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BIBLE SETTINGS ISRAEL STUDY TRIP

March 11-22, 2012

Host:  Chuck Davis, Pastor, Stanwich Church, Greenwich, CT

Director/Guide:  Bryan Widbin

March 11 (Sun)   Leave New York

March 12 (Mon)  Arrive Tel Aviv

If time today, visit Caessarea Maritima, capital of Roman Palestine, where Paul was incarcerated before being shipped to Roman  Transfer to Seasons Hotel, Netanya.

March 13 (Tues) Muhraqa / Megiddo / Nazareth/Nain

Our day begins with a drive up the heights of Mount Carmel, stopping at the summit where Elijah contested with the prophets of Baal and Asherah.  Then we descend to Megiddo, Solomon's store city, for a look at Canaanite temples, stables and a water system from the days of Ahab.  Megiddo is mentioned in Revelation as the geographical point that will control the world.  On our way to the sea we pass the lower Galilean town of Nain where Jesus raised a widow's son from the dead.  The Herodian cemetery is clearly visible as we consider Luke's account there. Finally, we cut back to the ridge of Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home, for a consideration of village life in New Testament times and what Jesus’ upbringing would have been like.  Then we drive through the rolling hills to a guest village astride Magdala, home of Mary Magdeline.  This will be our home while touring Galilee.  Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, Tiberius.

March 14 (Wed) Nazareth / Chorazin / Kursi/Capernaum/Lunch/Boat Ride on Sea/Jordan River

This day begins with a visit to the ruins of Chorazin where we also get a first-hand look at life inside a Jewish fishing village of the first century. Then we circle around to the eastern shore of the sea to Gergesa/Kursi, the site of the casting out of the demons into the swine herd.  Afterwards it is just a short ride to Capernaum, Jesus' headquarters in the home of Simon Peter's mother-in-law.  Then after lunch by the sea, we take a jaunt across the Sea from Gennesaret to Tiberius on a boat replica from the time of Jesus.  Our day climaxes on the shores of the Jordan River and a look at baptism in Jesus’ day.  Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, Tiberius.

March 15 (Thurs) Beth Shean / Ma’ayan Harod /Qumran/Jericho

After a good night's sleep we visit Beth Shean (known as Scythopolis in Jesus' day) at the foot of Mt. Gilboa.  This city gives us the most complete picture of life in Gentile Galilee during the time of Christ.  Then it is on to the spring where Gideon pared down him men at the command of the Lord in dealing with the Midianites.  Then we motor down to Qumran and the famous Dead Sea Scroll caves.  After lunch and a visit to the community housing the Yachad, we cut back to Jericho to see this infamous city and discuss Joshua’s assault on the land of Canaan.  Overnight Intercontinental Hotel, Jericho.

March 16 (Fri) Ein Gedi Hike / Masada /Dead Sea Overlook

This day begins with a hike up the canyon where David hid from Saul (I Samuel 24).  Here we’ll consider the setting of the 23^rd Psalm with all of its features.  Then it’s on to a visit of the infamous fortress of Masada where Jewish Zealots stood to the last against the 10^th legion of Rome.  After this, we motor on the high plateau of the eastern Negev and our stopping place at the Israeli city of Arad.  Overnight Inbar Hotel, Arad.

March 17 (Sat)  Arad / Beersheba / Lachish/Azekah

Our day beings with a visit to the strong point of ancient Arad, where rest the ruins of Solomon’s fort and temple established during the latter days of his reign.  Then it’s on to Beersheba, city of Abraham, situated on the highlands of the western Negev.  We then move north through the encampments of desert dwellers to the fortress city of Lachish.  Here we examine what's left of the attack of Sennacherib's Assyrian regulars on this strong point.  Lachish is the probable site of the Lord's smiting of Sennacherib's army for his insolence against Hezekiah's Jerusalem.  A short ride north brings us to the beautiful, spacious Elah Valley where David fought Goliath.  The overlook from Azekah is spectacular.  Then it's up to Bethlehem and on to Jerusalem and our first look at the city where God placed his Name to dwell.  Overnight Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem.

March 18 (Sun) Jerusalem / David's City / Southern Wall Excavations/Wailing Wall/Herodian Quarter

Our day begins with the ramparts and building remains of Old Testament Israel's capital city built by David, Solomon, Hezekiah and Herod the Great.  This morning's activities include visits to the terraces of David's palace, Hezekiah's water system, and the sacred temple platform developed by Solomon and Herod.  We’ll visit the southern approach to Herod’s temple where Jesus preached to the multitudes during his last week on earth.  This afternoon we lunch in the Jewish Quarter, home to the Sadducees during Jesus' day.  Here we’ll sit with an orthodox Jewish scholar who will engage us with the claims of mainline Judaism and his understandings of contemporary Christianity.  With much to ponder we return to our hotel for the night.  Overnight Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem.

March 19 (Mon) Israel Museum / Wohl Archaeological Museum / Herodium / Bethlehem

The day begins at the Israel Museum for a look at the Jerusalem from Jesus’ day in a 1:50 scale model of the city.  This viewing will set up importantly what we will do on our final day as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus during his final week.  Our day continues beneath the streets of the upper city looking at the homes of the priestly caste.  Here we’ll lay out the arrangement of Caiaphas’ house, which will assist us in tomorrow’s activities.  Then it’s on to the humble site of Bethlehem where the Prince of Peace was born.  There we'll visit the town square and give some time for lunch and experiencing this town on the edge of the Judean wilderness.  After lunch we move to the site of Herod’s burial place at a fortress called Herodium (“Herod’s Place”).  The underground escape tunnels and accoutrements of the citadel are spectacular.  Overnight Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem.

March 20 (Tues) Mount of Olives/Gethsemane/St. Peter in Gallicantu / The Citadel / Church of the Holy Sepulchre

We begin this final climactic day of our program on the historic Mount of Olives with a panoramic tracing of the events of Passion Week.  We then stroll along to the Dominus Flevit church, built originally by the Byzantines to commemorate the event of Christ's weeping over Jerusalem.  The agony of Christ takes on new meaning at the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built over the ruins of Caiaphas' house and courtyard.  Then after lunch we visit the site of Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate and walk together to the site of his crucifixion and burial.  As we reflect on these events we give particular attention to the resurrection on which our faith rests.  Overnight Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem.

March 21 (Wed)   FREE DAY

A breather to reflect, shop and/or continue our adventures on our own around the holy city.  We’ll provide many options at the start of the day.

March 22 (Thurs)          Depart Tel Aviv