Day 5 - Friday

Today was an educational day.  Our guide, Tamara taught us as we headed north on the bus from Tiberius to Tel Dan.  The name, Dan dates back to the 12 tribes of Israel.  There numerous old ruins there.  These included an altar built by King Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25-30).  He was one of the sons of King Solomon.  There was a Canaanite gate dating back to the year about 1500 BC.  This area is also known because it is one of the sources of the Jordan River.  To an Israeli person, the sounds of the water rushing in Tel Dan is a wonderful sound because it means that a large amount of water is being fed into the Jordan. 

This is a picture of the river rushing toward the Jordan river.

This is a picture of the Canaanite gate from about 1500BC.  A replica of the gate is gray in the front.  The gate in the back (red/orange) is the remaining portion of the gate preserved when it was covered by sand.

The picture above is from Caesarea Philippi.  It was originally used to worship the Roman god, Pan.  He was an idol, his body looked half man and half goat.  This area was believed to be the gates of Hades.  It is also believed by most theologians but not our guide to be where Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was.  Peter answered, "the Son of God".  Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the Gates of Hades will not stand against it."

This was the most wonderful and amazing part of the trip so far.  We were able to baptize most of our group.  One for the first time but the others rededicated their lives to Christ.  This is Larry and I baptizing Terry.

It was an amazing day!