Lee-zards

According to the Levitical laws, lizards such as this one from Israel, were considered "unclean."

"And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole" (Leviticus 11:30).

Lizards are not my favorite reptile (actually, I don't have a favorite reptile!), but when I see a lizard I invariably think of our friend Betty Ann Smith, who lives in Florida. That is lizard territory. One time when we were at Betty Ann's house, she saw a lizard in her garage. She screamed loudly and quickly came back into the house, scared. 

Betty Ann is from Jamaica and speaks Jamaican English. 

"Brother Bill, Brother Bill," she said to my husband, "There is a big lee-zard in the garage. You must get it out for me!" 

She indicated the size of the "lee-zard." Bill said it was not more than four inches long (including the tail), much smaller than Betty Ann's indicated dimensions, but she is terribly afraid of the creatures so they seem bigger than life to her.

Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves

We photographed these doves as we walked atop Jerusalem's walls. Bill took some pictures of a Palestinian viper he saw in Korazin, but I will spare you from having to look at a picture of a snake!

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: 

be ye therefore wise as serpents, 

and harmless as doves.

Matthew 10:16

The Seven Species of the Land of Israel

For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;

Deuteronomy 8:7-8

During biblical times, these two types of grain and five different fruits were staple foods. Although they are all still readily available in Israel, the Jewish diet has expanded to include many more foods. 

The seven species are mentioned often in the Bible, literally and figuratively.   

Chorazin

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:21