Samaria - Joseph's Inheritance

This impression report is rather long. I apologize. I will try to add some pictures to help break up the monotony, though. If things decide to work better than they have been. Bear with me. :) I might have to post first and come back and add pictures tomorrow.

Samaria Field Study (Ephraim and Manasseh)
September 28, 2008

These days are so full; when I come to write it down it is difficult to clearly and cohesively organize all the random swirling thoughts in my head. Perhaps I should start journaling as we ride along.

I would have to say that today was one of my favorite days in the field so far. I must admit that part of my enjoyment probably stemmed from the break in the unrelenting heat – I really enjoyed the clouds and wind and even a couple rain drops. The rest of my enjoyment, though, was based in two areas. The first is the land itself. Of all the areas we’ve been in, I think that this area of Ephraim and Manasseh is one of the most beautiful. It’s not majestically beautiful with high mountains and sweeping vistas, nor is it exotically beautiful with tropical plants and flowers. Actually, it was rather rocky with brown, prickly plants. Some plants were green, though, and in spite of the drought, there were still little yellow and purple flowers that bloomed on the rough hillsides. Then there was the fresh scent of the wind. It reminded me a little bit of eastern Montana – beautiful in a lonely, deserted sort of way. Of course, that area is anything but deserted. It is contested territory to this day.
My dad may want land in the Judean Wilderness:

But if I were to choose a place to live, the hills of Ephraim and Manasseh would be higher on my list:


The second thing that made today enjoyable might sound a bit odd, but it was the emotional response I had to some of the stories and places. I will explain that further as I go along.

The first major stop of the day was at Elan Moreh, a Jewish settlement overlooking Shechem. It was a high point and we were able to see various towns (Tirzah, Sychar, and Shechem, surrounded by the Mountains Ebal and Gerizim)


and routes/valleys (Michmethah Valley, Wadi Beidah, Wadi Faria, Salim Valley, and the Shechem Route) through the region of Samaria. It is clearly a much more open area than the Judean hills, or even the Benjamin plateau. It makes sense that many would try to rule a kingdom from this region. It also has good soil and better water than most of the region ‘down south.’ Lots of advantages, and yet for some reason, its position in history was usurped by Benjamin and Judah and Jerusalem. I wonder if the failure of the Northern tribes to follow God (as compared to the rare but occasional success of the Southern tribes) is due in part to the land. Life in the north would almost certainly be easier. In the south agriculture is more difficult, trade is more difficult, and the desert is ready to gobble up the fertile land. Perhaps this difficulty in life made the southern tribes more dependent on God by necessity whereas the northern tribes found it too easy to trust in the richness of their inheritance.

One of the unique opportunities at Elan Moreh was Phineas (I think that would be his equivalent name in English, it was pronounced more like “Pinkus”). He was the guy who allowed us onto the settlement and who then showed us around. He mostly told us what we were looking at (for the views) and gave a little bit of the Jewish history in the region (or at least his version of history…I’m sure there are many who would disagree). He did not talk very much about his own ideology or the ideology of the settlement to the group, but a few people asked him questions about that so we were able to hear a little. It was interesting. And rather tragic. I’ve always had sympathy for the Jewish point of view, but I’ve been trying to see all points of view and remain mostly neutral for now. The thing is, Jews and Arabs are not all that different in many ways. They both value the land, and have somewhat similar reasons why it should belong to them. Perhaps one side is more right than the other. Perhaps not. I really feel that I know too little to be saying anything, but my impression is that both sides have this attitude: “The land is our and ours alone. We should not have to share with anyone. Our claim takes precedence. Our rights are the only ones that count – you are not even human and therefore don’t matter.” It reminds me of 3 year olds trying to hog all the cookies. There are enough cookies for each child to get one or two, but each child is trying to take all of them and will not be satisfied with only one or two. I suppose this is true of most interracial conflicts. There is room for everyone to live and there is really no reason for segregation - only the human propensity to hate anyone who is different from you. It’s tragic.

