Sweat, Smiles, Biblical Jerusalem!

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Today we went out on our second field study! We stopped by an overwhelming amount of places, but it was so wonderful to be able to experience them all. We went to the Broad Wall, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, the City of David, the Pool of Shailom, an unlikely place for the Upper Room in Dormition Abbey, an archeological site on part of the Western Wall, the Southern Steps, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The Broad Wall, located in the Jewish Quarter, is part of Hezekiah’s city walls. It was interesting to see where the location of the particular wall is. It is situated on a dip of the Transversal Valley which bisects the Old City of Jerusalem. The City of David is located on the Eastern Hill, a very narrow and low finger-like hill. It is surrounded by both the Hinnem and Kidron Valleys and is seemingly enveloped by the Western Hill and the Mount of Olives. This symbolizes God’s arms surrounding and protecting the city. On our walk, it was interesting to discuss the likely places where David’s palace was in relation to the city. It is believed to have been at the top of the City below the biblical Mt. Zion which held the Temple (which is now where the Dome of the Rock is located). There is currently a dig being done and there have been lots of recent finds. In the past, there was lots of confusion regarding David and Soloman because they were revered as these great and wealthy kings, but since no one has found any remains of their wealth and power, there was a great deal of skepticism regarding their empires. Understanding the location of the palace truly made the David and Bathsheba story come alive. If David’s palace was higher than other structures and homes, it would have been very easy for him to see Bathsheba bathing on the roof of her home. And with all of the men of the city gone away at war, it was possible for him to request her presence. While in the City of David, we climbed to the top of a tower and looked over the city, as well as, Silwon Village, which is situated adjacent to the Mount of Olives. We could clearly look upon all the rooves of the city. While in the City of David, we watched a fascinating movie about the city. In 3D! It was very exciting! Then we made our way down to Area G of the City of David where a Millo (retaining wall) was discovered. In Area G there were also remnants of the classical 4 bedroom home. After that we went down to the spring where Hezekiah's tunnel began.

Hezekiah’s tunnel was constructed in order for water to flow and supply the city in times of war. It was chiseled by workers from both ends who met in the middle to complete the tunnel. In the 1880’s an explorer by the name of Warren discovered some of the shafts that lead to the tunnel. These shafts were rediscovered later on as well. Walking through the tunnel in the water was an incredible experience! We were in water up to our knees and hunched over as to not hit our heads on the ceiling for about 15-20 minutes. It was amazing to see where the water source came from. The water started at the spring where the water was kept for the City of David. There were excavations being done there on the towers of the spring. At the end of the tunnel was the pool of Shailom, which looked like a place of social gatherings. It was interesting to see the many steps and landings of the pool that people used as the water levels fell. After that we made the long trek back to school for lunch stopping at several different tombs along the way. It is so funny because tombs are everywhere in Jerusalem. Literally. They surround the city. The walk seemed like it took forever and it was all up hill. My legs were killing me and I was so out of breath when we reached the school. God was clever in choosing a place for his people in the mountains. I can't imagine being an army planning to siege the city. There is no stinkin' way!

In the afternoon, we visited Dormition Abbey where tradition says the Upper Room was located. However, this is very unlikely considering the architectural nature of the building. It resembles much later times and points more towards a later empire than the time of Christ.

Following the abbey, we went over to the Western Hill archeological site. Many excavations were done here. On this particular site, the Robinson Arch was discovered, and a Roman Road and marketplace was discovered. This lead to a greater understanding of the Temple Mount and how people were to arrive there. Upon entering the city, people would go to the money changer, then purchase a sacrifice, and finally go through a ritual cleansing called a Miq’vot in order to enter the temple. Once this was completed, they would go toward the Southern Steps, close to the Mount of Olives, walk up a narrow staircase which was made of one long step and one short step in order for people to be forced to take their time and prepare their hearts before entering the presence of God. Once the sacrifice had been given, the person leaves the Temple from a narrow door and a wider portion of the Southern Steps. This is a very likely place Jesus would have preached. In the Temple is where He overturned tables because the money changing and sacrifice sales were being done in a Holy space upon the Mount itself.

Lastly, we went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is where, as tradition has it, Jesus was crucified, prepared for burial, and finally buried. It is not known for sure, though. There is a small room at the bottom of the church which is where Constantine’s mother, Helena, found wooden fragments, which she considered part of the real cross. These fragments were more than likely not the real ones, considering if you take all the fragments of the cross in the world, you would have several crosses. We also went into one of the small chapels in the church which has a tunnel coming off of it that extends to Jaffa Gate and houses many tombs. It was pretty fascinating and kinda creepy.

Finally, at the very end of the day we went to a roof top near the church and reflected on the day. it had definitely been a long one!