Pool of Siloam

We were also able to visit the newly excavated Pool of Siloam after going through the tunnel. We are sitting on the steps that descend to the area of the ancient pool. While there with the students we reviewed the story of the man born blind, as related in John chapter 9.

Israel vs the Philistines / Valley of Elah

This field trip took us to the Plain of Philistia and to Judea’s southwestern low hill country, known as the Shephelah. We spent the day going to the five valleys; Ajalon, Sorek, Elah, Guvrin, and Lachish. We reviewed the origin, culture and history of the Philistines, where they lived and their relationship with Israel through the years.

Azekah and the brook in the Valley of Elah formed the setting for David’s combat against the Philistine giant Goliath in the time of Saul’s kingship. With the help of Daniel and some of our students, we had a reader’s theater and acted out the story of David and Goliath. Each of the students collected stones and practiced shooting their stones with the slings.

Israel vs the Philistines Field Trip / Sorek Valley

Beth Shemesh was the fortified Israelite town that guarded the Sorek Valley against the Philistine penetration of the highlands. The nearby towns provided the setting for Samson’s story. Samson was raised across the valley in Zorah(Judges 13) and married a Philistine woman from Timnah. (Judges 14)

Israel vs the Philistines Field Trip / Lachish

Lachish was a greatly fortified citadel-palace, with a double

wall, by the divided Monarchy Kings of Judah. When Hezekiah ceased paying tribute to Assyria, in 701 BC, Assyrians under

Sennacherib attacked and took Lachish before Jerusalem.

Quruntul Monastery in Jericho

After visiting the Jericho tell, a highlight was visiting a monastery. We enjoyed a nice walk up the steep path to a monastery located literally on the mountainside. It was on the cliff-side of the traditional Mt of Temptation. The monks welcomed us into the monastery, which commemorates the area where Christ spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness. The students were incredibly respectful of the site and that led to a very thought provoking time contemplating the many monks over the centuries that have sought solitude in their quest to find God.

Jericho

This week we went to Jericho and saw the remains of the old city. We blew a ram’s horn and sang the favorite, “Joshua fit the battle of Jericho.”