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Concluding the Trip - Nov. 20

Got up in the morning and walked to the Mediterranean beach.  Betty needed to sleep in.  She had spent several nights in deep intercession beside our tight traveling schedule.  As for me, I was hungry for the waves, ocean breeze and private, free time with Jesus.

There were few people scattered around.  I sat down on a beach chair, read few verses and worshipped.  A young partner from the same bus came.  (His name seemed to be Don.)  I shot a couple of photos for him.  He usually stayed at the back bus door and helped the ladies walk down the stairs.  He was studying in the Bible school run by Kenneth Haggin’s son and taught to serve whenever possible.  He said he would like to come back to Israel for a six-month or one-year study program.  He is a personal trainer and works with athletes.

The Mediterranean waves by the hotel were much milder than the Pacific Ocean by the California coast and the Atlantic Ocean by Portugal coast.  The water was warm and beautifully blue.  The sandy floor was shallow quite few hundred yards into the water.  I played in the water, walked out farther and swam.  Did Jesus ever come here and set foot in the ocean water 2000 years ago?  I wondered as I marveled and absolutely enjoyed the sunshine, breeze and Mediterranean waves.

Breakfast and Apology

After cleaning up, Betty and I had breakfast by the window with an open ocean view.  Elisabeth walked by the buffet table.  I grabbed her and apologized.  She and Claudine were roommates and sat together one row in front of Betty and I on the bus.  In Tiberias, coming back to our seats and while Elisabeth was busy picking things up on the floor, I asked her to let Claudine in.  Both of us were a little irritated.  I felt bad and ask the Lord about this.  Praise Him!  He granted the opportunity.  Right then and there, Elisabeth appeared.  We hugged each other.  The Lord made everything in this morning extra wonderful.

Valley of Elah

We headed back to Jerusalem for more Holy Land sightseeing.  We stopped by the Valley of Elah.  This was where Saul and Israelites camped and drew the battle line to meet the Philistines.  The Israelites occupied one hill and the Philistines the other, with the valley between them.  For 40 days, morning and evening, Goliath taunted the Israelites.  Then, David came.  He picked five smooth stones from the stream, took his sling to meet Goliath and declared the battle was the Lord’s.  He slung one shot on Goliath’s forehead, took his head and triumphed.  [1 Samuel 17]

We strolled along the dry riverbed and hunted smooth stones.  I picked up five small ones and felt funny about bringing stones back home as souvenir.  Would there be enough for all tourists to take home year after year?

Ashdod, Ashkelon and Gaza

Philistines had five major cities: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Gaza and Ekron. [Joshua 13:3]  Ashdod, Ashkelon and Gaza are three coastal cities by the Mediterranean Sea, south of Jaffa. 

Doron said Ashdod was where Samson was born.  [Judges 13]  Philistines had ruled Israel for 40 years.  The Lord was seeking an occasion to confront them.  Samson married a Philistine woman in Timnah.  In Ashkelon, Samson killed 30 Philistines. [Judges 14]  Later, with a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he struck down 1000 Philistines. [Judges 15]  In Gaza, Samson tore down the doors of the city gate.  After his wife and father-in-law had been killed by their own people, Samson fell in love with Delilah and revealed the secret of his great strength.  Philistines gouged out his eyes and imprisoned him in Gaza.  When they celebrated and sacrificed to their god Dagon in the temple, the Lord gave Samson strength to collapse the temple.  He killed over 3000 Philistines and died together with them.  He had judged Israel for 20 years. [Judges 16]

In prophet Samuel’s time, Philistines defeated Israelites and brought the ark of covenant to Ashdod.  They placed the ark in Dagon’s temple beside Dagon.  Then, people of Ashdod saw Dagon had fallen before the ark of God with head and hands broken off.  God brought devastation and tumor to Ashdod and its vicinity.  Philistines moved the ark to Gath.  God did the same there.  Then, Philistines moved it to Ekron.  Death, tumor and panic struck Ekron people as well. [1 Samuel 5]

Bought a Shofar

We were taken back to a shop on Mount Olives for the final shopping spree.  Their price of shofar (ram’s horn) was much better than the duty-free shop in Qumran.  Brother John test blew few for me.  I picked one I thought had the best sound and also the most handsome. 

