Day 2 - June 10

Friday, June 10

Yummy quick breakfast. Woke up at 6, breakfast at 6:30 and on the bus at 7. First place we stopped this morning was a wheat field where the wheat had just been harvested. He spoke about the chaff being separated from the wheat. All you do is rub it in between your hands, then blow and the wheat stays while the chaff blows in the wind. We saw a pole (poles) with wire connecting them that the strict Jews still use today where on the Sabbath they can't walk more than 1000 paces outside the city. We walked up on a hill which was the city of Bet Shemesh, which was a part of the tribe of Dan. Samson (meaning light) was born here. We discussed his Nazarite vow, how he couldn't drink wine or even touch grapes or ANYTHING to do with grapes. (Yet the vineyards were everywhere) He couldn't touch a razor to the head and could not go near anything dead or touch anything unclean. We discussed his mistakes and how he was supposed to be a light (as his name means). We discussed the vows we can make (our own Nazarite Vow) but NOT for the purpose of witnessing to others, but between us and God. Other people will notice, they notice when something is different about you-even in the world of "Christians." But remember, it is about your relationship and covenant you make with God. Our sins affect generations to come, not just me!!! Random side note: I guess the Bible says that God only put His little finger into the 10 plagues in Egypt but His whole hand into the crossing of the Red Sea. They remember that by saying "10 plagues in Egypt, 50 at the Red Sea" I guess. His point was if His little finger could do all those plagues... how much more can He keep His promises to us like clothe, feed and protect. We all held up our pinkie and said the Shamah again reminding us of His great power. After the story of Samson we had a potty break and us girls got to pee under a huge fig tree! ha ha then we walked unhill to another part of Bet Shebeth where they had their city cistern. That was so cool! It was steps down into it then a big empty stone cave. There were 4 wings off it kind of in the shape of a cross. All the houses had a gutter system to drain all rain water into this cistern for the summer months. Girls would walk down into it with pails to get water out. When they found it there were still pails sitting on the bench believed to be from when the city was attacked the girls just set them down and ran! He mentioned the passage in Jer. that talks about the people were wanting to drink from their own cisterns which were cracked and dirty rather than God, the living, true, water. Next we drove to Azekiah. A big steep hill we climbed, where Israelites camped during the battle with the Philistines. He pointed out where each of the tribes camped. The Israelite Army was afraid of Goliath, they had forgotten about their God. David comes and the first thing he thinks of is not being killed by some 9 1/2 foot tall guy but how the Israelites were not letting their God be known! Saul had the mind set or armor fights armor but God didn't. David grabbed 5 (significant # maybe, Torah?) smooth stones, not b/c he needed that many but possibly for a different purpose. He shot Goliath with a rock (Jesus was called the rock) right between the eyes (where the Jews were supposed to bind the commands of God (Deut 6) and he fell on his face (worshiping something). David's focus was totally on God. We each picked up a smooth stone from the riverbed where David most likely got his 5 from, held them up and said the Shemah. Next we went to an actual Roman amphitheater. That was interesting... wasn't as moving for me as it should have been though. The Romans built it especially for the purpose of being entertained by murdering Jews whom they captured. There were the seats all around the top, the main dirt floor, and the big underground hole where the vicious animals were kept. Most of the Jews/Christians were probably new to Christianity and said "look, I know my religion is only 10 or so years old but I believe it with all my heart, all my soul and al my might I am ready to be killed for it." And we stood there today. In the exact same spot some 2000 years later, believing in the same God. Wondering how strong our faith is. Next we drove to a wine press that was probably used by someone for a business or something. First was a round table (stone) and a groove went around the middle of it where they would place the olives. They had a huge stone to crush them all. Then they gathered them and put them in baskets. They put these under a large log that was weighted down by rocks and the first press was called virgin, then they would press it again. That was a cool place! next was lunch , then the vineyard at Lachish. Talked about Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. You will only bear fruit if Living in Him. We climbed the hill to the city of Lachish. Hezekiah was King there (Isiah 37). He was a good king where everything bad happened to him. He had as awesome prayer at the end of his life but it is hard for me to understand prayers like that. How can we still believe in God when EVERYTHING seems to be going bad and wrong? I don't' really get it. Bot God gives him 15 more years to live and praise Him. We are now in Arad where it is a big, very modern city now. The hotel is pretty nice. Has an American Outlet! Yea! =) Well good day =) My allergies are better! Time for us to sleep!