Itinerary
SUNDAY, JUNE 13
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISRAEL
See the Arrival and Departure link for additional information.
Overnight: Beersheba (B, D)
MONDAY, JUNE 14
THE LAND OF TESTING-A LAND OF PROMISE
Beersheba, Lachish, Azekah, Gezer
Our study begins with an examination of Old Testament sites in the south. We travel in the arid region known as the Negev where we visit Tel Sheva (Beersheba). In this demanding landscape God tested the faith of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here also, Moses attempted an ill-fated and ill-advised premature "conquest" of the promised land. David lived in this area during his "friendship" with Philistine kings. We continue into the geographical region known as the Shephelah. Located between the Coastal Plain and the Judean Hill Country, these foothills served as an important "buffer-zone" between the Judeans in the hills and the Philistines on the coast. Within the Shephelah we will visit Lachish, the largest Israelite city in the Judean foothills. We then continue to the Elah Valley with a visit to Tel Azekah, mentioned in the story of David's battle with Goliath. We conclude our day at the recent, impressive excavations at Tel Gezer, which was a prominent Philistine city that continued into the days of the New Testament. It has recently been excavated with monumental remains from the days of the Canaanites to the Romans.
Overnight: Netanya (B,D)
TUESDAY, JUNE 15
KINGDOMS AND CULTURES IN CONFLICT
Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Tel Jezreel
We begin on the Sharon Plain before traveling through the Jezreel Valley. Both regions possess sites that were important in the days of the Old Testament and the New Testament. We begin our morning at Caesarea, a port city built by Herod and the seat of power for the Roman governors. Here the Apostle Paul was held in house arrest in the seaside residence of Felix and Festus, which had earlier been the Mediterranean villa of Herod the Great. From Caesarea we ascend Mount Carmel with its majestic views over the Jezreel Valley. Here we revisit Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Descending into the Jezreel Valley, we visit two Old Testament cities. Megiddo was the most strategically important city in the Jezreel Valley and the location of numerous battles. Nearby are the excavations of Tel Jezreel, where we remember the account of King Ahab and Naboth’s vineyard.
Overnight: Sea of Galilee (B,D)​
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16
LAND OF ZEBULON AND NAPHTALI
Sepphoris, Nazareth, Mt. Arbel
We trace the geographical regions of Lower Galilee, in the area of Jesus’ early life. Our first stop is at Sepphoris the capital of Galilee when Jesus, Joseph and Mary lived nearby. Here we gain insights into Jesus’ family life and the challenge that faced the Jewish people in the Roman period. On to Nazareth, boyhood home of Jesus, we visit the Church of Annunciation, traditional site of Mary’s home. Other first century remains from this village await our exploration. We conclude our day with a walk to the summit of Mount Arbel presenting us with a preview of the Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights.
Overnight: Sea of Galilee (B, D)
THURSDAY, JUNE 17
WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT I AM
Hazor, Dan, Caesarea Phillippi, Omrit
Today we journey to the northern borders of the Land of Israel. At Hazor we find evidence of Joshua’s burning “the chief cities of the Canaanites” and later the location of Solomon’s efforts to fortify this northern gateway to the Galilee. Tel Dan is one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the border of the Land of Israel. Archaeological remains from the time of Abraham and King Jeroboam are scattered within this verdant nature reserve at the headwaters of the Jordan River. At Caesarea Philippi (Banias) we consider Jesus’ pivotal question, “Who do you say that I am?” We conclude our day at the fascinating, new and seldom-visited excavations of Omrit, where we find an impressive Herodian temple.
