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Posted July 9, 2017
TEL DAN IS TELLING
And by telling, I mean this archaeological site at Tel Dan has revealed so much information that proves the Bible is accurate.
But first, how did I get to Israel earlier in the year? The desire to be an archaeologist or an anthropologist never left me after I came to the conclusion that being a mother and rearing children was more important than galavanting around the world digging in dirt.
But of all places, the Middle East?
I know. Who wants to go there? Aren't you fearful? Attacks and suicide bombings and people who hate each other and tons of folk who despise Americans? A cruise to Santorini sounded like a whole lot more fun. And a lot safer. But Petra, Jordan. Ahhhh. A place a writer with an archaeologist/anthropoligist bent had to visit at least once. But friend's and family's mouths fell open when I told them of my desire to go. They thought I'd lost my ever loving mind. "Don't you have grandchildren? Don't you have a new one on the way?"
I had all of that and more. And as for fearful--I was more fearful of being under the mysterious spell of Jerusalem Syndrome. Standing naked on a Jerusalem hotel balcony wrapped in a ripped off bedsheet shouting to the hordes below that I was the Mother Mary or John the Baptist was my biggest horror. And the next question I posed to myself was, Didn't I always leave the room in my youth when Daddy turned on the evening news to watch chaos going on in the land of rocks and deserts?
Yep. That would be me. I destested everything about the Middle East and the bickering and warring and the rocket's red flare.
All of that changed, however, when later in life I began studying the Bible with an intensity that wouldn't let up. To understand the Bible better, I instinctively knew I had to understand the people and their culture. What made them tick? What made the Arabs willing to blow themselves up to drive the Jewish people into the sea? What made the people who speak Hebrew--an ancient language that has against all odds survived--long for a land that was not all that productive before 1948 according to famous author Mark Twain, and had no oil or natural gas until recently?
Plus, another writer once made the comment, "Vicki, you're a person who could take a busload of people into the Middle East and bring everybody out alive."
Humored--and flattered--by her comment, I laughed, but then later wondered what she meant. Maybe it had something to do with me being adventurous. After all, few females she knew had jumped out of an airplane, had her own dirt bike parked in the kitchen so no one would "borrow" it and not return it, was familiar with many types of weapons, had twice rafted the Chatooga River in the wilds of South Carolina where the movie Deliverance was filmed and managed to survive a harrowing experience, and had traveled to several countries alone. I didn't have any friends who wanted to jet off to Scotland to jump horses when I could break away. It was either go it alone or stay home and have a dream die.
So when the opportunity to go to Israel presented itself, I thought of that writer's comment. Did I dare fly to Israel when things were heated up with ISIS so close to her borders? Thinking it was now or never, I decided to get this one trip checked off the top of my bucket list of things to do before I died.
Then I heard about the deaths of U.S. soldiers on a base in Jordan. ISIS was operating that deep inside Jordan? Cancel the Petra, Jordan leg of the journey. For now.
But to Israel, I was determined to go. And I began to appreciate the old timers who wrote out signs that read, "California or Bust." Israel was one place I had to see--be it safe or not--and it was on the top of my bucket list. It's like one terrorist of old I'd once interviewed--who'd changed his ways when he found Christ--told me, "Vicki, do you want to go quickly with one bullet or die on a guerney with tubes hanging out of every orifice?" So "Israel or Bust" become my mantra. And there seemed to be a driving force behind me.
Plus, I knew if it was my time to go I knew where I was going and if it wasn't my time, the dear Lord would protect me as he had done in the past and not only that--I still wondered if I could get a busload of people out of the Middle East alive.
Though I hoped I wouldn't be put to the test.
And that's how I ended up in New York City to catch a plane for one of the longest nonstop flights of my life. A piece of advice: Never borrow someone else's compression socks that don't fit properly or the night will be a "dark night of the soul" and a long one at that. And when flying to Israel, don't worry about sucide bombers and crazies. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has already investigated travelers to their country months ahead of time and know everything there is to know about you. Probably down to the shade of pink lipstick you prefer. Has to be one of the safest flights in the world. And once I arrived at the airport, the most rigorous "entrance exam" I'd ever experienced, if I don't count the time I flew into Jamaica after the U.S. had clipped the wings off one of their birds for flying in drugs.
And that's how I ended up at Tel Dan. And yes, I was surprised to see a Paradise sign on the hike in. I just kept chuckling and telling myself, Whatever. I'd hoped to wait awhile for Paradise but who knew what was in store for me on up the path. I'd fought wild critters before without a slingshot and won. There was a rock everywhere I looked and I intended to roll with the flow.
After a pleasant hike up a trail next to the Dan River which is a source of the Jordan River, there in front of me and not far from the foot of Mount Hermon were the remains of an ancient Canaanite city. (The fertility of this area was mentioned in the Bible: For we have seen the Land, and behold, it is very good. Judges 18:9). Replete with an altar to make sacrifices to pagan gods. During the Caananite period, the city was called Laish or sometimes Leshem. During the 18th century BCE, this ancient city was fortified with humongous earthen embankments which created ramparts that encircled the entire city and protected its people. Also during this period in history, the patriarch Abraham visited, after defeating the kings of The North who took his nephew Lot prisoner. Gnarled olive trees that looked like decrepid people--at least several hundred years old--stood silently guarding the secrets of a people who believed a deity name Baal--a storm and fertility god--could bring them rain for their crops. Some of the trees had holes in them where ripening olives found a resting place. Some of the trees had resigned themselves to the prospect of secrets being uncovered and revealed.
