Israeli Judean Community: A Biblical Vision in Progress

By Tzippe Barrow

CBN News Internet Producer - Jerusalem

Thursday, September 17, 2015

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MITZPEH YERICHO, Israel -- Nestled in the barren hills of the Judean Desert, residents of a 35-year-old religious community have a new vision: to build a water park complete with ponds, trees, and foliage -- an oasis in the desert.

Residents of this friendly community envision the park supplementing the town's two main tourist attractions, bike trips, and jeep tours.

CBN News recently visited the yishuv (settlement) to see firsthand the small pond built mostly by the community's teens and young adults who, with some engineering help, managed to bring the water up to the pond.

Mitzpeh Yericho is less than a half hour drive east of Jerusalem in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), in territory the whole world demands Israel "give back."

From the town, you have a panoramic view of the Jordan Valley rift, the Dead Sea and Jericho, the sprawling city built on the ruins of ancient Jericho, scene of the Israelites' first great victory after the Lord commanded them to enter the Promised Land."

Watch a short video of Mitzpeh Yericho below:

The vision began about a year ago when resident Raanan Alexander noticed water flowing from a pipe near Mekerot's facility in the valley below his home. Mekerot is Israel's national water authority.

Alexander, his wife and two children, live in a small caravan on the outskirts of Mitzpeh Yericho. They were intrigued at the sight and soon noticed the bountiful flow taking place three times a day. It didn't take long for the news to reach the rest of the community.

Water is a treasured commodity in Israel and residents from north to south have a built-in appreciation for it. The rainy season usually begins around Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) in the fall and continues through early spring.

For the next five months or so, there's no rain. It's a long, hot, dry summer. When that first rain falls, everyone's excited, the trees and animals not the least. And when enough winter rains fall in the desert, it literally blooms.

One of the water engineers who surveyed the area told residents it came from a depth of about 300 meters and there's plenty of it. But because the Health Ministry hasn't weighed in on the new water source, Mekerot is throwing away hundreds of cubic meters of good quality water every day.

Now residents have gotten word to Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Betzalel Smutrich (Jewish Home Party), who liked hearing about it and asked for more information.

Scripture Fulfilled

But what really has many residents excited is seeing scripture fulfilled before their eyes. Isaiah 35 speaks of some of God's many promises to Israel.

"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

The parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water; in the habitation of jackals, where each lay, there shall be grass with reeds and rushes." (Is.35:5-7)

The young people in this community grew up in a harsh environment, a small town in the midst of the desert, on the outskirts of a predominantly Arab city.

They were raised with a love of the Bible. There's a yeshiva (Torah seminary) in the town, and Bible study is part of the regular school curriculum.

Not surprisingly, these young adults are some of Israel's most exemplary soldiers, bright, creative, and willing to defend their families, friends, and homeland.

That's why they're glad to be part of creating something special with the "newfound" water.

A lot of work lies ahead for Mitzpeh Yericho residents. It won't be easy and it will be costly. But they believe it's worth it. They have a God-given vision.

VIDEO: The road from Jericho to Jerusalem

Thursday, June 25, 2015 |  Israel Today Staff

The road from Jericho to Jerusalem was the scene of various biblical events. From David's escape from the clutches of his son Absalom, to the story of the "Good Samaritan" and even trips that Jesus made including one when he healed the blind man Bartimaeus.

Watch the biblical accounts come to life with this docu-video including intriguing drone footage.

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Where Did the Palestinians Come From, Anyway?

Sunday, March 30, 2014 |  Israel Today Staff  

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Palestinians

There are many competing claims at play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but the simple question of who was here first, as childish as it might sound, remains central to the contest.

That is precisely why, in addition to leveling all sorts of other accusations at Israel, the Palestinian Authority is engaged in an effort to invent a new historical narrative that puts the Palestinians in the land long before the Hebrews ever arrived from Egypt.

If, as the Palestinians also claim, they are part of the wider Arab world, then this new narrative is easily debunked by any number of historical documentation and archeological finds. And yet, it is catching on at an alarming rate with those who would likely consider themselves cognizant of regional history.

One of the latest proponents of what can only reasonably be labeled a “fairytale” is chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat, who told a diplomatic gathering in Munich last month that his particular tribe had been residents of Jericho thousands of years before the arrival of Joshua Ben Nun, the Israelite leader following Moses.

In a thorough expose, Ambassador Alan Baker of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs picked apart Erekat’s assertion and those like it.

