Israel Day 4 – Going North

After a great breakfast we traveled north along the east side of the Sea of Galilee. This is the region of Decapolis, ten Greek cities. The area would be a foreign and prohibited country yet, except that Israel took possession of this territory from Jordan and Syria in the wars. We saw on this road the region of the Gerasenes where Jesus cast the demons out of a man and into pigs that went running into the sea.

After traveling up the road we stopped at Hazor, a national park and site of archeological digs. At this site we saw the palace of Jabin (see yesterday’s blog). They have uncovered the old ruins, and restored the walls about half way up. Hazor is on the travel route from Babylon to Egypt through the Jordan Valley. Joshua conquered the city from the Canaanites. Solomon fortified this city along with Megiddo.

From here we continued to go north to Dan, one of the three sources of the Jordan River. While much of the Jordan is an anemic creek, the Dan River is a rushing, mighty force. The water pours out of the rock, and there is much lush vegetation. We enjoyed walking along the river, and on rocks in the river to see this area. There are fig trees along the way that tower overhead and provide great shade. Within the park are two ruins. One of these is the city of Dan. Jeroboam set up a center of worship here to compete with the Temple. Golden calves were placed in the Temple, which has been uncovered. We also saw a Canaanite city of Laish at this site. The gate has been uncovered, with a roof placed overhead to prevent deterioration.

From Dan, it is only a short way to Banias Spring on the Hermon River. At this spot there was built a temple to Pan and other gods of the Romans. This site is also called Caesarea Philippi. We sat along the beautiful spring and listened as Pastor John told how Jesus said, “Upon this Rock I will build my church.” We walked among the carved out temples, and up to an old foundation before we exited the park.

From Banias Spring, we traveled up the mountain to Nimrod, a crusader fortress built 1227. This fortress was built to control the road from the Jordan Valley past Hula valley to Syria. The fort is located high on a hill, with huge walls. We saw the fortress inside and out.

We ate lunch at a Druze diner on the slopes of Mt. Hermon. We were served Falafels.

From this point we traveled south to Fortress Bental. This fortress is on an extinct volcano. Actually there are a chain of volcanoes in the are that form the Golan boundary between Syria and Israel. The place is strategic. In the area we visited there is a steep ridge with farms below on broad plains. Before 1967 the Syrians were launching rockets off the mountain deep into Israel. Since the capture, there has been safety. We were able to look into Syria and also see the fortifications of the mountain. This was a place of intense fighting.
I was wounded there myself. While looking at the metal sculpture, I was stung by a bee. Dr. Tagg was close by to render emergency aid. My finger barely swelled.
We traveled from this place of engagement to Katzrin, a village from the Talmudic period. There are several houses which have been restored and furnished with period accessories. We visited both the homes and the Synagogue.

As we headed back to the Sea of Galilee we visited a new site, Bethsaida, where it was supposed that Peter lived. A house was excavated which continued fishing gear, and the town is close enough to the sea of Galilee that fishermen could have lived there.