Israel: Where the Bible Comes Alive
Once you've been to Israel, you'll never read your Bible the same. A friend who had traveled to Israel a few times told me that before I took my first trip over to the country. I wasn't sure what he meant, but once I arrived, I understood immediately. That was over ten years ago and I just returned from my second trip from the land of David, the Prophets and Jesus. Israel is a beautiful country with its Mediterranean lifestyle and diverse people. Farms that produce some of the best tasting fruits (bananas, pears, oranges) and vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes) cover the land. And there is no better place to eat bread and cheese than Israel.What separates Israel from other places is, of coarse, Israel itself. For such a small Middle Eastern country, Israel is the center of the world in politics and religion. That's a lot to say for a country that is no bigger than New Jersey. It is the land and people that God has chosen that make Israel so special. As you travel through the country, you can't help but have a better understanding of Scripture. To see the places that Abraham and David lived and walked gives you a fresh perspective when reading the Old Testament. As you ride a boat on the Sea of Galilee, you imagine yourself almost two thousand years back, sailing with Jesus and His disciples.
While we traveled to the next destination, our guide would lead us in songs. One song in particular has stuck with me since I've been home. The song talks about how as the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds His people. Driving through the mountains to get to Jerusalem, you can see the truth in what we sang. It's amazing to see how often Jesus used the landscape, the world that He created, to communicate His truth to all those that would listen. If you've never been to Israel, I would urge you to go. Maybe sacrifice a few nights out at the local pizza place and put the money you save into your "Israel trip" jar. You'll be filled up in a much richer way.
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on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 7:22 AM.
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We had a fabulous trip!! It is so true -- I now read the Bible and can visualize the places we visited of biblical historical significance.
It is a beautiful country!!
Susan and Steve Smith
I loved the time out there and hope to return in the near future. Recently, I've had the chance to share my experience with my church and have seen others get excited about the possibility of going. Great trip!
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