Arrived at the airport in Tel Aviv. A beautiful evening. The next morning the adventure truly begins as we drive a short distance to the ruins of Joppa. The significance of this site is that in this area Jonah began his trip that lead to Nineveh, and that this was the city of Peter and Dorcas. Peter raised to life a gentile woman who as noted for her service to the widows. (This was the first time I had ever visted this site- something new for me.)
We drive through the modern city of Tel Aviv, north up the coast to the ruins of Caesarea to visit the ruins of the ‘theatre’. To think that we were standing in the same theatre where Paul gave his impassioned speech to King Agrippa, Bernice, Felix and Festus (Acts 24 – 25)gives one pause. This is also the home town of Philip the evangelist and his four daughters. The beautiful blue Mediterranian.
To Mount Carmel where Elija built an altar and…slew the prophets.
To an overlook at Nazareth (Oh yes, Mt Tabor of the Deborah/Barak story is in the distance) This overlook may be the site where the townspeople planned to throw Jesus to his death – He escaped. The modern city of Nazareth loomed in the background (to the north) as the western end of the Jezreel Valley was seen to the south.
On to the ancient ruins of Megiddo, through the Valley of Jezreel – which is also called Armageddon – yes this is the very same valley prophesized to be the site of a great battle in the end times. Standing on the crest of the ruins of Megiddo we can see the breathtaking view of the valley for miles and miles….
Next stop – drive north through the city of Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle. Another ‘first’ for me… we drive to the top of Mt. Arbel – what a view of the Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, Valley of the Doves, Via Maris, and the ancient village of Mary Magdalene – Migdol. Wow! Wow! Wow!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Israel Trip 2008 - Part I
For those who might be interested in what a typical trip to the Holy Land might encompass I will give a summary of the trip I just completed….my fifteenth trip!!
Many people have looked at me as though I am crazy when I say I this is my fifteenth trip. No I am not Jewish, nor do I have relatives in Israel. My first trip was in 1991 – it was breathtaking, little did I know that I would return again and again, and hopefully again in 2009. Why?
As I prepared to blog my current trip I have asked myself that many times. Why return again and again? Why incur the expense? Why go through the stress of international flight and fatigue? Why do it Jeanne?
My only answer is that I love Israel and the people of Israel with a supernatural love. I do not say this as some super-saint, super-religious zealot. I say this from my heart. I believe that God wants us to not only love Israel and His Chosen People, in a practical, verbal manner, but to love them with action. If I claim to love the Holy Land because God says it is His own precious land and people, where else would I want to spend my money and time? I believe it is what God wants of me, Jeanne Sant, although I am not sure why.
I also believe that as a Christian, I should want to visit the land that our God calls Holy. The ancient Jews made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times a year, with modern travel can a believer in 2008 make the trip at least once in a life time.
All that aside, the truth is – it is a life-changing experience for the believer. You have heard that said-but until you experience it yourself, you may not believe it. Standing where the ancient Kings of Israel stood, standing on the Temple Mount where God lived in the Holy of Holies, sailing on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked, or standing in front of the empty Tomb – will change your life.
Even on this trip I heard people say that they could not wait to get home and start reading Scripture with new eyes. My dear roommate for this trip, Donna, was an example. She was almost in a frenzy each evening to get back to her room and read Scripture. I will remember fondly the evening that she read, aloud, Ezekiel Chapters 1-4 as I lay curled up and comfortable under the covers in our hotel in Jerusalem, listening and discussing what it meant. What a memory of a life time.
With the next entry I will begin a summary of the sights and experiences of my September 2008 trip to God’s Holy Land. I will not go into detail about each site, but I just want to give a taste of the sites that can be seen and experienced with a ‘typical’ trip to Israel…..believe me, after 15 trips I can say that no trip is “typical” – God directs each one in His special way, and in the heart of each traveler.
Oh yes – I am beginning to plan my next trip- God wiling- for 2009. If you might be interesested in going along –bring your church-contact me at jpsant.netzero.net. I have three great tour groups that I have traveled with and can highly recommend. I also am trying to get enough women interested in a “Women’s Trip” that would put an emphasis on the women of Scripture. Let me know if you are interested.