After the Israelite tribe of Dan conquered Laish, 600 members of the tribe migrated north and called the name of the city Dan after the name of Dan their father.
But here's the important part of the dig at Dan. Fragments from a large inscribed basalt stele were found in the square located in front of the Israelite city gate complex. More than likely, Jehoash, the king of Israel who battled the Arameans three times and defeated them in II Kings 13:25 symbolically smashed the stele erected there by by Hazael, king of Aram--Damascus. Of the original inscription, thirteen lines of ancient Aramaic--a language Jesus spoke--have been partially preserved. Several Israelite kings are mentioned: Jehoram, king of Israel and Ahaziah, king of Judah,
referred to as a king of the House of David. This stele is one of the most important finds in Israel because it's the first non-biblical text that mentions by name "The House of David." Before the stele was unearthed, there was a huge dispute about the Bible as a reliable source. Since the stele has been discovered, the City of David has been discovered just south of the Temple complex in Old Jerusalem and is now being excavated by archaeologists.
To stand in Israel and have the Bible come alive before you is one of the most amazing things, especially for writers.
As for traveling into danger, my thoughts before going were: I could fly to Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, or New York City and get hit with a random bullet. Or any small town for that matter. My hometown of Chattanooga, TN had already had one attack and no one could predict the future. And yes, unfortunately there were a couple of incidents that happened in Israel while I was there. During my visit to Bethlehem en route to Jerusalem and nearby, there was an attack on a bus filled with young soldiers, male and female, traveling to Old Jerusalem for a tour. Four of them lost their lives when a large truck rammed their bus as they were disembarking.
Most unfortunate and such a waste of life. Was I frightened because I was heading into a hell terrorists feel obligated to inflict upon random people who don't think like them or worship as they do? Concerned and heartbroken are better words to describe how I felt as I recalled another writer's words and wondered just what might lie ahead--Oh God! Were that woman's words prophetic? Would I really be expected to get a busload of people out of the Middle East alive? I must admit her words gave me food for thought.
Though there were a couple of disconcerting happenings during my travels, I honestly felt safer in Israel than in a large city in America. Israel knows better than most how to protect her own. (Almost impossible to protect anyone from death by vehicular homicide though.) There are less homicides there than in the United States. So my advice is to those
who would like to travel to the Holy Land to see where Jesus and the ancients walked--don't hesitate to go. The journey will be the most exciting trip you'll ever make if you're a student of the Bible. If you're not a student of the Bible and don't believe God's Word, go anyway for the beauty and adventure. There's more to behold there than rocks. The food is fabulous and healthy. And by the way, rocks don't lie. The trip might rearrange your thinking. But only if you have no fear of believing--for some--the unbelievable. Because there could be a chance after you see the rock solid evidence that the stories in the Bible are true, you might just become a believer and believe the claims of Jesus: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 And, "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12When you believe Him and accept Him into your heart, that's when excitement and the radical adventures begin. Trust me, it only gets better--sometimes scarier heh-heh--but always better.
I hope to work on a book about my Middle East travels if time permits. As most who have ventured to Israel and Jordan will tell you, it takes a while to process your thoughts after returning. I arrived back home months ago and I'm still processing. So much to think about. So many discoveries to research...so little time to write truths down. And that trip to Jordan...made it there too. That's another adventurous story. Check back!
Comments anyone?
If you would like to comment or have questions about this article, email me vmoss@livingwaterfiction.com
Vicki, another good friend from Tennessee visited Israel every couple of years and I never understood why. Much like you as a youth, my eyes glaze over at the mention of the Middle East. But, as always, you drew me in with your inimitable style and made it fascinating and appealing. Thank you for helping me appreciate why this trip can be a life changer. As for Scotland, say the word! -- Gary Fearon, http://www.musingandlyrics.com.
Thanks for stopping by Gary. Let me know when you can break away for Scotland. I know my way around a couple of graveyards in Edinburgh for a great photo op!
You're a beautiful writer. I've been to Israel, and Dan twice and I agree with everything you said. ~ Lucille Zimmerman, author of Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World.
Thanks so much Lucille. Dan is an incredible place! I would love to go back.
Vicki, Love this adventure post. Thank you for always educating us in such an interesting and entertaining way. ~ Suzie
So glad you liked the post Suzie! Appreciate your comments.
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You're a beautiful writer. I've been to Israel, and Dan twice and I agree with everything you said. ~ Lucille Zimmerman, author of Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World.
Thanks so much Lucille. Dan is an incredible place! I would love to go back.
Vicki, Love this adventure post. Thank you for always educating us in such an interesting and entertaining way. ~ Suzie
So glad you liked the post Suzie! Appreciate your comments.
If you would like to comment or have questions about this article, email me
vmoss@livingwaterfiction.com
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