Israel Day 3 – From Sea to Shining Sea

We began the day with a great breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean. Breakfast in Israel is Kosher (Ge 7:2; Lev 11; Dt 14:1-21). One of the things that means is that meat and milk are not served in the same meal (Ex 23:19; 34:36; Dt 14:21). Breakfast is a dairy meal. There was also fruit, vegetables, breads, eggs and fish. This was similar every day.

After packing the bus (and taking a picture next to a bronze Fiddler on the Roof), we were off to the north.

Our first stop was at Caesarea. King Herod built this port city as a place for his palace. We visited the Theater, where we learned the difference between a Theater (for speakers and meetings) and an Amphitheatre (for sporting events). We were also shown the mechanics of the sound system, which included places for large stone jars to amplify a speaker’s voice.

We visited the ruins of the Palace, which is built into the Mediterranean and takes advantage of the breezes to cool the building. There is also a fresh water pool in the middle of the Mediterranean. On the top end of Caesarea is a crusader fortress. There are shops built into this fortress. Following our visit to the city, we saw the Aqueduct and picked up some shells.

From Caesarea we traveled up Mount Carmel through the Yokne’am Pass to the Muhraqa Carmelite Chapel on Mount Carmel. This, by tradition, is the place where Elijah met the prophets of Baal and called fire down from heaven. We went up to the roof, where we could look out over all of Jezreel Valley. The acoustics of the chapel are very beautiful.

After the Carmelite Chapel we traveled roads on Mt. Carmel to Megiddo Pass and Tel Megiddo. Here John explained to us trade routes through the area and why Megiddo Pass was so valuable. We find constant battles in this area. In 1468 BC Pharaoh Thutmose III defeated a Canaanite army here. Joshua also captured the city. Deborah and Barak fought King Jabin and Sisera here. Solomon conquered and fortified Megiddo, and so forth, many battles including the final battle have and will be fought here. We walked the Tel and saw many gates and layers of history. We also had a great panoramic view of Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, Mt Tabor, Mt. Moreh and Mt. Gilboa where King Solomon died.

Leaving Megiddo we crossed Jezreel Valley and climbed the road into Nazareth. We stopped at the Precipitous, where John read us Luke 4:13-30. This site was another great view of the valley and it’s recent wheat harvest.

We left Nazareth, traveled through Cana to the Sea of Galilee. We stopped to view the Sea of Galilee from Sea Level (clearly marked on the road). The Sea of Galilee is 700’ below sea level. From there, we traveled to Ma’agan Kibbutz, our home for the next three nights. This Kibbutz raises wonderful fruit, including dates. These were served at every meal. There were also peacocks … see Sarah’s video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0RBpjlJ1EU&feature=share. You will see a Peacock, and a muskrat from the Jordan River.

At this kibbutz there is a beach where we had devotions and went swimming. At night from the beach we could see cities all around the lake (Mt 5:14).