Israel Itinerary

There will be two professors at the seminary who will be leading this trip:Dr. Mudliar serves as Assistant Professor of Old TestamentDr. Yeats serves as Assistant Professor of Church History

Itinerary:

Day 1 Fri May 25, 2007 ~ Depart U.S.

Day 2 Sat May 26 ~ Arrival and transfer to our hotel on the Mediterranean Sea

Day 3 Sun May 27 ~ COASTAL PLAINS: We will follow one of the main land passages along the Eastern Mediterranean, which connected the super powers of the ancient world. Our study themes will include trade and commerce from the days of Herod the Great and his seaport project at Caesarea. Here we will discuss some of the conflicts between Gentiles and Jews during the first centuries B.C. and A.D. We will reflect on the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10) and the subsequent emergence of Christianity into the non-Jewish communities. Later we will travel to Mt. Carmel and through the Jezreel Valley, and to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Our day will end with a scenic overview of the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4 Mon May 28 - TO THE SOURCES OF THE JORDAN RIVER, UPPER GALILEE AND GOLAN: This morning we will journey to Israel’s border with Lebanon at the base of Mt. Hermon along springs that form the upper Jordan River. We will consider the extent of Jesus’ ministry in this northern part of the country. Sites will include: Tel Dan Nature Reserve, Banyas (Caesarea Philippi, Matt. 16), an overview of Lebanon and Syria.

Day 5 Tue May 29 - AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE: Today we will explore the deeper teachings of Jesus as he ministered in the Sea of Galilee region. In this beautiful setting we will give attention to various texts and traditions from his day, including the curious rabbinical technique of ‘pearl stringing.’ Sites will include: Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitudes, Tabgha, an ancient boat museum and a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and more. We will conclude this day atop the cliffs of Arbel.

Day 6 Wed May 30 - JORDAN VALLEY: After breakfast we will leave the Galilee and journey down the Jordan Valley towards the Dead Sea. Along the way we will view the principle city of the Decapolis, Scythopolis (or Beit Shean) where we will experience an impressive Greco-Roman metropolis. Time and weather permitting we will take time for a swim in the salty waters of the mysterious Dead Sea.

Day 7 Thu May 31 - THE JUDEAN WILDERNESS: We will begin our day at Masada; the imposing fortress palace built by Herod the Great. Here in the southern Judean wilderness we will consider one of the greatest disasters of the Zealot Revolt against Rome during the final moments at Masada. We will also visit the area of En Gedi, the region where David hid from Saul (I Sam. 24). At Qumran we will reflect on the 1947 discovery of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls and the unique sectarian Jewish group who preserved them in caves over 2000 years ago. We will conclude this day with a panoramic overview of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives.

Day 8 Fri Jun 1 - THE ENVIRONS OF JERUSALEM Today we will journey along some of the scenic heights of the Judean hill country to gain perspectives of important approaches to Jerusalem during biblical times. We will view the Central Benjamin Plateau to the north and the area of Bethlehem to the south. In the Shephelah region (lower Judean foothills) we will see important battle sites such as between David and Goliath in the Elah Valley (I Sam. 17). We will also visit a Model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple period (New Testament times). Other sites to include: Yad ve Shem (Holocaust Memorial).

Day 9 Sat Jun 2 - JERUSALEM THE HOLYToday we will consider some of the most important historic and religious sites to Jews, Muslims and Christians. We will begin our day at the famous Western Wall, which is an open-air synagogue for the modern Jewish community. Afterwards we will ascend the nearby Temple Mount of Herod the Great, now also a sacred site for Muslims. We will walk down the Mt. of Olives to Gethsemane and reflect on many of Jesus’ teachings and events from his last week in Jerusalem. From here we will walk along the traditional Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the prize of orthodox Christianity. Sites along this way will include the pools of Beit Zaita (John 5), and some existing portions of the Antonio fortress of Herod the Great. Our afternoon will conclude with a time of reflection in the beautiful Garden Tomb.

Day 10 Sun Jun 3 - JERUSALEM THAT JESUS KNEWDuring our journey today inside the walled Old City and its enchanting quarters we will inspect several important archaeological sites from Jesus’ day. One of these will be a wealthy high priest’s home (possible house of Caiaphas). We will conclude our day at the exciting Southern Wall Excavations (or Ophel Gardens), where some key New Testament passages are easily reconstructed.
Day 11 Mon Jun 4 - FREE MORNING, LATE FLIGHT
Day 12 Tue Jun 5 – ARRIVAL in DALLAS

Please be in prayer for us on our journey. I will be using this blog as a way to let people know how things are going in Israel while we are there. So feel free to check it out!