Shiloh, Jericho, and the Wilderness of Judah

October 25 ( 10:30 pm)

Oh, no! I imported the wrong picture! Now you all know the truth. I'm really in Hawaii with Elvis.
Seriously, this is the bus we take out to our field studies and the driver is Alhadean (sounds like Paula Dean without the P). Imagine our surprise when he drove up. But for sure, he is easy to spot when we go to the really crowded places. He is also an AMAZING driver who can get us in and out of anyplace. Sometimes completely in reverse.

Our day started northwest of Jerusalem at Nebi Samwil which means Prophet Samuel. It is a site high on a hill that is the place where Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. It functions as a worship site for Jews and Muslims. Why is Samuel important to Muslims? We asked that too. The
Muslims honor Samuel because he promoted the idea that there is only one a God which is central to their faith.  They share the worship site; Muslims on Friday and Jews on Saturday.  We left there and traveled to Shiloh. To get there we had to go into Palestinian territory and through check points. They just waved the big Hawaii bus right through. Go figure. Shiloh is the site where God revealed to Joshua where the tribal allotments would be. It was amazing to realize we were standing where the
Israelites stood after they had crossed into the promised land and the ark of the covenant was with them there. We left there and descended to Jericho which is 853 feet below sea level.  It is a beautiful oasis town and green with date palm trees and other fruits and vegetables. Very different geography from where we had been. Most of you have heard the story of the walls if Jericho falling when the Israelites marched around the city seven times and gave a great shout. Also, We explored the ruins of a fortress that was built around 7500 BC. That is 5000 years before the time of Abraham.  From there we ascended to the Judean Wilderness. This is the area where Jesus was tempted for forty days and where David tended sheep and was surely his reference for the 23rd Psalm. We hiked up a steep hill and took a goat path to a quiet spot and did some  field work and Bible study. Before we left, Andy (our elected song leader) led us in some praise choruses about the greatness of protection of God. There were Bedouins there leading their goats through the hills and of course trying to sell us things. I may have bought something, Meg. Before we left, Alhadean made us some Bedouin coffee. Most of you know that don't like coffee, but I had to try it.  Whew, VERY strong. Okay, I can say I've done that and cross it off my list for good.

The site of Jericho