Remembering Israel Day 2a - Caesarea Maritima

Day 2 was a whirlwind of activity so for my own sanity and your attention I'll give separate mentions to our key stops along the way. 

Excitement was in the air as we traveled North from the Bnei Dan Hostel, Tel Aviv toward the incredible Caesarea Maritima.

The ancient Caesarea Maritima (or Caesarea Palestinae^[1]) city and harbor was built by Herod the Great about 25–13 BCE.It is truly an amazing site. The view of the Mediterranean from the still functional theater (pictured below) is breath-taking.

Amphitheater at Caesarea Maritima built by Herod the Great...with some modern trimmings and some WOLBI students waxing eloquent from the stage

Exiting the Theater North you view the ruins of Herod's administration building. This structure held the greatest biblical significance as the spot Paul appealed to Caesar before Festus.

Remains of Herod's Administration building.

Paul appeals to Caesar

""Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged; to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal to Caesar." Then Festus when he had conferred with the council, answered "Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go."" Acts 25:10-12

The archaeology of the site has also produced the Pontius Pilate Inscription bearing witness to the historicity of the man condemning Jesus Christ to be crucified.

Replica of the Pilate Inscription

Translation of the Pilate Inscription

Pilate's famous question at Jesus' trial was "What is Truth?" and people are still asking that question today. Many are longing to find what is real, consistent, dependable. I am thankful for the trip to Israel that brought an even great 'real-ness' to the eternal, trustworthy pages of Scripture.

How has God proven Himself and His Word 'real' and 'true' to you recently?

To catch all the Israel 2011 posts be sure to Subscribe or Follow this blog. See boxes to the right.

Or check the other posts out here:

Remembering Israel Intro

Remembering Israel Enroute - British Museum

Remembering Israel Day 1 - Gezer

Remembering Israel Day 2b - Mt. Carmel (coming soon)

WARNING:

Exposure to such material as pictures and testimony of the Promised Land, its geography, character, history, and beauty often creates an insatiable longing to travel and experience these things for one's self.

You have been warned!

If you would be interested in participating in a similar study trip, please contact me.

Jonathan Ward Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Caesarea (sharinhislove.wordpress.com)
• Postcard from Israel: Caesarea (cifwatch.com)

Remembering Israel - Day 1 Gezer

Before students and staff of arrived from Jeju, Korea, the Canadians took some time to prepare for their arrival and sneak away to a couple sites.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the day was Tel Gezer across a small valley from the modern kibbutz of Gezer. Gezer was one of Solomon's fortified cities, boasts 26 layers of civilization and one of the oldest Canaanite fortifications.

According to 1 Kings 9:15 Solomon fortified 3 key cities - Gezer in the South, Megiddo protecting important travel and trade routes through the Jezreel Valley, and Hazor in the North. The gates have been unearthed at each of these locations from the same time period and built to strikingly similar specifications.

Gezer

Standing inside Solomon's 6-chamber gate at Gezer

Though we did not visit Megiddo and Hazor Day 1 it is worth showing their relation to Gezer here. Seeing the Bible come to life throughout the whole land of Israel was so exciting. These three ancient cities fortified by Solomon give great support to his historicity and the Bible's accuracy!

The Welcome Center at Megiddo displayed an incredible scale model of the entire archaelogical site. The most fascinating feature of this model were the lifts which would raise certain sections of the model to reveal other levels of civilization.

Scale Model of Solomon's 6-chamber gate at Megiddo.

At Hazor the following sign described practically the exact same gate found at Solomon's other fortified cities.

Sign documenting the discovery of Solomon's 6-chamber gate

Despite denials of the Bible's accuracy, the historicity of biblical characters, and the Jewish claim to the Holy Land, the archeological evidence is mounting and leaving little room for debate. The Bible is true, accurate, and lays claim on our lives to worship the great God who has revealed Himself through the pages of His word and the annals of human history.

To catch all the Israel 2011 posts be sure to Subscribe or Follow this blog. See boxes to the right.

Or check the other posts out here:

Remembering Israel Intro

Remembering Israel Enroute - British Museum

Remembering Israel Day 2 - Jezreel Valley(coming soon)

WARNING:

Exposure to such material as pictures and testimony of the Promised Land, its geography, character, history, and beauty often creates an insatiable longing to travel and experience these things for one's self.

You have been warned!

If you would be interested in participating in a similar study trip, please contact me.

Jonathan Ward Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Discovering the largest city of ancient Canaan(via the Jerusalem Post) (thechristiangazette.wordpress.com)

Remembering Israel Enroute - British Museum

On the way from Canada to Israel to meet our Asian friends, the group leaders and I had the privilege of a few hours in London, England.  With our spare time we departed Heathrow International Airport on "the Tube" (London's subway is a very economical way to travel) and headed into the city to see the sights of the British Museum.

The British Museum boasts one of the largest collection of Biblical Antiquities in the world and did not disappoint.  I wandered and wondered in amazement almost running from room to room snapping as many photos and placards as I could to preserve maximum data for future reflection and classroom enhancement. (Unfortunately all that data is in the hands of the thief who stole my camera at the Heathrow airport - I learned a valuable travel lesson here though: never take untested equipment ie. my new backpack.  It unzipped itself rushing through airport.  Always use a biner  to keep zippers tight.)

I was amazed to see history come to life and stand beside so many things I have taught about in class.

Mark Strout, WOLBI Exec. Dean, with the Black Obelisk of Shalamaneser III. A portion depicts Israel's King Jehu offering tribute to Assyria's Shalamaneser III.

The Cyrus Cylinder declares displaced people may return to their homes to rebuild their places of worship. This allowed Jewish people under Zerubbabel to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple in 536 BC.

After much treasure seeking and historical discovery, we returned to Heathrow to continue the adventure of a lifetime. Next stop - the Promised Land!


To catch all the Israel 2011 posts be sure to Subscribe or Follow this blog. See boxes to the right.

Or check out the other posts using these links:

Remembering Israel

Remembering Israel Day 1 - Gezer

Remembering Israel Day 2 - Caesarea Maritima (coming soon)

WARNING:

Exposure to such material as pictures and testimony of the Promised Land, its geography, character, history, and beauty often creates an insatiable longing to travel and experience these things for one's self.

You have been warned!

If you would be interested in participating in a similar study trip, please contact me.

Remembering Israel

It is hard to believe it has already been months since I walked the dusty paths of the Holy Land.

I was blessed to travel with the incredible students and staff of the Jeju Island campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute.  The WOLBI Asia campus just opened Fall of 2010 with students from South Korea, Japan, Canada, and the USA.

Everyone always asks, "How was it?" and my response is usually the same...speechlessness. How do you describe something so powerful, life-changing, and beautiful?  Seeing the Scriptures I have known and studied for years come to life before me was absolutely indescribable!  

So here is a feeble effort to remember, reflect, and share just a glimpse of the wonder that was Israel 2011.

WARNING:

Exposure to such material as pictures and testimony of the Holy Land, its geography, character, history, and beauty often creates an insatiable longing to travel and experience these things for one's self.

You have been warned!

To catch all the Israel 2011 posts be sure to Subscribe or Follow this blog. See boxes to the right.

Or check the other posts out here:

Remembering Israel Enroute - The British Museum

Remembering Israel Day 1 - Gezer

Remembering Israel Day 2 - Caesarea Maritima (coming soon)

If you would be interested in participating in a similar study trip, please contact me.

Jonathan Ward Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved.