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Pilgrimage to Israel
  • Cathy Plumb

Pilgrimage to Israel

May 2019 Read more
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  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Left of the flag pole is Lebanon and right is Israel.
    "Abraham's Gate"Raised platform at the Dan Gate where the King would judgeJeroboam's High Place of Idol Worship

    Tel Dan

    May 10, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    Tel Dan is located in northern Israel on the Lebanon Border. Three Biblical events took place at Tel Dan.
    Genesis 14:13-16 records that Abraham traveled from Hebron to Dan to rescue his nephew Lot. Tradition says Abraham passed through the Canaanite Gate of the Three Arches in Dan. Because of this, the gate has been named "Abraham's Gate". The nearly 4,000-year-old arches of the gate are believed to be the oldest ever found in Israel.
    The tribe of Dan's original inheritance recorded in Joshua 19:47 was filled with Philistines and it was hard for the Danites to drive them out. So they went up to little brother Naphtali's inheritance in the north, attacked the Canaanite city of Lesham with the sword and burned down the city. Judges 18:28-29 tells us then the Danites rebuilt the city and settled there. They named it Dan after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city used to be called Laish. (or Leshem as it was called in Joshua).
    The Israelite Dan Gate is where the men of the city would gather at the city entrance and the king would judge.
    Jeraboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship. 1 Kings 12:26-33 records the place where the golden calf was worshiped was called a High Place. Here pagan priests performed animal sacrifices to pagan gods. The metal frame is a reconstruction of the dimensions of the high place.    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Hermon Stream Nature Reserve
    Temple of Pan and the Dancing GoatsFig TreeA growing Fig fruit

    Caesarea Phillipi

    May 10, 2019 in Syria ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Caesarea Phillipi is nearly uninhabited and an archaeological site in the northern Golan Heights. A city of Greek-Roman culture, it is known for its worship of pagan gods. It is located at the base of Mt. Hermon.
    It was here in the area that Peter made his confession of Christ's deity. His confession was in response to Jesus' question as written in Matthew 16:13,16 "Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"..." Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Snow-capped Mount Hermon is in the distance

    Mt. Bental

    May 10, 2019 in Syria ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Mt. Bental, located in the middle of the Golan Heights mountain range, is a 3,842-foot high inactive volcano. Bental means cinder stone. From Mt. Bental, the snow-capped Mt. Hermon can be seen. Mt Hermon's summit straddles the border between Syria and Lebanon. Partial slopes of Mt. Hermon are administered by Israel. While visiting Mt. Bental it was advised to keep to established paths in the area; Old Syrian minefields remain uncleared just off of these paths.
    During the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Israel used Mt. Bental as a mountain bunker. They were vastly outnumbered by Syrian tanks but succeeded against all odds in blocking the Syrian advances. It was one of the largest ever tank battles and was miraculously won by the Israelis with their small force of 160 tanks and 60 artillery pieces. The Syrians attacked with 1,500 tanks and 1,000 artillery pieces and were slowly mowed down by the much, much smaller Israeli force. The Israeli army suffered large casualties and by the time the battle was over, only 7 Israeli tanks were operational. After 900 of the Syrian tanks were destroyed, the Syrians turned and fled, leaving the land for the victorious Israelis. The valley below Mt. Bental is called the Valley of Tears in remembrance of the bloody battle that took place here.
    The Scriptures picture Mt. Hermon as a metaphor of majesty, blessing, and beauty (Psalm 89:12; 133:3; Song of Solomon 4:8). After 6 days at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter proclaimed Jesus was the Christ, Jesus took some off his disciples up on a high mountain. Caesarea Phillipi sits at the base of Mt. Hermon and maybe the “high mountain” where Jesus' disciples witnessed His was transfiguration. Matthew 17 records Jesus' His face shown like the sun, His garments became white as snow and Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. Then a voice out of a cloud said "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    A modern church hovers over the remains of Peter's house to protect it from the elements.

