The Territory of Benjamin

This post is just a little of what we've been up to.

Today was the first day we were able to see green fields and pastures. It gave me a little taste of home and fresh air. Whether it was the stark contrast of a desert wilderness and rocky Jerusalem where we started the day, or just a long awaited oasis, it was a nice to get a flavor of green, lush grass again.

The best part of the trip for me was at Solomon’s gate. This may have been due to a stark contrast again, but I really enjoyed the view and scenery here. I had a hard time imagining Old Testament Jericho with it being so built up around it. It was basically a mound of dirt with some holes in it, but the restaurant and tourist center in the background really threw me off. I’ve learned that you need your imagination a lot in the Holy Land, but even this spot was hard for me. New Testament Jericho, though more tucked away, was hard for me to imagine, too. Easier to visualize, but it was not the lush oasis that it once appeared to be- just some foundation stones and one small piece of red rock that was evidence for an ornate building. But at Solomon’s temple, more than anywhere else we’ve visited thus far; I could picture backdrop and setting, because it was relatively out in the open. I could picture the entrance to the city with trees covering the mountains leading up to it, with some fields in the valley in front. This seemed like a greater Biblical picture that I’ve been craving since I got here. I can imagine people coming and going, people sitting on each side of the gate as people pass through, guards looking at over top, armies advancing to take the city, etc, etc. The seclusion and setting of this excavation was unlike anything I’ve seen so far. My imagination could be turned off for a bit, and my visualization could be awakened momentarily.

With much love,

Sos