For the fifteenth time the Scripture that keeps occurring to my mind as I traveled through the land was “Why have I found favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me…” Ruth 2:10. Who am I that God would bless me with fifteen trips to the Holy Land?
Thank You dear Lord for another trip to Your Holy Land!
Many people have looked at me as though I am crazy when I say I this is my fifteenth trip. No I am not Jewish, nor do I have relatives in Israel. My first trip was in 1991 – it was breathtaking, little did I know that I would return again and again, and hopefully again in 2009. Why?
As I prepared to blog my current trip I have asked myself that many times. Why return again and again? Why incur the expense? Why go through the stress of international flight and fatigue? Why do it Jeanne?
My only answer is that I love Israel and the people of Israel with a supernatural love. I do not say this as some super-saint, super-religious zealot. I say this from my heart. I believe that God wants us to not only love Israel and His Chosen People, in a practical, verbal manner, but to love them with action. If I claim to love the Holy Land because God says it is His own precious land and people, where else would I want to spend my money and time? I believe it is what God wants of me, Jeanne Sant, although I am not sure why.
I also believe that as a Christian, I should want to visit the land that our God calls Holy. The ancient Jews made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times a year, with modern travel can a believer in 2008 make the trip at least once in a life time.
All that aside, the truth is – it is a life-changing experience for the believer. You have heard that said-but until you experience it yourself, you may not believe it. Standing where the ancient Kings of Israel stood, standing on the Temple Mount where God lived in the Holy of Holies, sailing on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked, or standing in front of the empty Tomb – will change your life.
Even on this trip I heard people say that they could not wait to get home and start reading Scripture with new eyes. My dear roommate for this trip, Donna, was an example. She was almost in a frenzy each evening to get back to her room and read Scripture. I will remember fondly the evening that she read, aloud, Ezekiel Chapters 1-4 as I lay curled up and comfortable under the covers in our hotel in Jerusalem, listening and discussing what it meant. What a memory of a life time.
With the next entry I will begin a summary of the sights and experiences of my September 2008 trip to God’s Holy Land. I will not go into detail about each site, but I just want to give a taste of the sites that can be seen and experienced with a ‘typical’ trip to Israel…..believe me, after 15 trips I can say that no trip is “typical” – God directs each one in His special way, and in the heart of each traveler.
Oh yes – I am beginning to plan my next trip- God wiling- for 2009. If you might be interesested in going along –bring your church-contact me at jpsant.netzero.net. I have three great tour groups that I have traveled with and can highly recommend. I also am trying to get enough women interested in a “Women’s Trip” that would put an emphasis on the women of Scripture. Let me know if you are interested.
For the fifteenth time the Scripture that keeps occurring to my mind as I traveled through the land was “Why have I found favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me…” Ruth 2:10. Who am I that God would bless me with fifteen trips to the Holy Land?
Thank You dear Lord for another trip to Your Holy Land!
Monday, September 8, 2008
General Thoughts
Thank You Lord for another trip to Israel!
I leave this week for my 15th trip to the Holy Land. I am truely blessed! My focus for this trip will be the twelve tribes. I believe that we will have to opportunity to visit the Temple Institute in Jerusalem.
If you are interested in anything about the Temple, or the rebuilding of the Temple, be sure to go to their web site. www.templeinstitute.org.
This past Sunday I had the blessing of teaching my ladies at Tierrasanta Baptist Churh about Anna (Luke 2:36-38). She was from the tribe of Asher. Now, why would God give us so much information about the background of Anna, when usually this type of desctiption is not given to us about the women of Scripture? Why mention her father or her tribe?
Asher was one of the smaller tribes, located along the Mediterranian coast in the north. Those who believe that oil will be found in Israel base their intitial interest in the verses about Asher that mention "riches" and "oil." Were the riches olive oil, or perhaps oil not yet found? Asher is said to be "blessed above the other brothers"...we have not seen that yet...perhaps oil will be found in Israel one day....an interesting thought.
Another intersting thing about the tribe of Asher is that in the New Testament, very few tribes are mentioned (do a word search/Strongs search) - Outside of Revelation 7 only Judah, Benjamin and Asher are mentioned.(An interesting side study is Rev 7. Two tribes are left out of the listing - Dan and Simeon - why?)....oh well, more on Asher in another blog. (See my next entry for general notes on Asher.)
