From Jericho to Gezer

5/22/05

How can these days be so busy? We left the hotel at 7 this morning, and did not return until 7 this evening. Today we learned about the Eastern and Western approaches to Jerusalem.

So, we started the day by driving up to Jericho (following the Ascent of Adummim). Jericho was amazing. Todd showed us the Tell (the ancient remains of the city) and explained the history of the excavations there. There is evidence of mud-brick wall that dates to the time of the conquest. Next we saw a Neolithic tower, which is the oldest public archeological structure known to exist. The most exciting thing was that they found jars in the city that were full of charred grain. Todd made the point that only the conquest story can adequately account for these jars. If the Egyptians had conquered the city, they would have taken the grain. If there was a long siege, the grain would have been eaten. Only the Israelites, who were obeying orders from God would burn perfectly good grain. The Grain also fits with the time of the conquest, right after the harvest (the Israelites celebrated the Passover in April right before attacking the city). On the way out, Diedra rode a camel, and we got some cool pictures.

After Jericho, we went to the wilderness; incredibly hilly, brown, rocky, a barren place with Bedouin shepherds. We saw St. George’s Cathedral nestled in the side of the Canyon. I can’t describe how difficult this land is. I can’t believe people live here. Further, it gives me a whole new perspective to Christ’s temptation in the wilderness (those stones could really look tasty after a long time without food)!

We went to next to Michmash and Gebo. This is the scene for a great OT story of Jonathan sneak-attacking the Philistines (1 Sam 14). It was awesome to stand in this place and to read the story. We could see the cliffs Jonathan climbed with his armor-bearer: very step, very dangerous!

We had lunch in a mall in Jerusalem. Very nice, very clean, and we even had American food (double burger, fries and coke). All the signs were in Hebrew, and for the first time in my life (well, since I’ve learned to read, at least), I was dependent on those little pictures to know how to get to the bathroom!

Next we stopped in the Central Benjamin Plateau, at a scenic overlook on top of a Mosque. We could see Jerusalem, Gibeah, Ramah, Mitzpah, and Gibeon. Lots of important OT stuff happened in these places; I took some notes on the voice recorder.

We followed the Beth Horan down to the Aijalon Valley to the strategic town of Gezer, which guards the roads to Jerusalem. This ancient tell has some cool features. Up high, we could actually see the Mediterranean Sea! First, Todd showed us the tower that dates to the time of the Canaanites, then he showed us the southern gate that was probably built by Solomon (he fortified this city during his reign). Last, we saw several standing stones (think Stonehenge on a much smaller scale). These are impossible to date because they were excavated in such a poor, unscientific manner by McCallister (early 1900s). Todd postulated that they may be for pagan worship (sacred stones the Bible condemns). Exhausted we drove back to Jerusalem for a late dinner, and study session to prepare for our exam tomorrow morning. Wow, this is so intense! I hope I can remember it. We're drinking from a fire hose!