This day we started by visiting Rachel's tomb just outside of Bethlehem.
And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
Genesis 35:19
In the last few years it has become surrounded by high security walls due to the Palestinians trying to destroy it and harass the Jews that visit.
Many Jewish people visit here to pray for those that are barren or childless themselves.
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister;
and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
Genesis 30:1
When we asked an Israeli soldier near Rachel's tomb if it was safe to go into Bethlehem he answered, "I am not sure. It is safe here because we (the soldiers) are here! We are not there!"
The place where we would have to park to walk into Palestinian controlled Bethlehem was full
of young Arab men roaming around. Daddy said, "Who wants to go?" What???
We girls outvoted him.
Rachel's Tomb in the 1930's
Can you see the solider?
A large group of school children was there when we arrived.
A man harvesting olives along the side of the road.
This Muslim man called Daddy "his brother" because he likes Christians but he hates Jewish people!
Trying to get the perfect picture heading back into Jerusalem from Rachel's Tomb
An olive grove
Along the roadway out of Jerusalem heading towards Jericho there was a tourist stop for the "Good Samaritan". On the opposite side of the highway were some old ruins that looked like and smelled like goats and sheep had been grazing nearby.
So we did a bit of off roading/exploring and took a closer look.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed , came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,.....
Luke 10:30-37
After seeing the location of this event you really admire the Good Samaritan even more.
It literally is in the middle of a VERY hot desert for as far as the eye can see.
Yet, he took the time to have compassion.
While exploring Joshua tried to be a comedian and said, " Hey, Dad, I decided to collect rocks
from Israel." as he was stooped over holding one of these huge rocks.
Well, much to his surprise a scorpion came running out from under when he picked it up.
Needless to say, Joshua eyes were huge and away he went!
Getting ready to catch Mommy as she slid down the hill:)
There are places along the roadway where the Bedouins live in communities.
Bedouins are nomadic Arabs of the desert that move with their herds across vast areas of land in search of grazing areas.
Previously they were in tents so they don't mind these conditions made of sheet metal and wooden pallets piled together.
Often times there were cars parked by the huts.
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Our next stop was to visit the Jordan River not far from Jericho.
A peace treaty signed with Jordan and many landmines being cleared in the area allowed this place to be opened in 2011.
This is the location of the preaching and baptizing by John the Baptist, the crossing of Joshua and the children of Israel, and the crossing and ascension of Elijah in a fiery chariot.
The Jordanian flag
Then went he (Naaman) down and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
II Kings 5
As you can see the water in the Jordan River looks very dirty.
Much of the water from the Jordan has been diverted for farming.
Jordanian soldiers on the opposite bank
Our Israeli solder friends on this side the Jordan
Daddy had a nice time visiting with them and invited them to stay with us if they ever came to America.
"16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Matt 3:16-17
Figs
View from a lookout in a Jewish settlement in the "west bank"
City of Jericho in the distance.
Looking toward Jerusalem
Joshua checking for Palestinians trying to sneak into the settlement.
Looks like the Palestinians might be burning some tires.
