Sunday was an amazing day in Israel! We met our orthodox Jewish guide, Avi, who was amazing. Avi is a former broadway singer, body guard to the Israeli prime minister, and shooting instructer. He's one bad dude in a kosher body.
Avi took us to Mount Ebal and Mount Gerazim, overlooking the ancient city of Shechem. It was from these two mountains that the ancient Israelites called out the blessings and curses of the Lord over themselves as a people. Blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience. This was the prophetic act that provided the framework for the rest of the Old Testament.
We then went to Shiloh, which for 369 years was the dwelling place of the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant. This was the place where Hannah cried out for a child and the place where she gave the young Samuel to the Lord. We stood and worshiped on the ruins of the tabernacle itself, over the very place that generations ago was the holy of holies, the place where the Lord's Spirit dwelt between the cheribim of the ark. It was a surreal experience to say the least.
Finally, we went to Bethel, and laid our heads on what seems to be the very stone where Jacob rested his head as he dreamed about the stairway to heaven. Afterwards, we returned to our ministry base to share and worship together.
The team seems to be doing great. All are healthy and in good spirits. The trip has thus far been everything we could have hoped for and more. We'll update again tomorrow. Shalom from Israel. Bob and Holly
No comments:
Post a Comment