It was 3,000 years ago that King David made the City of David, also known as Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. Later, David would be buried in the City of David. Learn all about the true location that has been lost over the years. Tomb of King David Photo Gallery Places of Interest Tomb of King David Location 1. The place tourists go today to see the Tomb of King David is on the Western Hill at the exact location as the Upper Room. This is so because the Crusaders (1095–1291 AD) believed Pentecost took place at the Upper Room and interpreted a verse in Peter's sermon as meaning King David's tomb was at the Upper Room and not in the Jerusalem area: "Brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day" (Acts 2:29). Later, a Jewish Rabbi had a vision that King David's tomb was in the same area, so a synagogue was placed over the same building as the Upper Room, and a casket was placed there to honor King David. The casket is empty and does not have David's bones in it. In 1913, Ramond Weill discovered the Tomb of David in the lower part of the City of David, and for about 50 years, tourists visited that site. However, after 1960, tourists returned to the Upper Room, where they believed the Tomb of David was located. Why did this change occur? We will see why in a moment. 2. The Bible provides quite accurate information regarding the location of the Tomb of David. 1 Kings 2:10: Then David lay down with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David . This verse makes it clear that the Tomb of David was located inside the City of David. The current site where tourists visit the Tomb of David is not in the City of David but on the upper part of the Western Hill, just west of the City of David, about 0.5 miles (1 km) away. Nehemiah 3:15-16: Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, the official of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He built it, made a roof for it, and installed its doors with its bolts and its bars, and the wall of the Pool of Shelah [Siloam] at the king’s garden as far as the steps that descend from the city of David . 16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, official of half the district of Beth-zur, made repairs as far as a point opposite the tombs of David , and as far as the artificial pool and the house of the mighty men. The context of Nehemiah 3 makes it clear that these verses form part of a description of the rebuilding of the city wall, beginning at the southern tip of the city of David and moving north along the eastern wall, the section being rebuilt. Verse 15 starts at the pool of Siloam. It ends at the steps. The following section, described in verse 16, begins at these unknown steps and continues farther north towards the temple mount up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool. Based on this information, it is estimated where the royal tombs should be located. Based on this location and the section of the wall described in Nehemiah, Raymond Weill began digging in this area in 1913. Using around 200 local workers and 30 donkeys, Weill's team cleared the entire area all the way down to bedrock. Weill then found the remains of nine tombs in front of an ancient pool just as the Bible had indicated. The tombs were extensively damaged due to the stones that were quarried out of the site (to rebuild Jerusalem into Aelia Capitolina) later on, and the intentional destruction by Roman Emperor Hadrian (135 AD), who tried to wipe out the remains of a Jewish presence in the area. However, two of the most important and monumental tombs were clearly visible. Weill identified the most monumental tomb as that of King David. It should be noted that only kings were allowed to be buried within the city walls of a city, as they were considered royalty and were exempt from obeying Moses' command to bury the dead outside the city walls because they were deemed unclean. This adds weight to the most monumental tomb, that of King David. Historical Background 1. King David died around 970 BC and was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 2:10). The City of David was 11 acres (4.5 hectares) in size (about the size of 11 football fields). 2. David's Tomb was known and venerated during the time of Nehemiah (around 444 BC). As we have seen from Nehemiah's account, David's Tomb is located on the east side of the City of David, north of the Pool of Siloam. The location of Raymond Weill's excavations confirms this location. 3. A synagogue dating to around 100 BC, which appears to have venerated David's Tomb, was discovered, with its remains still visible today. It's called the Theodotos synagogue, and is located right below David's Tomb. Raymond Weill found a stone bearing a dedication inscription for the synagogue. In this inscription, Theodotus, a ruler of the synagogue and the son and grandson of synagogue rulers, built the synagogue for three things: 1) the reading of the Torah, 2) the teaching of the commandments, and 3) as a guest house for travelers. 4. The Apostle Peter, on the day of Pentecost, indicates that the Tomb of David was still venerated during the New Testament period. “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day ” (Acts 2:29). 5. Josephus Flavius, a Jewish historian writing around 60-80 AD, located the Tomb of David in the City of David. According to Josephus, Herod broke into David's tomb to rob it, but when he tried to enter the inner chamber, tongues of fire shot out (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 16:7:1). 6. Around 135 AD, the Roman Emperor, Hadrian, knew where David's Tomb was and intentionally quarried stones there for his building projects. It's this destruction that removed the top of David's Tomb and destroyed many other tombs of royal kings buried in this area. 7. In summary, the historical and archeological data reveal that the Tomb of David in the City of David was venerated from the time of David's death in 970 BC until around 638 AD, when the Muslims took over Israel and destroyed many Christian and Jewish sites. It would be at this time that the tomb would become neglected and buried under dirt and debris. Change in Location from the City of David to Mount Zion 1. The Crusaders began venerating the location of the Tomb of David on Mount Zion around 1125 AD. This was because the Tomb of David was buried in the City of David, and its location was unknown. 2. Also, the Crusaders believed Pentecost took place in the Upper Room and interpreted a verse in Peter's sermon as indicating that King David's tomb was there (Acts 2:29). 3. Later, a Jewish Rabbi had a vision that King David's tomb was in the same area, so a synagogue was placed over the same building as the Upper Room, and a casket was placed there to honor King David. The casket is empty and does not have David's bones in it. 4. The site on Mount Zion has no biblical or archaeological evidence supporting it as the location of David's Tomb. 5. The site is where the Upper Room was located. After it was destroyed in 70 AD, a new Judeo-Christian Synagogue was built on the original site, with subsequent churches constructed to mark the Upper Room location as well. Change in Location from Mount Zion Back to the City of David 1. After Raymond Weill discovered David's Tomb in the City of David, it would be the site where all the tourists would visit and venerate once again. 2. Raymond Weill's discovery of the Tomb of David was widely accepted by his colleagues. An example of this is Benjamin Mazar, one of the father figures of Israeli archaeology. He wrote a famous book about his excavations around Jerusalem. On the back of his book is a photo showing the tombs from the House of David that Weill discovered. So we have an example of how Weill's discovery was accepted in scholarship for many years. Change in Location from the City of David Back to Mount Zion 1. In 1960, Kathleen Kenyon excavated the Tomb of David site in the City of David. However, the site and Kathleen Kenyon's work were then under the authority of Jordan and the Jordan Antiquities Authority. It appears Kathleen's goal was to overturn any Jewish connections to the biblical sites and replace them with different views. She did this in Jericho and other places. It seems she was politically driven and not archaeologically driven. 2. Kathleen interpreted the tombs as cisterns. This is remarkably irresponsible, as all the evidence at these sites clearly supports them as being tombs and not cisterns. Cisterns are vertical in nature. David's Tomb is horizontally shaped. Cisterns don't have openings at the bottom. David's Tomb has an opening at the bottom for entry. Cisterns usually don't have two levels. David's Tomb has a lower level and an upper level. The upper level is where his body was located. Cisterns are entirely covered with plaster, so water doesn't escape or leak out. David's Tomb has very little plaster. Cisterns don't have cutouts in their sides for oil lamps. This tomb has them. 3. Katheen admitted that what Weill had identified as the Tomb of David was not like any other observed cistern known. Here is her quote from her book, "Digging Up Jerusalem," pgs. 31-32. “The particular cuttings revealed by Weill were certainly unusual , consisting of two rock-cut tunnels side by side. They are not like any observed cisterns , though the plaster that covers the rock shows that they were at some stage used as cisterns." 4. As a result of Kathleen's interpretation, tourists began going to Mount Zion, the site of the first floor of the Upper Room, and no longer visit the actual site in the City of David. In fact, most tourists don't even know the story behind what has happened and are ignorant of the location of the actual site. Location of the Tomb of David, According to the Israeli Antiquities Authority The Israeli Antiquities Authority oversees and is the ultimate authority on excavations and discoveries in Israel. They have posted signs in the City of David marking the location of the Tomb of David (and the other tombs of the House of David), along with the Theodotos Synagogue, and more. Places of Interest 1. Pool of Siloam 2. Tomb 1: King David's Tomb 3. Tomb 2 4. Horizontal Tomb Shaft of Tomb 1 5. Burial niche at the very back of Tomb 1 6. Carved out trough at the back of the Tomb 1 horizontal shaft. This is likely the place where King David's bones were buried. 7. Quarried Area 8. Ancient 3,000-year-old walls of the City of David 9. Walls Nehemiah repaired that can be seen today 10. Upper Room Faith Lesson from the Tomb of David 1. The importance of the discovery of King David's palace and tomb can be found in Psalm 16.:9-11. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. 2. Was David writing about himself or someone else? He couldn't have been writing about himself as he died, his body decayed, and his bones turned to dust. 3. However, God made a promise to David that He would establish a house of lineage for him and establish that there would come someone from his lineage who would reign forever. This would be the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who would come from David's lineage. 2 Samuel 7:11-13: The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. 12 When your days are finished and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever . 4. For around a thousand years after David's death, the Israelites continued to remember this promise given to David and looked for their coming Messiah, the Son of David, who would fulfill this prophecy. Psalm 89:3-4: I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to My servant David, 4 I will establish your descendants forever and build up your throne to all generations. Psalm 89:35-37: Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. 36 His descendants shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me. 7 It shall be established forever like the moon, and a witness in the sky is faithful. 5. Christ fulfilled this prophecy. His tomb was empty, and Christ never saw decay. He will reign forever, and His kingdom will have no end. 6. Have you received Christ as your Lord and Savior, and will you be a part of Christ's eternal kingdom?

