City of David, Hezakiah's Tunnel & The Western Wall

October 23
I would like you all to note that the time stamps on my posts are Eastern Standard Time. I have kept my Ipad on the time at home. So add 7 hours to all time stamps.

This morning we spent in the classroom to prepare for field studies tomorrow. It is amazing how enriched your study of the scripture becomes when you add an understanding of the geography of the Promised Land.  After lunch, we went to the City of David. Quick history: David's Jerusalem was about 10 acres. Solomon enlarged the city to about 32 acres. Hezakiah expanded it to about 132 acres. The City of David is just the original 10 acres. That is where we began our walk in Jerusalem today. We visited the archeological site that contains some of the original Canaanite wall that was there when David conquered the city from the Jebusites.  From there, we went through Hezakiah's water tunnel. The water system was dug beneath the city in order to provide water for the Jewish people while under siege. It is an engineering feat of unimaginable proportion. John Gibson and Melvin, you would have loved it (but you would still be there asking questions, lol). We actually walked  through the tunnel. In places the walls were barely wide enough to pass and the ceiling was so low you had to bend down and all done while walking through a flowing stream of water knee deep in some places. Oh, and with flashlights.  No lighting or handrails. It took about 30 minutes to get through the tunnel which comes out into the Pool of Siloam. The pool of Siloam is where Jesus put clay on the eyes of the blind man and told him  to go wash in the pool  and receive his sight. I would not have missed it for the world.  From there we went to the Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall but not a term the Jews like) where we were able to pray at the wall and leave a written prayer in the cracks of the wall. Several names were placed there.  There was an Israeli army induction ceremony taking place there and we got to watch it. All Israelis must serve 2 years in the military. It was so strange to see young ladies walking around with semi-automatic (automatic for all I know about great big guns) strapped across them. From there, our Professor took us to the shop of an Orthodox  Jew who put out stools for all of us to sit on and closed his shop to  spend some time telling us all about the Jewish faith and answer any questions we had. He said the main thing we should understand is that we are not here by accident; God has called us here to His Holy Mountain to reveal Himself . He said we are a part of the fulfillment of prophecy that is rapidly taking place.  Very powerful.  A wonderful day.

                                                      City of David archeological site