In summary, Baker noted that Erekat’s own genealogy, which is easily researched, puts his ancestral Huweitat tribe back in the Arabian peninsula as recently as the 19th century. Only after the Jews began returning to the land en masse did the Huweitat tribe take up residence near Jericho, Jerusalem and other parts of what are now Israel and Jordan.

“Several leading scholars of Middle Eastern studies and Islamic history have confirmed that the Palestinians do not have ancient roots in the area and are trying to invent origins for themselves that predate the Jewish people’s presence,” wrote Baker.

By contrast, “the historical presence of the Jewish people in the ‘Holy Land’ is well-documented, not only in the scriptures of all three monotheistic religions, and visible in extensive archeological remains, but also in historic writings by early Greek, Roman, pagan, and other visitors to the area,” he continued.

Baker’s full essay on the topic is well worth a read. Click here to do so.

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Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta) - Rare Century-Old Photos of Golden Gate and Temple Mount

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

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Rare Century-Old Photos from the Oregon State University Archives, Part 2 Posted: 30 Nov 2013 10:51 PM PST Golden Gate [Shaar HaRachamim in Hebrew] of Jerusalem's Old City  (Oregon State University Archives) See more on the Golden Gate here We continue with more photos and original captions from the Oregon State University Archives.  View Part 1 here.  The captions provide a fascinating commentary on historical understanding of areas in the Holy Land a century ago, including a comment about "Jewish Zionists."  The pictures are dated as "circa 1910." View the Oregon State University Archives' complete collection here. The Archives' captions appear in blue below. Golden Gate image (above] description from historic lecture booklet: "The Golden Gate is in the East wall of the Haram or temple area. Ezekiel, the prophet, says that it was shut in his day and must not be opened for any man, "for the Lord, the God of Israel hath entered in by it , therefore it shall be shut." Ezekiel 44:1,2. Traditionally, this is the Beautiful Gate of Acts 3:2, but that gate was evidently much nearer to the Temple. But actually dates from the fifth or perhaps the seventh, Christian century. It was restored in 1892; it is still architecturally interesting from the inside, where a staircase ascends to the roof."    Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount of Jerusalem (Oregon State University Archives)    "One of the handsome southern approaches to the mosque of Omar, a Mohammedan temple of religion. The mosque is on the higher level. In the immediate foregrounds is one of the famous fountains of the Temple area, and men may be seen at their religious ablutions. When one reaches the approach it is necessary to rent slippers. They are always kept on hand for the purpose of entering the Mosque and are retained until the visitor finished not only the Mosque of Omar, but also the Mosque el-Aksa on the south end of the area. This is an act of reverence just as we would remove our hats when going into a church."    The interior of the Dome of the Rock  (Oregon State University Archives)   Note how the crevices of the Rock are deeper than those seen in other photos of the surface.    "This rock has been regarded as sacred from the earliest times. Long before the Hebrew occupation of Palestine [Editor's note: some 3,500 years ago], this striking formation led the ancients to view this as a Holy mount. Its length is about 58 feet, the breadth nearly 52 feet. It extends above the surrounding pavement from four to six and half feet. Here on Mount Moriah, which is called also Zion, Abraham was about to offer Isaac. Here by the threshing-floor of Araunsh, David saw the destroying angel. Here also Solomen [sic] built the temple, but this rock was not within it as it is within the Mosque. It is probable that the altar of sacrifice stood on the rock. The interior of the Mosque, which is an octagon with sides 66 feet 7 inches in length, is 174 feet in diameter. It is divided by its two series of supports into three concentric parts. The pillars were all taken from older buildings. An inscription in the oldest Arabic character, Cufic, records that "Adballah el-Iman el-Melik, prince of the faithful erected this dome in the year 72-692 A.D.["] It is in the Arabian style."   Safed [Tzfat in Hebrew], holy Jewish city in the Galilee  (Oregon State University Archives) See more on Safed here  "About ten miles northwest of the Sea of Galilee on a very high hill (2,749 feet) of the ancient province of Galilee, is situated the city of Safed, which is thought by some to be the city referred to by Jesus in His sermon on the mount (Matt 5:14). [Editor's note: There is little archaeological evidence of Safed's existence as a population center at the time of the Second Temple.] You remember the words of our Lord to his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount? "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." He may have pointed to this very hill and this very city, now known as Safed, in northern Galilee. Although no place having this location is named in the Bible, it is probable that in Christ's day, a city was standing on this hill, for in the New Testament period, this land was densely populated. Safed stands as a landmark, seen in every direction, and well illustrated the words of Jesus regarding the prominence of his disciples in the world."     Christian pilgrims on their way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem (Oregon State University Archives) "This picture is taken along the Jericho road looking west toward Jerusalem. The subject of the picture "Pilgrims" is one that has its place in all histories of religion. The present motley crowd is made up of a number of nationalities, but the majority are Russians. These have already been to the Jordon at their reputed places of the baptism of Jesus. and are now returning to the Holy City to partake in the festivities around the Holy Sepulchre which takes place at Easter."  Christian Street in Jerusalem's Old City (Oregon State University Archives) Image description from historic lecture booklet: "Christian Street is a thoroughfare running north and south ending at David Street. It is by far the cleanest street in all Jerusalem. There is a new "Jerusalem" now being built by the Jewish Zionists, who are settling in Palestine in great numbers. They are establishing a university and are spending millions of dollars in modernizing the city and whole region."    The serpentine road between Jerusalem and Jaffa (Oregon State University Archives)   "A good macadamized road extends from Jaffa to Jerusalem. The section of road in the picture with its serpentine windings is six or eight miles from Jerusalem."      Click on pictures to enlarge.  Click on captions to view the original picture. View the Oregon State University Archives' complete collection here.