After bringing it home under the category of wildlife product, Edmond and Sonya could blow it much better than I.  Then, on Christmas Eve, Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart to give it as a gift to my first home church pastor.  So I did.  May the sound of the trumpet usher in divine changes for my Chinese brothers and sisters in 2004.  Amen!

Palestinian Traffic Jam

After shopping, our bus was caught in a traffic jam in a Palestinian area.  We witnessed hostility, shouts and bazaar driving behaviors.  This was worse than the traffic jam nicknamed ‘Chinese knot’ I had seen in Taiwan.  Boy, did we prayed fervently.  Finally, we got out and were much relieved.  It was dusk.

Knesset

Reuben drove us to the Knesset – Israeli parliament building.  We walked to see the huge Menorah.  It was a gorgeous gift from the British parliament to the Israel parliament when the nation was restored.   There were carvings of the 12 tribes and Bible stories on it. 

The Grand Finale – A Hearty Dinner and Prayer for Young Israeli Soldiers

Doron took us to a down-to-earth restaurant.  Its wooden beams and long wooden tables gave a warm and homey atmosphere.  The waiters were busy, fast and smiley.   We had various small dishes of salad, humus and french fries.  Then, came chicken kabob.  The dessert was baklava.  It was tasty and better, not as sweet as the ones you get in America.  They also served tiny cups of Turkish coffee.  Everything was delicious.  After the final shopping spree and somewhat traumatic Palestinian traffic jam experience, this Israeli family-style restaurant pleasantly surprised, relaxed, and satisfied our appetite. 

Our bus was the second to arrive at the restaurant.  Right around the same time as the third bus group settled in their seats, a troop of about 25 young Israeli soldiers came in.  Most of them carried guns and were in casual ware.  Some looked like high-schoolers.  They sat in one long row of table positioned perpendicular to our five to six long table rows.  Our hearts were stirred.  They are so young yet carry the daily responsibility of defending their people against terrorists.  It has been three years since the latest terrorist scheme started in year 2000. 

As we were finishing our hearty meal, we were called to pray for them.  We spread out and stood behind the young men on one side.  Boys on the other side of table had their backs against the window.  We held out our hands and prayed out loud.  Didn’t know what others felt.  My eyes began to water.  We blessed all Israelis through these soldiers God brought into the restaurant.  He granted us a divine finale for our Holy Land trip.  Nothing could have been better for us than to have the opportunity to pray on location for the Israeli troops.  Thank you, Lord.

As we were leaving the restaurant, Doron told us, on the bus, the leader of the soldiers expressed thanks to our praying for them.  In a sad tone, Doron said some of these young boys might not live through the war.  Well, even so, the Lord will have them.  We continue to pray that no Israeli souls would be lost to hell.

May It Be a Prophecy: All Jews Are Messianic

At the airport, we had a nasty long wait for our luggage to go through the security scan.  It took over two hours – the worst I had experienced.  I was the last few of the group and barely made to the gate when the boarding began.  The flight home was smooth though.  We declared U.S. customs in Toronto, Canada.

Judy and I sat by each other again.  We fellowshipped.  She is wife to Sheila’s pastor.  They run a women’s shelter and rescue mothers planning to abort their babies.   She and her husband, through prior marriages, have 10 children together.  Judy is soft spoken and told me how she shared Jesus with several Jews on this trip.  She also asked about my comments of few trip events. 

Few days ago, while walking out of Gethsemane, I asked Doron, “Are you messianic?” 

“No, I am a Jew.”  He answered.

“Oh, I mean ‘Are you a messianic Jew?’” I clarified.

“No, I am a Jew.”  Doron persisted and walked on.  I got the message.

Later when discussing this with Betty, she shared her personal experience with me and stressed that God has a special plan for every Jewish soul.  I agreed.

Then, Judy said when she asked Doron about his belief.  (This happened after my question for him.) 

Doron replied, “All Jews are messianic.” 

My first response was, “Boy, this sure was the most diplomatic answer a Jew can give.”

Then, the light came on.  I prayed, “Lord, may this be the prophecy that all Jews shall be Messianic.”

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