Ephraim

Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.  John 11:54

Today, Ephraim is called Taybeh (spelled different ways).  After our time learning about shepherding, we went to this town that is mainly Arab Christian.  There is no mosque located here at all.

There is a 1st century house in this town that we were able to see.

 Jim told us that this home was probably similar to a home Mary and Joseph would have lived in.

 The main living area of this style house was built over a cave (basement) that held livestock.  When you entered this home, the livestock area is to the left.

An animal feeding trough, not the guest room, welcomed our King.

You have to climb a few steps up to the living room.

 Grain was kept in the wall.  You would pull out a plug and grain would fall into these holes.

 Behind the wall and up a few steps was the "kataluma" or guest room.

 Al taking a few notes outside of the church at this town.

We were able to use the restrooms by the church.

We found out that in most places, you cannot flush the paper.  You must put it in the trash can.

After our restroom break, we went on to Caesarea-Maritime.

Israel trip - Shepherds

I have always loved the image of the Good Shepherd.

"He tends His flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them close to His heart;

He gently leads those that have young."

Isaiah 40:11

Allen's grandmother gave me this old painting.

"I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me."  John 10:14                                  

As we left Jerusalem, we came upon this field with sheep grazing in it.

 There was a flock of goats in another field. 

 "He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."  Matthew 25:32

Our bus driver parked the bus and we got out and walked to look over the field.  

The shepherds came to see what was going on.

While our driver visited with the shepherds, Jim spoke to us about sheep.

This is a sheep fold.  The sheep are placed here overnight to protect them.  In the Biblical times, there were leopards, bears, wolves and lions in the land.

 Jim B. sits in the "gate" of the sheepfold.   

"The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.  The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."  John 10:2-4

"Jesus said again, 'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep....I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." John 10:7,9

 The donkey keeps the herd calm.

We came across many shepherds while we visited Israel.  The Bedouin live in shacks, but we were told that they are really quite wealthy people.

Little children are taught how to take care of the sheep.  As each sheep can cost $500-$600 each, the children first tend their flock close to home.

 

As they become more responsible, they are then able to take the herd further away from home.

My friend, Joyce, gave me the painting below.

I love that He is a Rescuer.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." John 10:11

 I could not resist purchasing the shepherd with lamb olive wood figurine to bring back with me to put beside the photo of my "little lambs".

Late Easter

Since we were in Israel over Easter (which I'll post about later), we had a late Easter celebration today at the folks'.  My brother and his wife and their dog, Gracie, drove down from KC. 

Getting started

Our first day began with a scrumptious breakfast that included cheesecake squares, pita bread, lots of veggies and my favourite, persimmons!   I grabbed an extra persimmon for lunch.  LOVE them!  We had them in Japan when I was a kid.

After breakfast, we boarded our tour bus (the one in the middle).

We were told to find 2 other "buddies".  Whenever we got back on the bus following an excursion, we were to make sure they were on board so that no one would be left behind.  My "buddies" were Jan and  Louise, and Al's were their husbands, Chris and Bill.

First stop was at this grocery store.  We were to purchase items for our lunches for the next few days.

 

Because Obama was in Jerusalem, there were road blocks everywhere, so Jim felt it was best to leave town.  But first he wanted to give us an overview of the surrounding area.

Looking outside of town toward Jericho and the Jordan Valley.

Then looking at Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.  The rectangular, salmon colored building on the top right of the hill is the King David hotel where Obama stayed.

As we left town, Jim pointed out this hill - called the Hill of Saul.  It is where King Saul had dwelt and where David would have played his harp for him (1 Samuel 16:23).  From on top of this hill, he would have had a good view of the valley.

Do you see the unfinished building to the right?  It was to be the Royal Palace of King Hussein of Jordan, intended to be his summer residence.  Construction started in the mid 1960's but was interrupted when Israel captured the area after the 1967 war.

In this valley below, Jonathan and his armor bearer crossed to attack the enemy (1 Samuel 14).  Back in those days, this area would have been forested.  In the 1500's, during the Turk invasion, the people were taxed according to how many trees they had, so  they chopped them down!

When we signed up for this trip, we assumed that we would see lots of Biblical sites and Jim would tell us the history of each location.  BUT, we were in for much more!  We were to learn many lessons and in fact have felt like we have taken a seminary course!  We were blown away and it will take a long time to process it all.

The Bible is timeless.  Its truths are secure and solid as stone.  We can read in the Bible "prophet's warning, a patriarch's prayer, a poet's psalm, or a preacher's challenging reminder." (Swindoll) The Book of books lives on.

It is an ancient Book, but it has never lost its relevance. God speaks through this Living Word; His very thoughts spoken to us.  Do we listen?

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12