TUESDAY: Still Overwhelmed

It's Tuesday and I'm still overwhelmed. And we still haven't made it to Jerusalem yet. I don't know that my mind and emotions can take it . . . but my soul sure is ready!

The day started out at Capharnahum, also known as the Village of Comfort as Jesus most likely spent a lot of time here. This is said to be the area that Peter is from and that Jesus may have had a house there (according to archeological finds).

In this same area, the Bible talks of the the many miracles that Christ performed. As you walk along the cypress and olive trees in the beautiful gardens, it's almost like you are there. I could close my eyes, listen to the sound around me, and completely understand why Christ loved this area around Galilee so much.

Next, we went on to hike near tel Dan. The hike was amazing . . . hard on the knees . . . but beautiful none the less.

In the Old Testament, this area was known as the temple and city of Dan where idols were worshipped. Interesting fact, the people of Dan were into idol worship because they needed something to feel/see/touch. Senses of the flesh. No faith involved at all. All about the wants and desires of the people.

In the New Testament, this area was known as Caeserea Philipi. Still into idol worship, but Messiah came and declared that each person must make the decision of whom they will serve and follow. He is God in the good times and the bad times. He's constant. As opposed to the idols that if they didn't work, then they would be broken, burned, etc. and a new one brought in. What a sad way to lead life. No hope whatsoever.

Another little tidbit that I found interesting about the Jewish culture . . . when numbers are written out in the teens, they are written as 10+2 which reads as 12, 10+4 which reads as 14. However, to read 15, it is written as 9+6 because if it was written out as 10+5, it would be the same as reading the word Yhwh which is the hliest name of God and you can not under any circumstance utter this name because it is holy. Oh, that we had such reverance!