The latest discoveries show that Tel Khirbet el-Maqatir and Et Tell provide the most evidence for being the biblical Ai. The Bible story of how this city was destroyed by Joshua and the lesson to be learned by it is found here. Ai is in the hill country of the Samaria region. Two locations close to one another provide evidence of the location of Tel Ai. The first location is called Et-Tell. The second, and most recent excavation site, is called Khirbet el-Maqatir (Khirbet means ruins in Hebrew). Tel Ai: Et-Tell & Khirbet el-Maqatir Photo Gallery Places of Interest Tel Ai: Et-Tell & Khirbet el-Maqatir Location 1. Ai is in the hill country of the Samaria region about 14 miles (22 km.) west of Jericho and about 10 miles (17 km.) north of Jerusalem. 2. Two locations close by to one another provide overwhelming evidence as to the location of Tel Ai. The first location, which is the oldest excavation site, is called Et-Tell. The second, and most recent excavation site, is called Khirbet el-Maqatir (Khirbet means ruins in Hebrew). It is the view of HolyLandSite.com that both places are the same biblical Ai. Ai was a large city and had at least 12,000 inhabitants (Josh. 8:25). Because both sites are almost adjacent to one another, it appears that both belong to the same city of Ai and are just different parts of the city. 3. Both places are undeveloped sites, and no fees are charged to visit them. Et-Tell is located to the north of the modern town of Dayr Dibwan, and Khirbet el-Maqatir is located just west of Dayr Dibwan. Historical Background 1. Ai was the second town Joshua and the Israelites conquered after they entered the Promised Land. 2. It was a small town compared to Jericho, but because of sin among one person, Joshua and the Israelites had a hard time conquering this city and were taught a major lesson of how God feels about sin in the midst of His people. 3. Khirbet el-Maqatir is also the believed place of the New Testament town of Ephraim. This is significant because after Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, He and His disciples came here to stay awhile. John 11:54: Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim , and there he stayed with the disciples. 4. There has been some dispute regarding the location of Ai, with the believed place being Et-Tell for many years. However, in 1995, excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir were begun by Bryant Wood and sponsored by the Associates of Biblical Research (ABR). They excavated much of the site and made substantial discoveries, all indicating this site as the biblical Ai. ABR deserves the bulk of the credit for the excavations and discoveries at this site. However, as mentioned, we believe both sites of Et-Tell and Khirbet el-Maqatir are part of biblical Ai. 5. Byzantine monks built a large monastery at Khirbet el-Maqatir in the 4th century AD. Normally, churches were built at significant holy sites to preserve and commemorate them. This helps confirm this site as Ai. 6. The earliest reports by Edward Robinson in 1838 show that the local people thought Khirbet el-Maqatir was Ai. It’s likely that the Byzantine monastery helped preserve the memory of this location. 7. Evidence shows that Khirbet el-Maqatir was occupied and destroyed by fire during the time of Joshua, matching the biblical account. Ash layers have been discovered here supporting destruction by fire. 8. The Bible states that when Joshua arrived at Ai with his army, he stood in front of Ai on its north side (Joshua 8:11). In 1995, Associates for Biblical Research discovered the remains of a gate on the north side of the city wall. This matches the biblical account for the layout of biblical Ai. 9. At Khirbet el-Maqatir, a Canaanite border fortress was discovered that shows evidence of being destroyed by military action in around 1406 BC. This matches the exact time of the destruction of Ai in the Bible. The rough outline of the walls of the fortress has been marked out and small sections have been excavated. 10. Many pieces of pottery and artifacts dating to the time of Joshua have been uncovered at both sites. Among these are two Egyptian scarabs (small seals that look like coins). 11. The geography of the land in the area fits the locations of Khirbet el-Maqatir and Et-Tell perfectly. 12. Khirbet el-Maqatir and Et-Tell are on one of the highest mountains to the east of Bethel. Places of Interest at Et-Tell 1. Temple 2. Sacred Stones 3. Northern Gate 4. Tower 5. Building area of Ai that was covered with stones 28 feet (8.53 m.) high. This matches the biblical account in Joshua 8:29. Places of Interest at Khirbet el-Maqatir 1. City Towers 2. City Gate 3. City Walls 4. Ash remains from the destruction of Ai. 5. Byzantine church and monastery. 6. Mikveh 7. Dwellings 8. Silos 9. Cisterns General Places of Interest Around Ai 1. City of Bethel 2. Bethel Site of Abraham and Jacob 3. Bethel High Place of Worship – Currently named Khalom Ya'akov Antiquities Site. 4. Jericho Ai in the Bible 1. Close by to Ai, Abram (Abraham) built an altar to the Lord. Genesis 12:7-8: The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him. 8 Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 2. Before conquering Jericho, God gave strict orders that the Israelites were not to take any items from it. It was for the Lord as a kind of “First Fruits Offering” because it was the first city the Israelites conquered in the Promised Land. Joshua 6:17-19: The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the Lord; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18 But as for you, only keep yourselves from the things under the ban, so that you do not covet them and take some of the things under the ban, and make the camp of Israel accursed and bring trouble on it. 19 But all the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” 3. God gave the Israelites a miraculous victory over Jericho. After marching around the city one time each day for six days, and seven times the seventh day, God caused the walls to fall by the shout of His people. Joshua 6:20: So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat , so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city. 4. Achan disobeyed God’s orders and took forbidden items from Jericho. Joshua 7:1: But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel. It’s interesting that God held all of Israel guilty for the sin of one person. It appears He wanted to show them that they were a family and community, and what affects one person affects everyone. 5. After seeing a miraculous victory over Jericho, the Israelites then proceeded to Ai, thinking they would take it with ease. However, God was angry over Achan’s sin and decided to teach the whole nation of Israel a big life lesson. Joshua 7:2-5: Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 They returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few.” 4 So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai. 5 The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water. 6. God spoke to Joshua and revealed the problem. Joshua 7:10-13: So the Lord said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? 11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. 12 Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. 13 Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said, “There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.” 7. Achan’s sin is dealt with, and the Israelites are cleansed. Joshua 7:22-26: So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was concealed in his tent with the silver underneath it. 23 They took them from inside the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel, and they poured them out before the Lord. 24 Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the mantle, the bar of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent and all that belonged to him; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. 25 Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.” And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. 26 They raised over him a great heap of stones that stands to this day, and the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. 8. The Israelites easily conquer Ai and burn it with fire. Joshua 8:11–12: And all the fighting men who were with him went up and drew near before the city and encamped on the north side of Ai, with a ravine between them and Ai . 12 He took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city . Joshua 8:14–17: And as soon as the king of Ai saw this, he and all his people, the men of the city, hurried and went out early to the appointed place toward the Arabah to meet Israel in battle. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. 15 And Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them and fled in the direction of the wilderness. 16 So all the people who were in the city were called together to pursue them, and as they pursued Joshua they were drawn away from the city. 17 Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. They left the city open and pursued Israel. Joshua 8:19–21: And the men in the ambush rose quickly out of their place, and as soon as he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it. And they hurried to set the city on fire. 20 So when the men of Ai looked back, behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven , and they had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers. 21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, then they turned back and struck down the men of Ai. Faith Lesson from Ai 1. Sin is a serious thing in the life of a believer or church. 2. Our sin not only affects us but others around us as well. 3. If there is unconfessed sin in our lives, God will likely allow us to be defeated. 4. If our hearts are right before God, He will give us victory.

