The first place
we stopped was at the Center of First Temple Jerusalem. The lady who gave us the tour and
presentation told us about how the tombs (or burial caves) of a city could tell
us a lot about what the city was like. She also told us about bullae, which were the
clay seals that kings would put on their official documents. We got to write our name in ancient Hebrew on
a sticker that looked like a bullae, which was fun!
After that, we saw a diorama of Jerusalem that displayed the various borders of the city throughout history. A video followed the guide’s presentation. Outside this center, we were able to see the remains of the Broad Wall built by Hezekiah, which is mentions in 2 Chronicles 32.
My "bullae" (I S N I L)
After that, we saw a diorama of Jerusalem that displayed the various borders of the city throughout history. A video followed the guide’s presentation. Outside this center, we were able to see the remains of the Broad Wall built by Hezekiah, which is mentions in 2 Chronicles 32.
Remains of the Broad Wall
The next stop was Temple Institute
Visitor’s Center. During the first part
of the tour, we were told about the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock, and the
al-Aqsa mosque. Al-Aqsa means the ‘end
of the way,’ and the Dome of the Rock is supposedly built over where Adam was
made, Cain killed Abel, Noah gave thanks after the flood, and where Abraham
went to sacrifice Isaac. The second room we were taken to held all the implements needed to
furnish the courtyard of the new temple.
The tour guide told us that everything in the exhibition is qualified
for use in the third temple, which the Jews are intending on building as soon
as the government says it is okay to do so. Crazy, right? In the
room that was supposed to represent the holy sanctuary of the temple, there
were no chairs because in the real temple, unless you’re a descendant of David,
you’re not supposed to sit. The holy of
holies and a replica of the Ark of the Covenant were separated from this room
with a curtain. After the tour, our teacher pointed out that some of the things that the Jewish tour guide said wasn’t
actually from Scripture, but based on Jewish tradition!
No pictures allowed! :(
Next, we stopped at the traditional
Tomb of David. Our teacher told us that this
wasn’t actually the site of David’s tomb because it wouldn’t have been within
the walls of the city in David’s time. This is the first place that required us girls to cover our arms and legs in order to go in! In
1335, Franciscans built a church at this site.
The upper part of the church/tomb is traditionally the location of the
upper room where Jesus and the disciples had the Last Supper. It’s possible that this is the location, but
the actual room would need to be excavated from several layers down from the
current building.
The "upper room"
We headed off to the cemetery that
had Oskar Schindler’s grave in it. From
there, we got a good view of the Hinnom Valley and a part of the Kidron
Valley. The Hinnom Valley is also where the Israelites would sacrifice their
children to Molech.
View of the Hinnom Valley
Oskar Schindler's grave...putting rocks on a grave is like putting flowers to us!
Leaving the cemetery, we were able
to see Dormition Abbey, the church where Catholics say Jesus’ mother, Mary,
fell asleep. According to the story, she
was then taken away by the disciples where her soul was assumed into heaven
three days later. We kept walking until
we had a good view of the Kidron valley, which runs north to south. We saw Absalom’s Pillar, which was mentioned
in 2 Samuel 18:18, the tombs of the sons of Hezir, and Zechariah’s tomb. The hill where we were standing is possibly
where Jesus would have been speaking in Matthew 23:25.
Dormition Abbey
Absalom's pillar
Left: Tomb of the sons of Hezir Right: Zechariah's tomb
From here, we went to Hezekiah’s
tunnel. Such a fun experience! Outside of
the tunnel, we saw the Large Stone structure, which is suggested to be part of
David’s palace. We went back up to
Siloam’s pool, and read John 9, the narration of
Jesus healing the blind man in this pool.
On our way back to the bus, we stopped at a place that is possible to be David’s tomb. It’s hard to tell because the rock has been quarried away over the years. If it wasn’t David’s tomb, it was likely used as an inter-testamental period wine cellar.
My view in the tunnel!
One of the only places in the tunnel where the workers carved out something on the side to be able to turn a wheelbarrow around!
Siloam's Pool
On our way back to the bus, we stopped at a place that is possible to be David’s tomb. It’s hard to tell because the rock has been quarried away over the years. If it wasn’t David’s tomb, it was likely used as an inter-testamental period wine cellar.
Possibly David's tomb...with classmates climbing all over it :)
Until next time!
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