Israel Day 3

On day 3 we found ourselves in Nazareth, the place Jesus grew up. We walked through churches that were beautiful to behold.

                                         

                                                                

                                                              

                         

When my eyes took in this tree, I was awe struck. Isn't it stunning?

This is a picture of a mikveh, a bath used by our Jewish friends, for immersion to achieve purity.

On April 12, 2018 while we were touring Nazareth an air raid siren began to blare at 10 AM. This occurs on Yom HaShoah, which is Holocaust Remembrance Day. This siren is heard throughout the country and people stop and observe 2 minutes of solemn reflection, commemorating the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Flags are flown at half mast. Almost everyone stops whatever they are doing and stands in silence. Cars stop on the roads, people stop walking, activity is ceased. I am honored that I was able to stop and reflect on those lives, while standing in the land of their Fathers.

Afterwards we looked out over Mt. Precipice overlooking the Jezreel Valley. The view is incredible and so is the history and prophecy. This is the site of Luke 4:16-30, where the angry mob wanted to throw Jesus from the cliff. The Jezreel Valley was home to various biblical battles and according to Revelation 16:16-21 is the place that will be the home of the future battle of Armageddon.

Our next stop was Banias, a beautiful ancient site once associated with the Greek god Pan. This old city is also know in the books of Matthew and Mark as Caesarea Philippi. (See Matthew 16:13-21)

Golan Heights near the Syrian border was our next stop. We visited a museum and learned about battles that took place and saw various artifacts. As I learned all I could think was, I am so thankful the Jewish people have so much fight in them. I am thankful for that today as well.

An Elephant tooth.

To close out our last day and evening in the Galilee area Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, came to our hotel and spoke about Bible prophecy and connecting with Christians. The conversation was incredible. I couldn't help but cry as we discussed current events, bridging gaps between Jews and Christians, and prophecy unfolding before us.

On that evening tears ran down my face because G-d had called me to Israel, to see His land, meet His people, and was allowing me to be apart of this. I am still left with my mouth gaping open as I continue to grow friendships, learn, and study Hebrew.

All I can say is todah, which is thank you in Hebrew.

My friend Adam has an amazing gift of stringing words together. He writes articles for Breaking Israel News, which you can read by clicking the link. He also writes words that turn into books you can't put down. Here are the links for those:

The Hope Merchant
Dolphins on the Moon

He had both books with him when he meet with us, I purchased both. He signed one with these words, "coming to Israel turns your heart of stone to a heart of flesh" and one "your tears are holy never forget". He is not wrong and I am forever encouraged and thankful.