See and learn about the epic battle between Gideon and the Israelites, and the Midianites. Sites of interest include the Hill of Moreh, where the Midianites camped. Jezreel Valley. Gilboa Mountains, where the Israelites hid out in. The period of the Judges saw the nation of Israel experience many cycles of obedience and disobedience. One verse is repeated several times in Judges that summarizes their day: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Gideon's Spring Photo Gallery Places of Interest Gideon’s Spring Introduction Welcome to Gideon's Spring. This is where the famous battle took place between Gideon and his 300 men and the Midianites, who were in number like the sand of the sea. All the places mentioned in the Bible can be found in this vicinity. 1. Hill of Moreh, where the Midianites camped. 2. Midianite Camp 3. Jezreel Valley 4. Battle Area 5. Gideon’s Spring, where Gideon chose 300 men for battle. 6. Gilboa Mountains: Where the Israelites hid out. Location Gideon’s Spring, or also known as Harod Spring, is located in the fertile Jezreel Valley about 26 miles (42 km.) from the Mediterranean Sea and about 17 miles (28 km.) south of the Sea of Galilee. Just to the south of Gideon’s Spring are the Gilboa Mountains. Historical Background 1. The period of the Judges saw the nation of Israel experience many cycles of obedience and disobedience. 2. They would walk with God for a bit and then fall away. 3. One verse is repeated several times in the book of Judges that summarizes the mentality of their day: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25). 4. In order to bring the nation of Israel back to Himself, God would send them oppressors to make their lives difficult. 5. As a result, the Israelites would look to the Lord, and He would send them a deliverer, or also known as a Judge. 6. Gideon was one of these deliverers that God raised up to deliver the Israelites out of the hand of the Midianites who were oppressing Israel at that time. 7. There were a total of 13 Judges or Deliverers in the book of Judges. 8. Gideon was the 5th Judge. Places of Interest 1. Hill of Moreh: Hill area where the Midianites camped. 2. Midianite Camp 3. Jezreel Valley 4. Battle Area 5. Gideon’s Spring: Area where Gideon chose 300 men for battle. 6. Gilboa Mountains: Where the Israelites hid out. 7. Hankin House Museum: Located above the spring entrance. Gideon’s Spring in the Bible 1. God gave the Israelites into the hands of the Midianites because they abandoned and disobeyed Him. Judges 6:1–6: Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord ; and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian seven years. 2 The power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. 3 For it was when Israel had sown, that the Midianites would come up with the Amalekites and the sons of the east and go against them. 4 So they would camp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey. 5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, they would come in like locusts for number, both they and their camels were innumerable ; and they came into the land to devastate it. 6 So Israel was brought very low because of Midian, and the sons of Israel cried to the Lord. 2. God hears the prayers of the Israelites and decides to deliver them. Judges 6:7–10: Now it came about when the sons of Israel cried to the Lord on account of Midian, 8 that the Lord sent a prophet to the sons of Israel, and he said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘It was I who brought you up from Egypt and brought you out from the house of slavery. 9 I delivered you from the hands of the Egyptians and from the hands of all your oppressors, and dispossessed them before you and gave you their land, 10 and I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But you have not obeyed Me.” 3. God visits Gideon through an angel and chooses to deliver the Israelites through him. Judges 6:11–12: Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” 4. Gideon responds by saying that his family was the least in the tribe of Manasseh and that he was the youngest in his family (Judges 6:15). This is similar to the response of Moses when God called him. 5. God allows the angel to show Gideon a couple of miracles to prove God will help him. Judges 6:21: Then the angel of the Lord put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread ; and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight. 6. God commands Gideon to tear down the altars to Baal that his father had erected and to erect an altar to the Lord in their place (Judges 6:28–32). 7. Shortly afterward, many nations gathered together to wipe out the Israelites. Judges 6:33–35: Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the sons of the east assembled themselves ; and they crossed over and camped in the valley of Jezreel [just north of Gideon’s Spring]. 34 So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon ; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites [descendants of Abiezer, the son of Gilead] were called together to follow him. 35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them. The Midianites were the descendants of Midian and therefore, children of Abraham. They settled in “the land of the east.” When Moses fled the wrath of Pharaoh, he traveled to Midian (Exodus 2:15). There, Moses met and married his wife, Zipporah, and served his father-in-law, Jethro, as a shepherd for forty years. The Amalekites were the first ones to attack the Israelites upon their exodus from Egypt. Genesis 36 refers to the descendants of Amalek, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau, as Amalekites. So, the Amalekites were somehow related to, but distinct from, the Edomites. 8. As a result of the nations who had gathered together to wipe out the Israelites, Gideon asks for a sign from God that he will be successful. The sign of the wet and dry fleeces is used by Gideon to seek assurance of God’s help (Judges 6:36–40). However, it reveals a lack of faith in what God had said He would do. 9. God commands Gideon to choose 300 men for battle so that He gets all the glory for the victory. Judges 7:1-7: Then Jerubbaal [Gideon] and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod . And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. 2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.' 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.'" Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. 4 And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' shall not go." 5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink." 6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. 7 And the LORD said to Gideon, "With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” It's believed God chose those who lapped like dogs because they were less civilized. This would give God even more glory for the victory. 10. The size of the opposing army was enormous. Judges 7:12: Now the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the sons of the east were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. 11. God allows Gideon to visit the camp of the opposing army to be assured of victory. Judges 7:13–14: When Gideon came, behold, a man was relating a dream to his friend. And he said, “Behold, I had a dream; a loaf of barley bread was tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came to the tent and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down so that the tent lay flat.” His friend replied, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.” 12. God delivers the nations into the victorious hands of the Israelites. Judges 7:15-25: As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, "Arise, for the LORD has given the host of Midian into your hand." 16 And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. 17 And he said to them, "Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. 18 When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.'" 9 So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch [10:00 pm to 2:00 am], when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. 20 Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" 21 Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. 22 When they blew the 300 trumpets, the LORD set every man's sword against his comrade and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel- meholah, by Tabbath [cities by the Jordan River directly east]. 23 And the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh, and they pursued after Midian. 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against the Midianites and capture the waters against them, as far as Beth-barah , and also the Jordan." So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the waters as far as Beth- barah , and also the Jordan. 25 And they captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. Then they pursued Midian, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan. Faith Lesson from Gideon’s Spring 1. God sent oppression to get the attention of the Israelites because they had fallen away from Him. He often sends us problems to get our attention as well. 2. God often puts us in difficult situations, so He gets all the glory when He helps us with our problems. 3. We, like the Israelites, can worship idols as well. An idol is anything that distracts us from our time and attention on God. What is distracting you away from God at this time in your life? 4. We should look at the size of our God rather than the size of our difficulties. 5. God delights in our faith but is grieved by our lack of it. 6. God chooses the weak things to show His glory: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God (1 Cor. 27-29). 6. Even if we have weaknesses, God can use us if we trust and follow Him.

This is the site early Christians venerated in the story of the Good Samaritan. It was proposed in the early Christian centuries as a place to commemorate this event and strengthen the faith of believers. Today, this place is called the Inn of the Good Samaritan. It has a museum with many mosaics and artifacts from other synagogues and discoveries. Inn of the Good Samaritan & Museum Photo Gallery Places of Interest Inn of the Good Samaritan Location 1. The Inn of the Good Samaritan is located about 8.5 miles (13.5 km.) east of Jerusalem on Hwy. 1 and about 6.5 (10.5 km.) west of Jericho. 2. The Inn is about halfway between Jerusalem and Jericho on an ancient road that linked traffic from the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem and the coastal towns of the Mediterranean Ocean. 3. The famous story of the Good Samaritan took place on this road. Historical Background 1. Interestingly, Jesus used real places and people in the story of the Good Samaritan, i.e., road, Jerusalem, Jericho, robbers, Samaritans, priests, Levites, and the Inn. Therefore, the possibility exists that the story was actually a real event that had happened. 2. The ancient road connecting the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem and beyond had an elevation difference of 3,400 ft. (1,036 m.). Jericho is at 800 ft. (244 m.) below sea level, and Jerusalem is at 2,600 ft. (792 m.) above sea level. 3. It was a dangerous road that was desolate in steep, curvy places with crooks, crannies, and caves where bandits and robbers could hide and get away easily in the desert. It also lacked police protection in many places. 4. It was about 15 miles (24 km.) between Jerusalem and Jericho. 5. Around 12,000 priests and Levites lived in Jericho who used this road whenever they were summoned to serve in the temple in Jerusalem. 6. The rocky desert terrain around the Inn of the Good Samaritan was notorious for robbers. The local name for the area is Ma‘ale Adummim, which means red rocks. It’s believed the name was derived from the limestone stained red by iron oxide, but it’s also believed its name is due to the amount of blood that was spilled here by bandits and robbers. 7. Jesus and His disciples would have used this road repeatedly as they traveled between Jerusalem and Jericho. 8. The Inn of the Good Samaritan Although it’s not certain that the inn Jesus mentioned in the story of the Good Samaritan was a real place, a site was proposed in the early Christian centuries as a place to commemorate this event. Today, it’s called the Inn of the Good Samaritan. The site was inhabited in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and remains from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD were discovered during the excavations of the Inn. In the 6th century, a Byzantine church and monastery with pilgrim accommodations were erected on the site of what was probably some sort of travelers’ hostel well before the time of Jesus. Later, the Crusaders built a fortress on a nearby hill to protect pilgrims against robbers. The remains of the monastery later became an Ottoman Inn. In the 1800s, the Ottomans built a rectangular structure over the ruins of the southern wall of the Crusader Fortress. The current museum at this site was opened in 2009. Places of Interest 1. Byzantine Church 2. Museum (has many mosaics and artifacts from around Israel) 3. Cave 1, 2 4. Crusader Fortress 5. Hwy. 1 6. Jericho 7. Jerusalem 8. Ancient Road from Jericho to Jerusalem 9. Wadi Qelt The Story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible 1. A lawyer (student of Scripture) tested Jesus regarding what a person had to do to receive eternal life. Luke 10:25-28: And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind [Deut. 6:5]; and your neighbor as yourself [Lev. 19:18].” 2. Attempting to justify himself, the lawyer asked a follow-up question about what the term “neighbor” meant. Luke 10:29: And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 3. To illustrate who our neighbor is, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-34: Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. The priests were the spiritual leaders and oversaw the temple. The Levites were servants in the temple. Samaritans were unfaithful Jews who intermarried with foreign unbelievers and established their own religion. The Samaritans were despised and rejected by the Jews and considered unclean. The Samaritans, likewise, despised the Jews and had few dealings with them. Any traveler from Samaria would have been regarded as an alien in Judea. Luke 10:35-37: On the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same .” A denarius was about a day’s wage. Today, it would be around $200 dollars for an average worker. The Samaritan gave the innkeeper two denarii for a total of $400 dollars. The Good Samaritan was willing to spend even more money on the hurt man, meaning that what he had already given was just a start. Faith Lesson from the Good Samaritan 1. Our neighbor is anyone with a genuine need whom we find in our path. 2. The wounded man the Samaritan helped was not a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance; he was a total stranger. 3. The Samaritan spent a large sum of money to help heal the wounded man with no expectation or guarantee of being repaid. 4. It’s not what we see but what we do that makes us a neighbor. 5. Jesus emphasized that it’s not just what we believe that matters, but what we do that shows we are truly saved. 6. While we should help the wounded with physical needs, we should also help the wounded with their spiritual needs as well. The greatest need everyone has is salvation. Do we share our faith and give the greatest gift possible to those in need spiritually? 7. We should keep in mind that not every want or need others might have is legitimate. 8. God doesn’t want us to reward wrong motives and laziness. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11: For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat , either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all , but acting like busybodies.

