Archives For Walls and Gates

Obama’s Prayer . . . and Mine

I remember in the 2008 election when Barack Obama conducted his world tour as part of his presidential campaign, he visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

You may remember that he inserted a prayer in the wall. The Jews consider this a sacred act—even if the individual represents another faith.

1338477585449.cached Obama’s Prayer . . . and Mine

(Photo: Paul J. Richards / AFP – Getty Images)

After Obama left the Western Wall Plaza, someone scrabbled out the prayer—written on King David Hotel stationary—and took a picture of it.

Here’s what Obama’s prayer said:

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The Walls of Jerusalem through the Centuries—a Timeline

I’ve heard it said, “If you want to understand the history of Israel, then learn the history of Jerusalem.”

Many books depict the expansion and contraction of the walls of Jerusalem, but I thought a timeline might illustrate it well.

(If you can’t see the timeline in email or RSS, just click here.)

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Hezekiah’s Tunnel and Wall Give a Lesson from Archaeology

The ancient world had a bully system that worked in straightforward terms.

A nation would conquer a region and demand tribute—annual payment of money and goods. If you didn’t pay tribute, they’d come and kill you.

Pretty simple system.

Hezekiahs Tunnel tb051803 Hezekiah’s Tunnel and Wall Give a Lesson from Archaeology

Photo: Hezekiah’s Tunnel, courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

King Hezekiah refused to pay tribute to the bully. So the Assyrians invaded Judah.

Archaeology has unearthed treasures that reveal Hezekiah’s faith in God.

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The Gates of Jerusalem Today and Tomorrow

The walls and gates of Jerusalem have expanded and contracted over the centuries like the breathing of a living being.

Even today, the Old City of Jerusalem is such that we have to enter the city through gates—just as people did for thousands of years.

Golden Gate tb010310633 The Gates of Jerusalem Today and Tomorrow

Photo: Jerusalem’s Golden Gate, courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands

Gates were more than passageways. They served as places for personal business and civic affairs (see Ruth 4:1). Gates often took their names from the distant cities they faced, like Jaffa, Damascus, and Shechem.

There are 8 gates of Jerusalem today. But the Bible promises 12 in the future.

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