King Josiah. The king could have sought out Zephaniah or Jeremiah for advice, yet he sent his representatives to Hulda, a woman. Perhaps the prophets were “out of town.”

A larger section of the street built during the time of Herod is now clearly seen to the west of the southern steps. An amazing site. Who walked on this street? What was it like on the day that the Temple was destroyed and the large rocks were thrown down upon the street? (So much has changed since my first trip in 1990. So much more to see. If God continues to let me return to the land what will it be like in 2010? I praise God for His blessing on me to make yet another trip-it is all up to Him.)

For the first time in several years we are permitted up on Temple Mount. It is not always open to tourists. In 1991 we were able to go into the Dome of the Rock. No more. The most holy site in the world for Jews, Muslims and Christians.

One of my favorite people in the Scripture is Anna of the Temple. I think about her as I walked around the Temple Mount. She was devout and was blessed to see the baby Jesus. She was alone in the world and devoted her life to God. I want to be like that. She saw the face of the God of the Universe.

The Temple Mount. Mt. Moriah. God hand-picked this site for His special purpose. Special in the past, even special in the present, and in the future only God knows of the splendor and plan.

Saw the Golden Gate (Eastern Gate) from the view inside the Temple Mount. Jesus rode on the back of a donkey through this gate as the men and women shouted praises. Some believe this is where Jesus will return. Most tourists see the Golden Gate as they drive by the eastern side of the wall, or as they stand in the Garden of Gethsemene. We were blessed to also see it from inside the Temple Mount.

The Pool of Bethesda is nearby - where Jesus healed the man. Still here after all these centuries. Why does God leave us these site? Some are ‘traditional,’ meaning their authenticity can be questioned, some are more than just ‘traditional.’ This site, the Pool of Bethesda is the actual site. Just rocks, shrubs, a hole in the ground, yet it represents the God of the Universe coming down to human kind to heal both our physical needs and our spiritual needs. Then He leaves us gentle reminders – such as this hole in the ground that we come to see - that He came to ‘tabernacle’ with us and reveal the mystery of the plan of salvation.

Adjacent to the Pool of Bethesda is the Church of St. Ann. Not a biblical reference, but noted for its acoustics. Built during the crusader period. Groups always sing here. The sound is fantastic. Not a site to be missed.

We saw too many things to write down. I hope I will remember them.

DAILY JOURNAL #4

(A suggestion: be sure to go to www.jerusalemshots.com for great photos.)

Overnight at Dead Sea. Lot and his women!! Death and distruction and yet the grace of God to save a handful.

Masada in the morning. What a site! I remember the story of the widow woman and children that were left behind after all the death at Masada. I wonder if the leader at Masada planned to have these left alive so that the real story could be told, an not just the Roman ‘spin.’ What happened to the woman and children after this? Did the zealots ever use the ruins of Herod’s palace?

On to En Gedi. A beautiful day for a walk. This beautiful lush green site in the middle of the desert. We say several gazelles. There must have been women at times that lived in this small valley with David or even Saul and his men. A beautiful site and a great strategic stronghold over the centuries.

On to Jerusalem. It never fails to move me as we drive up, up, up to Jerusalem. I sit on the edge of my seat looking out the window to catch the first glimpse of the Golden Dome on Mt. Moriah that marks the spot where the Temple was located. We stop at an overlook to take in the view. The most holy spot on the earth. The place where God not only dwelt in the Holy of Holies, but walked and talked as Jesus.

I guess if non-jewish have to be in control of the site today, at least God has led them to build a beautiful golden dome for His hill, His city. Psalm 122: “Where the tribes go up….pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” The only peace will come when Jesus returns.

Early this morning I read Haggai and Ezra. As I view the Temple Mount it is good to remember that when the Second Temple was built, the old men cried as they remembered the splendor of the past – of the First Temple. Ezra 6:14.

DAILY JOURNAL #3

Drive southwest from Tiberius toward coast – Caesarea Maritime. Saw Jezreel Valley, Megiddo, Nazareth and Mt. Tabor from the bus. I wonder if as a boy Jesus was in this valley. Nazareth is located on the northern side of Jezreel Valley. Did He and his buddies climb Mt. Tabor? Did they go to the springs that we call “Gideon Springs.” Did the people speak of the springs as having been the site of Gideon choosing of his army? Did the people speak of Mt. Tabor and Deborah? Did Jesus and his boyhood friends ever go off and explore? Did they ‘play act’ the stories of the Old Testament?