See all the outstanding major holy sites (over 55) in Israel, the Holy Land in 4K and with a Drone. Amazing, clear footage with a biblical overview of each site. See amazing and interesting facts about Israel, the Holy Land. Videos, maps, books, talks, archaeology, Bible teachings, history, walls, gates, people, and language of the people and places in Israel. Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Masada, Negev, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Hebron, Shechem, Samaria, Jordan River, Beersheba, and more. Israel Overview Tour of All Biblical Sites Israel – God’s Chosen Land Israel . . . Land of the Bible . . . Land of Faith . . . the Holy Land, revered throughout recorded history as the cradle of monotheistic religion. For a person of faith whose beliefs are rooted in the Bible, there is no place on earth like the Holy Land. In this narrow strip of land lies the source of religious belief of much of mankind. Here, amongst the barren hills and fertile plains, man’s spirit learned to soar and from here a new message went out to all the world: “. . . and many peoples shall come, and say, “Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion (Hill next to Jerusalem) will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3,4). The unique factor about the Holy Land is its special location in the World. Situated as it is, straddling the divide between Africa and Asia, the area has almost always been a battleground. Wave after wave of conquerors poured into it, anxious to control the strategic trade routes linking the centers of the ancient world. It’s not by accident that it’s virtually in the center of the world. In God’s master plan of creation, He decided to place Israel exactly in the center of His creation. Located on a tiny land bridge between Africa and Asia, there is no other way to get between the two of them except through Israel. It’s located on the crossroads of the world. Whoever wanted to trade between the two continents, or control the known world, had to conquer and control Israel. For this reason, there have been more wars and events that have taken place in Israel than any other country on earth. God positioned Israel in its unique location in order to influence the world and be on “Center Stage” so all of creation would know that He alone is God. For nearly 2,000 years, Christian visitors from all over the world have come to the Holy Land, the land of their spiritual heritage. With Bible in hand, they have walked the places Jesus walked and prayed in the places He preached and prayed. For Christians, Israel is a place like no other. It provides them a one of a kind opportunity to experience the land of the Bible, to deepen their faith, and to be spiritually transformed for a lifetime.

Gilgal became a central meeting place throughout the rest of the Old Testament and appears to have been a small city or community. Camp Gilgal is the first place the Israelites camped after crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land. At Camp Gilgal, Joshua erected 12 stones taken from the Jordan River as a monument of remembrance. Camp Gilgal was the first place the Israelites celebrated the Passover after entering the Promised Land. Gilgal Photo Gallery Places of Interest Gilgal Location There are two locations for Gilgal. 1. Tel Gilgal is situated in the Jordan Valley plain at the place of the modern city of Gilgal, which is located about 8 miles (12 km.) north of Jericho on Hwy. 90. 2. Camp Gilgal is located on the eastern edge of Jericho on Hwy. 90. Historical Background 1. The late Professor Adam Zertal (University of Haifa), did much research on the biblical location of Gilgal and discovered that it’s possible it wasn’t necessarily a specific location but a common name for a camp or religious site in its early period. 2. In Zertal’s research, he discovered 5 potential sites where the Israelites could have camped after crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land. Each place is uniquely shaped like a human right footprint. This is likely attributed to the promise given to them in Deuteronomy 11:24: Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours; your border will be from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the river, the river Euphrates, as far as the western sea. 3. Joshua 4:19, places Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho: Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho . The place of Tel Gilgal (modern-day Gilgal) doesn’t seem to fit the qualifications found in Joshua 4:19. 4. If Zertal’s claims are true, then it’s possible Tel Gilgal (located at modern Gilgal) was the more permanent Gilgal that is referred to 35 times in Scripture, and the place on the eastern edge of Jericho was a temporary place where the Israelites camped. This seems reasonable as there are no remains of a permanent city on the eastern edge of Jericho. 5. Tel Gilgal became a central meeting place throughout the rest of the Old Testament and appears to have been a small city. Places of Interest 1. Tel Gilgal 2. Tower 3. Heel part of the footprint shape of Tel Gilgal. 4. Center part of the footprint shape of Tel Gilgal. 5. Tabernacle 6. 12 Stone Monument (it appears it was moved from Camp Gilgal to Tel Gilgal as a permanent monument at a later date). 7. Altar 8. Toe part of the footprint shape of Tel Gilgal. 9. Modern Gilgal 10. Jericho 11. Jordan River 12. Camp Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. Gilgal in the Bible 1. Camp Gilgal is the first place the Israelites camped after crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land. Joshua 4:19: Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. 2. At Camp Gilgal, Joshua erected 12 stones taken from the Jordan River as a monument of remembrance. Joshua 4:18–20: It came about when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks as before. 19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. 20 Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” 3. Camp Gilgal was the first place the Israelites celebrated the Passover after entering the Promised Land. Joshua 5:10: While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal , they observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho. 4. It was at Gilgal that the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites into making a covenant with them so they wouldn’t be destroyed. Joshua 9:3–6: When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, 5 and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled. 6 They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now, therefore, make a covenant with us.” 5. Gilgal was the place from which Caleb, one of the two faithful spies Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land, asked Joshua for his portion of the land. Joshua 14:6–9: Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal , and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know the word which the Lord spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless, my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully.” 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, “Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.” Joshua 14:13: So Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. 6. The Prophet Samuel visited and taught the Word of God regularly at Tel Gilgal. 1 Samuel 7:15–16: Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 He used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. 7. Saul, the first king of Israel, was made king at Tel Gilgal. 1 Samuel 11:14–15: Then Samuel said to the people, “Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal , and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal . There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. 8. Tel Gilgal was a central gathering place for the Israelites. 1 Samuel 13:4: All Israel heard the news that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines. The people were then summoned to Saul at Gilgal . 9. King Saul’s reign over Israel came to an end at Tel Gilgal because of his disobedience. 1 Samuel 13:8–14: Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal ; and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him. 11 But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash, 12 therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.” 13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” 10. God pronounced judgment upon Israel at Tel Gilgal because of their disobedience to Him. Hosea 9:15: All their evil is at Gilgal ; Indeed, I came to hate them there! Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! I will love them no more; all their princes are rebels. Amos 5:4–6: For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, “Seek Me that you may live. 5 But do not resort to Bethel and do not come to Gilgal , nor cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal will certainly go into captivity and Bethel will come to trouble.” Faith Lesson from Gilgal 1. Like the Israelites who took 12 stones out of the Jordan River to mark the fulfillment of God’s miracle in bringing them into the Promised Land, we too should set up remembrances to help us remember what God has done in our lives. 2. Like Caleb, who was faithful in trusting God, we should emulate his faith and strength. 3. Unlike Joshua, who failed to pray and seek the Lord regarding the trickery of the Gibeonites, we should bring our cares and decisions to the Lord. 4. We should heed the warnings from the life of King Saul, who presumed upon God’s grace and disobeyed the Lord regularly. 5. Lastly, we should not be like the Israelites, who slowly turned away from the Lord and were disciplined by God.

After feeding the 5,000, Jesus arrived at Gennesaret, which is also called, Ginasor. An amazing discovery was made in 1986 after a long drought in Israel. Two brothers from the local Kibbutz were exploring the shores of the Sea of Galilee. To their surprise and excitement, they stumbled upon what has become one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history—a fully intact First Century Galilean fishing boat. Gennesaret, Ginosar: Jesus Boat Photo Gallery Places of Interest Gennesaret, Ginosar: Jesus Boat at Yigal Allon Museum Introduction Welcome to Gennesaret (Ginosar). Many significant events from the Bible took place here. Here are the highlights. 1. After Jesus fed the 5,000, walked on water, and calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, they landed at the beach here at Gennesaret. 2. Jesus healed many sick here. 3. It has an ancient boat discovered in 1986 called the "Jesus Boat," dating back to the time of Jesus. 4. The Jesus Boat is located inside the Yigal Allon Museum here. We'll see the boat and watch a movie about its discovery and preservation. 5. From the boat dock here, we'll take a most memorable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Location 1. Gennesaret, also called Ginosar, lies on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee north of Magdala in the Ginosar Valley. 2. The beautiful countryside and rich farmlands have caused the area to be called the Paradise of the Galilee. 3. During Jesus' lifetime, Ginosar was a prosperous town known as Gennesaret, and the name Ginosar appears in the New Testament. 4. Ginosar was an ancient city that has been excavated. Today, Ginosar is home to Kibbutz Ginosar. The main attractions in Ginosar are the Yigal Allon Museum, which houses what has become known as the Jesus Boat, and the location from which boats depart and arrive for those taking boat rides on the Sea of Galilee. Historical Background of Gennesaret or Ginasor 1. The name Ginosar is the Hebrew pronunciation of the name of the ancient town Gennesaret. Josephus Flavius, the famous historian of the Holy Land, described it as a place of fertile soil (in its Hebrew version, the name Ginosar means "rich garden"). The town is mentioned several times in the New Testament. 2. The name may originate from the Hebrew word kinnor ("harp" or "lyre") - which the lake's shape resembles. It has also been called the Lake of Gennesaret or the Sea of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1), after the name of a small, fertile plain that lies on its western side. 3. In the Bible, Ginosar is called Kinneret, Chinnereth, or Chinneroth. It is also called Dalmanutha in the Gospel of Mark. Three thousand years ago, the town was so prominent it gave its name to the adjacent lake- Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee). Kinneret is mentioned in the Books of Joshua, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The name changed over the years to Gennesaret, and finally, at some point in the 1st century AD, it was romanized to be called Ginosar. In the Talmud, the sages praise the fertile lands and abundant produce in Ginosar. Gennesaret was also described by the Roman historian Josephus Flavius as a land of fertile soil. Archaeological findings show that the ancient town was home to Jews and believers of a polytheistic religion living side by side. The Jesus Boat at the Yigal Allon Museum In 1986, two brothers from the Kibbutz discovered the remains of an ancient boat on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. The boat measured 27 feet long by 7.5 feet wide and was constructed of ten different kinds of wood. It was designed for fishing close to the shore. The extraction and preservation process of the boat was long and complex. The boat was retrieved and preserved; carbon dating determined that the boat dates back to between 100 BC and 70 AD. This means that it is one of the same boats used by fishermen during Jesus' lifetime. Indeed, it fits the many descriptions of boats from the Bible, as the one mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. A sign that the boat relates to sacred times was given at the time of its discovery: the two brothers who discovered the boat reported seeing a double rainbow in the sky on the same day. Places of Interest (Please See Maps Above) 1. Feeding of the 5,000 location 2. Mountain upon which Jesus prayed 3. Departure beach 4. Bethsaida 5. Capernaum 6. Place where Jesus walked on water 7. Gennesaret 8. Sea of Galilee Gennesaret in the Bible 1. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand on the Eastern Side of the Sea of Galilee Matthew 14:13-21: Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 2. Jesus Walks on the Water Matthew 14:22-33: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat wor shiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 3. Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret, on the Western Side of the Sea of Galilee Matthew 14:34–36: And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret . 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Faith Lesson 1. Jesus embedded in the lives of His disciples that He was God. Do we believe in the deity of Christ and that He was God in the flesh? 2. Like Peter and the disciples, are we of little faith sometimes? 3. Like the disciples, we are often surrounded by serious problems. Do we realize Jesus cares for us during our storms? 4. Like the disciples, we can often feel tired and alone in our trials and problems. Do we understand that we are not alone and that God is caring for us? 5. Peter walked on the water for a moment and then took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm. Therefore, he sank into the water. Do we understand that to navigate the storms in our lives, we must keep our eyes on Jesus despite the raging problems around us? 6. It appears Jesus sent the storm to teach His disciples who He was and their need for faith in Him. Do we understand that Jesus also sends us storms to teach us the same truths? 7. Jesus and the disciples often had long days of exhausting ministry. Are we willing to do the same?

