Random Israel

I visited Israel in 2006 (along with Michael Reese, Davy Hopson, Bobby Sparks and other super ABA folks) and here are a few random observations. If you have ever visited Israel and would like to contribute, please do so. If you have questions, PERHAPS I could attempt an answer. Mr. “Promise Land” might have the answer, after all, he lives there.

1.Many people in Israel believe that Jesus worked with stone and not wood. The word carpenter simply means “one who works with his hands.” There is a lot of stone around the Sea of Galilee, and very few trees.

2.Israel is a very secular country. Orthodox Jews are only seen in small numbers, except in Jerusalem.

3.The valley of Armageddon has been and will be a natural, geographic funnel for invading armies. This is easily seen from atop the ruins of Megiddo.

4.Nearly everything in Israel shuts down on the sabbath. There are even sabbat elevators which open on every floor, thus keeping Jews from having to push buttons (work) on the sabbath.

5.The walls of Jericho did not crumble. They truly fell down flat. The walls have been excavated and they are visible.

6.Camels stink and they are a very rough ride.

7.The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. It is 1300 feet below sea level. There is new meaning to the scriptures that say they went “up to Jerusalem.”

8.Palestinians in the West Bank are very poor and will try to sell anything. One young boy pulled off an olive branch from the tree I was standing by, and then tried to sell it to me for $1.

9.Native thorns in America are usually no longer than 2 inches. The ONLY native thorn in Israel is 4-5 inches long. When I read of the crown of thorns, it now breaks my heart more than ever.

10.At David's Tomb, Jewish rabbis read the Old Testament 24/7. They rotate in 2 hour shifts.

11.Muslims sealed the Eastern Gate so as to prevent the Messiah from coming through them. (I think Jesus can handle it when He returns, don't you?!)

12.Bethesda's Pool is NOT the kiddie pool size whirlpool that we have seen in Sunday School literature & drawings. It is huge, with five distinct porches and spans almost an acre.

13.In 2006, the Temple Institute had made 70 of the 93 items to be used in future Temple worship. I took pictures of the Menorah, the altar, and the High Priests vestments until the “Israeli tour Guide lady” pointed at me, “I said no pictures!” I'm sorry angry Israeli tour guide lady person.

14.Israelis & Palestinians do not eat very many sweets. They are not fat. If you see skinny people for two weeks and then return to America, you think you have entered a Sumo Wrestlers Convention when you walk into Wal-Mart.

15.The Garden Tomb is just as powerful as I anticipated. I don't cry easily, but on our free day in Jerusalem, I went back to it, stood in there alone, prayed...and cried tears of thankfulness. I texted Tracy, “The Tomb is Empty,” just to let her know that I had been there. She texted back, “Duh.”

16.All hotels have a mezuzah mounted on the upper right side of the door. It is a small plate with 12 stones (12 tribes) and the Hebrew letter shin (El Shaddai). It is a reminder of the Passover night.

17.There is a large restaurant and museum between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv honoring, of all people, Elvis Pressley.

18.Israeli helicopters (with mounted machine guns) patrol Israel's borders continually. You just get used to it.

19.I saw one Baptist church in Israel. Location....Nazareth. By request of his sponsoring church, I tried to contact one of our ABA missionaries in the West Bank, Ibrahim Imseeh. No luck.

20.Someone in our group asked if we could go up on top of Calvary. Our tour guide, Iyad, responded, “You cannot go up there. Muslim graves are on top. They will shoot you.” I didn't try to go, even though a church member had made a request of a rock from Calvary. (maybe he was trying to set me up....?)

21.If I had known Israel would be so meaningful, I would have saved every possible cent and gone years before I did. I appreciate Oak Flat MBC and the contributors who made the trip possible. I plan on returning....when Jesus returns, if not sooner.
(perhaps some of you guys would like to plan a trip in the future and need someone to go who has been before and would help with...well, never mind, just a thought)