The time to go up to Jerusalem has finally come. The first stop on our journey to Yah's Holy City is a special place on the Jordan River.for "mikvah" (Hebrew baptism). Several of those within our tour group entered the waters of the River Yardin as a cleansing before ascending to Jerusalem. Such is a requirement of Torah before going up to the temple.
It was not difficult to imagine John the Baptist standing in these waters presumed to be the very spot where he baptized Yeshua. This secluded part of the Yardin is surrounded by lush green trees and vegetation. The air was cool and refreshing, and the not so clear (muddy) water of the river was loaded with fish. Except for my eager anticipation of Jerusalem, I think I could have stayed here for the rest of the day. I even mused in my mind about parking my RV along these waters and staying on a more permanent basis.
Our journey south from Tiberius took us along the Yardin through the West Bank territory along Israel's border with the country of Jordan toward the villiage of Bet She'an. This little town contains the remains of an ancient city almost totally Roman. Roman architecture can be seen throughout, including the remains of tall columns, statues, and marketplaces. In the most prominent place in the city was a 7,000 seat Roman theater with a stage large enough to accommodate any large orchestra or musical entourage of our day.
After a stop at "Genesis Land" for lunch with a modern day Abraham and his family (SueJean has written about this stop on our "Tsiyon Bound" blog), our tour bus made the final turn for Jerusalem. My feelings on this leg of our journey were mixed. On one hand, I was finally achieving my lifelong dream of entering the Holy City of YHVH. I longed to walk its streets and be in the center of His presence. Yet, on the other hand, I knew (and dreaded) what I knew I would see when I first arrived.
The sight of this city is grand and beautiful, literally built atop the mountains within its limits. All of these mountains rise high above the central of the mountains, Mt. Moriah, affording literally millions of people to observe temple services below. This is the mountain known in Scripture as the "Temple Mount".
Mt. Moriah is the site where Abraham was instructed by YHVH to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. It is also the mountain upon which sat temples built by Solomon and Zerubbabel, and expanded upon by Herod. It is also the site of the return of our Messiah. He will return to the Mount of Olives that sits high above the Eastern Gate of the old city, walk triumphantly through that gate, and enter His temple where His Word will forever go forth.
It is the current condition of this mountain that was the focal point of my dread. As our tour bus wound its way through the mountains of this magnificent city, Mount Moriah came into view. There I saw the unholy golden dome sitting in the exact spot on which the former temples sat. With the sight of the dome and accompanying mosque, my heart sank. Yet, on the other hand, I joyed in knowing this scourge will be soon destroyed, with the mountain cleansed and graced with the final temple of our Adonai.
After a brief communion and special prayer service at a promenade overlooking Moriah, we hurried to a marketplace in Jerusalem to buy some food, snacks, and other goodies in preparation for Sabbath. The hustle and bustle of the people was at its apex. Streets were packed with vehicles and walkways with people. Yet, the experience was very enjoyable. I was even blessed through a conversation with a young Orthodox rabbi that also claimed roots in Texas. He seemed to enjoy the fact that I considered my cowboy hat to be a "Texas Kippa".
As we stood on the street corner waiting for our tour bus to pick us up, we noticed two rabbis in fancy outfits walking down the street. They would stop at the entrance of each shop, blow a short blast from their shofar, and say loudly to the shop owner, "time to close up". The sun was only an hour or so from setting, and shabbat was upon us. Our tour bus has arrived and soon we will be at our hotel, streets will be bare and silent, and the city will rest for a day. More of our tour will come in the next post.
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