The Hinnom Valley is a place few people visit but has amazing things to see and a sobering message. Join us as we walk the valley and see and learn all about this biblical place. We'll see the Field of Blood (Akeldama Monastery), see the Tomb of Annas & Caiaphas (the high priests who condemned Christ to crucifixion), and learn why Christ used it as an example of hell. Hinnom Valley Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Hinnom Valley Overview Location 1. The Hinnom Valley is located just to the southeast of Old City Jerusalem. 2. The Hinnom Valley joins the Kidron Valley just to the southeast of Old City Jerusalem. 3. Today, it looks nothing like it did during the Old and New Testament periods. 4. It was an ugly place where ugly things happened. Historical Background 1. In the lower part of the Hinnom Valley and Kidron Valley, the city dumped its waste and burned its trash. Because the Hinnom and Kidron Valleys are located on the southeast side of Jerusalem, the prevailing winds carry the winds away from the city. For this reason, it became the city dump. Dead animals from the temple sacrifices were thrown there to rot and be eaten by worms and maggots. Trash was burned here. The city sewage was emptied here. It was smelly, ugly, burning, crawling with worms, full of rot, and full of disease. 2. During the Old Testament period, many of the Israelites sacrificed their children to the false gods of Molech and Baal in the Hinnom Valley. Leviticus 20:2: You shall also say to the sons of Israel: “Any man from the sons of Israel or from the aliens sojourning in Israel who gives any of his offspring to Molech, shall surely be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones.” 3. What did worship to Molech entail? It is believed that idols of Moloch were giant metal statues of a man with a bull’s head. Each image had a hole in the abdomen and outstretched forearms that made a kind of ramp to the hole. A fire was lit in or around the statue and babies were placed in the statue’s arms or in the hole. When a couple sacrificed their firstborn, they believed that Moloch would ensure financial prosperity for the family and future children. It was a custom to beat drums and play music loudly. Some believe this was done to drown out the babies’ screams from reaching the ears of their parents. 4. What did worship to Baal entail? Baal worship was rooted in sensuality and involved ritualistic prostitution in the temples. At times, appeasing Baal required human sacrifice, usually the firstborn of the one making the sacrifice. 5. With its pagan history and burning sewer stench, Jerusalem's Hinnom Valley serves as a vivid metaphor for both the Christian and Jewish concept of hell. 6. By Jesus' time in the New Testament, the Greek translation of Hinnom Valley, “Gehenna,” became a synonym for hell. For this reason, the English New Testament versions of the Bible translate Gehenna as hell. Places of Interest 1. Hinnom Valley 2. Kidron Valley 3. Temple Mount 4. City of David 5. Pool of Siloam 6. Akeldama ~ Field of Blood. Place Judas hanged himself after betraying Christ. 7. Tomb of Caiaphas Valley of Hinnom in the Bible 1. The Prophet Jeremiah strongly condemned the worship of Molech. Jeremiah 32:31–35: This city has aroused my anger and wrath, from the day it was built to this day, so that I will remove it from my sight 32 because of all the evil of the children of Israel and the children of Judah that they did to provoke me to anger—their kings and their officials, their priests and their prophets, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 33 They have turned to me their back and not their face. And though I have taught them persistently, they have not listened to receive instruction. 34 They set up their abominations in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. 35 They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. 2. Several of the Kings of Israel worshipped Molech and Baal. 2 Chronicles 28:1–4: Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do right in the sight of the Lord as David his father had done. 2 But he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel; he also made molten images for the Baals. 3 Moreover, he burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and burned his sons in fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had driven out before the sons of Israel. 4 He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree. 2 Chronicles 33:5–6: For he [King Manasseh] built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 He made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger. 3. God destroyed the nations that previously lived in Israel because of their evil worship of false gods. Deuteronomy 20:16–18: But in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, 17 but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded, 18 that they may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices that they have done for their gods, and so you sin against the Lord your God. 4. When Christ wanted to communicate the concept of coming judgment and hell, He used Gehenna (Hinnom) as an example. Mark 9:42–49: Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, 44 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 45 If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, 46 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 47 If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. Luke 12:5: But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 5. Interestingly, the Field of Blood which was purchased from the 30 pieces of silver Judas received to betray Christ is in the Hinnom Valley. Today, there’s a monastery marking this spot called, Akeldama. Faith Lesson from the Hinnom Valley 1. Worship of false gods is ugly and destructive. Today, in a metaphorical sense, we can also sacrifice our children on the altar of false idols if we neglect God and don't raise our children to fear Him. 2. Hell is a true reality even though it might seem unjust or uncomfortable. 3. Coming judgment is certain and will take place. 4. Are we genuinely saved and walking with God so we will escape the judgment to come?

