Israel Tour 2017 Part 5 – Old Nazareth 

I continue to count it all  joy to share with my reading audience ‘selected’ parts of my recent trip to Israel. Our tour included visits from Bethlehem to The Northern Trail – covering nine (9) FULL days of sightseeing. Israel is anything but boring. I had an experience of a lifetime. 

The views expressed are solely my personal views.

The Nazareth Village is an open air museum that reenacts village life during  the time of Jesus. The village features houses dated back in Jesus’ boyhood days; actors  dressed in authentic costumes showing visitors how carpentry, farm and domestic work were done two thousand years ago; and wine and olive presses on display. 

Interestingly, Jesus is also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus grew up in Nazareth. He taught in the synagogues. A visit to Nazareth will defiently give you a deeper understanding of the stories in the New Testament. 

Important to Note: WHENEVER THE CITY of Nazareth WAS DESTROYED IT ROSE FROM THE ASHES STRONGER.

Applying God’s Word to this deep truth:

Micah 7:8 “Enemy, don’t laugh at me. I have fallen, but I will get up again. I sit in the shadow of trouble now. But the Lord will be a light for me.” 

Word for the day: We will rise out of  the ASHES stronger because God rules in the affairs of man. 

The beautiful views of olive trees could be seen in abundance everywhere across the landscape of Israel. Olive trees are frequently mentioned in the Bible. It was the first tree to grow after the flood in Genesis… the dove from Noah’s ark bought him an olive branch. 

The average life span of an olive tree is 500 years…but there are trees that are estimated to be 1600 – 2000 years old in the Garden of Gethsemane which is believed to be from the time of Jesus.

☆☆☆☆☆ Below – Picture #1 shows a new tree besides the root of an old tree.

It was mentioned to us that PRUNING STIMULATES NEW GROWTH.  

Bible Application: 

John 15:2 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” 

☆☆☆☆☆ Next – Picture #2 shows a tree that is 417 years old. The older the Olive tree is, the wider the trunk. 

Question: How do they know the ages of the trees? 

Answer: The farmers documented the planting of trees so the next generation will have the records. 

Spiritual Insight: 

Exodus 13:14 “And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, “With the power of his mighty hand, the LORD bought us out of Egypt, the place of slavery.” 

☆☆☆☆☆ Below – Picture #3  – 90 % of  harvested olives are turned into oil, while 10% are used as table olives. 

Olives are NOT edible. They require processing before being eaten. 

Bible Truth:

2 Timothy 3 :17 “So that the servant of God may be thourghly equipped for every good work.” 

☆☆☆☆☆  Picture #4 is a wine press. It’s a device used to extract juice from crushed grapes during wine making. 

Biblical Thought:

2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 

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Let the fun begin: Samuel and I removing the stems from the olives. 

Joseph the carpenter and the guy who gave me his rib (…and God caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam, and while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs and God made a woman from the rib). Genesis 2:21-22

Don’t know why it’s so complicated to read a blank scroll from the Nazareth Village… I guess it doesn’t have numbers. He’s an Accountant by profession. 

Below is the Renewal of Vows in Canaan Galilee with an OLIVE crown adorning my head – handmade by myself the morning of the ceremony. 

I was told after the ceremony that it is a symbol of marital victory in Rome. 

Coincidentally… we celebrated our 44th Wedding Anniversary. 

Don’t wait for EVERYTHING to be perfect before you decide to enjoy life.