I will blog my findings about the 12 tibes, and my daily adventures, when I return.
Let me end with the emphatic statement.....if you love Israel and the Holy Land - you should go!!!! This will be one of the most moving, life changing and important trips in your life. I know you have heard this, but it is true!!!! Save your money, take and loan, whatever....just go...you will be blessed!
I leave this week for my 15th trip to the Holy Land. I am truely blessed! My focus for this trip will be the twelve tribes. I believe that we will have to opportunity to visit the Temple Institute in Jerusalem.
If you are interested in anything about the Temple, or the rebuilding of the Temple, be sure to go to their web site. www.templeinstitute.org.
This past Sunday I had the blessing of teaching my ladies at Tierrasanta Baptist Churh about Anna (Luke 2:36-38). She was from the tribe of Asher. Now, why would God give us so much information about the background of Anna, when usually this type of desctiption is not given to us about the women of Scripture? Why mention her father or her tribe?
Asher was one of the smaller tribes, located along the Mediterranian coast in the north. Those who believe that oil will be found in Israel base their intitial interest in the verses about Asher that mention "riches" and "oil." Were the riches olive oil, or perhaps oil not yet found? Asher is said to be "blessed above the other brothers"...we have not seen that yet...perhaps oil will be found in Israel one day....an interesting thought.
Another intersting thing about the tribe of Asher is that in the New Testament, very few tribes are mentioned (do a word search/Strongs search) - Outside of Revelation 7 only Judah, Benjamin and Asher are mentioned.(An interesting side study is Rev 7. Two tribes are left out of the listing - Dan and Simeon - why?)....oh well, more on Asher in another blog. (See my next entry for general notes on Asher.)
I will blog my findings about the 12 tibes, and my daily adventures, when I return.
Let me end with the emphatic statement.....if you love Israel and the Holy Land - you should go!!!! This will be one of the most moving, life changing and important trips in your life. I know you have heard this, but it is true!!!! Save your money, take and loan, whatever....just go...you will be blessed!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Quiz Answers II
1.The only tribe nor given any land was Levi.
2.The tribe of Mary was Judah.
3.Hannah was married to an Ephramite.
4.No tribal affiliation is given to some of the women, such as Rahab, but because of where they lived we think that Rahab was from the tribe of Benjamin, though she married into Judah.
5.Mary and Martha lived in Bethany in the area of Benjamin, near the tribe of Judah.
6.Mary Magdalene came from a small village on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee, associated with the tribe of Naptali.
7.Ruth married into the tribe of Judah.
8.Esther was from the tribe of Benjamin.
9.All the queens (southern/Judah) i.e. Athaliah, married into the tribe of Judah.
10The only female judge of Israel was Deborah. She lived in the area of Ephraim.
11 Jesus chose Capernaum for his home base. The entire area west of the Sea of Galilee was the tribe of Naphtali.
12.Jesus grew up in Nazareth. The tribal area is not sure. It is on the border of the tribes of Zebulun, Issachar and Manasseh. As I study the tribes and the land allocations more closely I am finding that the borders of the tribes were flexible. The tribes lived and moved around from one area to another. (For more information see the article by Adam Zertle, The Trek of the Tribess as They Settled in Canaan BAR Sept/Oct 1991. 17:05).
13.Modern Day geography.
Gaza – Judah
Jerusalem – Benjamin (Benjamin and Judah were the only two tribes that “stayed” when the kingdoms were divided.
Ramala – the area of Manasseh or Ephraim.
Masada and Quamran – Judah.
Sderot – (the area that is getting the daily rocket attacks) in Judah.
2.The tribe of Mary was Judah.
3.Hannah was married to an Ephramite.
4.No tribal affiliation is given to some of the women, such as Rahab, but because of where they lived we think that Rahab was from the tribe of Benjamin, though she married into Judah.
5.Mary and Martha lived in Bethany in the area of Benjamin, near the tribe of Judah.
6.Mary Magdalene came from a small village on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee, associated with the tribe of Naptali.
7.Ruth married into the tribe of Judah.
8.Esther was from the tribe of Benjamin.
9.All the queens (southern/Judah) i.e. Athaliah, married into the tribe of Judah.
