Day 4 Israel Part 2: Caesarea Philippi & the Golan Heights

From Tel Dan we travelled a short distance further east to Caesarea Philippi.  Today it is called the Banyas (also: Banias).  Today it is a large rock face with a large cave and running spring water at the base which is the 3^rd source flowing into the Jordan River.

The spring initially gushed from the cave and the Temple of Pan stood in front of it. At the rear of the temple in the cave there was an abyss that was used for human sacrifices.  The victim would be thrown into the hole.  However an earthquake moved the stream further down and away and at the same time greatly reducing its flow.

Read more about this area here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banias

Caesarea Philippi is where Jesus in Matthew 16ff asks His disciples the big question we all have to answer. Basically the questions asks “who do you say that I am?”  Jesus goes on to say: that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

Interesting to note that in the time of the Temple Dan it was believed that the cave at the rear was where the spirits entered and exited hell.  The cave was seen as the gateway to hell.  Seeing the rock here and the cave gives a whole new dimension in understanding Jesus’ words here in Matthew 16!

From here we traveled up and up winding roads to the Golan Heights and we encounter snow!  That's right, snow!   Now this whole area prior to the Six Day War in 1967 belonged to Syria.

We go to a place called Birket Ram which is a Druze community. 

(see more he re: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze_in_Israel).  There is a volcano filled with water forming a lake right beside the restaurant.  The heat was on inside when we were eating but it was quite cool; however I would never admit it to our guide Shimon! He was continually complaining about the cold.

We continue south along the Syrian border and stop at a Israeli defense bunker overlooking Syrian territory.

Land mines cover the hill and all sorts of monitoring devices and soldiers at the top looking out below 

From here we traveled back towards our home base in Tiberius stopping at a military base for a tour. At this location they had inventory of everything from trucks and tankers to Merkava Tanks.  In the event of war; the soldiers will come here and within hours pick up personal gear and everything else they needed to head out. The job of this base was to keep a full inventory and to ensure everything was fueled up, in working order and ready to go!  Wow.  Cannot show you any pictures...sorry!

Israel builds it's own tanks so it doesn't have to rely on anyone else.  Previously because of international conflicts they had been embargoed from being able to purchase such equipment.

More on Merkava Tanks here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkava

Just before getting back we stopped at a Diamond Factory/Store.  There was a brief tour which was interesting.  Again no pictures because Kirk started a rumour that I had purchased a $56,000 USD diamond for Brenda!  No pictures; no evidence.

Blessings!