Nazareth was the capital city of the Lower Galilee; Sufat the capital of the Upper Galilee. Mt. Tabor may have been the site of the Transfiguration. There are several sites that “might” have been Mt. of Transfiguration.

Caesarea M. A very large and important city of the first century. No record of Jesus being there, but many of the disciples and members of New Testament church were there. A Roman Colony, but with a strong Christian history. Paul spoke before Festus, Felix and Agrippa, probably in the theatre (See photo) Philip the evangelist, and his four daughters. Peter and Cornelius met here. The first Gentile convert was Cornelius.

Many women must have heard the Christian message. Some heard it from Philip and his four daughters who were prophetesses. Women must have been on the traveling teams with Peter and Paul when they were there. The wives and women of Festus, Felix and Agrippa must have witnessed much of the birth of the new church.

Beautiful reconstructed theatre that faces the Mediterranean. Caesarea is a reminder of how God planned and purposed the Romans to be in control of the land, bringing a common language and roads that were so important is the plan of spread the message of salvation.

Read: Acts 12 Herod died after ‘making himself a God.’ and 2 Cor. 5:10 teaching on the Bema Seat. The theatre at Caesarea M. is an example of the judgment seat.

Visited the top of Mt. Carmel. On the southern edge of the Valley. Cool but fairly clear. Story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.

Visited the ruins of Megiddo. Important chariot city of King Solomon. Great water tunnel to bring fresh spring water into the city during times of siege. Stone manger similar to what baby Jesus might have slept in remains. Megiddo overlooks the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley and is located on the southern side– the site of future end time events. I am always amazed when I stand on Megiddo and look out over the Valley – imagining what it will be like when the armies of the world fight it out.

Visited Nazareth and the Mt. of Precipitation. A great view of the Jezreel Valley from the north northern edge of the Valley. (See photos of Nazareth today, and the view of Jezreel Valley from Mt. of Precipitation.) I wonder if as a boy Jesus walked this valley and ‘explored’ as boys would do. Mt. of Precipitation – when the crowd brought Jesus here to kill Him, how many of the crowd were His aunts, sisters, women in the neighborhood, etc… who knew Him when growing up? Luke 4:16-30.

Mary’s Spring and Church of the Annunciation. Never mentioned in Scripture, yet the only water source for the area. Both Mary and Jesus must have been in this area.
Jo. 1:46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

We drove by Cana and the traditional site of the wedding. I had visited this site in 1990. Iddo, our tour guide, said that this is the actual site of the wedding. We saw too many things to write down. I hope I will remember them.

DAILY JOURNAL - #2

Day 3
Up early – the time change gets most of us up and wide awake at 3 a.m. We saw sunrise and thousands of black birds flying in circles overhead. Literally thousands. Two fisherman close to where we were standing, were pulling in their nets by hand which had trapped several small fish. (Probably the “Peters fish” that we will eat later.)

Boat ride to center of Sea of Galilee after breakfast. Here we are where Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm. (Mark 4:35 ff; Mt. 14:22 ff; John 6:16ff). The captain of the boat took us to the center of the lake and turned off the engines. All that could be heard was the small waves lapping against the side of the boat, and the screech of the seagulls that had followed us from shore. Everyone in good spirits. We sang “I Worship You Almighty God.” We all had tears in our eyes.

Bible teaching by Pastor Crisp. When the disciples saw that Jesus had stilled the storm they said, “What manner of man is this that even the waves obey Him?” The word manner is the same word used by the writer John when he said in 1 John 3:1ff, “What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us…” The word manner in both verses is translated, “not of this world,” i.e. out of this world, supernatural. The Man walking on the water was “out of this world, or not of this world.” The love that God has for us is not of this world. It is supernatural.

The fisherman and disciples of Galilee had wives, sisters, mothers that must have heard the stories of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee stilling the storm, and letting Peter step out of the boat to walk to him.

Women lived in all the villages around the Sea of Galilee. Many thousands of people. That is difficult for me to fathom. So few cities now around the lake. Three cities did hear the “Woe to you” from Jesus and never were rebuilt. Many thousands of people (including women) knew of Jesus, and even saw and heard Him. Many women were personally touched by Him in spiritual and physical healing. Mary Magdalene came from the small village of Magdala that can be seen from the boat.

Mount of Beatitudes. Interesting fact about the church built on Mount. Funds were supplied by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. The church is built in the shape of an eight-sided heptagon. One side for each of the “Blessed is…” (See photo)

Driving through upper Galilee. Because of the schedule we cannot drive up on the Golan Heights this trip. But we did drive through Hula Valley. It still amazes me that this green, lush area was once a swamp. It was drained in 1956 to provide fertile agricultural land. Israel grows all if its own vegetables. Only beef and lamb are imported (South America.)

