There were lots of pictures taken on this trip. Between my brother, my friend Melanie, and me, there was almost always a photo being snapped as we toured the Land.

It’s always good to find a balance when traveling though, and at times I purposefully left my camera behind, so I would enjoy the sights without staring through a lens. But, alas, pictures and videos are the best for saving memories, and they’re also perfect for sharing with others. So quite often I had my little point-and-shoot on hand, because you just never know when you’ll discover something beautiful.

Here are some pictures and passages.

Feast of Tabernacles

Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are natives of Israel dwell in booths, so that your generations know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am יהוה  your God.’” (Leviticus 23:42-43)

These booths (Sukkot in Hebrew) are set up all over Jerusalem outside restaurants and homes. Many of them are decorated elaborately, and at night you can hear the families gathered inside, singing in Hebrew, chanting prayers, or talking to one another.

For in the day of evil He hides me in His booth; in the covering of His Tent He hides me. (Psalm 27:5)

Jerusalem

It’s estimated that 100,000 people came to Israel for the festival!

Thus said the Master יהוה, “Once again I shall let the house of Israel inquire of me to do for them: I shall increase their men like a flock.“As a set-apart flock, as the flock at Jerusalem at her appointed times, so shall the wasted cities be filled with flocks of men. And they shall know that I am יהוה.” ’ ” (Ezekiel 36:37-38)

Thousands gathered to hear the priestly blessing at the Wailing Wall.

The Jerusalem March went up the street across from where we were staying. It was amazing to see thousands of Christians from around the world showing their support for Israel.

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion exult in their King. (Psalm 149:2)

These gentlemen brought smiles to our faces as they bursted out singing in the Old City.

Walking through the Arab bazaar is like walking through a kaleidoscope, with shops overflowing with zillions of shiny and colorful trinkets for sale. It’s quite different than shopping in the United States, since the shop owners expect you to haggle for the price that you want. Sometimes you have to walk away to get them to lower the price enough. You can get a good deal if you play it tough. ;)

“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. (Proverbs 20:14)

Sweet Home Alabama followed us there!

I loved the delightful umbrellas hung above this street. :)

The Galilee

And He began to teach again by the sea, and a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He entered into a boat, to sit in the sea. And all the crowd was on the land facing the sea.” (Mark 4:1)

This tour boat on the Galilee is called the “Jesus Boat.” From the shores of Capernaum, we could hear the Christian music they were playing.

And they went into Capernaum,  and immediately on the Sabbath He went into the congregation and taught. (Mark 1:21)

This is an ancient synagogue at Capernaum.

 “And you, Capernaum,  who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to the grave. (Luke 10:15)

We have only the remains of this city today, just as Yeshua prophesied.

En Gedi

After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. (1 Samuel 24:1-2)

This is one of the many waterfalls at Ein Gedi (an oasis in the Negev desert). I can see why David and his men hunkered down here!

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of יהוה ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God “See, I am doing what is new, let it now spring forth. Do you not know it? I am even making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. “For יהוה  shall comfort Zion, He shall comfort all her waste places. For He makes her wilderness like Ěḏen, and her desert like the garden of יהוה. Joy and gladness are found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of song. (Isaiah 40:3)

There were lots of ibex in the park. Isn’t this one adorable?

The Garden Tomb

“He is not here, for He was raised, as He said. Come, see the place where the Master lay.” (Mathew 28 6)

This is said to be the Garden Tomb. It is one of the most beautiful places in Jerusalem. Wafting through the air was the sound of a tour group from Africa singing “It is Well With My Soul” in their native tongue.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

!ישוע חי! עם ישראל חי

{Yeshua (Jesus) is alive, the people of Israel are alive!}

I hope you have enjoyed this mini tour of Israel,  and I hope that one day God will make a way for you to visit His Land too. Pictures truly don’t do it justice. There’s no place on earth like Israel, and no other city like Jerusalem. Out of all the earth, this is where Yahweh has placed His Name forever. It’s where Yeshua walked,. It’s where Bible stories come alive.

It’s also where tension and terrorism is raging right now.

Let us never forget to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Psalm 122

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the House of יהוה.”
Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is built
As a city that is bound together,
Where the tribes have come up,
The tribes of יהוה,
A witness to Israel,
To give thanks to the Name of יהוה.
For there the thrones of right-ruling were set,
The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
Let those who love You be at rest.
Peace be within your walls,
Rest in your citadels.
For the sake of my brothers and companions,
I say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the House of יהוה  our God
I seek your good.

Amen.