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BibleSettings Summer Israel Study Tour

Host: Pastor Clint Hamilton

Guide:  Dr. Bryan Widbin

June 15-26, 2011

June 15 (W)                  Leave for Israel.

Jan 16 (Th)                   Tel Aviv / Caesarea Maritima / Netanya

This afternoon we arrive in Tel Aviv.  If time, we move along the Mediterranean coast to the capital of Roman Palestine, Caesarea.  Christianity began at this pagan city with the conversion of Cornelius and the preaching of Paul.  Upon arrival, we transfer to the Mediterranean coastal city of Netanya for our overnight at the Blue Bay Hotel, Netanya.

June 17 (F) Netanya / Mount  Carmel /Megiddo / Nazareth / Nain / Ma'agan

After a good night’s rest, we leave the coast heading north to the upper reaches of Mount  Carmel, where Elijah bested the prophets of Baal and Asherah.  What a view of the tribal inheritances of Asher, Zebulon, Issachar, and Naftali from the peak of this lengthy ridge!  Next it is on to Solomon's store city of Megiddo for a look at Canaanite temples, stables and a walk through an underground defensive water system from the days of Ahab.  After lunch we move north to Nazareth, ,boyhood home of Jesus and then toward the Sea of Galilee stopping briefly at the lower Galilean town of Nain, where Jesus raised a widow's son from the dead.  The Herodian cemetery is clearly visible for considering Luke's account of this event.  Finally we cut through the hills to the Sea of Galilee and our port residence on the southern coast of the Sea.  Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar.

June 18 (Sa) Chorazin / Capernaum / Fish Lunch / Kursi / Boat Ride

Today we begin with a visit to Gergesa-Kursi, the site of the casting out of the demons into the swine herd.  Then we’ll get a first-hand look at life inside a Jewish fishing village from the days of Jesus at Chorazin.  Before lunch, we visit the ruins of Capernaum, Jesus’ base on the sea, where he resided with his disciples for an extended time in the home of Simon’s mother-in-law.  We’ll catch a late fish lunch near Magdala, home town of Mary Magdalene, before board a fishing boat for a cruise across the Sea of Galilee to Tiberius.  This setting will give us opportunity to consider the “sea stories” in the Gospel narratives.  The day concludes with a short hike (if time) through the plain of Gennesaret where Jesus conducted much of his healing ministry.  Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar.

June 19 (Su) Beth Shean / Ma’ayan Harod / Qumran / Jericho / Ein Gedi

After a restful night's sleep we leave the Sea of Galilee region by way of Beth Shean (known as Scythopolis in Jesus' day) at the foot of Mount Gilboa.  This decapolis city gives us the most complete picture available of Gentile Galilee during the time of Christ.  Then we’re on to a first look at the Dead Sea, 1300ft. below sea level, and a stop at Qumran and the famous Dead Sea Scroll caves.  Our day concludes in Jericho, that nemesis of Joshua and frequent stopping place for Jesus on pilgrimage to Jerusalem from Galilee.  Overnight Intercontinental Hotel, Jericho.

June 20 (M) Ein Gedi Nature Hike / Masada / Swim in the Dead Sea / Dead Sea Overlook/Arad

This day begins with a beautiful hike up the canyon where David hid out from Saul during his days as a renegade.  We’ll enjoy the spring that sustained David during these trying days.  Then we motor to Masada where we board a cable car to the summit of this mountain fortress where Jewish Zealots stood to their final days against the 10^th legion of Rome.  After lunch, we take time out to swim in the Dead Sea, a once-in-a-lifetime must-do for everyone!  Then we rise to an overlook above the southern shore of the Dead Sea to consider the locations of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Finally, if time affords, our day concludes with a visit to ancient Arad, where rest the ruins of Solomon’s fort and temple established during the latter days of his reign..  Overnight at Inbar Hotel, Arad.

June 21 (T) Beersheba / Lachish / Azeka / Bethlehem

This morning we motor west to Beersheba, city of Abraham and fortress city protecting the southwest flank of the kingdom of Judah.  After lunch, it is on to the lowlands and Lachish, where we examine what’s left of the attack of Sennacherib’s Assyrian regulars on this strong point of King Hezekiah’s kingdom.  A short ride from here brings us to the Elah Valley where David fought Goliath.   And finally our day turns eastward to the mountains of Judah and our final resting place in Bethlehem.  You won’t forget our experiences in this “little town” in the Judean hills!  Overnight Intercontinetal Hotel, Bethlehem.

June 22 (W)      Bethlehem / City of David Archaeological Garden / Wailing Wall / Jewish Quarter / Nabi Samwil

This morning we visit one of the oldest churches in the world.  It stands on the site that gives every evidence of being the place where Jesus was born.  Then we motor north a few miles to Jerusalem to see 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, including the well-known "Wailing" Wall which formed the retaining buttress for the temple of Jesus' day.  After lunch in the ancient Sadducean quarter of the Old City, we’ll interact with an orthodox Jewish shopkeeper about his feelings about a coming Messiah and the nature of saving faith.  A final stop north of the city brings us to the ancient high place of Gibeon, where Solomon sought wisdom from God to rule over his vast kingdom.  This spot gives a view of the tribal inheritance of Benjamin and the situation of Jerusalem on the southern rim of the Benjaminite plateau.  Overnight Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem.

June 23 (Th)                 Israel Museum/Wohl Archaeological Museum/Southern Wall Excavations

Today we set perspective for the events of Jesus’ life in and around Jerusalem by visiting a 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem from Jesus’ day at the Israel Museum.  Then we descend 10 feet below the streets of the Jewish Quarter, home to the Sadducees in Jesus day, and walk among the ruins of Jesus’ Jerusalem.  Then we’ll walk down to the temple area and to the Herodian street from the time of Jesus.  We sit where he taught his disciples during those days before his death.  Overnight Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem.

June 24 (F)                   FREE DAY.

Options abound for touring the Holy City on your own.  Pilgrim walk down the traditional  Via Dolorosa and the gathering at the Western Wall at dusk are highlights.  Overnight Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem.

June 25 (Sa)                  Mount of Olives /Gethsemane /St. Peter in Gallicantu/Church of the Holy Sepulchre

We begin this final climactic day of our tour 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 walk the Via Dolorosa (“way of sorrows”) from the site of the Roman trials before Pilate to Calvary and its tomb complex at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Finally, we gather for communion at the hotel for a meaningful time of final reflection together.  Overnight Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem.

June 26 (Su)                  Jerusalem/Tel Aviv/Home

We transfer to the airport for our flight home with memories that will unfold over a lifetime and new understandings of the Word of God.

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