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Camels in the desert - near Jericho, Israel

On our Love For His People Ahava Adventures trip (Nov. 2-11, 2013) we saw these camels in the desert between the Jordan River, near Jericho, and the Qumran historical site, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1948.

Photos by Steve Martin.

For more information on the 

2014 Ahava Adventures:

Love For His People

Qasr al Yahud Baptism Site in Israel - where Yeshua (Jesus) probably was baptized.

As part of the Love For His People Ahava Adventure trip in Nov. 2013, we went from Jerusalem to the Qasr al Yahud baptismal site, which is believed to be near the actual site where Yeshua (Jesus) would have been baptized by John the Baptist (Immerser).

The site is located near Jericho on the Jordan River, just north of the Dead Sea.

Steve Martin

Love For His People

Photos by Steve Martin Nov. 9, 2013

The baptismal site on the Jordan River

The Jordan River 

(including the "West Bank")

Looking across the Jordan River 

to the church in the country of Jordan.

Assembly hall for tourists

Seating for those awaiting baptism and viewers.

 

 

Ready for baptism - Ben Martin

Below is taken from the Israel Inside Out website.

Qasr al Yahud Baptism Site

The Jordan River at Qasr al Yahud

Qasr al Yahud (The Jews' Castle or Palace) is a site on the banks of the Jordan River not far from Jericho.  Christian tradition associates Qasr al Yahud with the site of Jesus' baptism by Matthew (Matthew 3) and it has been revered as such from at least the fourth century. There are many monasteries and churches in the area testifying to the long religious tradition at Qasr al Yahud. In Jewish tradition the crossing of the Jordan by the Children of Israel under Joshua (Joshua 3) must also have taken place in this general area. It is also associated with the site where Elijah handed over the prophecy to Elisha and rose to heaven on a fiery chariot (2 Kings 11)

Baptism Deck

Due to its location Qasr al Yahud has not been an easy place to visit, and the Yardenit Baptismal Site has been the preferred choice of pilgrims. However, Qasr al Yahud has been recently refurbished with access to the river, showers, facilities for prayer, wheelchair access and improved car parking. The site now seems to be under the administration of the Israel Parks Authority and for the first time in many years is now open daily. The water quality is regularly inspected to ensure that it is safe to enter the Jordan. Please be aware the wet decking can be very slippy!

The general area is amazingly beautiful and is a good place to understand desert landscape and see the impact of water - the trail of the Jordan is very clear with an oasis like quality.

There are many churches in use, abandoned and being constructed in the area. The Jordan River is very narrow and it is possible to carry out a normal conversation with pilgrims in Jordan! Please be aware the Jordanian authorities take a very dim view of illegal border crossings. Although this is a place of outstanding natural beauty and  religious significance it is an international border in every respect.

Getting to Qasr al Yahud 

Qasr al Yahud is located off the main north south Road 90 near Jericho.

Have Archaeologists Found Prophet Elisha's House?