    Capernaum

    May 10, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    After being rejected in Nazareth, Jesus moved to Capernaum - Matt. 4:13-16. Near Capernaum, Jesus called Peter, Andrew James and John to be His disciples - Matt. 4:18-22. And He called Matthew, the tax collector - Matt. 9:9. In Capernaum, Matthew records Jesus healed the Centurion's servant, the paralyzed man whose friends let him down through the roof, the women who had a hemorrhage, the nobleman's son, two blind men, a mute demonic and raised Jairus's daughter from the dead. And He delivered a man from an unclean spirit and healed Peter's mother-in-law. More of Christ's recorded miracles were performed in Capernaum than any other city, yet Capernaum did not believe - Matt. 11:23-24.
    Mark chapter 1 records on the Sabbath, Jesus taught in the Capernaum synagogue. A synagogue is a place where those of the Jewish faith meet to hear the word of the Lord, worship and pray to God. In Hebrew, a synagogue is called beit knesset, which means, a "house of gathering". The original basalt synagogue that Jesus taught in was built by a Roman centurion, the same centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus without even seeing the man. Jesus marveled at the faith of this centurion. (Luke 7:1-10). Later, the synagogue was reconstructed and is believed to have been built on the foundations of the synagogue in which Jesus taught. The new synagogue reconstruction in the late 4th century, was an impressive structure, with ornately carved decorations. It is the largest synagogue discovered in Israel. Its white limestone, carted from a distant quarry, contrasts with the local black basalt of the synagogue Christ knew.    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler

    Sea of Galilee

    May 10, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    The Sea of Galilee is 1.3 miles long, 8 miles wide at the north end, about 100-150 feet deep and is almost 700 feet below sea level. Matthew chapters 8 & 14 records when Jesus calmed the storm while traveling by boat with His disciples and Jesus walked on the water in the Sea of Galilee. Peter also walked on the water for a bit until he took his eyes off of Jesus! We boarded a boat and with a brief scripture reading and a devotional, the experiences of Jesus and his fishermen disciples were brought to life.Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Magdala Stone
    With a view of the Sea of Galilee, this chapel commemorates Jesus preaching from the boat.

    Magdala

    May 10, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    On the west coastline of the Sea of Galilee, near the base of the towering Mt. Arbel, lie the ruins of the ancient city of Magdala. The ancient town of Magdala is believed to be the hometown of Mary Magdalene. When Mary encountered Jesus, He drove seven demons out from her and she became His follower. She was a witness to his crucifixion, burial, and the first to testify to Jesus's resurrection.
    Magdala was discovered when a priest decided to build a retreat center near the shores of Sea of Galilee. In 2006 the first parcel was purchased and in 2009, workers began to dig the foundation for the guesthouse. As they dug, they discovered a First Century Synagogue where Jesus visited and taught. Inside the synagogue, they also found the Magdala Stone, dating to before the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70. Many archaeologists call the discovery of the Magdala stone the most significant archaeological find in the past 50 years because it details images of the 2nd Temple before its destruction.
    As archaeologists continued to dig, they discovered an entire first-century Jewish town lying just below the surface. So far, the dig has uncovered three ritual purification baths, market places, residential areas, thousands of first-century coins (including numerous “widow’s mites”), lots of period pottery, and the structures for fish salting and processing. In the time of Jesus, Magdala was a thriving fishing village. The fisherman brought their catch here to process and sell for export. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus says Magdala had a population of 40,000 people and a fleet of 230 boats about 30 years after Jesus' death.    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler

    Ancient Galilee Boat

    May 11, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    The Ancient Galilee Boat is an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century AD. It was discovered buried in the shore in 1986 by fishermen from Kibbutz Ginosar. It took 12 days to excavate the boat from the mud without damaging it and is now displayed in a Kibbutz Ginosar museum.
    Kibbutzim, meaning gathering or clustering, is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. When the first Jews returned to Israel in the early 1900s, they grouped together and shared everything they had (just like in Acts). It was a necessity to survive. Their philosophy was to "work as much as you can and take as little as needed". Present-day, there are few still in operation like the Kibbutz Ginosar.    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Jordan River shortly after it flows out of the Sea of Galilee towards the Dead Sea
    I can read Hebrew!Pomegranate

    Jordan River

    May 11, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    On our way to Bet She'an, we crossed over the Jordan River. The river flows from Mt. Hermon to the Sea of Galilee and then down to the Dead Sea. Much of the water that once fed the Jordan River is now used for irrigation. It is more like a small stream and is less than 50 feet wide.Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Roman theaterThe streets were made of Basalt stone and angled so animal waste would be washed to the sides.Bet Shan wall was located on top of this hill. On left, a small tree marks where King Saul was hung.Very public bathroom

    Bet She'an

    May 11, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Bet She’an is one of the oldest cities in Israel. Located where the Jordan River Valley and the Jezreel Valley meet, the city’s history is believed to go back more than 5,000 years. It is located in the inheritance of Issachar.
    In 1st and 2nd Samuel, Judges, Joshua, 1st Kings and Chronicles this location is known as Beth Shan. It is also known in English as Beth Shean. During Jesus' time, it was known as Scythopolis. It was one of the 10 cities known as the Decapolis in the Bible.
    1 Samuel 31:10-12 records when the Philistines defeated King Saul and his son's on Mount Gilboa they impaled and hung their bodies onto the wall of Beth Shan.
    The Bet She'an Roman theater was constructed in the 2nd century and seated 7,000 people.    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    WheatDate PalmsCorn

