Jordan River

When I was a kid, I pictured the Jordan River as majestic, wide, and intimidating. None of those adjectives now apply to this famous river. It is muddy and dirty, so narrow that those of us used to mighty rivers such as the Mississippi and the Missouri would classify it as just a step above a creek. 

The Jordan River separates Israel from Jordan. These two water-poor countries share the Jordan River. Irrigation depletes much of the water and industrial waste pollutes it.

We have crossed the river several times, always in a bus. I must say that, although the river is far from the most beautiful in the world, I always get thrilled when I see it.

Somewhere along this river, Joshua and the children of Israel walked through its dry riverbed (Joshua 3). Elijah parted the river with his mantle (II Kings 2:8). Namaan the Syrian was healed of his leprosy when he obeyed the prophet Elisha and dipped in the water seven times (II Kings 5:14). John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan (John 3:13).

Honestly, it does no matter to me that the Jordan River is not majestic and beautiful. It is enough that this is the river that provided the backdrop for some of the Bible's greatest accounts of God's miraculous power working in the lives of mankind. 

Jordan River as seen from the Sheikh Hussein Bridge

The Dead Sea

Bill finally decided to check out the salty Dead Sea. It is amazing how it makes your skin feel, not really slimy, and not sticky either; it is hard to describe. I must admit that I like the Dead Sea. It is kind of fun to play in the mud, although it is rather messy!

Rujm al-Malfouf

Within one mile of our apartment in Jebel Amman, Jordan, is Rujm al-Malfouf, a largely unknown archaeological site. When I discovered how close it was, I could not resist the walk.

One day, while Bill was in a business meeting that I did not need to attend, I meandered through the medical district, crossed busy Zahran Street, and walked past the Iranian Embassy and other heavily guarded compounds and homes to finally arrive at Rujm al-Malfouf.

The gate was locked but an old man in the Jordan Department of Antiquities’ guard shack had a key. He could not speak English but another man translated for me, telling the old man that I wanted to go inside the gate.

Rujm al-Malfouf is definitely not the most impressive archaeological site I have ever visited, but it is interesting nonetheless. Here in the heart of bustling Amman, is this large, circular tower that is well over 2,500 years old. Built in the Iron Age by the ancient Ammonites, it was later reused during Roman times. 

“Rujm” means “hilltop” and “malfouf” roughly translates to “round tower,” an appropriate definition for a round tower that was built on top of a hill. With a diameter of 72 feet and height of 18 feet, the tower was well fortified, had at least two to three floors, and several rooms. When it was first built, it may have been taller than its present 18 feet. Adjoining the tower, which was constructed of limestone slabs, are ruins of a cluster of small rooms. 

Because archaeologists have been unable to precisely date the construction of the tower, no one is certain why it was built. Some speculate that it served as a fortification for the Ammonites against enemy aggressors. The tower could have served as a watchtower and/or a signal tower. It is also likely that the tower and adjoining rooms were built to store harvested crops. In all probability, it served many purposes throughout the last two-and-a-half millennia.

As I walked around the ruins, I noticed that in view behind the tower, a few kilometers away, a skyscraper was being constructed. How fitting, I thought, an old tower and a new tower. I let my mind try to imagine what it must have been like 2,500 years ago, as an ancient, long-forgotten people called the Ammonites began to build Rujm al-Malfouf.

What an undertaking that must have been! I imagined planning sessions, the recruitment of laborers, and day after day of hard work until a structure was created that still stands today. 

I could not help but wonder if that skyscraper looming in the sky above modern Amman, constructed with the use of computer-generated architectural plans, power tools, heavy machinery, and solid steel will still be standing 2,500 years from now. I won’t be around to find out, but I cannot help but admire those ancient people who constructed Rujm al-Malfouf so efficiently – with only their brains and brawn. It has stood the test of time. The builders are forgotten, but not what they built.

I find a lesson here. I will also one day be forgotten by humanity, but my contributions to the kingdom of God will stand the test of time. How true are the words penned by Charles Studd: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Zarb

While working in Jordan in 2009, we visited Aqaba and stayed in a hostel called Darna Village. We noticed this goat right away...a cute little thing. 

But the next day it was gone. 

Turns out that it had become Zarb, a traditional Bedouin dish. Meat (in this case, goat) is cooked in an underground oven and served with vegetables and rice. 
                         

BEFORE

AFTER

Just in case you are wondering, we did not order Zarb for dinner. 

Caesarea Maritima Aqueduct

The Romans were masters of innovative construction. Stone aqueducts were one of their specialities. Tapping the power of gravity, aqueducts carried water to otherwise water-deficient population centers. This aqueduct, located in Caesarea Maritima along the Mediterranean coast in Israel, was 11 miles long. The water was carried along the top of the stone structure. It is absolutely amazing to think that this was done without the use of any modern equipment or machinery.

Just to the south of the aqueduct are ruins of the city of Caesarea Maritima, built by Herod the Great. We did not have time to tour the ruins, but maybe we will be able to do so in the future. Herod built a harbor out into the sea itself and the ruins can still be seen by those willing to take a dive. We will stay ashore, since we are not divers and there are many city ruins on land, but it is fascinating to think about such a massive undertaking accomplished so long ago.



Caesarea Maritima should not be confused with Caesarea Philippi, which is a city located in the northern part of Israel near Tel Dan.

Temple Model

In Jerusalem, at the Israel Museum, you can view a 50:1 scale model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period (Herod's Temple). Completed in 1966 by Michael Avi-Yonah, it provides a terrific visual of what Jerusalem looked like during Jesus' day and shortly before it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.

 

 

 

Zippori

Zippori, sometimes called Sepphoris, is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, although it was first established during the First Temple Period (the time of Solomon's Temple). It is only a few kilometers from Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. It was a thriving city at that time, so it is quite likely that Jesus walked its streets. It is located in a fertile and beautiful area of the Galilee region.

 

This photo - here uncropped - served as the cover for Book One of the Walking Ancient Paths book series.

Mosaics are a main feature of Zippori. They served as flooring for wealthier families.

Amazing, intricate designs carved into stone.

The detail in these mosaics is astounding. 

What a road!

A pile of artifacts awaiting an archaeologist's attention for reconstruction.

Three layers of civilization revealed in seating styles.
Hint: The oldest is the top tier that is blocked off because the rows of seats are not in good condition. 

View from Zippori

One of many date palms that dot the area.

Swarming Locusts in Israel

Check out Swarming locusts descend on Israel to learn about locusts that are creating trouble for Israel and Egypt right now. 

When Bill and I visited Eilat in southern Israel, on the border of Egypt, in 2011, we met a lady who said she remembered seeing the sky blackened one day. She did not know what it was at first, but found out it was a plague of locusts. 

How can people so flippantly discount the reliability of the Bible? All you have to do is read and study a little to discover that the Bible is supported by history, science, archaeology, and even current events. This modern plague of locusts calls to mind that time long ago when Moses was preparing the children of Israel to depart from Egypt. It is easy to picture it happening then when you have footage of it happening in the same area today.