10The only female judge of Israel was Deborah. She lived in the area of Ephraim.
11 Jesus chose Capernaum for his home base. The entire area west of the Sea of Galilee was the tribe of Naphtali.
12.Jesus grew up in Nazareth. The tribal area is not sure. It is on the border of the tribes of Zebulun, Issachar and Manasseh. As I study the tribes and the land allocations more closely I am finding that the borders of the tribes were flexible. The tribes lived and moved around from one area to another. (For more information see the article by Adam Zertle, The Trek of the Tribess as They Settled in Canaan BAR Sept/Oct 1991. 17:05).
13.Modern Day geography.
Gaza – Judah
Jerusalem – Benjamin (Benjamin and Judah were the only two tribes that “stayed” when the kingdoms were divided.
Ramala – the area of Manasseh or Ephraim.
Masada and Quamran – Judah.
Sderot – (the area that is getting the daily rocket attacks) in Judah.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Quiz Answers Part I
1.Why study the Tribes? Discussed in previous blog.
2.Family Tree:
Great grandparents – Abraham and Sarah
Grandparents – Isaac and Rebekah
Parents:
Jacob and Leah(6): Issachar, Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Levi and Zebulum.
Jacob and Rachael (2): Benjamin and Joseph
Jacob and Zilpah (2): Asher and Gad.
Jacob and Bilhah (2): Dan and Naptali.
3.The tribe of Jesus and David was Judah.
4.The tribe of Moses was Levi.
5.The tribe of Paul is Benjamin.
6.The northernmost tribe was a small section of Dan. The southern most was Judah. The designation, “from Dan to Beersheba” is used several times in the Scripture to indicate the entire land of the Hebrews. Dan being the northern border, and Beersheba being a southern designation.
7. Tribal locations - geography
Joseph – His allotment was given to his sons Manasseh and Ephraim
Levi - Was not given a land allotment. They were given “refuge cities” in each tribal area.
Dan-–Small area on the seacoast, south of Manasseh, north of Judah, west of Ephraim and Benjamin. Many maps show very small are in the north between Manasseh and Naptali. The ruins of the city of Dan can be visited today (north).
Benjamin - Central, south. Small area with Ephraim to North, Dan to the West and Judah to the South.
Asher – North coast.
Naptali- North, runs parallel and east of Asher.
Zebulun – North. Small area surrounded by Asher, Naptali, Manasseh and Issachar.
Manasseh - Divided tribe. On the western side of the Jordan river to the sea coast. Centrally located above Ephriam and south of Asher, Zepulun and Issachar, and north of Ephriam. The half of the tribe on the east was large land area of modern day Jordan. East of Jordan River and Sea of Galilee. North of Gad.
Gad - The second of the three tribes that had land allocated east of the Jordan River. In the center of the three tribe east of the Jordan river. Below Manasseh and above Reuben.
Reuben. East side of the Dead Sea.
Southern most of the three tribes on the eastern side.
Judah - Southernmost tribe. From sea coast to the west to the Dead Sea on the east. In the center of land of Judah, land was given to Simeon.
Simeon - South. Surrounded by Judah.
Issachar - North. Southwest of Sea of Galilee and west of Jordan River. From Jordan River to midway to the Med. Sea..
Ephraim - West of Jordan River. Manasseh to the north. Benjamin to south. Dan to the west. Across from Gad (on the east).
More answers in blogs to follow.
2.Family Tree:
Great grandparents – Abraham and Sarah
Grandparents – Isaac and Rebekah
Parents:
Jacob and Leah(6): Issachar, Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Levi and Zebulum.
Jacob and Rachael (2): Benjamin and Joseph
Jacob and Zilpah (2): Asher and Gad.
Jacob and Bilhah (2): Dan and Naptali.
3.The tribe of Jesus and David was Judah.
4.The tribe of Moses was Levi.
5.The tribe of Paul is Benjamin.
6.The northernmost tribe was a small section of Dan. The southern most was Judah. The designation, “from Dan to Beersheba” is used several times in the Scripture to indicate the entire land of the Hebrews. Dan being the northern border, and Beersheba being a southern designation.
7. Tribal locations - geography
Joseph – His allotment was given to his sons Manasseh and Ephraim
Levi - Was not given a land allotment. They were given “refuge cities” in each tribal area.
