Benjamin

Our last field study was on the land of Benjamin. This land is right between Judah and Israel after the kingdoms split. Its borders are marked by 4 cities. Jerusalem in the south, Jericho in the east, Bethel to the north, and Gezer to the west. Since we live in Jerusalem we drove from there to Jericho. From Jericho we traveled to Nebi Samwil. It is a hilltop just south of the Central Benjamin Plateau. The Byzantines claimed it was the place the prophet Samuel was born and died. (It isn't) From there you can see Gibeon, (The city Joshua makes an alliance with) Geba, (where Saul was born and his capital city) and Ramah. (The place of Samuel's birth and death) From there we drove to Gezer near the west coast and finished our field study as the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea. The next day a different class took a field study to Tekoa. (the place Amos was from) Then we drove through the Valley of Elah. (David and Goliath) Over all it was a very tiring 2 days and the fact that I had a test the next day did not make it easier. Here is my reaction report on the day.

Our first stop on our field study was the wilderness to the east of Jerusalem. Looking out over miles and miles of pure wasteland I was in complete awe of the expanse. I was amazed still further when I heard that Jesus spent 40 days out in this desert, fasting and praying. For me, I have never fasted for more than 30 hours and have always been in a comfortable location. Jesus went out into this wilderness to prepare himself for his ministry. Every single field study we go on I have come away from it with a greater appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice for us. Imagining Jesus suffering and being tempted in this spot opened to mind to the suffering of Christ, not only on the cross, but as a man. This view gave new life to the verses in Philippians 2 saying, “but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Our next stop was at Jericho. This city is truly an oasis. From the top of the old testament site of Jericho you can see the desert on all sides, completely surrounding the dot of green that is Jericho. It is a very interesting city because you can trace its history by just looking around. If you are standing on the Old Testament site you are standing on the oldest city that archeologists have uncovered. I was actually able to climb down the steps of the oldest building known to man while on the Old Testament tel. It is a tower that does not look like much of a structure at all. It is only after you begin to descend the stairs into it that you feel a sense of history and time. In one of our archeology classes Dr. Gaby Barkay told us that one of the greatest inventions would be a machine that could see what a stone saw throughout its lifetime. I thought about this machine when I climbed down this tower. What incredible sights it has seen.

As I looked to the south I could see the remains of Herod the Great's palace he built in Jericho. Here the first bridge in the entire Middle East was built. When I looked to the west of Herod's pleasure palace I saw the forts of Herod, who would have been keeping a watchful eye on the commerce and trade coming through this city. I looked east to the Byzantine site of Jericho. Here there was a thriving modern city. In certain places the Byzantines remembered such Biblical events as Zacchaeus by fencing in an ancient sycamore tree. Finally to the north of me was the Palestinian refugee camp. Still in the same place they were forced to move to 60 years ago. Refusing to move into and integrate with the Palestinians living in Jericho because they are still waiting to return to the place they call home. Such a diverse history, and present, sharing in this one green oasis in the middle of the desert.

We next went up to Nebi Samwil. Here I could see the entire Central Benjamin Plateau before me. I could see where many of the important stories of the Bible took place just from this lookout. The Central Benjamin Plateau sitting in between Judah and Israel like a giant gear that makes Israel tick. From here you can go anywhere in Israel. This is why Saul set up his capital here, on the plateau. This is why this land was always so hotly contested among Judah and its enemies. With possession of this land you could create a choke hold on the other nations around you by dividing and uniting how you please. It is just like God to give the youngest and smallest tribe the most important and central land in all of Israel.

Thank you all for reading and responding. I am glad you all are enjoying the blog. I hope most have you have seen the pictures on my facebook.
Granddad and Grandmom if you guys have not seen the pictures tell Dad to bring them up on facebook for you Next time he is over watching the Phils play.
Thanks again, Jason