Saw Tel Hazor through the bus windows. It is the northen most point of Joshua’s conquest. Hazor is a major archaeologic site, but seldom visited by Christian groups. Few major events in Scripture took place at Hazor.

Beautiful Mt. Hermon seen from the distance. Main source of water for Israel. Many think it was the site of the Transfiguration. 9,223 feet above sea level.

Stopped at Banias/Caesarea Philippi. Caves with altar areas to pagan god, Pan. (See photo). Pastor Crisp taught about the “gates of Hell” in relation to Jesus teaching and choice of Peter as the “small, movable rock.” The Gates of Hell was a crack/crevice at the pagan altar of Pan where sacrifices were made. When Jesus our Lord said, “… on this rock the Gates of Hell shall not prevail,” He was using visual imagery that the people could understand

Visited Tabgha (Church of Heptagon, Church of Seven Springs) traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000. World famous mosaic dating from 5th century.

Drove by Gaderenes area where Jesus healed the demoniac and sent the demons into the herd of swine. Matt. 8:28 ff. Also named “Kursi.”

Ate lunch as Kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. A sudden storm came and went over the Sea as we ate lunch, much like it must have suddenly come upon Jesus and the disciples. Pizza and “St. Peter’s fish” for lunch. Todd Houston’s birthday – we humiliated him by singing “Happy Birthday.” God bless and keep sweet Todd and his wife Alisha.

Drove by ruins of Chorizon. The ‘woe’ of Chorizon, Bethesdia and Capernaum were correct/true prophecy. Other cities of the Galilee have been rebuilt – why not these? Because God said so.
On to Capernaum. Mt. 4:12ff. More healings of Jesus than at any other city. The synagogue was built by the gentile centurion – his son was later healed by Jesus. Peter’s house was here. Jesus healed many women here. The woman with the issue of blood, Peter’s mother-in-law (“she immediately got up and served them.”)

The women of Capernaum must have seen and heard of Jesus – Capernaum was the center of His ministry. They handed Him their children to bless. The women were healed by Jesus, and saw Jesus heal their men. Wives of the religious leaders must have heard Jesus rebuke their pious husbands. The women were the unnoticed faces-in-the-crowd; the unmentioned by name. Where the Scripture says, “multitude, crowd, people” there were the silent women.

Saw the “Galilee Boat/ Jesus Boat/Genosar Boat.” What a miracle from God that this boat was discovered in a terrible time of drought for Israel. God bring good from bad. The water level was low and men found this old boat in the mud. It may not be the actual boat of Jesus, but it gives such a strong, visual image for us of the type of boat that Jesus must have used around the Sea of Galilee.

Drove by Migdal. (See photo of Mt. Arbel and the village of Migdal, from a boat on the Sea of Galilee) Mary Magdalene loved Jesus with a never ending devotion after He healed her from the seven demons. Was she young or old? Rich or poor? She was not a prostitute as the Catholics teach. She was one who must have wondered, and personally known, “What manner of man is this?” She knew first hand. Did Mary have sisters, family, even a mother?

So much to see and to reflect upon. What a great God we have to love us all so. To come and die to take us out of our darkness in to a new life here on earth of light, joy, and freedom. To assure us of a life in eternity….just for believing in what is offered to us. Pastor quoted a Scripture today that says it all, and I get to paraphrase it, “ Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on Jeanne that she should be called a child of God….now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:1ff. Thank You Lord! Praise You Lord!

DAILY JOURNAL #1

Lets take a break from our A-Z travel log and go on to something new.

For the next few days I will post my journal from a trip that I took to Israel in 2005. As part of course work for my MRS (Masters in Religious Science) at the Harvest Institute for Biblical Studies in Knoxville TN, we had to not only go to Israel, but submit a journal of our day to day experiences during the trip.

(I have taken all photos.)

Most of my trips to Israel have been taken through TLC Holy Land Tours. Dr. Crisp has led numerous groups to the Holy Land. TLC Holy Land tours offers excellent pricing, experienced guides and scholarly teachings at each site. (www.tlcholylandtours.com)

Day 1-2
Left Knoxville at 2:10 p.m. This is my seventh (blessed) trip to the Holy Land. It is hard to imagine that I am going to Israel again! Some people only go once in a life time; some never get to go.

