Up to Jerusalem

One part of this whole experience that I have not mentioned at all it the massive amount of stairs that we have climbed here, I lost count after the first day. From the moment that we stepped off of the airplane we have been going up and down stairs. I now have a very vivid picture in my head of what the writers of the Bible were talking about with all of the mention of hills, the area we are in is hill country. (Exodus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Jeremiah)

I have been learning so much since being here and I have never been so excited to learn (aside from in Craig’s Sunday school class!) through it all there seems to be a reoccurring pattern and the author of a commentary I read today said it best,

            “When Israel complies with God’s will, they resemble the stars of heaven; no nation can dominate them. But when they flout His will, they resemble the sand of the seashore – trampled by every tyrannical foot”

                                   

God promised to Abraham that He would make his nation great, that they would never completely fade away and that He would be their protector. As I go through both ancient and modern history of Israel, I see this theme repeated over and over, our God is so great and truly is the protector and leader of His people!!

                                                                                                     *Streets of the Old City

This time of year in Israel is Rosh Ha-Shanah, which is the Jewish New Year. Our Jewish Thought and Culture teacher told us that this is the best time of year to go to the city, for many reasons. There are always lots of big celebrations, everyone is really nice because they are trying to earn their atonement while the Book of Life is open, meaning the bus drivers smile, they shut the door once you are completely off of the bus instead of while you are in the door way, and all of the little old ladies don’t hit you with their purse while you are in line. This being said, we were very eager to go to the city and see all of this but because of the holiday there is no transportation except for taxi’s which are very pricy, so I don’t think that we will make it to the city during this time.

We got to go to a picnic with our church here on Wednesday to celebrate the New Year, I must say I love church picnics here as much as I do at home, we had a feast! The place we went to picnic was located on a hill across the Hinnom Valley from the Old City and it gave us a beautiful view of the Old City, City of David and the Mount of Olives. Ironically this hill is called “The Hill of Evil Council” because the UN building is located here.

                                                                                      *My friends and I at the picnic site!

One of my teachers said that being here as a student is like learning with all 5 senses and I have to say he was completely correct.

Highlights of 2nd field trip to Jerusalem

• Seeing the truth of Jesus’ words “not one stone will be left unturned”
• Going to the Upper Room
• Walking up the stairs to the Temple Mount reading the Psalms of Ascent
• Walking through Hezekiah’s tunnel
• Sitting at the pool of Siloam and reading the account in John 9
• Walking “up to Jerusalem”

While I could go into great detail about all of these I will just give you my thoughts on a few of them. My favorite experience of this day was the Temple Mount, On the southern side of the Temple Mount we sat on the monumental stairway, we began to read the Psalms of ascent sitting to the side of them but then decided to try what people possibly did as they were going up to the Temple. We all stood on a step as one person read a Psalm, when it was finished we said amen and stepped up to the next step. This was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had, it made me really think about what we were doing and how things used to be. There are two different sizes of steps, there are many possible reasons for this, one being that it made them really focus on what they were doing and prepare themselves before they went before the Lord. This was an amazing concept to me and really made me think of my prayer life, often times I just rush into praying and do it very nonchalantly, I was very convicted and want to think of this each time I approach the Lord in prayer.

           “I lift my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” Psalm 121:1

I have been meditating on this verse and all the implications it has, so amazing to see this in 3-D!!             

                                                                                       *The Group reading on the stairs

We walked down to the Siloam Pool and read the account of Jesus healing the blind man found in John 9, a few thoughts that come to mind. The faith that this man had is also astonishing, so often I think that God speaks to us and we would overlook this and continue doing our own thing. When this man was speaking with Jesus they were most likely near the Temple, to see how far this man walked and the terrain was incredible, I found it hard and I can see perfectly. Also just the message of this

story, that this man was born blind for this very purpose! God used this to show His glory and teach many people.

                                                                              *The group at the end of Hezekiah's Tunnel

To see more about the program I am doing and where I am staying visit:

http://www.ibexsemester.com/

http://www.yadha8.co.il/en/

These aren't the rooms that we stay in but this gives you an idea of the Moshav!

                                       *My roommates and I with the City of David in the background