Devotionals For Bible Lands

Archives For Devotionals for Bible Lands

Beth Shemesh—The Pentecost at an Unlikely Place

Most people familiar with the Pentecost—or Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks—associate the Jewish holiday with the Book of Ruth.

After all, the most exciting events of Ruth’s story occurred during the time of Shavuot at Bethlehem’s wheat harvest (Ruth 2:23). It’s no wonder today that many people include reading of the Book of Ruth as part of their celebration of Shavuot.

Beth Shemesh—The Pentecost at an Unlikely Place Beth Shemesh—The Pentecost at an Unlikely Place

(Photo: Samson was born between Eshtaol (left) and Zorah (right). Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Although I absolutely love the Book of Ruth, Shavuot more often causes my mind to wander further west of Bethlehem—down into the Shephelah.

It’s unlikely anybody celebrates the Pentecost at such an unlikely place as Beth Shemesh.

But a practical application urges us to do so.

The City of David—Surprises from Original Jerusalem

When people picture Jerusalem, they usually think of the historic Western Wall, or the Old City, or the Temple Mount crowned with the Golden Dome of the Rock.

But most folks are surprised to learn that the original city of Jerusalem lay just south of the Temple Mount on a small spur of land that encompassed about only ten acres.

The City of David—Surprises from Original Jerusalem The City of David—Surprises from Original Jerusalem

(Photo: City of David seen from the Observation Platform. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Crammed with houses and punctured with archaeological digs, the original area of Jerusalem looks much different today than it did three thousand years ago when King David conquered it.

But you can still get a sense of its drama.

Let me show you.

Mount Arbel—A Panorama of Jesus’ Ministry

The sheer rock cliffs of Mount Arbel stand like a sentinel over the western side of the Sea of Galilee.

Mount Arbel has watched over numerous battles, travelers, and even disciples.

Mount Arbel—A Panorama of Jesus’ Ministry Mount Arbel—A Panorama of Jesus’ Ministry

(Photo: Mount Arbel and its tremendous panorama, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Mount Arbel is one of those places never mentioned in the Bible. Its presence was so obvious, it was assumed.

Certainly, anyone traveling around the Sea of Galilee or along the International Highway would have used Mount Arbel as a landmark, identifiable from most any spot on the lake.

Jesus would have passed it thousands of times.

The Jordan River—Your Place of Transition

Other rivers have more beauty. Many are longer. Most are cleaner.

But none has garnered as much affection as the Jordan River.

The Jordan River—A Place of Transition The Jordan River—Your Place of Transition

(Photo: The Jordan River, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

It wasn’t the beauty of the Jordan River that inspired centuries of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to include it in their verses.

Its significance began as a simple geographic barrier, which—practically speaking—represented a border (Joshua 22:18-25). In fact, the serpentine river still represents a border between Israel and the nation of Jordan.

In Scripture, however, the river’s presence on Israel’s eastern edge stood as an enduring metaphor of transitions.

Significant transitions, in fact.

Tower of David Citadel—Jerusalem’s History Made Easy

Whenever someone asks how to spend a day in Jerusalem, I try to steer the person away from shopping malls and toward the Tower of David Citadel—Jerusalem’s museum of the city’s history.

The museum does what no book can. In just a few hours’ time, one can catch a glimpse of Jerusalem’s history as well as observe archaeology from the city’s various periods.

Tower of David Citadel—Jerusalem’s History Made Easy Tower of David Citadel—Jerusalem’s History Made Easy

(Photo: Courtyard of David Citadel, Jerusalem. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Ironically, the museum that does so much to remove the confusion about Jerusalem’s history is named in error.

The Tower of David Citadel in Jerusalem has nothing to do with David.

Tel Megiddo and What Megiddo Tells Us

Location, location, location . . .

If history ever compared the land of Israel to the game of “Monopoly,” the site of Tel Megiddo would be Boardwalk.

It was the most coveted spot on the playing board.

Tel Megiddo and What Megiddo Tells Tel Megiddo and What Megiddo Tells Us

(Photo: Tel Megiddo, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Tel Megiddo’s tremendous value came from its strategic location as the sentinel of the most important pass through the Mt. Carmel range.

Whoever held Tel Megiddo in the ancient world controlled the traffic and trade along the International Highway to and from Egypt. That meant both military and financial security.

Taking Megiddo is like capturing a thousand cities. —Pharaoh Thutmose III

Its value simply can’t be exaggerated.

Tel Hazor—Canaan’s Largest City Lost in the Minds of Many

I asked the helicopter pilot to fly to Hazor so that I could take video of the site.

Before long we hovered over a modern town with houses, streets, and parks. The pilot and I exchanged awkward glances, and I clarified what I wanted: “I meant Tel Hazor.”

He still looked confused.

Hazor upper city aerial from west tbs112040011 Tel Hazor—Canaan’s Largest City Lost in the Minds of Many

(Photo: Tel Hazor, courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

After five minutes of searching the area, we finally saw it. Two hundred acres huge, rising from the floor of the Huleh Basin, ancient Hazor looms as Israel’s largest tell.

I had to marvel at how times have changed. What was once Canaan’s most important city has somehow gotten lost in the weeds of contemporary minds.

How could the pilot not have known where it was?

Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park—See the Story in History

With picks in hand, my wife and I entered a cave in the Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park.

The archaeological dig had only recently begun, so our group was one of the first to volunteer.

The low ceiling of the cave forced us to squat while digging.

Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park—See the Story in History Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park—See the Story in History

(Photo: Exploring the Caves in Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park. Photo by James Foo)

I could see the original tool markings still chiseled on the walls of the cave. Everybody was thrilled when my wife unearthed a fully intact jar handle.

I dug up some pottery shards, and examined them closely.

I saw fingerprints on them.

Mount of Beatitudes—Beauty that Illustrates Truth

The hills surrounding the Sea of Galilee frame the lake like a portrait.

In spring, the hillsides burst with wildflowers, fresh grass, and spectacular color. The tranquil slopes tower above fruit crops and fertile fields that stretch across the lush Plain of Gennesaret.

No matter where I stand to view the picture, the subject seems to be smiling.

Mount of Beatitudes and Sea of Galilee tbs75369303 Mount of Beatitudes—Beauty that Illustrates Truth

(Photo: Mount of Beatitudes and Sea of Galilee, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Numerous places around the lake offer splendid panoramas.

The best view, by far, is atop Mount Arbel. Windy and requiring a walk, the vast landscape stuns every first-timer.
Another grand vista is the view from Kfar Haruv on the eastern side—I can see the whole lake from tip to tip. Impressive, for sure.

But the picturesque view from the Mount of Beatitudes offers visitors more than simply a beautiful view.

It offers a place to consider truth taught there by One who knew it.

8 Tips to Maximize Your Holy Land Tour

In my previous post, I offered some suggestions for how to prepare for a Holy Land Tour.

After all, you’re investing a lot of money and significant time for this journey. It makes sense to prepare yourself beforehand so that you get the most from your experience in Israel.