Today, November 8th, is day number three (or, is it 2 and a half?). I have heard it said, "no rest for the weary". That was the case after landing in Tel Aviv. With the difference in time zones (8 of them, I think), an early afternoon take off in New Jersey became an early morning arrival nearly 11 hours later in Tel Aviv.
Even though desired, it was too early to go to sleep. After arriving, our bodies were ready for sleep, but the sun was up and too late. To complicate matters, my Rabbi friend sitting next to me was restless most of the trip. Although he nodded off a few times, I think he was having problems getting comfortable in those tiny seats. He was as big a man as I.
After collecting our luggage and checking through customs, we were introduced to our guide, Rafi. Within about an hour, we were loading onto our bus and preparing to depart the airport for the heart of Tel Aviv.
Our first stop was Independence Hall. This is where it began for modern Israel. It was here David ben Gurion headed a group of fellow brethren in declaring Israeli independence. On the afternoon of May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation once again--for the first time in nearly 2500 years.
Out of little more than a sand dune in April of 1909, sixty six families parceled off plots outside the old city of Jaffa. Homes with running water were built for each family. Land was reserved for a school and public buildings. By 1910, the city received the official name of Tel (old) Aviv (spring, or new). Hence, something old and something new.
Just before lunch and about an hour free time to explore shops in the market place, our tour stopped at Rabin Square. It was on this site on that tragic day in November 1995, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by an Israeli right wing radical who opposed the Oslo accords.
After lunch and window shopping in the market place, our tour headed toward the ancient city of Jaffa. At an age of more than 4000 years, it is the oldest in the region.
Jaffa has seen much through its storied centuries dating from at least the times of the Pharaohs in the 14th century BCE. Jonah sailed from Jaffa in running from divine orders to go to Nineveh. Cedar and other supplies for Solomon's temple arrived in Jaffa from Lebanon.
Spread through the Book of Acts, Jaffa (Joppa) shows heavy apostolic activity. It was home to "a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas" (Acts 9: 36). When this lady died, Peter was summoned from nearby Lydda where in Jaffa he raised her from the dead (Acts 9: 40).
It was home to Simon the tanner. Following this miracle, Peter spent many days dwelling in Jaffa with Simon. As would be expected, news of this miracle traveled like wildfire, as is written in 9: 42. "And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on Adonai". It even traveled to Caesarea. But, that's for my next post.
From the time of the apostles until now, Jaffa has seen the Romans, the Crusaders, the Ottomans, Napoleon, the British, and now Israel. It is one thing to read of these accounts in the Bible and on pages of reference books. Yet, it is totally another to actually walk on these cobblestone streets and walkways, see the visible remains of cultures long past, and know in my spirit it will very soon be a thriving part of Messiah's kingdom.
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