Israel 7 – The Negev
Today we explored the biblical Negev and the greater Negev, discussing topics such as prescribed versus practical religion; Abraham’s way of life; and the the influence the Nabateans had over trade in the south. Our first stop was Tel Arad, the site of the biblical city of Arad. We learned of its strategic position tucked […]
Israel 6 – The Shephelah
Today we traveled down the Shephelah, hitting various biblical cities and discussing corresponding narratives along the way. We stopped at Beit Shemesh, Shaaraim, Lachish, and Ashkelon. After learning about the Diagonal Highway in class yesterday, it was helpful to experience the region in person. At Beit Shemesh, we learned about the historical tug of war […]
Israel 5 – On Jordan’s Muddy Banks I Stand
Today marks the end of an amazing-yet-tiring week. My brain is full of new information, my legs are tired from hiking, my memory is busy cataloguing once in a lifetime experiences, and my heart is grateful. We started out the day just east of Jerusalem in the Judean Wilderness. The land we observed is referred […]
Israel 4 – Overload
Wow…today we did so much that it’s difficult to process. It was our first day out in the field, and we went to nine different sites. Instead of trying to unpack every site in detail, I will attempt to give a quick ‘snapshot’ of each of our stops. We started out the day on Mt. […]
Israel 3 – Where Jesus Walked
Today we went on the New Testament Jerusalem walk, traveling to Robinson’s Arch, the Southern Wall of the Temple, and the pool of Bethesda. Robinson’s Arch is located on the southwestern corner of the Temple, named after Edward Robinson, the American archaeologist who discovered it. As we sat in the area that used to be […]