After an Israeli-styled breakfast, we will follow one of the main land passages along the Eastern Mediterranean, which connected the super powers of the ancient world. Our study themes will include trade and commerce from the days of Herod the Great and his seaport project at Caesarea. Here we will discuss some of the conflicts between Gentiles and Jews during the first centuries B.C. and A.D. We will reflect on the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10) and the subsequent emergence of Christianity into the non-Jewish communities. Later we will travel to Mt. Carmel to consider Elijah and the dramatic Baal confrontation (I Kings 18) and through the Jezreel Valley and to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Our day will end with a scenic overview of the Sea of Galilee. First of three nights on the Sea of Galilee

This morning we will journey to Israel’s border with Lebanon at the base of Mt. Hermon to enjoy the nature along the bountiful springs that form the upper Jordan River. We will consider the extent of Jesus’ ministry in this northern part of the country. Sites will include: Tel Dan Nature Reserve, Banyas (Caesarea Philippi, Matt. 16), an overview of Lebanon and Syria.

After breakfast we will leave the Galilee and journey down the Jordan Valley towards the Dead Sea. Along the way we will view the principle city of the Decapolis, Scythopolis (or Beit Shean) where we will experience an impressive Greco-Roman metropolis. Here we will give some thought to some of the major impediments that interrupt the Gospel message from penetrating the Gentile world. Time and weather permitting we will take time for a swim at Sachne at the base of Mt Gilboa, one of the most beautiful oases in the Middle East. At Qumran we will consider the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 and the impact they have had on biblical scholarship and our understanding of the Jewish world during the 2nd Temple period. Overnight on the Dead Sea

We will begin our day at Masada, the imposing fortress palace built by Herod the Great. Here in the southern Judean wilderness we will consider one of the disasters of the Zealot Revolt against Rome during the final moments of their struggle. We will also visit the area of En Gedi, the region where David hid from Saul (I Sam.24). At Qumran we will discuss the site where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were first discovered in 1947. 

Today we will journey along some of the scenic heights of the Judean hill country to gain perspectives of important approaches to Jerusalem during biblical times. We will view the Central Benjamin Plateau to the north and the area of Bethlehem to the south. In the Shphelah region (lower Judean foothills) we will see important battle sites such as between David and Goliath in the Elah Valley (I Sam. 17). Other sites to include Yad ve Shem (Holocaust Memorial) 

Today we will consider some of the most important historic and religious sites to Jews, Muslims and Christians. We will begin our day at the famous Western Wall, which is an open-air synagogue for the modern Jewish community. Afterwards we will ascend the nearby Temple Mount of Herod the Great, now also a sacred site for Muslims. From here we will walk along the traditional Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the prize of orthodox Christianity. Sites along this way will include the pools of Beit Zaita (John 5), and some existing portions of the Antonio fortress of Herod the Great. We will also walk down part of the Mt. of Olives to Gethsemane. 

During our journey today inside the walled Old City and its enchanting quarters we will inspect several important archaeological sites from Jesus’ day. One of these will be a wealthy high priest’s home (possible house of Caiaphas). We will conclude our day at the exciting Southern Wall Excavations (or Ophel Gardens), where some key New Testament passages are easily reconstructed. Time permitting we will also cool ourselves in Hezekiah’s Tunnel underneath the original City of David. We will conclude our tour with a time of reflection in the beautiful Garden Tomb.