Walking through time at Beth Shean

Walking through time at Beth Shean at the Jordan River and the Jezreel Valley. Beth Shean or Beth Shan, is a small Palestinian town in the subtropical Jezreel Valley. It is a beautiful and fertile valley. The Jezreel Valley was the hub of fruit orchards. It was the center of good health. It lays about 15 miles south of the Galilean Sea. It is only 4 miles west of the Jordan River. Beth Shean stood at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley. It was the keeper of the most important crossing of the Jordan River. At Beth Shean was the ancient crossing of two major trade routes. One trade route went to the North toward the Galilean Sea. The second route went west through the amazing Jezreel Valley. From there it went on into the hill country of Samaria. In the Jezreel Valley, we find ourselves walking through time.

Beth Shean was the historic location where the Philistine army defeated the Israel army during the rule of King Saul. It was on the Mount of Gilboa that the Israelites were defeated. King Saul was slain and his body strung out together with the bodies of his son’s. The bodies were hung out in disgrace on the walls of Beth Shean. Beth Shean, as a result of this defeat, became a Philistine city. The Philistines even displayed the head of King Saul in the Temple of Dragon. The Temple of Dragon was a major Philistine deity. The disgrace was enormous for Israel. As you are walking through time, take a moment and imagine how it must have been.

Tel Beth Shean is Israel’s largest Roman City. This ancient city sits on a hill that overlooks the modern town of Beth Shean. The ruins at the ancient town of Beth Shean are in good condition and you will find Beit Alfa, the site of an 5th century Synagogue. This synagogue is well-known known for its fantastic mosaic floors. Relax on the stone seats and think about life in the 5th Century. Wander through the Synagogue and piece together the message of the stone mosaic floors. Relax, as you are walking through time at Beth Shean.

The many strategic advantages of Tel Beth Shean made it extremely easy to defend. This amazing valley has always been well supplied with abundant spring water. The land throughout the valley is fertile and almost anything grows. Beth-Shean has alway been an attractive city for settlement from earliest times, and even into modern times. The abundant richness of the fertile soil make it easy to grow such desired fruit as dates, figs, pomegranates, and lemons. There is not much that will not grow in this beautiful valley. While walking through time, think about what life would have been like in this strategically placed city of old.

Are you ready for a Roman and Greek adventure? Throughout Israel you will find magnificent ruins of civilizations that have passed. They are remarkably well preserved and taken care of. Make this the year that you discover this civilizations of old. While walking through time, think about those who walked those same streets years before. Make this the year for discovering of what was and is, in Israel.

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Fishing The Galilean Sea

Fishing the Galilean Sea, is one of the oldest occupations in Israel. Fishing the Galilean Sea over the last few Centuries has changed little. There are twenty-four species of fish found in the Sea of Galilee. Three of these species are not found elsewhere, except in the tropical Nile River. Fishing the Galilean Sea was extremely important 2000 years ago. It continues to be important to this very day.

The Musht is one of the most important fish in the Galilean Sea. At the time Jesus walked this earth, fishing for the Musht was extremely popular. It was an important fish! It is still a fish of major importance. The Musht is and was one of the most popular fish. Fishing the Galilean Sea revolved around the Musht then and still does today. It is an easy fish to eat. It has a flat shape and the spine is easy to remove. It has both fins and scales. It is considered a clean fish to the Jews. All these facts, make the Musht a popular fish for today.

Another fish that is important today is the Biny Fish. Back in Bible times, this fish was often used as the main dish for the Sabbath Feast. This is another fish with fins and scales It is a clean fish to the Jews. This is a popular fish today and fishing for this unusual fish is of major importance in the Galilean Sea. This is the only fish in the sea that has whiskers hanging down on each side of its mouth. This is a hardy fish. Fishing the Galilean Sea for the Biny Fish is best in areas where there are schools of Sardines. The Biny Fish are predators to these small fish, and frequent areas where there are large numbers of Sardines.

The third most important fish in the Galilean Sea is the Sardine. It is the smallest of those fish that are harvested commercially. It is often called “small fish.” Religious scholars seem to think that these “small fish” are most likely the fish talked about in Matthew. 15:34, Mark 8:7, and John 6:9. This is where we see the account of a miraculous feedings of multitudes of people.

These small Sardines are liked the world over. They are exported all over the world. There are few countries that do not eat these “small fish.”

Fishing the Galilean Sea is magnificent. It is the livelihood of many of the local people. Fishing the Galilean Sea is a way of life. It has provided well for the people who live around the Sea of Galilee for centuries. Fishing is a gift to the people! Fishing is calming! It is profitable! It is usually easy to set your nets in the Galilean Sea. After they are set, you sit back and relax and wait. Many of the more famous fisherman, labored on this amazing sea. This was the sea spoke of in the New Testament. Simon Peter, a fisherman, was the first disciple of Jesus.

The Sea of Galilee at sunset is amazing! Some of the most amazing sunsets are seen from her shores. Adventure is everywhere! Life on the Galilean Sea is simple. Everyday revolves around the sea. Fishing the Galilean Sea is amazing! They are an abundant resource. Sunsets are a treat! So come, and join our team, on the banks of the Galilean Sea.