NYACK / ATS 2006                                   ISRAEL PROGRAM

“The Land of Prophets, Priests and Kings”
A Study in Old Testament and New Testament Backgrounds
January 2-15, 2006

ITINERARY

Monday, January 2
DEPARTURE DAY FROM THE USA : Some flights may be pending at this time. See Flights for additional information. Updates will be posted as soon as confirmed information is available.

Tuesday, January 3
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISRAEL : After airport customs, we have a 2-3 hour bus journey to our hotel located within the geographical region known as the Biblical Negev. After the evening meal, a brief administrative meeting will be held.

Wednesday, January 4
FIELD TRIP:  “Land of Promise”
Our pilgrimage begins with an examination of Old Testament sites in the southern desert region known as the Negev. In this demanding landscape God tested the faith of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here also, Moses attempted an ill-fated and ill-advised premature "conquest" of the promised land. David lived in this region during his "friendship" with Philistine kings. The second half of the day we travel into the geographical regions known as the Shephelah. Located between the Coastal Plain and the Judean Hill Country, these foothills served as an important "buffer-zone" between the Judeans in the hills and the Philistines on the coast. The impressive fortified site of Lachish is to be visited, as is the general locale of David's battle with Goliath in the Elah Valley. We conclude the day at biblical Beth Shemesh, near Samson's home and exploits.

Thursday, January 5
FIELD TRIP:  “Kingdoms and Cultures in Conflict”
Today we address the social, religious and political tensions which lie behind the relationship between the Jewish people and the foreigners in the land. At Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea, we give thought to the conversion of Cornelius, the t Carmel we consider Elijah’s confrontation with the Phoenician prophets of Baal. Arriving at Sepphoris, the capital of Roman Galilee at the time of Jesus' birth and a city where Jews and Gentiles lived together, we explore impressive excavations and Jesus' ministry in this area. Only five miles away, we conclude today's studies in the childhood home of Jesus -- Nazareth.


Friday, January 6
FIELD TRIP:  “Head of Kingdoms” and “Who do people say that I am?”
Today we examine two themes. At the Old Testament sites of Hazor and at Dan we explore the vital need to capture, fortify and hold strategic military centers in the north. These cities were of vital importance to ancient Israel if it was to maintain its unity and security in its northern territories. After lunch we shift our thoughts to the various messianic expectations in the first century and how they penetrate into the language of Jesus and the Early Church. At Caesarea Philippi, on the lower slopes of Mount Hermon, we consider the event of the Transfiguration from which Jesus set face for Jerusalem. In view of the Lebanese and Syrian borders, the dynamics of the modern political situation are briefly addressed. We will end the day visiting a new archaeological site having a small Roman Temple that is argued to have been built in honor of Caesar Augustus by Herod the Great or perhaps his son Philip.

Saturday, January 7
FIELD TRIP:  “The Evangelical Triangle”
A full morning study includes sites and themes central to the ministry of Jesus. At Chorazin, the Mount of Beatitudes and Bethsaida we consider the second stage of Jesus’ ministry with attention given to his teachings within their contemporary context. In the afternoon we take time at Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, to consider his teachings and miracles in this lakeside town. We continue to Kibbutz Ginnosar where an ancient Sea of Galilee boat (dating to the 1st century AD) is preserved. We conclude our day with a relaxing boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee.

Sunday, January 8
FIELD TRIP:  “Setting Our Faces Toward Jerusalem”
Today we travel to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Wilderness of Judea. We begin with a visit to the Jordan River where it exits the Sea of Galilee and begins its meandering journey southward to the Dead Sea. Next is a scenic drive through the hills and valleys of Lower Galilee. Views of Mount Tabor, Nazareth and Nain capture our attention as we make our way to the Harod Valley. In this valley we visit Ein Harod, the locale of Gideon's encampment against the Midianites. A few minutes west brings us to Beth Alpha, the locale of an ancient Jewish synagogue with interesting mosaics expressing biblical motifs. A short drive takes us to the biblical city of Beth Shean, a Philistine stronghold during the days of Saul and David. There we examine the recent excavations of its Roman-Byzantine remains when it was known as Scythopolis, one of the Hellenistic cities of the Decapolis. The afternoon will be spent in journey to Jerusalem. On the way, a stop at OT and NT Jericho is warranted. We conclude the day driving through the Wilderness of Judea en route to Jerusalem.

Monday, January 9
JERUSALEM:  “Jerusalem’s Past and Present”
Today begins with a visit to the Temple Mount, a site of historical significance and political dispute. Upon leaving the Temple Mount we will venture through the various Quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem as an orientation to local sites of historical interest and local free time activities. The remainder of the day is free time for you to enjoy the character of Jerusalem’s Old City.




Tuesday, January 10
JERUSALEM:  “City of the Great King”
Our focus today is the physical setting of Jerusalem from the time of King David to Jesus. We begin our study with a visit to a model of first century Jerusalem. After a visit to the excavations found in the City of David, we enter the Old City to examine the historical rule of Herod the Great (ending in 4BC), his successors and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD. Key archaeological sites to be visited in the Jewish Quarter include: (1) the Southern Excavations, (2) the Herodian Villas, (3) the Burnt House, and (4) the Gennath Gate.

Wednesday, January 11
JERUSALEM:  “Behold the Man”
Particular attention is given to the historical background regarding the opposition to Jesus and the events which led to his crucifixion. In connection with these themes we begin our touring on the crest of the Mount of Olives with an overlook to the Golden Gate. We descend the mount to the church of Dominus Flavit and to the Garden of Gethsemane. On the Via Dolorosa we stop at St. Anne's church, the site of the ancient pools of Bethesda. We conclude at the Church of the Resurrection, the possible site of Jesus' death and resurrection.


Thursday, January 12
FIELD TRIP:  “Children of the Wilderness”
Today we follow in the steps of individuals and communities who lived in the Judean wilderness. At Masada we consider the fate of the Zealot movement which ended on this rocky promontory. At the oasis of Ein Gedi we walk in to observe a “river in the desert” in the region where David hid from Saul. Khirbet Qumran provides the setting for our consideration of the Dead Sea Scrolls and their relationship to John the Baptist and early Christianity.


Friday, January 13
BETHLEHEM ENVIRONMENT:  “Excursions”
Today we focus on the birth of Jesus, the death of Herod the Great and the Second Jewish Revolt against the Romans. We begin at the Herodian, an impressive hilltop fortress built by Herod as a memorial and as a place of retreat. Here we overlook the Wilderness of Judah were David tended his sheep and where he fled from King Saul. Bethlehem is on the horizon. There we will visit the Church of Nativity. We conclude the day with a visit to a portion of the ancient Emmaus Road, representative of Jesus’ encounter with two followers (Lk. 24).

Saturday, January 14
JERUSALEM:  Free Day

Sunday, January 15
DEPARTURE DAY:  “Shalom”
Depart Israel and return to the USA. Some flights may be pending at this time. See Flights for additional information. Updates will be posted as soon as confirmed information is available.

Flier • Calendar • Itinerary • Notes • Hotels • Flights • Payment Schedule
 Application Procedures • Academic Credit • Course Syllabus • Print This Page