Sitting for several hours in the airport is good for me- I begin to think about the trip and what it means in my life. With each trip I spend much time reflecting on the past and the future. How blessed I am to be saved and to be walking the Lord. And He has blessed me with a deep love for the land and the people of Israel.

Because I “have to” write this journal for a class project, I have decided to have a focus, a ‘theme’, for me to see the sites from a different mindset. Each trip is different. I do see many of the same sites, but I also always do see a new site. Dr. Crisp and the tour guide are sensitive to the fact that several people have made this trip more than once, and always arrange for something new.

My term paper for my class will be “Jesus and the Women.” As I set out on this trip my focus will be on the women of Israel in Biblical times, in the Old Testament and New Testament.
At Newark NJ the four members of our group from California joined with us. That brings the total to 28. This is an ideal number to have in a group.

As I read Scripture in the airport, my readings took me to the books of Malachi and Zechariah. God brought these verses to my sight to prepare me for this trip:

Zechariah 2:8, 12, 13
…for he who touches you Israel)touches the apple of His (God’s) eye….and the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land and will again choose Jerusalem…..Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation.
And from Malachi 3:12:

…And all nation will call you blessed (Israel), for you will be a delightful land, says the LORD of hosts. Thank you LORD for these verses today as I begin our trip.
10:50 pm left Newark for Tel Aviv. Plane very crowded. Ninety eight young Jewish people from all over US and Mexico going over to Israel for a four month study trip. God bless these young people. May they meet Jesus in the Holy Land.

Arrived Tel Aviv 4:22 p.m. on Tuesday. No Biblical reference to Tel Aviv. The Biblical city of Joffa is south. (The photo above is of modern-day Tel Aviv.)

Drove 1 ½ hours to Tiberias/Sea of Galilee..
Thoughts on Tiberius. A Roman colony in the time of Jesus. We have no record of his visiting Tiberius. He must have. Perhaps his family traveled there from Nazareth in his early years for shopping or business. In the years of His adult ministry He probably did pass through this busy commercial/governmental city, but did not make His presence known.

All the cities that surrounded the Sea of Tiberius must have heard of Jesus and his ministry. Perhaps some of the women of Tiberius went out to see this man. Perhaps some of the women of Tiberius were among the crowds at the feeding of the 4,000 and 5,000, or there when Jesus spoke the “Sermon on the Mount.” It does not seem a stretch of the imagination to visualize women of Tiberius in the crowd of faces that so often encircled Jesus.

We saw too many things to write down. I hope I will remember them.

J - Part I

Jabbock, River On eastern side of Jordan river in present day Jordan. Site where Jacob,
wives and children camped, and Jacob wrestled with “the man”(Gen. 24:22ff).

Jebel Dahy. Biblical area of Hill of Moreh.

Jabesh Gilead, Jerash., tel-Abu Kharaz. East of Jordan River across from Beth Shan.
When Jabesh Gilead refused to join in the punishment of the tribe of Benjamin, their men were killed and four hundred virgins were taken to be wives for the remaining men of Benjamin so the tribe would continue. (Judg. 20-21).
People of the city took the bodies of Saul and his sons from Beth Shean and burned them in Jabesh Gilead. The bones were buried there. As a sign of respect the people would have fasted and mourned (1 Sam. 31).Today there remains the ruins of Roman city are similar to Beth Shan (large city with many women and children). (Also see Gibeah).

Jabel Arkyela Capital of Ammonites of the Old Testament, and Philadelphia in the New
Testament. May be one of the cities of the Decapolis. Place where Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, was killed in battle.

Jattir Ten acre mound in southern Judah. Located between Hebron and Beer-Sheva,
west of the Dead Sea. Listed among the cities of Joshua and the Levites(Josh. 15:48; 21:14 1 Sam. 30:27; 1 Chro. 6:57). Many civilizations lived here. See Khirbet or Kirbet Yatti.

Jericho Rahab the harlot helped Joshua’s men escape. The walls of Jericho came down
and the people of the city were killed. Many women were made widows. Rahab and her family were spared their lives. She became the wife of Solmon and the mother of Boaz. She is later mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. (Josh. 2:15-21; Matt. 1).

Blind man healed by Jesus as the crowds watched (Mt. 20:29-34; Luke 18:35-43) in Jericho. The “people praised God.”
Jesus went to have dinner with Zacchaeus. His wife and other women must have been present (Luke 19ff).
King Herod’s Winter Palace overlooking Jericho was where he and his family came to get away from the cold of Jerusalem. Archaeological ruins: tel es-Sultan. Major building projects of Herod included the Temple, his Winter Palace in Jericho, Masada, Machareus, Heroidan and the fortress at Megiddo.

