Feb. 17 Jerusalem and Bethlehem

 A Jerusalem morning.  Beautiful weather for a day of touring.

 The southern steps going up to the Temple.  Jesus used these each time He went to the Temple.

 The ascent to the Temple Mount.

 This does not belong.  The smaller dome on the Temple Mount.

 This does not belong either.  The Dome of the Rock.

 Beauty and splendor for certain.  The architecture and lines can be appreciated, but how it stirs the heart to anger that this structure sits in the place where the Temple ought to be.  We were not even allowed to carry Scripture up here.  If Mark had shown any of his Temple drawings he would have gotten in serious trouble from the guards.  How sad that Israel allowed for the Muslims to keep this area as their own.  Some think that it has been a work of God's providence because it is possible the Ark of the Covenant is buried under the Dome.  We will not know for certain where it is until God chooses to give it back to His people.

 A view of the Mount of Olives from the Eastern Gate of the Temple Mount.

 The Matthews family has been a lot of fun to spend our time with.  They are sweet people!

 This is the Eye of the Needle.  Some argue that Jesus was speaking literally of a needle's eye.  Others will argue that it was the small opening in a gate.  Either way, it is impossible to fit a camel through.

 Old City Jerusalem.  Everything is up hill here!

 Huh?  How do those two foods fit together as a restaurant's main menu items?

 A rebuilt synagogue that was destroyed by the Jordanians.

 The old main street of Jerusalem.

 A view down an old main street excavation shaft.  This goes down several levels to before the time of Christ.

 Candelstick Chris.  I got to play the part of the menorah at the Temple Institute.  There are no pictures of the Institute because they would not allow us to take them.  They are preparing all of the instruments and clothing for the future Temple.  They have most everything ready and are even training priests in the event that the Temple is rebuilt.  How sad that they are still looking to the Temple and priesthood to be the mediator between God and man.  If only they would open their hearts to their Mediator who has already come, died, and rose again.  

 The women's side of the Wailing Wall.

 The men's side of the Wailing Wall.  On the right, they are reading the Scripture and having multiple Bar Mitzvahs.  I wonder how many of the prayers are for the Messiah to hasten His coming.  How sad that most, if not all, of the Jews standing here would go to Hell if they met death today.  They are still depending on the traditions and rituals of the law.  How badly they need to see that Messiah has already come.  Even our guide, Mark, wants to see what we Christians see in Jesus but he just can't.

A picture of the Bar Mitzvah celebration after the boys have read the Scripture and are now considered men.  The women stand on chairs and peer over the wall to take part in the celebration.  While we were watching from the outer courtyard, the women were throwing candy over the fence as part of the celebrating.

 This is the area where David built his palace.

 This is a covered cistern.  It is thought that the prophet Jeremiah may have been thrown down into this cistern.

For some reason the picture of Pastor Matthews standing in front of the Pool of Siloam will not show up.  Maybe it will show up for you after the blog is posted.

 The Valley of Hinom.  This is where babies were caused to pass through the fire to Molech.  Molech was a big iron statue with a furnace in the belly.  Devout followers would cast their live babies into the fire as a sacrifice to their God.  It is said that the drums would beat loudly and constantly to drown out the screams of the babies and their parents.  How could the people of Israel be drawn into such idolatry.  Even some of the kings, Ahaz and Manasseh, were drawn into this wicked worship.

 Lunch at the Ramat Rachal kibbutz.  Nice place, but expensive just like everywhere else in Israel.  This small salad, bread, and dessert cost a little over $11 USD.

 A panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem from around the 68AD era.  This is a 50:1 scale model found at the Israel Museum.

 A scale model of Herod's Temple in the Jerusalem model.

 Another view of the city.

 This is the roof of the building that houses the Dead Sea scrolls/findings at the Israel Museum.  They will not allow pictures inside in order to preserve the scrolls and items on display.

 Walking down the trail to a cave in Bethlehem.  We did not visit the traditional spot of the nativity because it is so commercialized and "iconized" by the Catholic Church.  Leave it to the traditions of men to ruin something that is probably not even the real thing.

 We met in the cave and sang Christmas carols.

 Devotions on the hillside in Bethlehem.  We looked at the story of Ruth and Boaz.  Bethlehem is the place of the Kinsman redeemer.

A view of the Old City Bethlehem.  It is a much larger city today.  In fact, there is no break between the city of Jerusalem and the city of Bethlehem.  It sure does make a difference to know how close these places were.  Israel is a small country with a lot of climates and landscapes.

We got back to the hotel late and got supper.  We have another early morning tomorrow.  Sorry for the change in the posting style.  I'm sure it helps with the pictures, but we are on information overload from all of the sights and instruction that Mark gave us today.  Tomorrow is the Mount of Olives, the Garden Tomb, Golgotha, and the Upper Room.