The Peace Of Jerusalem

After a day of rest, the city and its inhabitants awoke to resume the routine of life.  After breakfast, our tour headed for the old city.  Through the Jaffa gate and into the Jewish quarter, we walked down narrow cobblestone streets lined with shops.  There would be plenty of time for shopping, but first there were sites to see.


Highlights among these sites were David's tomb and the "Upper Room".  There remains some questions as to the exact location of David's tomb, yet it is traditionally accepted to be on "Mount Tsiyon" in a part of Jerusalem called "The City of David".  Neither is to be confused with the Temple Mount or the old or modern city of Jerusalem, even though common attributions are often made.  The City of David sits on a small hill (Mount Tsiyon) to the side of Mount Moriah.


The tomb of David sits on the first floor of an ancient building.  Just above his resting place, on the second floor, is the supposed location of the "Upper Room" where Yeshua celebrated Passover with His disciples.  All of the first floor and part of the second floor date at least to the time of Messiah.  The rest of the site has been renovated.  We were told there actually was a third floor that more likely was the the original site of this Passover feast.


After some free time for shopping and exploring this part of the old city, and a little rest back at the hotel, we were treated with an evening trip to two specific sites.  The first site, the "Western Wall", also referred to as the "Wailing Wall", is known in Jerusalem as "The Kotel".  This wall is not the western wall of the old city, but, rather, the western wall of the Temple Mount.  

Approaching the Kotel, the view is breath taking.  The wall extends several scores of feet up from the floor and has multiples of tree and other vegetation roots protruding from between its large stones.  There is a bridge to the right of the wall that extends to the top of the Mount.  Of course, it has been closed off with access restricted only to muslims.   There are also scores of armed Israeli soldiers all around the Kotel, some with whom I was able to cordially speak.


The floor area near the wall is made up of two sections, one designated for men and the other for women.  As I entered my section, I encountered some elder Orthodox rabbis.  One particular gentleman took special notice of the "tzitzis" I was wearing.  I told him I was from Texas and wore them because I kept Torah.  Many Orthodox Jews are amazed there are others besides Jews that keep the Torah of Moses.  


At first, I thought he might be challenging my right to enter the area.  Yet, with a smile on his face, he eagerly gestured for me to continue on.  For a few moments, I wandered around within the area just taking in the awesome, up-close view.  Then, I approached the wall and prayed, concluding as Scripture says--"pray for the Peace of Jerusalem".  Of course, Yeshua is the Prince of Peace.  One day, as a member of the house of Ephraim, I will join my brethren of Judah in a walk up a cleansed Mount Moriah to worship Messiah Yeshua. 


After leaving the Kotel, we entered the "Rabbi's Tunnel"--literally under the old city.  As far as the western wall extends above ground, it may extend nearly as far below.  As was the case in other parts of Israel, the city appears to have been built layer upon layer.  From sections of mosaic tile flooring to a large water cistern, Israeli archeology teams are finding striking evidence of Hebrew presence centuries before the time of Yeshua. 


Naturally, the muslim community and other anti-Israel crowds have staunchly objected to these diggings, and will likely continue until the return of Yeshua our Messiah.  Even so, YHVH's people will always bring out the truth of their past.  In the face of all objections, His glory will always be manifested.  In my next post, I will describe one such foolish objection, or obstruction if you will, of epic proportions that is almost laughable.