A Nation Born in One Day

May 12th thru the 15th, Christian Friends of Israel held a conference to commerate Israel's 60th Anniversary as a modern nation. The theme of the conference was "A Nation Born in One Day" based on Isaiah 66:8. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children. Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?" says the LORD. "Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?" says your God. "Rejoice with Jerusalem, And be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; Isaiah 66:8-10.

On May 14th, 1948, Biblical Israel became a nation again with God's Chosen People, the Jews, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob back in the land that Almighty God gave to them.
See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them. Deuteronomy 1:8.

CFI had conference attendees from around the world. Thursday afternoon was an optional bus excursion to see review some 1948 history; visit a traditional location of the Ark of the Covenant; and visit an Ethiopian Jew absorbtion center. CFI asked if I would be the "bus captain" on one of the buses. The first place we stopped was just a few miles west of Jerusalem at The Castel. The Castel is an old Roman Outpost situated on a very, high strategic location. In the 1948 War of Independence, heavy fighting took place at The Castel. Whoever controlled The Castel in 1948 was in a good position to control the upper road into Jerusalem. We were not really expecting anyone to be there during our tour. What a blessing it was when we arrived to see 10-12 bus loads of IDF soldiers also learning the history lessons of the 1948 War. These photos show them at the buses and listening to their commanders.

After we ate our box lunch, I gave a brief history lesson on The Castel and on the "Burma Road" which is a little further west by Latrun. For a brief time in 1948, the Jews in Jerusalem were "cut off" from food, water, and supplies. It was the opening of the "Burma Road" which brought much needed supplies to Jerusalem. This was before there were helicopters. While I was speaking, I noticed a few of the young IDF soldiers listening. They probably wanted to see if I got it correct. Our group consisted of young and old; Bulgarians, Philipinos, British, Germans, and Americans. Everyone was up to walking up to the top of The Castel. As we were going up, these young men were coming down.

These young men seem to wandering why are the tourists going to The Castel?

At the top of The Castel, there is a beautiful 360 degree view of the Judean Hills. Unfortunately, it was a little hazy that day because of the heat. The higher you go the more obvious the location for a strategic, defensive position.

The picture below is out of sequence but I wanted to show it. After our second stop, we hit "high center" on the bus and everyone had to get off to see if the bus could make it without us. It did. At least we were not on the side of a cliff.

Our group was very excited to see all the soldiers. As the young men and women walked by, they were probably receiving blessings in 5 or 6 languaages and understood none of them.

Looking east from the top of The Castel. If you zoom in on the center are a few tall buildings in the distance. That is Jerusalem sitting among all the mountains. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3.

Looking north from The Castel to the town of Mevassaret Ziyyon. The mountain to the right with just one building on it is Nebi Samuel (tomb of Samuel). Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. 1st Samuel 25:1. I have never been there.

Trenches from 1948 are still there in order to remember the fierce fighting that took place.

Even though it is Hebrew, this must be a Memorial for those who fell at The Castel.

After The Castel, we went to the current town of Abu Ghosh, which is Biblical Kirjath Jearim, where the Ark of the Covenant was for 20 years. Then the men of Kirjath Jearim came and took the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. So it was that the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. 1st Samuel 7:1-2. At a church there, I read the scriptures of how Israel lost the Ark to the Philistines and the subsequent return of it. When you view Jerusalem from there, it is easy to see that King David and 30,000 men had a quite a procession to return the Ark to Jerusalem. Our last stop was at the Ethiopian Jewish Absorbtion Center. Below the children were curious about all these people that got off the bus.

The Jewish Agency welcomed us for a brief lecture and walking tour.

When the Jews were dispersed from the Land of Israel in the second century, some of them did go southwest to northern Africa. Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God. Psalm 68:31.

Below is not a playground but just a reminder of home and what it looks like. At CFI, one of the outreach projects that we have is called Hope For The Future. Christians around the world can adopt an Ethiopian family and help them meet their expenses. A portion of my job is deposit the various currencies at the bank so CFI can write support checks in Israeli Shekels.

We were well received. They know that CFI helps them. "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:37-40.

President Bush made his second trip to Jerusalem this year during the 60th Anniversary. Below is King David Street with the American Flags flying. The photo taken over the steering wheel of my rental car when I drove to the airport to pick up my friends, Merlin and Margaret Hampton, of CFI-America. It was good to see them. We enjoyed a lot of laughs and some good restaurants.

This is the King David as we drove by. When President Bush was here, King David Street was blocked off for traffic and pedestrians. Many of us had to find alternative routes home.

One Saturday afternoon, we visited another friend from Texas in Ariel. Late in the day, he drove us to Mount Gerazim in Samaria. Mount Gerizim is the mountain where Moses told Joshua to read the "blessings and the curses". Now it shall be, when the LORD your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. Deuteronomy 11:29. We got there too late for good photos but now that I know the way I plan to return soon. Below is the sunset looking west from Mount Gerizim.

On our way to Masada (future posting), this camel was being fed at a "pit stop" near Jericho.

He was enjoying his fruit.

