Up to Jerusalem

 We left the Dead Sea this morning and headed to a place almost directly west.  It is included as one of the descriptors of the boundaries of the land.  The Bible said that the land went from Dan to Beersheva.  We were at Dan a few days ago.  Our first stop today was Beersheva. 

This is the town of Abraham.  He had a disagreement over a well here with the Philistines and settled it amicably.  After offering Isaac to God on Mt. Moriah (Jerusalem) he returned here.  It was not a large town, but then again it did not have to be since most of the people around it were nomads.  We saw the extensive water system which was necessary here in this part of the desert where the average rain fall per year is around 3 inches.

Next stop, the Elah Valley, site of the battle between David and Goliath.  Of course most of us picked up our complimentary five stones as Nir showed us Azekah on the one side (Philistines) and Zohar on the other (Israel)  The flat land in between the two hills is where the battle occurred.  Following the battle, David cut off Goliath’s head and took it all the way to Jerusalem.

Next up, Bethlehem.  We ate at a restaurant in Beit Sahour (House of the Shepherds or watchers).  We then went to the shepherd’s fields and saw a cave that was used by them. We shopped at the Tabash store, run by a Christian family.  We then visited the First Baptist Church of Bethlehem, pastored by the Khoury’s, Naim and my good friend and brother Steven.  He passionately told us about their ministry and we heard a testimony by a sister whose husband was killed for his faith in Gaza just a few months ago.  She is being cared for by the church.  

We finally arrived at our last home for the remainder of our time, the Prima Kings hotel.  Tomorrow, we begin to explore the Holy City.  Here are some pics from our day.

Panoramic view of Be’er Sheba

Scanlons with Nir at Be’er Sheva

Group Picture with Steven Khoury, Bethlehem

Town view, Be’er Sheva

Area looking out from Be’er Sheva

Horned Altar Be’er Sheva

Catholic Church attached to Church of the Nativity

Tunnel along road leading up to Jerusalem

Ramzi speaking in Shepherd’s Field

Sandee by cross in Shepherd’s Field

Going down into water system, Be’er Sheva

John reading near Well of Abraham, Be’er Sheva

Shepherd’s Field, Bethlehem

Pat and Steven, First Baptist Church, Bethlehem

Model of Be’er Sheva

Nir by altar, Be’er Sheva

Water System, Be’er Sheva

Group Picture with Dina, Bethlehem

Sheep in field between Bethlehem and Jerusalem

Going into Church of the Nativity

Ramzi giving explanation, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Shepherd’s Cave near Bethlehem

Steven Khoury, Bethlehem

Statue of Jerome, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Courtyard of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Ramzi, guide in Bethlehem

In courtyard between Church of the Nativity and the Catholic Church, Bethlehem
Water Cistern, Be’er Sheva



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