"Where's it coming from?"

Such was the response of a friend when first told the title of today's field study: Jerusalem Approaches. "And how does a city move, anyway?"

Today was my second time on this field study, examining approaches TO the city of Jerusalem. Last time I went we were interrupted by an ignorant rock, set on shattering our dreams of becoming world-famous historical geographers. It failed, instead shattering only one of our bus's windows. Still, it did cut the day's outing short. This time around we cleverly avoided flying rocks and had a wonderful day in the field.

We spent most of our time looking at the city of Jerusalem, finding where the ancient routes would have gone, and comparing the look of the land on either side of the watershed ridge.

Favorite parts of the day?

1. Just getting out, reviewing sites and routes, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

2. Getting to know some of the new students a little better.

3. Seeing some new-to-me sites

a. We got to walk through part of the cemetery on the Mt. of Olives. I'm sure that's something I could enjoy looking through for some time, but it was fun to get a little bit of a feel for it.

b. The Russian Orthodox site commemorating the Garden of Gethsemane. This church is usually close to the public, so it was fun to get a brief chance to see it. I'll have to go back someday and get pictures - it's beautiful.

c. A threshing floor just outside of Bethlehem. Too bad my Boaz wasn't there. :)

d. The grotto in the church next to the church of the Nativity - apparently where Jerome lived and worked on translating the Bible?

e. A place on the Promenade, further along that I had been, where we could see the city.

4. Listening to Dr. Wright's teaching again. On the Mt. of Olives we paused to talk about the flight and return of David with Absalom's rebellion and defeat. Think of the excitement that would have been felt by David's faithful subjects as he returned, victorious. The Bible doesn't say much about that, but it records a similar entrance to Jerusalem, about 1000 years later, as the Son of David came to his own people and kingdom, knowing that instead of welcoming him as the heir of David, they would shortly crucify him.

All in all, a very good day. Really, some of you should visit. You'd like it. :)