JORDAN RIFT-VALLEY

Beit-Shean/Scythopolis -- The most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. (1 Sam 31:10-12) During the intertestamental period, the city was renamed the "Scythopolis". Archaeologists have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis--a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. (Other Biblical references include: Josh 17:11,16 Judges 1:27 1 Kings 4:12)

Gideon Springs -- Here, Gideon, one of many "deliverers" in the Book of Judges, prepared for the battle against the Midianites by paring down his army from thirty-three thousand (Judges 7:3) to ultimately only three hundred--so that God could demonstrate his greatness in granting them ultimate victory. (7:2-8)

Jericho -- "City of Palms" Excavations have demonstrated Jericho to be on of the world's oldest cities, if not the oldest! It was, and still is, an important site because of its warm climate, abundant springs of water, and strategic location astride a point where caravans could travel east to west along the Jordan Valley. Site of the famous, miraculous conquest under Joshua. (Joshua 2,6) Other Biblical references include: Judges 3:12-30 2 Sam 10:4-5 1 Kings 16:34 2 Kings 2:4-22

Jordan River/Valley -- Meaning "go down", this river flows from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Although there are only 70 miles between the two bodies of water, with all of its twists and turns the Jordan is about 110 miles long. The most notable settlements along its ancient shores were Beit Shean and Jericho, toward the South. Most of its banks were too densely covered with vegetation to be habitable, and instead served as a haven for wild animals. (See Jer 12:5; 49:19; 50:44) Today, the Jordan is actually a small stream, as most of its waters are used for irrigation. God identified the Jordan as the eastern border of the Promised Land; here John the Baptist baptized many, including Jesus himself. (Num 34:10-12 Other Biblical references, among many: Gen 13:10-11 Num 22:1 Joshua 3:1-4:18 Judges 3:28-30; 7:24-25; 12:1-7; 1 Sam 31:7-10 2 Sam 17:15-22 Jer 12:5 Ezek 47:18 Zech 11:3 Matt 3:56; 3:13-17 Mark 1:5; 1:9 John 1:28; 10:40-42)

Sachne Hot Spring -- A fine place for swimming and winter Baptisms!