Caesarea

On our way to the Galilee last weekend, we stopped at the Mediterranean Coastal town of Caesarea. Caesarea is the beginning of the gospel of the Lord Jesus being extended to the gentiles through the Roman centurion, Cornelius, and his family. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. Acts 10:1-2. Below is the ancient gate of the city of Caesarea from the inside of the city looking east.

The National Park sign. It looks like I am leaning a little to the right when taking the picture. It was after a couple of hours of walking so I must have been tired.

Caesarea was a port city right on the Mediterranean Coast. After the apostle Paul's 3rd missionary journey, he (and Luke) arrived at Caesarea before going to Jerusalem. And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea. Acts 21:7-8.

From the southern side beside the Roman Amphitheatre, this is the view looking north over the Hippodrome to Caesarea.

Ancient columns make good park sculptures.

Ancient columns with the blue Mediterranean in the background.

The National Park sign describing the Hippodrome where chariot races were held.

This bottom portion of the sign suggests other things may have happened here.

Looking south over the Hippodrome with a modern chariot sculpture on the left.

Beautiful mosiac floor in the Hippodrome preserved by the sand.

The entire mosiac floor.

This looks like a race track for men instead of chariots.

After a couple of thousand years including many battles, a large portion of Caesarea was destroyed and is lying under shallow water. You can go scuba diving here and see the city that is underwater which would be a fun experience. Looking closely at these rocks, you can see at one time they were walls.

Zoom in on this photo and you will see a young Arab couple having some wedding photos taken with the Mediterranean Sea in the background. Good location for photos. They had passed by us just after we finished eating.

Ancient ruins of Caesarea. Philip, the evangelist, who baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in Gaza lived here. Philip, like Stephen, was one of the seven chosen for service in Acts Chapter 6. And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip... Acts 6:5.

Philip preached the gospel all along the coast. So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus (Ashdod). And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. Acts 8:34-40. Below is one of the many nice restaurants to choose from in Caesarea.

The Lord blessed us with a beautiful day for photos. 20-25 years after Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, it was his house that Paul was at on his way to Jerusalem. On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Acts 21:8.

Just a little bit north of the city of Caesarea are the ruins of an ancient Roman aquaduct. The aquaduct actually brought water from Mount Carmel (several kilometers north) to Caesarea.

Today the aquaduct is situated on a beach where there were many Israelis enjoying the day.

This is the well preserved Roman amphitheater at the southern end of Caesarea. The ancient ruins are in such good condition that modern day concerts and symphonies are held here. You can see the stage background and lights that have been put on the amphitheater.

Ancient ruins by the amphitheater in the foreground with modern Israel in the distance. Caesarea is where Paul almost converted King Agrippa. Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." Acts 26:28.

Just as the Holy Spirit came to the Jews in Jerusalem in Acts Chapter 2, When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1-2, the Holy Spirit came to Gentiles at Caesarea, While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also... Acts 10:44-46.

Seating in the Hippodrome with some modern day paintings of ancient pictures added.

It was a beautiful day in Caesarea. We do thank Almighty God for His Grace, His Mercy and for extending the good news of our saviour, the Lord Jesus, to us Gentiles, too.

Mount Arbel

May has been a busy month with Christian Friends of Israel's Annual Conference plus Israel's 60th Anniversary as a modern nation. President Bush also made his second 2008 visit to Israel and Jerusalem. I apologize for not having time to post anything. However, this weekend, my friends from CFI-America in Texas, who were here for the conference, and I went up north to the Galilee. The Lord Jesus really blessed us with beautiful weather. Overlooking the Sea of Galilee from the west is Mount Arbel which provides beautiful scenery in all directions. Below is the face cliff at the top of Mount Arbel. You can see the highway going north out the city of Tiberias. After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. John 6:1.

The Sea of Galilee from Mount Arbel with the Golan Heights in the background.

Fascinating colors in the mountains lo0king west from Mount Arbel.

Looking north to mountains in Israel just north of Galilee. Who established the mountains by His strength, Being clothed with power... Psalm 65:6.

Below is Mt. Arbel from Kibbutz Ginosar where we stayed. The valley below Mt. Arbel is called the Valley of Doves. Going west through this valley leads to Nazereth. Within 2-3 miles from where I am taking the picture on the shores of the Sea of Galilee is Capernaum, Bet Saida, and Chorasin. Right below Mt. Arbel is the town of Migdal, home of Mary Magdalene. Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons. Luke 8:1-2

Looking down at the town of Migdal from Mt Arbel.

It was a very windy but gorgeous day on top of the mountain.

North.

Northwest.

Migdal.

The northern end of the Sea of Galilee. Kibbutz Ginosar, where we stayed, is right on the shore. A large portion of the Lord Jesus's ministry took place on the northern side of the Galilee. On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Matthew 13:1-2.

The hills east of the Sea of Galilee today are called the Golan Heights. On the other side of the Golan Heights would be Syria. Since 1967, Syria has been demanding Israel return this piece of land. Israel and Syria recently renewed discussion regarding this matter. Biblically, the Golan Heights was called Bashan. From the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh the sons of Gershon were given Golan in Bashan with its common-lands and Ashtaroth with its common-lands. !st Chronicles 6:71.

Wild purple sage brush along the walk to the top of Mt. Arbel.

Definitely windy. The Israeli National Flag and the National Parks Flag.