Dan-–Small area on the seacoast, south of Manasseh, north of Judah, west of Ephraim and Benjamin. Many maps show very small are in the north between Manasseh and Naptali. The ruins of the city of Dan can be visited today (north).
Benjamin - Central, south. Small area with Ephraim to North, Dan to the West and Judah to the South.
Asher – North coast.
Naptali- North, runs parallel and east of Asher.
Zebulun – North. Small area surrounded by Asher, Naptali, Manasseh and Issachar.
Manasseh - Divided tribe. On the western side of the Jordan river to the sea coast. Centrally located above Ephriam and south of Asher, Zepulun and Issachar, and north of Ephriam. The half of the tribe on the east was large land area of modern day Jordan. East of Jordan River and Sea of Galilee. North of Gad.
Gad - The second of the three tribes that had land allocated east of the Jordan River. In the center of the three tribe east of the Jordan river. Below Manasseh and above Reuben.
Reuben. East side of the Dead Sea.
Southern most of the three tribes on the eastern side.
Judah - Southernmost tribe. From sea coast to the west to the Dead Sea on the east. In the center of land of Judah, land was given to Simeon.
Simeon - South. Surrounded by Judah.
Issachar - North. Southwest of Sea of Galilee and west of Jordan River. From Jordan River to midway to the Med. Sea..
Ephraim - West of Jordan River. Manasseh to the north. Benjamin to south. Dan to the west. Across from Gad (on the east).
More answers in blogs to follow.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
New Blog to View
My dear friend Olivia from Knoxville has just started her own blog. Be sure to stop by to see her writings. I am sure you will be blessed.
http://lookingeast-andup.blogspot.com/
http://lookingeast-andup.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tribe of Issachar
My dear friends of the Women’s Bible Study at Chilhoweehills Baptist Church in Knoxville TN have recently started a twelve month study about the twelve tribes of Israel. Meeting once a month, each tribe is researched by a different woman of the group, who presents her findings to the other ladies.
My assignment is Issachar. “Who the heck is Issachar and why should I spend hours and hours of time researching the tribe” was my first response. Beginning my initial research I have discovered that there are very few references to Issachar, but the few I have found have made me ask myself a few questions.
One of the interesting side results from this study is that I am interested in finding out about any Jewish bloodline in my family. I have an aunt and uncle by marriage who were Jewish (I think) – Gruber and Schneider family names. I am beginning a search to find out more about their family trees.
So begins my blogging about the study of the twelve tribes - with a focus on the women of the tribe.
Join with me.
1. Ask your self: Why study the tribes of Israel?
2. Pick a tribe that you might want to research. I suggest the tribe of Levy or Judah because there is so much information about them.
3. What do you know about the women of Scripture in relation to the tribes? Can you name five women and their tribe?
4.. Do you have any friends or relatives with the surname of Ruben, Simon, Asher, Dan, Benjamin, Levi, etc… or something close like, Levy or Cohen? Look in your city phone book and see how many of these names appear. I live in the large city of San Diego, CA, and was amazed to see how many of these names are listed. (That was fun and made this study come alive for me.)
My assignment is Issachar. “Who the heck is Issachar and why should I spend hours and hours of time researching the tribe” was my first response. Beginning my initial research I have discovered that there are very few references to Issachar, but the few I have found have made me ask myself a few questions.
One of the interesting side results from this study is that I am interested in finding out about any Jewish bloodline in my family. I have an aunt and uncle by marriage who were Jewish (I think) – Gruber and Schneider family names. I am beginning a search to find out more about their family trees.
So begins my blogging about the study of the twelve tribes - with a focus on the women of the tribe.
Join with me.
1. Ask your self: Why study the tribes of Israel?
2. Pick a tribe that you might want to research. I suggest the tribe of Levy or Judah because there is so much information about them.
3. What do you know about the women of Scripture in relation to the tribes? Can you name five women and their tribe?
4.. Do you have any friends or relatives with the surname of Ruben, Simon, Asher, Dan, Benjamin, Levi, etc… or something close like, Levy or Cohen? Look in your city phone book and see how many of these names appear. I live in the large city of San Diego, CA, and was amazed to see how many of these names are listed. (That was fun and made this study come alive for me.)
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