Pictures of touring day #3 - FRIDAY, May 9th

Finally, have found some time to continue this. Also, my computer was acting up, so made it difficult to upload some pictures. Here goes...

I want to take a moment to thank my dad, for the AWESOME notebook, full of information from when he went to Israel 2 years ago. In my blog, I am taking pieces of his notebook, for information on certain areas and places. THANKS DAD!!!

BOKER TOV!!! (good morning) Today we started the morning out by learning a few phrases.
Ariv Tov means good evening, Lila Tov means good night, and Todah means thank you.
We started this beautiful day out, by going to the Mount of Beatitudes. This is the "traditional" site of the Sermon on the Mount. Many believe this to be the probable site where Jesus taught the beatitudes. However, this sermon seems to be a composite of the essentials of kingdom life taught by Jesus in His entire Galilean ministry. (Matthew 5-7) We had a great view of the Sea of Galilee, and we could see a natural amphitheater where Jesus could have sat and taught and be heard by the crowds.

Also, it is here at the Mount of Beatitudes, where Kate and Kurtz (from our group) had their wedding vows renewed.

Next up was our trip to the Yardenit Baptismal site. This is where we were able to be baptized in the Jordan River. I have 2 pictures here, of my mom and myself being baptized by Pastor Russel.

From the Yardenit Baptismal site, we headed off to the city of Bet She'an. Bet She'an was inhabited as early as 3000BC. Excavations have revealed 18 levels of occupation with six pagan temples. The city was inherited by the tribe of Manessah, but they could never subdue the Canaanites at Bet She'an (Judges 1:27). The Old Testament city walls of Bet She'an was the location where the Philistines hung the bodies of Saul and his sons after their deaths and it was from here the men of Jabesh-Gilead took down their bodies for burial (1 Sam.31:8-13). The New Testament city of Bet She'an, built by the Romans, was one of the cities of the Decapolis. It was the only one of the ten cities, west of the Jordan River, and became a very important city. During the time of Jesus, the city became known as Scythopolis. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century (749AD). Today, Bet She'an is one of the largest archaeological excavation projects underway in Israel. Excavations have revealed a beautiful city with magnificent temples, streets, theaters, and Israel's only amphitheater. It was this amphitheater where the Romans watched as Jews and Christians alike fought wild animals. I have 5 pictures of when we visited the city of Bet She'an.