Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
“Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and will tell thee great things, and hidden, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3 (The Israel Bible™)
Archaeologists from Tel Hai College, the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced the discovery of a 4,000-year-old dolmen, a large table-like stone structure, near Kibbutz Shamir in the Upper Galilee. The dolmen is marked by its huge dimensions and the artistic decorations engraved in its ceiling.
According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the dolmen was discovered inside a large chamber measuring 2 by 3 meters, and was covered by an enormous stone estimated to weigh at least 50 tons, one of the largest stones ever used in the construction of dolmens in the Middle East. The dolmen itself was enclosed in an enormous stone heap (tumulus) approximately 20 meters in diameter, and its stones are estimated to weigh a minimum of 400 tons. At least four smaller dolmens that were positioned at the foot of the decorated dolmen were identified inside the stone heap.
“In other words, what we have here is a huge monumental structure built hierarchically (with a main cell and secondary cells). This is the first time such a hierarchical dolmen has been identified in the Middle East,” said the IAA in a release.
Why was the city called Hebron, חברון? “This name,” says the sages of Israel, “is made up of the contraction of two Hebrew words: חבר נאה kha-ver na-eh, pleasant friend; this designates Abraham who was the first pleasant friend of God. God had said to Israel (Isaiah 41:8), “The seed of Abraham, My friend.” Learn about the significance of Hebron from Biblical times through today with a fascinating free eBook.
The remains of an unusual structure that served as a synagogue during the Second Temple era have been unearthed at an archaeological excavation underway at a nature reserve in the lower Galilee.
Today's photo shows the festive dedication of a new Torah scroll in Hebron. The newly written scroll is joyously carried under a "chuppah" (wedding tent) to symbolize the marriage of God and the Jewish people.
Thank you Lisa Weber of Suffern, New York!
Today's sponsor would like to share the following message:
Our connection to the Land of Israel has been enhanced with my son's IDF service; he'll continue on as a madrich and then has plans to make Aliya.
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" ... (Is. 9:2, MEV).
The common application of Isaiah 9:2 is a spiritual one in which the "people who walked in darkness" are those who lived prior to Christ and without knowledge of His saving power. While that is a valid spiritual application, this verse is actually referring to the people of a specific geographical area: the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, known as the Galilee of the Gentiles.
Upon them a great light would shine when, according to verse 6, "unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Jesus is the light that would one day shine upon the Galilee, according to Isaiah.
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Galilee had become largely Gentile after 722 B.C. when Assyrian forces exiled most of the Israelites and replaced them with pagan and idolatrous Assyrians causing spiritual darkness to fall over the region. While many Jews had returned to the area and repopulated it over the centuries, significant idolatry remained and was encouraged by subsequent Greek and Roman invaders.
In chapter four of his gospel, Matthew explains that Jesus conducted the bulk of His ministry in the Galilee in fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-7. Just as Jesus' birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and His return from refuge in Egypt (Hos. 11:1) was a fulfillment of prophecy, so was his upbringing in Nazareth (Matt. 2:23) and subsequent ministry in the Galilee.
Jesus traveled throughout the Galilee healing all manners of sickness, opening blind eyes and deaf ears, raising the dead and casting out demons. It was on the Sea of Galilee that He performed two of His most dramatic miracles: stilling the storm and walking on the water.
Walking Where Jesus Walked
Tourists today can visit the archeological remains of some of the cities in which Jesus ministered. The remains of the first-century synagogues in those cities are of the most exciting finds, because one can be fairly certain Jesus visited, and even preached in, them. Both Mark and Matthew say that He preached in all the synagogues of the region.
The synagogue visible today in Capernaum dates to the third century, but it is built over the remains of the first-century synagogue that Jesus likely taught in. Another incredible find there is the possible home of Simon Peter. We know Jesus visited this home and on one occasion healed Peter's mother-in-law of a fever. It is even possible He lived there while in Capernaum.
Mark 1:29 tells us that Peter's home was very near to the entrance to the synagogue. Archaeologists have uncovered a first-century home in that area with a number of indications to its historical significance. The house had 11 coats of plaster on the walls indicating it was a special place that had been well cared for over a long period of time.
The threshold stone is broken but never replaced indicating someone important may have stepped on that stone, and numerous pieces of wall plaster have writing on them referring to Jesus as Lord, the Most High, the Savior, and Messiah, while three of them mention Peter himself. A fifth-century church was built over the site indicating it was known by the locals as Peter's home which had been frequented by Jesus.
In nearby Magdala, a first-century synagogue has been uncovered where visitors can see the very floor Jesus may have walked on. Another exciting find in that synagogue is an altar or stone table that is the earliest known artistic depiction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus probably rested the Torah scroll upon this stone table as He taught.
The Three Impenitent Cities
While these archaeological finds are exciting and help us to imagine the life and ministry of Jesus, they are also a stark reminder of what happens when light is rejected. Darkness remains.
Matthew refers to Capernaum, Korazin and Bethsaida as the cities in which most of Jesus' miracles were performed. Yet, Jesus rebuked these three impenitent cities and said that if the mighty works which had been done in them were done in the Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon, or the sinful city of Sodom, they would have repented. He then declared that judgment would result and Capernaum would be "brought down to Hades" (Matt. 11:20-24).
All three cities were destroyed by a series of earthquakes between the fourth and eighth centuries and remain in ruins to this day. What a powerful reminder of Jesus' words that "of everyone to whom much is given, much will be required." Those privileged to have enjoyed the light of His presence in their midst, and witnessed the miracles He performed, would suffer judgment for rejecting that light.
To better understand the words of Jesus one must read the Scriptures in their geographical, historical and cultural context. Thankfully, the Israeli government safeguards archaeological finds and holy sites, so Christians can visit them and not just recount, but experience, the words and ministry of Jesus on a whole new level.
Susan M. Michael is US Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem www.icejusa.org. This article is seventh in a series to introduce Israel and various biblical sites of interest to the Christian reader. For information on ICEJ tours to Israel:www.icejusa.org/tours
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All of God’s bounty is beneficial for us and there are many delicious foods that grow in the Land of Israel, yet the Creator of the world singled out the olive (and its delicious oil) as one of the seven species that is particularly blessed. Dozens of health protective nutrients have been identified in olive oil, benefiting most of the body’s systems. The finest extra virgin olive oil is today grown and harvested by a small family business in the Galilee of northern Israel, blessed groves that are nurtured by the waters of the Jordan River. Galilee Green is bringing forth the fruit of the Land, and assisting other local families to work and thrive, making your purchase crucial to helping the Nation of Israel come back home after 2,000 years of exile.
The Sages explain that the Messiah will be anointed as King of Israel in the End of Days. The fascinating anointment process uses sacred oil from the Holy Land.
These beautiful pieces by Rafael Jewelers contain 2,000 year old Roman Glass. Discovered in archaeological excavations of ancient workshops, these pieces of Roman glass were manufactured in the Land of Israel and exported around the world during the 4th century. Their discovery has shed light on the ancient glass trade and the ancient world of commerce. The beautiful colors and shapes of the unique glass are as stunning today as they were thousands of years ago.
A beautiful olive grove by Ilan Rosen. Olive trees have always been an integral part of the Holy Land landscape and are mentioned no less than 192 times in Scripture!
Love love getting this email every day. Thanks so much I'm about to send the link to my sister, Valerie Carlson
I very much enjoy reading your posts, and even more so since my husband and I took a trip to Jerusalem. What a fantastic event to see the places I had only read about or heard about in the news. Beautiful, breathtaking land of my Lord. I'll never forget it.