Many things in the Bible took place here. The miracle of the sun and moon standing still happened here, the tabernacle resided here, and God gave Solomon supernatural wisdom, wealth, and power to serve His people. The tabernacle resided at the high place of Gibeon during the reigns of David and Solomon. King David brought the Ark of the Covenant that was at Gibeon to the City of David. Later, Solomon would take the Ark out of the City of David to the temple he built on the current Temple Mount. Gibeon - Nebi Samwil Photo Gallery Places of Interest Gibeon - Nebi Samuel Introduction 1. Gibeon is mentioned 43 times in the Bible and played a major role in Israel's history. 2. This ancient city is named after the Gibeonites, who tricked Joshua into making a treaty with them after the Israelites entered the Promised Land. 3. Just above the city of Gibeon was this key high place that was used for worship during much of Israel’s history. 4. The amazing miracle of the sun and moon standing still due to Joshua’s prayer happened at this high place of Gibeon. 5. Gibeon, also known as Gibeah, was the hometown of King Saul. 6. The Tabernacle resided at the high place of Gibeon during the reigns of David and Solomon. 7. Soon after Solomon became King, he went to Gibeon. Here, he received supernatural wisdom, wealth, and power to rule God’s people. 8. Today, there is a synagogue and mosque here that are built upon the ruins of a Crusader church, which was built on the ruins of a Byzantine church, which is built upon the site where the tabernacle was located during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. 9. A tradition dating back to the Byzantine period also places the tomb of Samuel here. Location 1. Gibeon is located about 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Jerusalem. 2. Today, it's known as Nabi Samuel or Nebi Samwil, which means “The Prophet Samuel” because it’s believed Samuel’s tomb is located here. 3. Just below this high place and to the north is the ancient city of Gibeon with its ruins, known today as Al Jib. 4. Gibeon is on top of a high mountain with a spectacular view of Jerusalem and the surrounding area. In fact, you can see Jerusalem quite easily from this site. It becomes clear that this spot was a significant high place and fits the biblical descriptions of many events found in Scripture and history. 5. This high place is about 3,000 feet or 908 meters above sea level. 6. It’s located on an ancient route that led from the coastal plain, passing through Beit Horon, this high place of Gibeon, and on to Jerusalem. Today, highways 436 and 443 mark this route. Historical Background 1. Before the conquest of the Israelites, Gibeon was a Canaanite city. 2. Gibeon was a popular place in the Bible and is mentioned 43 times. 3. Its name means “Hill City,” and it’s located in the heart of the Tribe of Benjamin. 4. It was a high place of worship throughout much of Israel’s history, and the tabernacle was here during the times of King David and King Solomon. 5. The tomb of the Prophet Samuel is believed to be located inside the synagogue part of the building. 6. Excavations, which are still ongoing, have uncovered the remains of settlements from both the First Temple (7th century BC) and the Second Temple (Hasmonean Period 167 BC–63 BC) can be found here. 7. During the Byzantine period (5th–7th century AD), a church and monastery were built at this high place of Gibeon. Also, in the Byzantine period around 500 AD, Christian tradition said that the prophet’s bones were relocated here, and a monastery was built at the site to honor Samuel. 8. The Crusaders then built a church and fortress over the monastery around 1150 AD. The main structure visible today is a magnificent Crusader-era church, one of only four to survive the Muslim conquests of the Crusaders. It survived because the Muslims turned this church into a mosque, which they still use today. 9. After Saladin conquered much of Israel in 1187, the church and monastery were damaged. 10. In 1267 AD, the Mamluks captured the area and controlled the Holy Land until 1517. In the 14th century, the Mamelukes converted the church to a mosque. Remains from this period include two ceramic ovens near the stables. 11. Because it’s believed Samuel was buried here, along with the biblical history of the site, around 1125 AD, Jews built a synagogue adjacent to the mosque and resumed pilgrimages to this site. 12. It appears that later on, the mosque was renovated by the Ottomans in 1730. 13. The British rebuilt the building that we see today after World War 1. Both the mosque and synagogue share the same building. Places of Interest 1. Tabernacle Location The original tabernacle is believed to lie directly beneath the synagogue and mosque on this site. This would make sense as we have a long history of one thing built on top of another, which in archaeology is a strong sign of authenticity. As mentioned, this synagogue and mosque were built upon the ruins of a Crusader church, which stood on the ruins of a Byzantine church, which stood on the site where the Tabernacle was located during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. It also has other ruins dating back to the first temple period of the 7th century BC. 2. Hannah's Spring Just down the hill below the ruins is a place called Hannah’s Spring . It's named after Samuel’s mother, Hannah, who is believed to have traversed this area and lived nearby. Today, women come here to pray for God’s blessing for conception and childbirth. An ancient road passing through an orchard of strawberries, olives, and fig trees leads to a small spring flowing from a cave. Picnic tables have been set up in a pleasant and tranquil corner in the shade of the fig trees. Above Hannah’s Spring, entrances to First Temple period burial caves can be seen. 3. Hasmonean Ruins During extensive archaeological excavations, archaeologists found remains dating to the Hasmonean period , which lasted from around 164 to 63 BC. This section includes several well-preserved two-story houses and streets. 4. Byzantine Church and Monastery A large monastery was constructed at this site during the Byzantine period, around 400 AD. Few remains from that period remain since the Crusaders built their church and fortress over the monastery. The monastery served as a hostel for Christian pilgrims visiting Jerusalem. It existed until around 900 AD. 5. Crusader Ruins The crusade to liberate the Holy Land and free Jerusalem started in 1096. On June 7, 1099, three years after the military expedition started in Europe, the Crusaders finally approached the gates of Jerusalem. They first arrived at this site of Nebi Samuel, where they could see Jerusalem in the distance. They were so joyful when they first saw the Holy City that they later named this site the “Mountain of Joy.” In 1140 AD, the Crusaders upgraded the site into a military fortress and a holy shrine. They cut into the bedrock on the west, north, and east sides, creating a defensive moat. However, only part of the moat was finished. The hewn rocks were used as building material for the church of St. Samuel on the hilltop. The church was completed in 1157. The fortress was a rectangular structure with the church at its center, built over the traditional tomb of the prophet. On the north and north-east sides, the Crusaders cut away the bedrock to around 15 ft. or 5 m. below the surface. The stones were used to build their structures and fortress. This large flat area was then used as a campsite for armies and a hostel for Christian pilgrims headed to Jerusalem. On the north side of the quarried area are several hewn structures. We can see a large stable with rock-cut troughs. There are also pools, cisterns, rock-hewn tombs, and agricultural installations. 6. Synagogue An earlier synagogue was preserved at a lower level, where the actual tomb of Samuel is located. The entrance to the Synagogue is on the north side, and the tomb of the prophet Samuel is believed to be there. There is a women's section and a men’s section. The men’s section is accessed by descending some stairs and is where the tomb of Samuel is located. It's located below because its level was the original level of the Byzantine Church and monastery. 7. Rooftop Viewing Area A large area on the roof above the mosque and synagogue provides spectacular views of the area. From this high place, Jerusalem, the Mt. of Olives, and many other sites can be seen. 8. Quarry 9. Stables Gibeon in the Bible 1. This ancient city is named after the Gibeonites, who tricked Joshua into making a treaty with them. Joshua 9:3–7: When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, 5 and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled. 6 They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.” Gilgal is only 29 miles (32 km) from Gibeon. Joshua 9:14–15: So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord . 15 Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. 2. The amazing miracle of the sun and moon standing still happened at Gibeon. Joshua 10:1–14: Now it came about when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and had utterly destroyed it (just as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king), and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were within their land, 2 that he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city , like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. 3 Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron and to Piram king of Jarmuth and to Japhia king of Lachish and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4 “Come up to me and help me, and let us attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the sons of Israel.” 5 So the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they with all their armies, and camped by Gibeon and fought against it. 6 Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.” 7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the valiant warriors. 8 The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” 9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal. 10 And the Lord confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon , and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword. 12 Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “O sun, stand still at Gibeon, and O moon in the valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day . 14 There was no day like that before it or after it, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. 3. In a dark period during the time of the Judges, when some men from the tribe of Benjamin raped a man's wife, causing her death, and wanted to commit acts of homosexuality with him, all the other tribes of Israel fought against the tribe of Benjamin at Gibeon. Judges 20:19-20: Then the people of Israel rose in the morning and encamped against Gibeah. 20 And the men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin, and the men of Israel drew up the battle line against them at Gibeah . 4. Gibeon (Gibeah) was the hometown of King Saul. 1 Samuel 10:26: Saul also went to his house at Gibeah. 5. Gibeon is the likely place where the Prophet Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king of Israel. Tradition affirms, and some believe, that this place is the biblical Mizpah, which in Hebrew means "tower," where Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. 1 Samuel 10:17: “Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah.” Then in verse 24 it says: “Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? Surely there is no one like him among all the people.’ So, all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!” 6. According to Scripture, Samuel died and was buried in Ramah, the prophet's hometown. Samuel 25:1: “Then Samuel died; and all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him at his house in Ramah.” The location of Ramah is not known, but according to its meaning in Hebrew, which means heights, it should be on a high hill in an area close by to Jerusalem. This area certainly fits this description but we’re not totally certain. 7. The Tabernacle resided at the high place of Gibeon during the reigns of David and Solomon. 1 Chronicles 21:28–29: At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifice there. 29 For the tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were in the high place at Gibeon at that time. 2 Chronicles 1:2–3: Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. 3 Then Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place, which was at Gibeon , for God’s tent of meeting was there , which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness. 8. God caused a famine in Israel because King Saul broke the covenant Joshua made with the Gibeonites. 2 Samuel 21:1: Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the presence of the Lord. And the Lord said, “It is for Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” 9. Soon after Solomon became King, he went to Gibeon. Here, he received supernatural wisdom, wealth, and power to rule God’s people. 1 Kings 3:3–5: Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place ; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.” In response, God not only gave him supernatural wisdom, but wealth and power as well. Faith Lessons from Gibeon 1. The Gibeonites tricked Joshua into making an agreement with them because he failed to seek the Lord in prayer. Do we make poor decisions as well because we fail to seek the Lord? Proverbs 3:5–6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." 2. God heard Joshua’s prayer, and the sun and moon stood still for a day. There is nothing we can ask in prayer that is too big for God to answer. James 5:16–18: "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit." Do we believe God truly hears our prayers? 3. God punished the Israelites because they broke their agreement with the Gibeonites that Joshua made with them. Psalm 15:4: "But he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change." What about us? Do we keep our agreements with others? 4. God gave Solomon supernatural wisdom, wealth, and power to serve others and glorify God. How do we use our wisdom, wealth, and power? Do we mainly use it for the Lord, or primarily for our own good and benefit?

