Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Journey to Jerusalem: The Jewel of the Jews A to Z Blogging Challenge


Jerusalem...one of the oldest and most sacred of cities.  For the Christian and Jew, it is a city of symbolism, hope and prophecy.


Other names for Jerusalem:


Mt Moriah (where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, but, provided a lamb instead)

Jebus (Jebusites, of course, lived there.)

City of David (the oldest part of the city, which King David won from the Jebusites in battle)

Zion (reflects the religious aspects of the city)

The Holy City

View of Jerusalem from the Mt of Olives





















Jews all over Israel would flock to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate their religious festivals.  It was the center of their lives.  Since the city was on a hill, no matter which direction the people would travel from, they would always say they were going "up to Jerusalem."

Here are some other facts about Jerusalem through the centuries:



Jews came here to celebrate Passover each year

Solomon's temple was built on this spot


God's presence was found here in the ark of the covenant which the children of Israel placed in the temple


David ruled as King in Jerusalem, at that time called 'the City of David.'



David's harp...a symbol of the City of David

Known as the "Beautiful City" by the Jews
Destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC but rebuilt in 516BC   Psalm 137


Remodeled by Herod the Great  in Jesus time (1st century)


Place where Jesus was crucified, buried and raised alive from the tomb.





He will come again and place his foot on Mt of Olives and reign for 1,000 years.  Isaiah 65:18-19.
There will be a 'New Jerusalem' where Christ will reign forever with His saints. Revelation 21-22


Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.



Here are some links you might find 
interesting:


City of David
Christian/Jewish Religious gifts from Israel
Friends of Israel
Michael Rydelnick: Messianic Jew and Bible

Teacher, author and tour guide.
Shabbat Shalom Cooking
Charlie Dyer: Holy Land Expert
Joel Rosenberg, Author of 
"Epicenter" and other Middle East
Thrillers

Our family had the opportunity to take an "Into the Promised Land" tour in 2010.  You can find our blog posts here.


When you think of Jerusalem, what comes to mind?  Shalom!

16 comments:

  1. Good morning!

    When I think of Jerusalem it takes me back to my Bible studies!

    Beautiful photos!

    Thanks for the history lesson!

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    1. You a so welcome, Betty...visiting Jerusalem gave me a new perspective of the Bible, and definitely affecting my studies for the better. Glad you were blessed!

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  2. Lovely! I've been to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage and I adored everything from start to finish (except the Museum of the Holocaust where I cried my eyes out). I had my epiphany down by Lake Galilee by the temple where Christ changed the bread and fishes. Thanks for the reading recommendations..

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    1. Yes, Yad Vashem was extremely painful to experience, but necessary. I loved the Sea of Galillee, and have written a children's book based on the feeding of the 5,000. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Susan!

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  3. such lovely photos...when my grandma was still living she made it her mission to get to Jeruselum and took many slides. I have them all so your post intrigued me to get them out...great J word!

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    1. I'm so glad that my post inspired you, Tracy! How wonderful that your grandma had the opportunity to go to Jerusalem, and to take slides to share with you.

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  4. I really enjoyed your post, it was informative and I learned a couple of things that I didn't know before. I have always wondered why Jesus is referred to as Jesus of Nazareth when in actual fact he should be known as Jesus of Jerusalem. I think you have partly answered my query with your reference to "New Jerusalem". I'm off to go and find out some more!!

    Thank you for your post :)

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    1. Since Jesus was His earthly name, and a common one at that, being from Nazareth, his hometown distinguished Him from many others. I'm so glad you learned something from my post, Sterling...enjoy the Challenge!

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  5. Really informative post, thank you for researching it and sharing it with us.

    I've learned something new today :)

    Best wishes, Pam

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    1. Oops...sorry, Pam...I thought you were Sterling! Glad you enjoyed it.

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  6. Going to Jerusalem was one of the most fascinating trips I ever took. Great post!

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    1. I had not realized that you visited Jerusalem as well...it's life changing, isn't it? Travel is such a blessing! Thanks for chiming in, Julie!

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  7. Be amazing to see, but it would still make me nervous to go there now.

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    1. I am amazed at how safe I felt while in Israel, Alex. I hope someday you will be able to go....

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    1. I think it is a must for everyone, Lynda, if possible. And it truly is a safe place...I was not afraid for one moment!

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I would love to have you comment...thanks!

Journey into the Promised Land

Journey into the Promised Land
From Egypt to Israel