From there we went to Mt. Gerizim and listened as Brad proclaimed the blessings from Deuteronomy 28.
“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
This almost made me cry. God promised the people of this land so much, and they failed so bitterly. We were overlooking modern day Nabulus with the attached refugee camp. We heard the blessings of peace and prosperity promised on this hill over 3000 years ago, only to see the reality of conflict and poverty (at least for some people). How badly the fulfillment of those promises is needed! Also, what a warning it should be to us as Christians: the grafted in olive branch is easily cut off again. May God use us to bring His truth and peace to this region.

On Mt. Gerizim we also talked to the High Priest of the Samaritans and saw where they sacrifice the sheep every year for Passover. He told us that the five tenets of their faith are (as I understood them):
1. There is one God
2. Moses was the prophet of God
3. Mt. Gerizim is the holy place (it is where Israelites built their first alter after entering the land, its where the Temple of Moses stood and where the temple will be rebuilt, and it is where Abraham brought Isaac for the sacrifice)
4. The five books of Moses (the Torah) are true
5. In the last days another prophet like Moses will come
There are only about 700 Samaritans around today. Their story is also rather tragic, in many ways. They are so close to the truth, and yet so far.

The last stop of the evening was at Shiloh: the location of the Tabernacle and the cultural center of Israel following the conquest. I really liked that area. It may be considered the remote interior of Ephraim, but perhaps that’s why I liked it. We talked about the Philistine capture of the ark and the evidence that they then came and destroyed Shiloh. Later Jeremiah uses the example of Shiloh to warn Jerusalem that they too will be destroyed if they don’t repent. Yet another tragedy: they don’t listen.

To sum up the lessons from today: it is absolutely vital to obey God and to teach the next generation to fear and obey God. The land of Ephraim and Manasseh, both past and present, gives numerous examples of what happens when God is pushed aside, forgotten, or even used selfishly. We must take Him on His terms, not ours. Only in Him is there hope for Shalom.

Benjamin

...and here's another posting from another field trip this weekend. Today actually. Yeah, we don't get much in the way of a break here. The week is generally more relaxed than the weekend, though. Anyway, we went all over the territory of Benjamin today and talked about how important it is in the Bible. I think that something like 60% of all events in the Bible occur in Benjamin (partly because Jerusalem is in Benjamin). So, here are my thoughts from the trip today.

Sunday, September 21, 2008
Benjamin

We started the day looking out over the Judean Wilderness again, specifically at Nahal Og, which drains the east side of the Mount of Olives. While still pretty barren, this area seemed to have a little more plant life than the wilderness we saw yesterday. We also saw a couple lizards and a locust. We didn’t eat any of them, but I suppose it’s nice to know of that option, in case I’m ever lost in the Wilderness. Of course, even then, the wilderness we’ve seen is rather small, comparatively. One could easily cross it in a day, assuming, of course, that nothing untoward happened. Also, I’ve yet to see a place where there is no cell phone service. That’s just crazy. 

From there we headed down (way below sea level) to Jericho, specifically the Old Testament Site. We discussed some of the history of the site (Joshua, Hiel, etc.) and also the history of the excavations there. We then discussed the problem of having a Biblical account that is apparently not at all supported by the archaeological evidence. It is a problem, though not a devastating one. Problems like that make me wish I could find a solution, though.

I think the thing that struck me the most is the fact that after Joshua destroyed Jericho he cursed it, and as a result of that, Jews have not tried to settle there. Therefore, there is relative peace in Jericho. That is terribly ironic, and rather sad.

As a side note, I have to say that one of my favorite parts of field studies is getting to climb around and explore a little. It was really fun to be able to go down and climb on the tower in Jerusalem – the oldest (known) man-made structure with stone. There were other places throughout the day where I got to climb or explore a little, and that was always fun.

Before lunch we stopped at Mitzpah Danny from which we could see Geba, Michmash, and sort of Ai. We talked more about Joshua’s campaign and also looked at a Philistine attack. Warfare in the Bible (or really anywhere) is something I’ve never given a whole lot of thought to. The closest I’ve come is playing capture the flag or paintball. Looking over the land from the high points as we do gives a whole new perspective on how these campaigns work. It’s still an incomplete perspective, but it is at least improving.

We (finally!) ate lunch at Nebi Samwil where we could also overlook the Benjamin plateau. We could see Gibeon, Mizpah, Gibeah, and Ramah. The land, while still hilly, is noticeably flatter than most of the areas we’ve been in the past few weeks. We could see the beginning of the Beth-Horn Ridge Route. We could also see Jerusalem. It’s becoming ever clearer that whoever controls the Benjamin Plateau effectively controls Jerusalem and most of the hill country.