What is the reason for the conflict and war in Israel and the Middle East? What is the root cause of the war? We'll look at this important topic here. The Reason for the Wars & Conflicts In Israel What Is the Reason for the War & Conflict In Israel and the Middle East? Introduction What is the real reason for the wars and conflicts we see in Israel and the Middle East? There are root issues going back to around 4,000 years that explain this long ongoing conflict. We are going to explore and show you these issues in this discussion. You will understand things like never before. So, let's explore and see what we can learn about this very important topic! Let’s Define Some Names and Terms 1. Secular Arabs – These are the descendants of Ishmael, one of Abraham’s sons. 2. Muslim Arabs – These are the believers in the Islamic faith, who are generally Arabs, which was founded by Muhammad in around 610 AD. 3. Secular Jews – These are Jews who are not religious and do not follow the Jewish faith. 4. Religio us Jews – These believe and practice Judaism. 5. Pales tine & Palestinian – Roman Emperor Hadrian first used these terms in around 132 AD. He used them after a major conquest and destruction of Israel to eradicate the Jews due to their uprisings. He changed the name of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina and the country of Israel to Palestine. He used the word Palestine to refer to the Philistines, one of Israel’s enemies from around 1400 to 1000 BC. His intent was to erase the names of Israel and the Jews and disassociate them from the Holy Land. However, during the time of Hadrian, there were no Philistines that lived. Nonetheless, he did this to eliminate the name Israel and replace it. The term fell out of use during the Byzantine era in around 324 AD and wasn’t used again until 1948. It is used in these latter times by some to promote the idea that the Jews today have no right to their God-given homeland. However, many use it as it has become the common name for the Holy Land. I don’t like to use the word much because there are no original Philistines from the time of the Canaanites living in the Holy Land today, and the original intent of the word was antisemitic. However, I will use it on occasion for understanding and clarity purposes. The Conflict Is Mainly Between Muslim Arabs and Jews Now, this discussion is not about all Arabs and is not intended to be anti-Arab. I have a number of Arab friends and have met many Arab people while in the Holy Land who are wonderful folks. God loves all people and wants them to come to the saving knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ, who proved to be divine and fulfilled countless prophecies proving this. Both the Jews and Arabs need Jesus Christ, along with all of us. He is the only hope for peace and salvation. Every person is equal and created in the image of God. I also want to say that I feel deep compassion for the innocent people caught up in war. Wars are ugly, destructive, and sad. What Is the Conflict About? The basic conflict is over who has the right to exist in the Holy Land. The Muslim Arabs claim they are the rightful owners of all the Holy Land and want no state of Israel at all, and Israel says they have a right to exist in their homeland. What Is the Root Cause of the Conflict? To really understand this conflict, we must go back in time to around 4,000 years ago to the time of Abraham and his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. From the descendants of these two brothers comes the conflict that has gone on for the last 4,000 years. Who Has the Right to the Holy Land? God should have the last word on this issue, as He is the Creator and owner of everything. Let’s see what God says. To do this, let’s look at the Abrahamic Covenant God made with Abraham regarding the land of Israel as found in the Bible. The Abrahamic Covenant consists of three promises God established with Abraham. 1. A Land 2. A Nation or People 3. A Lineage – Through the lineage of Isaac would come Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. The Abrahamic Covenant The Abrahamic Covenant is given numerous times in Genesis chapters 12-17 and continually reaffirmed throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. You will notice that the Bible uses the name Abram before it is later changed to Abraham, which means father of many nations. God promises a land and a people: Genesis 13:14-17 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever . 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk throug h the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” God promises Abraham a son: Genesis 15:18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates. After waiting a long time without Abraham and Sarah having a child, Sarah tries to fulfill this promise through her handmaid, Hagar. The birth of Ishmael: Genesis16:11-12 After Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, there arose bitterness between Sarah and Hagar. Then God describes the kind of person Ishmael would be. “Behold, you [Hagar] are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction. 12 He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.” What do we see here? 1. The bitterness between Sarah and Hagar begins the conflict we see today. Later, this bitterness would include Ishmael and Isaac. 2. Ishmael will be a wild donkey of a man and will be against everyone and everyone against him. We certainly see this throughout history. The fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant would come through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, not through Ishmael. Genesis 17:15-22: And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” 22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. What do we see here? 1. The Abrahamic Covenant, an everlasting covenant, would be through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. God’s covenant would not be through Ishmael. 2. Ishmael would be the father of a great multitude, which are the Arab people. 3. Through the Abrahamic Covenant, fulfilled in Isaac, would come Jesus Christ, the prophesied Savior. Galatians 3:13-14, 16: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles , so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed . He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. What do we see here? 1. The genealogies of the Bible, which oftentimes we think are boring, are so important. They prove that Jesus Christ fulfills the lineage aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant that dates back to around 4,000 years. 2. P rophecy is what sets the Bible apart from any other writing. It contains very specific, detailed prophecies. So, in summary, the Abrahamic Covenant, which is the major storyline of the Bible, includes three major aspects: 1. A Land through Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his offspring, which today is known as the Holy Land. 2. A Nation or people through Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his offspring, which today are called the Jews or Israelis. 3. A Lineage – Through the lineage of Isaac would come Christ, the Savior of the world. The Role of Islam in the Conflict The religion of Islam, which came into being in around 610 AD, completely denies the Bible’s storyline and radically changes it. Muslims believe that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mohamad and gave him a number of revelations from around 610-632 AD. The Quran and Muslim theology believe the following: 1. The Abrahamic Covenant was intended for Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 2. The Holy Land is for Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 3. The promise of a nation or people is through Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 4. Jesus Christ is not the Savior but just a prophet, and Mohamad is greater than Jesus and is the last prophet. 5. I t denies the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 6. It believes the Bible is corrupted and that the Quran is the true revelation from God. Note: This Muslim belief cannot be true because the Dead Sea Scrolls, written around 100 BC, 700 years before Mohamad, verify that the Old Testament we have today is the same as what was written in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Also, Islam does more than just claim the Bible has been corrupted. It denies about 95% of the Bible is even true. For example, the New Testament's main theme is that salvation is through Jesus Christ and how to live and serve Him as a result. Islam denies all this. So, saying the Bible has been corrupted is not an accurate statement. The truth is that Islam rejects virtually all of the Bible and what it teaches. 6. Mohamad is the main example of how we should live. This even includes marrying children, as Mohamad married a 6-year-old girl when he was 51 and then consummated the marriage (had sex with her) when she was 10 years old. Marrying children is extremely common among Muslims. The Bible’s Claim About Islam According to the Bible, Islam is completely opposite to what the Bible teaches and is an antichrist religion. This explains why they hate Christians and Jews so much. The Jews believe in the Old Testament, and Christians believe in both the Old and New Testaments. Will the coming Antichrist be a Muslim? Many believe that the Antichrist will be a Muslim. This makes sense as Islam theology believes in a coming world leader called Mahdi. He will make a peace treaty for seven years, rule from the temple in Jerusalem, intend to kill all Jews and Christians and force all people to worship Allah. This Mahdi is exactly what the Bible describes as the Antichrist. Also, there is no other religion that is so against Christians and Jews like Islam. Additionally, Muslims believe Jesus will return to earth from heaven. But in their version of Jesus, he returns as a Muslim and will tell all the Christians that what the Bible says about him is wrong. He will destroy Christianity and demand that everyone convert to Islam and set up Islam as the one world faith. As you can see, Islam is anti-Bible and totally changes what the Bible teaches about the Abrahamic Covenant, which includes a land, a people, and a lineage. And most importantly, it teaches that Jesus was not who the Bible claims He is. Jesus warned about this when He was on earth. In Matthew 24:3-5, when Jesus was talking about the end times it says: “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. What Islam teaches is the very thing Jesus warned believers to be on the lookout for and not to be deceived by it. So, at the root of the conflict we see playing out on the world stage right now is a spiritual conflict that began thousands of years ago and continues to this day. This conflict was experienced and prophesied in Psalm 83: Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” 5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah Islamic World Conquest Through Jihad Explains the Conflicts in Israel The theology of Musli ms is to conquer the world for Allah and institute Muslim rule over the entire world. This rule is also known as Sharia Law. After this is done, they say, then peace will finally come to the world. This is why, since the inception of Islam, Muslims have been engaged in conquering land for Allah. This can be clearly seen in its nearly 1500-year-old history. Therefore, Islam is a violent faith that conquers lands and peoples for Allah by whatever means necessary, as taught in the Quran. We can see this in the following quotes and teachings of Islam. 1. World conquest and Jihad is taught in the Quran and Islamic theology. Quran 8:60: And prepare against them all the power you can muster, and all the cavalry you can mobilize , to thereby Allah’s enemies and your enemies. By using terrorism, governments and people yield to Muslims because of fear. They see the horrifying acts of terrorism and don’t want to make the devoted Muslims angry so they won’t be terrorized. Quran 8:39: Fight them until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes exclusively for Allah. But if they desist—Allah is Seeing of what they do. Quran 47:4: When you encounter those who disbelieve, strike at their necks. Then, when you have routed them, bind them firmly. Then, either release them by grace, or by ransom, until war lays down its burdens. Had Allah willed, He could have defeated them Himself, but He thus tests some of you by means of others. As for those who are killed in the way of Allah, He will not let their deeds go to waste. Quran 9:14: Fight them. Allah will punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them , and heal the hearts of a believing people. Quran 9:29: Fight those who do not believe in Allah. The theology of Islam promotes the raping and sexual slavery of women if it’s done in connection with Jihad. That’s why the men are generally killed, and the women taken into slavery. 2. Jihad groups, like Hamas, use as part of their warfare, placing their rockets and military operations behind women, children, schools, hospitals, mosques, and so forth. This way, when these places are targeted and destroyed, they can cry out that horrific abuses have been done to their innocent places and people. 3. According to the current leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Mahmoud Abbas, no Jews would be allowed to live in the land of Israel unless they converted to Muslim if a State of Palestine was created. This is completely opposite to what the state of Israel allows. Israel has many Arab citizens, has Arabs in their government leadership, and allows for complete freedom of religion. 