Overnight: Sea of Galilee (B, D)
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE
Chorazin, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum,
1st Century Boat, Magdala, Boat Ride
A full morning study includes sites and themes central to the ministry of Jesus. At Chorazin and the Mount of Beatitudes we consider Jesus' teaching ministry with attention given to the contemporary context. In the afternoon we take time at Capernaum, the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry, to consider his message and miracles in this lakeside town. On to Magdala, where we visit the excavations and the first century synagogue, home of Mary Magdelene. Our final stop is at Kibbutz Ginosar where an ancient Sea of Galilee boat (dating to the 1st century AD) is preserved. We conclude our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight: Sea of Galilee (B, D)
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Itinerary
SATURDAY, JUNE 19
SETTING OUR FACES TO JERUSALEM
Bethsaida-Julias, Gamla, Beth Shean, Gan Hashlosha
We embark on our journey to Jerusalem beginning in the regions of the Golan on the western edge of the volcanic Hauran plateau. Our first visit is to the excavations at Bethsaida-Julias (Khirbet el-A‘raj) in the Lower Golan on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. We then ascend to the impressive site of Gamla where the people of this first-century city fought the Romans to their death. Today the ancient city boasts one of the few first-century synagogues. Descending from the Golan Heights, we enter the Jordan Valley and continue to Beth Shean, the Roman period site of Scythopolis with its magnificent remains from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine city. Time permitting we conclude our day with a swim in the turquoise, tepid pools of Gan Hashlosha (Sachne). In the late afternoon we travel through the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem.
Overnight: Jerusalem (B, D)
SUNDAY, JUNE 20
A REFUGE IN THE WILDERNESS
Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Dead Sea
Today, we follow in the steps of individuals and communities who lived in the Judean Wilderness. At Masada we consider the fate of the Zealot movement which ended on this rocky promontory. At the oasis of Ein Gedi we walk in to observe a "river in the desert" in the region where David hid from King Saul. Khirbet Qumranprovides the setting for our consideration of the Dead Sea Scrolls and their relationship to John the Baptist and early Christianity. Before ascending to Jerusalem, we stop for a swim in the Dead Sea.
Overnight: Jerusalem (B,D)
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MONDAY, JUNE 21
SAMARIA
Shiloh, Mt. Gerizim, Shechem, Jacob's Well, Samaria
Conditions permitting, we spend a full day in the region of Samaria, to the north of Jerusalem. We begin at the Old Testament worship center of Shiloh where the Tabernacle once stood. Mount Gerizim served as a worship center for the Samaritans of the New Testament times and is still revered today by the Samaritan communities in this region. Shechem (today’s Nablus) was frequented by the patriarchs and served as the first capital city of the Northern Kingdom. Nearby is Jacob's Well, thought to be the well mentioned in John 4 where Jesus met a woman of Samaria. We end our day at the city of Samaria which served as the last capital city of the Northern Kingdom. Here, in later times, Herod rebuilt the city and dedicated it to Caesar Augustus, calling it Sebaste.
Overnight: Jerusalem (B,D)
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TUESDAY, JUNE 22
CITY OF THE GREAT KING
Burnt House, Western Wall, Southern Steps, Temple Mt., City of David, Hezekiah's Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, Western Wall Tunnel
Our focus today is the physical setting of Jerusalem from the time of King David to Jesus. We enter the Old City to examine the historical rule of Herod the Great (ending in 4BC), his successors and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD. Key archaeological sites to be visited in the Jewish Quarter include: (1) the Ophel Excavations, (2) the Herodian Villas, (3) the Burnt House, and (4) the Gennath Gate. After lunch we will visit the City of David of Old Testament times. Here we will have an opportunity to see remnants of Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians (586 BC). We conclude the day with a visit to the Pool of Siloam (John 9).
Overnight: Jerusalem (B,D)
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
JESUS IN JERUSALEM AND BETHLEHEM
Mt. of Olives, Dominos Flavit, Gethsemane, Pools of Bethesda, Holy Sepulcher, Church of the Nativity, Herodim
Particular attention is given to the historical background regarding the opposition to Jesus and the events which led to his crucifixion. In connection with these themes we begin our touring atop the Mount of Olives. We descend the mount to the chapel of Dominus Flavit and to the Garden of Gethsemane. We continue into the Old City to visit St. Anne's church, the site of the ancient pools of Bethesda. We conclude at the Church of the Resurrection, the probable site of Jesus' death and resurrection. In the afternoon we travel southeast of Jerusalem to the Herodium located to the east of Bethlehem. Here we discuss the rule and personality of King Herod before moving on to Bethlehem.
Overnight: Jerusalem (B,D)
THURSDAY, JUNE 24
FREE DAY
Today is a free day for you to do as you please. You are welcome to visit other venues throughout the city and continue your exploration of the Old City.
Late evening departure from Israel.