    Jordan Valley Farming

    May 11, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    We traveled through Israel's “Land of Milk and Honey”, the fertile Jordan Valley. Crops are now growing in desert climates which would not have been feasible without drip irrigation. The first practical drip irrigation system was developed and patented in 1959 by the Israel Kibbutz Hatzerim in the Israeli Negev desert.
    I saw grain elevators, wheat, date plantations and more. The soil appeared reddish, unlike the brown soil farmland I am familiar with. It is in the inheritance of Zebulon.    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Fruit or Olive Oil pressHyssop tastes like oregano

    Nazareth, the Boyhood Home of Jesus

    May 11, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    The Village of Nazareth is a replica/re-enactment of a first-century farm and village. Located in Nazareth, the Nazareth Village features a carefully researched re-creation of Jesus' hometown. Nazareth is in the inheritance of Issachar. Originally a working farm, the village has been restored with olive trees, terraces, ancient wine press, irrigation systems, and stone quarry. Exact replicas of first-century houses, synagogue, and olive presses have been carefully built using the same methods that would have been used by Joseph the carpenter. The scenes were brought to life as “villagers” populate the farm and houses, living and working with the same type of clothing, pottery, tools and methods that Mary and Joseph would have used.
    Hyssop was used during the first Passover in Exodus 22:12. Moses was selected by God to rescue the Israelites who were captives, out of Egypt. God sent nine plagues on Egypt and each time Moses said the Lord says "Let my people go" but each time Pharaoh said no. The 10th plague the Lord sent to Egypt, was the death of the firstborn males of every household. The only way to escape this plague was if the door frame of the house was covered with the blood of an unblemished lamb. The Jews dipped hyssop in the blood and applied it to their door frames. The Lord "passed over" the Jewish homes with the blood on the door frames and spared their firstborn son. The next morning there was great mourning in Egypt as their firstborn sons, including the firstborn male livestock, were dead. Pharaoh finally conceded and told the Israelites they could leave, though soon after he changed his mind and chased them into the Red Sea. The Lord parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to escape but caused the water to come crashing down on the Egyptians and they were killed.
    Hyssop is a common plant of the mint family. Because of its stiff branches and hairy leaves, it served well for sprinkling. In addition to the Passover, it was also used in the purifying of lepers (Lev. 14:2-7) the cleansing of a plague (Lev. 14:49-52) and the sacrificing of the red heifer (Num. 19:2-6).    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Cave 4 where some of the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered.

    Qumran Caves - Dead Sea Scrolls

    May 11, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    Qumran is located near the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea and was the site of a small settlement that existed during the time of Jesus. The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered near Qumran in 1947 by young Bedouin shepherds. Scholars believe Qumran was inhabited by a Jewish sect called the Essenes. Ruins of the sect’s communal site remain, including a watchtower, a dining hall, cisterns, and cemeteries. Most likely the Essenes, hearing the approach of Roman armies in 68 AD, laced their scrolls in pottery jars and hid them in the nearby caves, intending to return for them later. The Essenes are believed to have joined the rebels at Masada. They remained at Masada until their deaths in 73 AD.
    Fragments of about 850 scrolls were eventually found in 11 hard-to-reach caves in the cliffs around the Qumran area. The ancient manuscripts were in various states of completeness. Only a handful of the scrolls were intact, the largest more than 26 feet long! Most were written in Hebrew, some in Aramaic and a few in Greek. Most were on parchment, with a few on papyrus. They had been preserved by the hot, dry desert climate. The scrolls include at least fragments of every book of the Old Testament except the book of Esther. As the oldest existing copies of the Old Testament, they confirm the accuracy of later manuscripts. The other scrolls that were found gave new insight into the Jewish society in which Christianity began.    Read more

    See translation
  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Pomegranate

    Dead Sea

    May 11, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    At the end of day 5, we arrived at the upscale David Dead Sea Resort for one night. It is located across the street from the Dead Sea Beach. The Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea in the Old Testament, has the lowest elevation and is the lowest body of water on the surface of Earth. The surface of the Dead Sea averages about 1,290 feet below sea level. It has a salinity of 33.7 percent. This is almost 10 times saltier than ordinary seawater. Because of the high salt content of the water, it is impossible not to float on the water.Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Cable Car base stationBelow in the shadow of the cable car, the snake trail that winds up the mountainReplica of MasadaRemains of a Roman camp at the base of the MasadaView of Dead Sea from Masada summitReplica of Herod's palace on the top Masada

