Faith Bible Church

Cedar Rapids, IA

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Day 8

Day 8. Benjamin Field Study. The region of the tribe of Benjamin was a strategic east to west passage across Israel. We looked at it today from Jericho (east) to Gezer (west). My favorites were the Judean wilderness (where Jesus would have been tempted in Matthew 4) and the shephelah (lowlands) where Gezer is located.

Judean Wilderness – Judean Wilderness south of Kelt Canyon overlooking Wadi Kelt – senonian limestone – this is the wilderness area where Jesus would have been tempted.
Bedouin children waiting for our lecture to be done so they can sell bracelets.
Ascent of Adummim is the main route from Jericho to Jerusalem. You can see the ancient path on the top left of this pic going up the side hill.
Cypros – one of Herod’s fortresses that guards the Ascent of Adummim. Named Cypros after Herod’s mother. Cypros guarded the route from Jericho to Jerusalem.
Cypros
Looking down on NT Jericho. This is Herod the Great’s third Jericho palace. Herod built the first bridge ever in Israel from the palace down below to where we are standing. Wadi Kelt runs under the bridge – this is Herod’s winter palace
Tower at Old Testament Jericho dating around 8,000 years ago.
Wall at Old Testament Jericho that dates back to Abraham or earlier
Bedouin herds
Bedouin semi nomadic encampment
Bedouin semi-nomadic encampment
Gibeah – home town of Saul
Ramah – birth place of Samuel
Mizpah
Heading into the shephelah (lowlands) things started to look more like home!
Beehives!

Looking toward Tel Aviv from Tel Gezer
Tel Gezer
Solomon’s Gate – these are most likely the remains of the gate King Solomon built as an entrance into the walled city of Gezer