As the "crow flies", Chorazin would be 2-3 miles north of Capernaum which is right on the Sea of Galilee. President Bush visited Capernaum when he was in Israel last month. The Hebrew name for Capernaum is Kfar Nahum, which means Village of Nahum. Perhaps it was named after the prophet Nahum who condemned Ninevah after the 100-year reprieve from the Book of Jonah. The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7
The first thing you notice about Chorozin is the dark stones (basalt).
The ruins are actually very good and visible here. The elevation is higher and you can see the Sea of Galilee in the distance.
After driving up from Jerusalem, I was at Chorazin around 2:00pm. Check-in time for Vered HaGalil was 4:00. Vered HaGalil is just a half mile up the road from here.
The Lord Jesus would have walked here.
In the ruins of Chorzin's synagogue, this enscription was similar to Joshua and Caleb carrying the grapes from the Promised Land when Moses sent in the 12 spies. Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole... Numbers 13:23.
Below somebody here was worshipping a sun god. That is probably one of the reasons no one lives here today. The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: "Behold, I will bring punishment on Amon of No, and Pharaoh and Egypt, with their gods and their kings—Pharaoh and those who trust in him. Jeremiah 46:25
The pinnacle of the synagogue is well preserved.
It was a beautiful December day.
After Chorazin, I drove on to Bethsaida just a few miles east. In Hebrew, Bethsaida is Bet Saida (House of Fish) which makes sense that Peter, Andrew, and Phillip were from there. Bet Saida had "scripture rocks", so I don't have to add anything.
The beginning of Luke's version of the Lord Jesus's words.
Below a brief description of at least 3 of the apostle's birthplace. If John was also from here, it looks like he would have mentioned it. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. John 1:44
Bet Saida ruins formed a very long street which probably was on the shores of the Jordan at that time. The Jordan is very nearby just before it flows into the Sea of Galilee.
Bet Saida's street looking back from where I just walked. This is the location of one of the Lord Jesus miracles when he healed a blind man. Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking." Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town." Mark 8:22-26 After this miracle, Mark records that the Lord Jesus went on to Caesarea Philipi. Today there is still a road that leads north to Caesarea Philippi by Mount Hermon from Bet Saida.
The ruins at Bet Saida are not as well preserved as others.
Below is the Jordan River very close to Bet Saida. The prophet Isaiah saw the Messiah coming to the gentiles by the Jordan. ... By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:1-2 The Book of Matthew records the fulfillment of this prophecy. ... By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." Matthew 4:15-16. After these verses in Matthew, the Lord Jesus began his ministry.
On Saturday, February 16th, I took a Shabbat walk in Armon HaNatsiv (East Talpiot) where I live. Below in the valley is the recreational sports ground where there are many soccer and basketball games played. I'm headed down.
Honey bees busily working getting ready for springtime.
A cluster of daisies along the way.
A cluster of daisies along the way.
In Jerusalem, you can have lemon trees in your garden.
As I was coming back uphill from the valley, I took a picture of a typical rooftop with hot water tanks, solar heating, and satellite dishes. Jerusalem's population lives "up" not "out". To see individual homes with a tiny yard, you would head to other towns outside Jerusalem.
Remembering Saturday as the Sabbath Day is still very much a part of Jerusalem. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy..." Exodus 20:8. The Jewish day begins at sundown. So the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:3. By sundown on Friday, all stores are closed and the buses don't run. Traffic on the street is minimal. You can even hear a siren in Jerusalem that warns you it's almost time for the Sabbath. Friday night Shabbat dinners are special and meant for a time of relaxing, enjoyment, and fun. Usually I attend congregation on Friday nights, but last night a few of us from CFI shared a delightful evening of laughter and good food. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
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