We traveled down the Beth-Horn Ridge Route to Gezer. As we traveled we could see the land change dramatically. It grew much flatter and much greener. The rock was still Senonian, but mixed in with the rendzina soil was some alluvial terra rosa, making a great combination soil. At Gezer itself we saw the remains of a Solomonic Gate and wall. We also saw standing stones of unknown use or meaning. At least we got to climb on them. 

From Gezer we could see the Mediterranean Sea and (I think) part of the Gaza Strip. We also saw some jets fly nearby. It was a reminder (one of many today) that this land is not at peace. Shalom is still only a wish. On the way home I was talking to a fellow student and he said something about wanting to change the world. As Christians, I really think that it’s a part of our telos to work to change the world. As the only people who truly have shalom with God, it is our job to spread that peace and completeness to others – at least to individuals, but if possible, in the will of God, to entire countries and communities. As servants of the Prince of Peace, what else can we do?

Jerusalem Walk Impressions

Here is my second "Impressions Report" from our second field day. We walked around various parts of Jerusalem from 7am to 6pm with an hour for lunch. It was quite a day. This report really doesn't do it justice, but if you read it, it might give you an idea of some things I've been doing.

Sunday, September 7, 2008
Jerusalem Walking Tour (OT and NT times)

Today was so full it’s hard to know where to begin. I was talking to some people on the way home and at dinner, comparing what we learned and what we enjoyed most, and I had a hard time thinking of my “favorite” part. So many parts were so good.

I have to admit, to start with, that I really enjoyed exploring and climbing on some of the rocks and ruins/excavations and such. It’s not terribly spiritual, but I’m just rather curious, so exploring is fun. Plus I like climbing on rocks and getting high. It kind of reminds me of home. So I really enjoyed that part. I wish we would have had more time to explore some of those areas more. I’m starting a list of places I want to visit again.

We started the morning in the Hebrew Scriptures, looking at where the wall was at various times. We spent most of the morning in David’s city. I remember looking around that area when I was here before (the toilet was definitely familiar), but I think the excavations are much more extensive now. I may be mistaken, though; my memory is rather patchy. My favorite part there was when we went up to a platform approximately where David’s palace might have been and looked around at the hills surrounding. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people…” Without having seen it, its hard to picture exactly how the mountains surround Jerusalem…but they do, or at least did in the time of the psalmist. I don’t have relative elevations, but apparently the hill Jerusalem was on is the shortest in the Judean hills: surrounded and protected by higher mountains as we are surrounded and protected by a higher power (God).

In the afternoon we started out in excavations near the temple mount. The best part was the building with air conditioning.  Again, I remembered seeing some of what we looked at when I was here before, but not all of it. I think things there have expanded too. It was rather amazing to think that some of what we saw was possibly there in the time of Jesus. Two thousand years… I will have to look at my notes to remember what else I was especially interested in.

Our next main stop was the Pool of Bethesda. I was excited to go there since I didn’t get to the last time I was here. We went into St. Anne’s church first. The acoustics were beautiful. There are some many amazing places (acoustically) around here…I wish I had a traveling choir with some lovely a cappella pieces to sing with me. We did well enough, though. After that we saw the actual pool (not that it holds any water now). I was amazed at how deep it was. There are sure a lot of places around here where it would be easy to die if you fell or if the holey floor holding you up suddenly collapsed. We talked about the gospel of John and the three people Jesus interacted with in chapters 3, 4, and 5. He always knew just what to say and do.

Speaking of people, the last thing that really struck me today were the people. It started with children in the morning. We passed quite a few, probably on their way to school, and then heard chanting from a nearby yeshiva. It made me miss my students really badly to start with. As the day progressed I saw more people – more children, soldiers, shopkeepers, etc. It made me wish that I could know some of them, to have the opportunity to tell them about how God came down and walked among their ancestors and how He still desires to know them. Jesus mourned over Jerusalem with good reason. I think that He is still probably mourning. I want to see that prophecy fulfilled – at least partially, in some lives, I want them to recognize and welcome their king.