4. According to a Muslim statement, Muslims should not submit to any form of government that is not Muslim, and no non-Muslim government has the right to rule Muslims. And if they do, Muslims have the duty to dislodge non-Muslim governments from power by any means possible. 5. Under Muslim-run countries, there is no separation of church and state. The government rules as a theocracy for Allah. This is also known as Sharia Law. 6. When Muslims conquer countries, they persecute and pressure non-Muslims to convert, or life will become unbearable for them, even to the point of execution. 7. They also destroy all religious sites like churches, synagogues, and so forth. They do this to show dominance and conquest. This is why they built the Dome of the Rock exactly over where the temple once stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 8. In Islamic Jihad, it is okay to lie to defeat non-Muslims. This is partly what happened with the recent Hamas invasion of Israel at the time of this filming in 2023, where they killed around 1,400 people and kidnapped around 220 people. They told Israel they wanted peace. Therefore, Israel let their guard down and were deceived. 9. It is also commonly promoted that Islam is a peaceful religion. This is done to deceive the ignorant. History and Muslim theology clearly state that Islam’s purpose is to conquer the world for Allah through Jihad, which is war by all means necessary. 10. There are also terrorism and death sentences in Islam for those who leave Islam or convert to another religion. This includes honor killings, imprisonment, and persecution within Muslim-run countries. I have personal Arabic friends living in Israel who have left Islam and are under threat from family members and other Muslims who want to kill them. 11. Many Arabs and Arab Muslims just want to live in peace and live their lives. However, the devoted Islamic Jihadists are the ones causing most of the trouble. That’s why when peace agreements are made between Israel and Arabs, the Jihadists increase their terrorism. This was clearly evidenced by the OSLO agreement that President Bill Clinton oversaw. The peaceful Muslims don’t do or say anything contrary to the Jihadists out of fear for their lives. So, it’s the devoted Jihadists who control most of the Arab countries. Again, the goal of the devoted Jihadists is to conquer the world for Allah. 12. The devoted Jihadists reject peace because, in their view, peace is losing ground and yielding power. According to them, it stops the progress of conquering the world for Allah. 13. The Islamic Resistance Movement, also known as Hamas, is a Palestinian Islamist militant group founded in 1987. The group’s primary objective is to establish an independent Islamic state in all the Holy Land. To accomplish their purpose, they want to eliminate Israel from the Holy Land. Hamas is known for its armed resistance against Israel and has been designated as a terrorist organization by many countries. 14. The group’s charter calls for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic society in what they call “historic Palestine.” Hamas has been governing more than two million Arabs in the Gaza Strip since 2007. 15. In summary, the Quran, Muslim theology, Mohamad’s life, and Muslim history all call for Jihad to punish and fight for Allah in the conquest of the world. Quran 9:14: Fight them. Allah will punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them , and heal the hearts of a believing people. This is what the Bible says about Islamic Jihad. John 16:2-3: They will ban you from the synagogue, yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God . 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father nor Me. Is Israel Occupying the Holy Land Unjustly ? Let’s look at a brief history of the Holy Land. 1. The Holy Land was promised to Abraham and his descendants by God and first inhabited by Abraham in around 2000 BC. This promise would come through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. 2. Later, God commanded the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites from the Holy Land because of their extreme wickedness. This happened in around 1406 BC when the Israelites entered the Promised Land. 3. The nation of Israel became the world’s dominant power under the kingships of King David and King Solomon in around 1000 BC. It was a vast empire. 4. Because Israel disobeyed God in many ways, He allowed foreign countries to conquer and subdue them. Many Jews were exiled. The first conquest happened in 722 BC by the Assyrians and 586 BC by the Babylonians. However, there always remained a Jewish presence in the Holy Land, and Jews returned from exile back to Israel. 5. Over the next 2,500 years, until 1948, the land of Israel would be ruled and occupied by the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Mameluke Muslims, Crusaders, Ottoman Muslims, and the British. However, there always remained a Jewish presence in the Holy Land during all this time. 6. After Israel’s rejection of Christ, their Messiah, God would judge them severely, as prophesied by Jesus. This resulted in the destruction of Israel and Jerusalem in 70 and 132 AD. 7. However, God had a plan and purpose for Israel and prophesied He would regather them into a nation again in the last days. This was fulfilled in 1948. 8. In 1917, the Ottoman Empire fell because of World War I and the League of Nations entrusted the British with overseeing the Holy Land. This included all of the country of Jordan today, as well as all of Israel. 9. At this time, the Ottomans, by formal cession, gave the Holy Land to the League of Nations, who, by international law, gave it to Great Britain, known as the British Mandate, to facilitate a homeland and nation for Israel. 10. After much fighting and tension between Britain, the Jews, and the Arabs, Britain handed the Holy Land over to the UN (United Nations) to facilitate the conflict. 11. In November of 1947, the UN voted to recognize Israel as a state, and the British Mandate would end on May 15, 1948. 12. On May 15, 1948, after Israel was recognized as a state by the UN and the British Mandate ended, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria invaded Israel. Israel was victorious and won the war. 13. Egypt ruled the Gaza Strip, and Jordan ruled the West Bank from 1948-1967. 14. After the Six-Day War in 1967, when Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan were planning an attack on Israel in their attempt to take full possession of Israel, Israel launched a preemptive strike and won the battle. They took possession of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. 15. In 2005, Israel gave the Gaza Strip away to Arab leadership in exchange for peace. They also gave the Sinai Peninsula away to the Egyptians in exchange for peace as well. Therefore, Israel has not occupied the Gaza Strip for many years now. It has been under Arab control since 2005 and under Islamic Hamas leadership since 2007. Hamas receives billions of dollars in aid each year to better the country. Unfortunately, they spend most of it on terrorism and their own personal wealth instead of on building a better country for the people living there. 16. In addition to Israel giving full control to Arab leadership in the Gaza Strip, there are many areas of the Holy Land where Arabs have full control. 17. Most Arabs living in Israeli-controlled areas are very happy as the standard of living is much higher. The Arab-controlled areas, and especially the Gaza Strip, are where the standard of living is very low. 18. Today, there are around 9 million Jews and 2.1 million Arabs living in Israel. Many of the Arabs vote, serve in the military, hold office, are parliament and supreme court members, university professors, and doctors. They are very happy, peaceful, and supportive of the state of Israel. 19. Israel has accepted every two-state solution in the Holy Land, but Arab leadership has rejected every proposal. The Arab leadership wants Israel removed entirely from the Holy Land. This is their stated goal. Therefore, Arab leadership does not want peace but the elimination of the state of Israel. 20. It would be good to mention that there have been wars since the beginning of time. Kingdoms have risen and fallen. If Israel is wrongly occupying the land, then should the Muslims give back all the land they conquered over 1500 years and possess today? For that matter, should every country over the entire history of the world return conquered land? And if so, how far back do we go? War is just a reality of this fallen world, and it’s unrealistic to return all land to its original occupiers. And if we use history as the measure of the right to occupy land, then Israel has more rights to the land because they conquered it in 1406 BC. The Muslim Arabs didn’t conquer it until around 631 AD, then lost it later. 21. In all of the history of the Holy Land, there has never been a Palestinian State. In fact, as mentioned earlier, the term Palestinian fell out of use after the Byzantine conquest of Israel in around 324 AD and wasn’t used again until around 1948. 22. The main reason Israel is now against a two-state solution is that if they give the West Bank to Arab leadership, they will have the same issue they face today with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. From the West Bank, rockets could then reach every part of Israel, and their existence would be threatened. And with the stated intent of Muslim Arab leadership to totally eliminate the Jews, this would be a dangerous reality. Israel Becoming a Nation Fulfills Bibl e Prophecy In Ezekiel chapter 37 is a vision Ezekiel received about a valley of dry bones. These bones represent the nation of Israel and how God would regather them into their homeland in the last days. This was fulfilled in 1948 when Israel was recognized by the UN and the International Community as being its own country. Ezekiel 37:11-14: Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the entire house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am going to open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. 14 And I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land . Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’” This amazing prophecy has been fulfilled and lets us know that the Bible is God’s word and true, as only God knows the future. We must realize that the creation of Israel as a state is God’s doing. It fulfills His master plan for the nation of Israel. God is the Lord and owner of everything, so we must realize it is His will for the nation of Israel to exist. Nothing will change His plans. Therefore, the fact that Israel is a state is ultimately by God’s sovereign work and plan, not people’s. Faith Lesson 1. The Quran and Islam theology promote Jihad to conquer the world for Allah and force all to convert to Islam so it is the one world religion. When this happens, according to Muslims, then peace will come to the entire world. 2. The main source of the conflicts moving forward will come from Islamic-run countries. Their goal is to conquer the world for Allah by whatever means necessary. This includes every kind of terror imaginable. Therefore, they will be the main players in events moving forward. 3. It’s very logical and probable that the Antichrist will be a Muslim. As we have seen, in Muslim theology, a prophesied future Muslim leader will rule from the Temple Mount over the entire world for seven years. 4. Now, while the Islamic-run countries who will be against Israel in the last days think they are fighting against Israel, they are really fighting against God almighty. This is a war no one can win. 5. There will be a growing hatred against Israel and Christians in these last days. This can even be seen today in 2023, as the UN, with overwhelming support, called for Israel to stop its military campaign to defend itself by taking out Hamas in the Gaza Strip. I wonder what each of these countries would do if they had Hamas launching endless rockets into their countries and killing thousands and kidnapping hundreds of its citizens. I’m sure they would defend themselves. 6 . God has a plan for Israel, and He will be the one who defends them supernaturally. God will fulfill this major prophecy as He has fulfilled every other one. You can count on that. Zechariah 12:1-5: The oracle of the word of the Lord concerning Israel: Thus declares the Lord, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him: 2 “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples . The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it . 4 On that day, declares the Lord, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But for the sake of the house of Judah I will keep my eyes open, when I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5 Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the Lord of hosts, their God.’ 7 . God loves both the Jews and Muslims, and for that matter, all people and desires that everyone comes to salvation through Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish , but that all should reach repentance. 8. As we see these end times events unfolding before our eyes, we need to realize that God is in control and working out everything according to His good purposes. Therefore, we should be at peace, trusting in God, a nd certain we are right with God and ready for His return.