    Traveling up to Masada

    May 12, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    King Herod the Great built a lavish palace on Masada’s summit between 37-31 BC with towers and a fortified high wall. He cultivated the desert fortress into an oasis, with Roman bathhouses, cisterns, and storehouses. It was a natural fortress built on top of a barren mountainous desert plateau 1500 feet high. The vertical face of the rock plateau drops 820 feet on the east and 600 feet on the west. We traveled by cable car up to the mountain top fortress of Masada (some hiked up the snake path, instead of using the cable car.)Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Remains of the Masada SynagogueOne of the Dovecots on MasadaCistern to store waterBoulders rolled down the hill by Jewish rebels to keep the Roman soldiers at bay.The soldiers used the white trail coming up the western side of Masada to enter the fortress

    The Story of Masada

    May 12, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    During the first Jewish revolt against Rome from 66-70 AD, Jerusalem was seized by the Romans and the second temple destroyed. Jewish Zealots, including women and children, fled and took refuge at Masada. It was the last Jewish stronghold during the war. A legion of 8,000 Roman soldiers built camps surrounding the base of Masada and a siege ramp against the western face of the plateau. Using a massive battering ram the soldiers finally breached the wall of the fortress. What they found was all but five of the 960 inhabitants had taken their own lives rather than surrender to the Romans.Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Acacia Tree

    Acacia Tree

    May 12, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    These trees are conspicuous in the desert with their often slanted, flat tops. The wood is hard, very heavy, indestructible by insects, and has a fine, beautiful grain. It is brownish-orange in color. In Exodus chapters 25-27, the Israelites used the wood of the Acacia to build the Ark of the Covenant, the bread table, altars, pillars, poles and boards for the tabernacle in the wilderness.Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    Look closely to see two Rock Hyraxs hiding in the shadow between the rocks.Israel Defense Force (IDF) practicingWild Mountain Goat called an IbexYappy black bird is called a Tristram's Grackle and is the starling family.

    Ein Gedi

    May 12, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    En Gedi (meaning spring of the wild goat) is an oasis and a nature reserve in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea, near Masada and the Qumran Caves. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. Ein Gedi is in the inheritance of Judah. The following two Bible passages take place in En Gedi:
    1 Samuel 24:1-3 “Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself.”
    David snuck into the cave and cut off a piece of Saul's Rob, then later called out to Saul:
    1 Samuel 24:11 “Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it.”
    And this is where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat.
    2 Chronicles 20:2 & 17 “Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).”
    “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.”    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler

    Bethany Beyond the Jordan

    May 12, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    This is the site believed to be where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. I gave my testimony and was baptized too. This is the 3rd time I have been baptized. Each time I publicly proclaim my commitment to Christ Jesus, who is my Lord and Savior. The Jordan River divides Israel and Jordan. During our baptism time, on the other side of the river Jordanians were being baptized at the same time.Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler
    EliezerFather Abraham

    Genesis Land

    May 12, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    At Genesis Land, the stories of the Bible came to life in the very landscape in which they took place. Genesis Land is situated in the heart of the Judean desert, on the way to the Dead Sea, in the land where the Patriarchs lived. We experienced life as it was in biblical times. We were are greeted by Eliezer, Abraham's manservant, and by a train of camels which led us down to Abraham's tent. We experienced Abraham's legendary hospitality. We were served chicken, pita bread, hummus and more until we could not eat another bite. This was probably one of the best, if not the best meal I had while in Israel.Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler

    First-time seeing Jerusalem

    May 12, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    At the end of the day, we traveled towards Jerusalem. We came out of a tunnel to see Jerusalem for the very first time. My spirit jumped within me as we had now entered God's chosen city. "But I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel" 2 Chronicles 6:6. I felt excitement just as all the past generations of pilgrims who came into view of Jerusalem. It was a very dramatic moment as our tour guide played this song:
    Chris Tomlin - God of this city
    [Verse 1]
    You're the God of this City
    You're the King of these people
    You're the Lord of this nation
    You are
    [Verse 2]
    You're the Light in this darkness
    You're the Hope to the hopeless
    You're the Peace to the restless
    You are
    There is no one like our God
    There is no one like our God
    [Chorus]
    For greater things have yet to come
    And greater things are still to be done in this City
    Greater thing have yet to come
    And greater things are still to be done in this City    Read more

  • Cathy PlumbPilgrimage to IsraelTraveler

    Jerusalem

    May 12, 2019 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Jerusalem is the largest city in Israel and has a population of approximately 875,000. It is in the inheritance of Benjamin. We stayed the rest of our pilgrimage in Jerusalem at the Dan Jerusalem Hotel. Set in a sprawling, palatial building on the slopes of Mount Scopus, this upscale hotel boasted views overlooking the famous Jerusalem skyline and the rolling Judean Hills.Read more

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