By Chris Mitchell and Julie Stahl

CBN News Jerusalem Bureau

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Pat Robertson, 700 Club Founder

TEL REHOV, Israel -- During 16 years of excavating Tel Rehov in the Jordan Valley, archaeologists uncovered a 3,000-year-old, well-planned city.

They also found a unique building that might have been the house of Elisha the prophet.

Elisha and Elijah - prophets of God

"The house was full of objects of unique types… two pottery altars that were used for burning incense," archaeologist Ami Mazar told CBN News.

Altar

"We found there figurines, clay figurines. We found large vessels -- like big vessels that were probably used for serving food, not for just the nuclear family, but maybe for a larger community," he said.

Mazar also pointed out the unique structure of the house.

"Normally the houses had one entrance leading to a large space with rooms all around," he explained. "This house was divided into two wings. The two wings were connected to one another through the backroom and each one of the wings had an opening to the street."

Outside the backroom were incense altars that may have been used to make an offering to God before entering the house to hear the prophet's message.

Rooms in the evacuation

During the excavations, archaeologists discovered a special room inside the house with a table and a bench. They also discovered a pottery shard with the name Elisha on it, dated to the 9th century.

The discovery has led some to believe this was the room of the prophet Elisha.

"We found an ink inscription written in red ink on pottery, but it is broken unfortunately," Mazar said. "But we reconstructed the name as Elisha."

The prophet Elisha was born about seven miles from Tel Rehov in Avel Mehola and went throughout the kingdom of Israel, from Jericho to Samaria to Shunam.

Birthplace of Elisha - Avel Mehola

"You know I cannot say for sure this particular Elisha that we found is the biblical Elisha," Mazar said. "You know it's very difficult to say, but it is very tempting because it is exactly the period when Elisha acted -- the second half of the 9th century BC."

Archaeologist Stephen Pfann calls the evidence compelling.

"With only six other people by the name of Elisha known in that time for a couple of centuries on either side, we can somehow believe that either there was just the luck that this holy man was also by the name of Elisha, or this was Elisha the prophet himself," Pfann told CBN News.

Another discovery pointing to the prophet Elisha are two different inscriptions mentioning the family of Nimshi.

Nimshi family description

"We remember that it was Elijah who was told to anoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi, to be the king," Pfann explained. "And he passed that on to Elisha who sent out one of his disciples to finally do the anointing."

Another inscription with the same name Nimshi was found about five miles away.

"So I came to this idea that perhaps the entire valley of Beit Shean, this beautiful fertile valley [with] food, springs, water, [and] good land was perhaps under rule, perhaps, or property of this family," Ami said.

This family may also have had an unusual business: bee-keeping.

"Perhaps they were the owners of the apiary because one of [the] Nimshi inscriptions was found inside the apiary just between the hives," Pfann said.

Several years ago, archaeologists uncovered a strange installation.

"We saw that we have here a row of cylindrical, of clay cylinders. Each one of them is about 2-1/2 feet long and about 1 foot in diameter," Pfann continued. "We realized these must be bee hives."

This type of bee came from Turkey not Israel, indicating ancient trade relations between regions. They are the most ancient species of bees ever found in the world.

Many archaeologists shy away from drawing conclusions about the Bible, but some see it as a way of putting the pieces together.

"Archaeology is like a huge puzzle, you know, we add information from one excavation, a second excavation, a third excavation -- Meggido, Tel Rehov, Beit Shean…and together we bring it into a large picture, the large puzzle trying to decipher the material culture of the Israelites," Mazar explained.

For Cary Summers, who heads Nazareth Village, it's even more special.

Dr. Cary Summers

"Well, it's like any other archeological site, in essence…every scoop of dirt it proves the Bible, one scoop at a time. And this site is absolutely magnificent dealing with the prophet Elisha," Summers told CBN News.

In this day and age, he said, it's even more important.

"There is always the skeptic who says, 'Show me the proof' and 'When you have the proof.' Basically, [we have] the tile that [was] found here with the name [and] also just the excavation itself," Summers continued.

"It's one more proof for what we call the doubting world," he said.

"For God to allow this to be unearthed at this time, I think it is again another indication that we are to aggressively go forward with this kind of data, this kind of research, this kind of archaeological dig," Summers said.

The future of the site is uncertain because its mud bricks are deteriorating. Researchers hope, however, it can be preserved to help future generations understand the Bible.

Video of Elisha's House site on CBN News