I woke up early again and went down to the sea for early morning devo. Birds were singing, I imagined giving glory to their Creator. The Galilee is 600 ft below sea level (the 2nd lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea being the 1st). It is made up of 3 regions: Haifa, lower, upper regions. We depart up to the northern region of Dan, which is the northern most point along the Lebanese border. It was rainy and chilly. This region was settled by Jewish immigrants beginning in 1882, Rosh Pina was the first city inhabited in the Galilee. Name comes from Psalm 118 - “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”. Area is called the “Hula Valley” and used to be a lake but now is a beautiful valley with groves everywhere. The Golan Heights mountain range lies on the NE border with Syria. This area was once under Syrian control but now is part of Israel.
Dan was the first capitol of the kingdom of Israel. Up here we visit the source springs for the Jordan. There are 3 springs – Dan, Banas, Tel Hade. Everything up here is natural except the Eucalyptus. We walk along the path to the spring sources, the water is very fast moving and pure. We travel to the ancient city of Dan where the alter to the golden calf was erected. The idolatrous alter location still stands. Jeroboam setup 2 locations - one here at Dan, the other at Bethel (1Ki 12). Had Bible study and worship time here. Wonderful to reclaim this place and worship the true God in this once pagan high-place.
Visited “Abraham’s gate”, the oldest gate in the world, approximately 3900 yrs old at ancient Canaanite city of Laish (Gen 14:14), later conquered under Joshua and renamed Dan (Jud 18:29) . Archaeology has uncovered the main gate into the city. Abraham would have traveled through this in his pursuit of Lot. Left Dan and drove NE, through former border of Lebanon, signs along road warn of “buried mines”. Border changed in 1967. Visited Caesarea Philippi – the place of idolatrous worship, founded by the Greeks to their pantheon of gods. Matt 16:16 – “You are the Christ” – Peter’s great confession made here. Places hewn into mountain reveal locations where statues of gods once stood. Following the death of Herod the Great, his kingdom was split between his 3 sons (Antipas – Galilee; Philip – Caesarea Philippi; Archeleous – Judea/Jerusalem). This location is another source of the Jordan river. Visit a kibbutz for lunch. This is a live/work community where people share everything and live by communion rules, essentially socialism. The lunch was ridiculous.
Next travel up to the Golan heights in the north east border region with Syria. See former abandoned Syrian bunkers and military camps. This land is not inhabited but serves as a buffer zone, for security. No attack from Syria since 1974. “Cows of Bashan” (Amos 4:1) reference from here. Cows very healthy and fat up here. Reached the border of Israel/Syria, had we continued on this road we would have been in Damascus in 1 hour. Damascus, Syria is the oldest capitol in the world. The Golan Heights is the highest point in Israel. Tasted fresh honey from a man selling it at top. Came back to Tiberius, visited a big diamond center there. 61% of the world’s diamonds are exported to the USA. Israeli economics: $4B – diamonds, $3B tourism, $1B export fruits/vegetables, $3.5B – ITEX (technology).
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