The place where everything changed

Tel Dan was an incredible adventure.

First, the 4,000+-year-old Abrahamic gate.

Then, walking into the ancient city, through the next set of gates, and sitting at the spot of the king:

The rocks are so rounded, that they look like something from a theme park, haha.

View from inside the gate:

Once again, a place just outside the gate for the city's idols to stand at the entrance. Visitors and vendors would pay homage on that high place. This would have been before the Israelite time (I think).

Then, you go through newer gates:

The view from inside, looking out:

To the residential area:

this last photo cracks me up a bit (the sign):

Then, to the place that broke my heart:

“After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, ‘It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’ One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other.” 1 Kings 12:28-30

It’s not often you get to ‘witness’ the point where everything changed for a nation. More often than not, these things are more of a “frogs set to a slow boil” situation than a sudden point of no return.

Here, at Tel Dan, is a replica of an altar commissioned by Jeroboam, who had golden calves placed for worship at Beth-el and Dan, all so the people wouldn’t go to worship in Jerusalem (and maybe swear allegiance to Rehoboam). Off to the side of the altar, in these other buildings, implements were found that just like what were used in the temple to carry incense, proving the record of worship here.

It may have been a slow boil up until this point, but right here is where everything changed- forever.

I can't over-emphasize how sobering it is to sit and look at the altar (the metal form is just to give us an idea of what it looked like), and realize that this is whenever everything changed forever for Israel. The weight, and grief, of this place is indescribable.

After visiting Tel Dan, I watched Sergio and Rhoda's video of their visit there, and they said the same thing. I'm pasting it here so you can hear it from the mouth of Israelis.

Historic Peace Treaty between Israel and the UAE

Back in June, I talked about how Israel was supposed to annex Gaza and the West Bank on July 1. As time passed, I wondered what happened; why I wasn't reading stories saying "it happened". Then, last week, this incredible news was announced:

WOW!

The United Arab Emirates has become the 3rd Arab nation to strike a peace deal with Israel, the first being Egypt in 1967 and Jordan in 1994.

According to Amir Tsarfati of Behold Israel, "Israel and the UAE have been working together in developing new methods to more efficiently combat COVID-19. As part of this new partnership, the two countries will share in trade, travel, tourism, and even technology." Behold Israel notes that while Palestine, Iran, and Turkey are against this peace deal, other Arab states support it (and might even follow with their own). In fact, one report I heard said that OMan will sign one in the next 2 weeks and Bahrain will follow (Bahrain has already picked out a building for an Israeli embassy!), Morocco, and then maybe even Saudi Arabia. Already Saudi Arabia is allowing Israeli flights to cross their airspace to get to the UAE. 

For more of the implications of this peace deal, you can watch Amir Tsarfati's update here:

What do you think of this historic event?

Have you seen THE CHOSEN yet?

A few months ago, a friend of mine recommended that I watch The Chosen, a crowdfunded, multi-season television show about the life of Christ (right now there's only 1 season of 8 episodes completed).

It's available on an app, or here online.

I'm a little suspicious of Christian movies, especially ones based on Bible stories, because so many I've seen seem to have substituted quality for cheese, which to me, dilutes the message. (Not all of them do, but many have). I don't believe it is okay for Christian art, in any form, to be substandard, since we have the best reason of all for our art—glorifying God and proclaiming His power and love. But, okay, I'll get off my soapbox now. I promise I only have 2 or 3. 😀

I waited to watch the show, because I didn't want to start a new television show binge just yet. Also, I wasn't sure at the time if I'd be able to watch it on my computer (you can), and I didn't want to watch it on a phone (even though it was free). But the week before Palm Sunday, the show's creator, director, and co-writer, Dallas Jenkins, streamed it on youtube for a week. He talks before and after, often interviewing actors via video call (since this is during COVID-19), and even showing behind-the-scenes stories and information. The episodes are there in the middle of the streams. 

Last night, I finished episode 8, the finale of season 1, and I have a lot of thoughts. So, these posts are going to be a series, much like some of the book discussions we've had on here. Stay tuned for next week's post, when we will dive into The Chosen!

But for now, *spoiler alert* I'll just let you know:

I loved it.

And if you don't know what I'm talking about click below to watch the trailer:

Please let me know below- have you seen The Chosen yet? What did you think?