H – Women of the Holy Land: Walk Where They Walked.

Hazor See Tel Hazor.

Hebron City of Abraham and wives on their journeys (Gen. 13:18). First capital of the Davidic Kingdom. Caleb was given Hebron by Joshua (1400 B.C.)(Josh 14:13). Caleb’s daughter, Achsah, and wives lived here. Achsah was given as wife to Othniel for taking the city of Debir. She later requested land and water springs from Caleb (1 Chr. 2:49; Josh. 15:13-17; Judg. 1:12-13).
Family burial plots of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob(but not Rachel-see Rachael’s tomb) in a cave of Machpelah. The first recorded burial in Scripture is that of Sarah in a cave of Machpelah. (Gen 23:2, 9; 25:7-11).
David had seven women that gave him sons in Hebron: Ahinoam of Jezreel, Abigal (widow of Nabal), Maacah (daughter of King of Geshur and mother of Tamar, David’s only named daughter), Haggith, Abital and Eglah (2 Sam.3:2-5; 5 :13-14; 1 Chr. 3:1-9; 14:3-7). There is no record of Michal having any children; see Rachel’s tomb).
Near Rehab, also called Abdon/Ebron. Kiriath Arba. 22 miles south of Jerusalem in a rocky but fertile area. Now El Khulil. According to tradition, Adam and Eve are buried in Hebron See Tel Rumeida, and Mamre.

Herodium Herod the Great built a fortress on built on top of a mountain south east
of Bethlehem. Easily seen as a cone shaped mountain. A home with pool and tunnels built at the base. In Arpil 2007 Israeli archaeologist found the tomb of King Herod the Great. Hebrew University archaeologist Ehud Netzer said the tomb was found at Herodium, a flattened hilltop in the Judean Desert where Herod the Great built a palace compound. Netzer has been working at the site since the 1970s. Modern name is Jebel el Fureidis (“Hill of Paradise.”) Major building projects of Herod included the Temple, his Winter Palace in Jericho, Masada, Machareus, Heroidan and the fortress at Megiddo.

Herodium House Mansion (Wohl Archaeologic Museum) in Jerusalem Ruins of a
priest’s house in the Upper City. Excavated rooms, mosaic floors, water cisterns, baths etc… A visit to this site teaches about the daily, routine life of families in ancient times.

Herodium Street Ruins of street during the days of King Herod and Jesus. Located on the western edge of the wall of the Temple Mount area. When Jerusalem was destroyed by General Titus is 70 AD, the large stones of the Temple Mount wall were pushed down unto these streets. Excavations have uncovered these streets that must have been well traveled by the populace of Jerusalem. Part of Archaeological Garden Ophel excavations.

Hezekiah’s Tunnel Channel cut through solid rock to channel water into the City of
David. Starts at Gihon Springs and feeds the Pool of Siloam. Where there is water there are men and their families. Built by King Hezekiah whose mother was Abi (2 Kin. 18:2). See Gihon Springs, Siloam Pool.

Hippos, Sussita.. One of the cities of the Decapolis east of Sea of Galilee.(Mt. 4:25; Mark. 5:20; 7:31). Archaeological excavation has revealed a main street, fountains and shops. Hippos survived as a city from third century B. C. through eighth century A.D. An important city of the Roman era. Near present day Kibbutz En Gev. Ongoing archaeological excavations at this site.

Hinnom Valley - south west boundary of Jerusalem/Temple Mount. This is an area where human sacrifices were performed. It will be called the Valley of Slaughter at the end times.
(Jer:7:31-31; 2 Kings 23:10

Holocost Museum Dedicated to the 6,000,000 Jewish men, women and children killed
by Hitler during WWII. Many women mentioned in “Avenue of the Righteous,” dedicated to “Gentiles’ who aided the Jews in WWII, such as Corrie ten Boom. Children’s Memorial Museum is a very moving reminder of the many children that were killed. Memorabilia of Anne Franke, and items found at concentration camps is on display. Not to be missed.

Hulda Gate Gate on southern side of Wall of Temple Mount. Probably named after
Hulda the prophetess. Archaeological Garden Ophel excavations.

The Land

As you travel the land of Israel reflect on the promise made by God to return the people to the land: "I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their own fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them." Amos 9: 14-15


Note - if you have an interest in the women of the Holy Land be sure to see my other blogs: www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com; www.biblestudy2women.blogspot.com.