PART III
THE LAND OF THE BIBLE
_Visiting Palestine with THE BIBLE STORY_
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"A land not of sailors, not of traders, not of foresters, but a land of lonely highlanders who won their living from the soil, from grain fields, from vineyards, from orchards, and from sheepfolds. A land of paths, not of thoroughfares, with but one great city. A land, not far from the highroad between Europe and the East, yet secluded on its hilltops, where prophets and patriots dreamed in its safe caverns. A land which, because it had little possible outreach, reached upward."
--_William Byron Forbush_.
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VISITING PALESTINE WITH THE BIBLE STORY
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE LAND
The land of Palestine would be one of the most interesting even if sacred events had never occurred within its borders.
In the first place, it is part of the world's largest oasis. Have you ever thought that it is the most isolated country on earth? Hemmed in by the desert, on part of one end by high mountains and on the west by the sea, it seems separated from an other lands as for some peculiar purpose.
It is most astonishing in its physical contour. Though smaller than New Hampshire and of about the same shape, its elevation varies from the height of Mount Hermon, 9000 feet above the sea, to the lower level of the Jordan, 1300 feet below it. In the short distance of twenty miles from the Mount of Olives to the Dead Sea there is a drop of over 4000 feet. Within these limits flourish the pine and the palm, the wheat and the cane, the grackle and the skylark, the mountain wolf and the gazelle. The mountain may be covered with snow when the plain is green with verdure. From more than one hilltop the traveler can see at once the glaciers of Hermon and the steaming cauldron of the Dead Sea.
These diversities explain many interesting points of history, and we may understand them more clearly through some of the rare and attractive photographs in THE BIBLE STORY.
The Seacoast Plain
Palestine may be most easily described as consisting of four strips widening from north to south, and broken across by Mount Carmel and the Valley of Esdraelon. These strips are, from west to east: the lowland plain, the highlands, the Jordan valley, and the tablelands east of the Jordan.
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The lowland plain has several significant features. The coast line of Palestine, as you may see by the map (14 T.J.), is broken by only one indentation, that of the headland of Carmel, and has not a single harbor. The general character of its shores is admirably illustrated by the picture (110 S.A.), and their exposure by the picture of ancient Ascalon (474 T.J.). Jaffa, anciently Joppa, was then as now the common landing place for imports, but the small boats (168 T.J.) indicate how limited must have been the foreign commerce that could be carried among the rocks which fringe that shore. The plain farther inland was known at the north as the Plain of Sharon and at the south as the Plain of the Philistines. As the map (112 T.J.) shows, the main highroad from Asia Minor to Egypt ran through it. That Jerusalem was a spiritual rather than a commercial capital is seen in the fact that it was not on this road. Aijalon (364 H.T.) was one of those easy gateways at which Judea struggled with Philistia, and the valley of Sorek (180 T.J.), deeper among the hills, was the home of the individualistic patriot, Samson.
The Highlands
When Abraham came down over the backbone of Canaan and stood on the summit of Mount Ebal, which crowns the highlands, he chose for himself the hill country of Judah and Hebron. There may have been a stern prescience in this, as well as generosity to his luxury-loving nephew. Thenceforth the history of the Hebrews, like that of the Scotch, was largely that of highlanders. How suited were those hills for defense is suggested by photographs (304, 344, 356 H.T.). These highlands slope up gradually from the lowland plain on the west, but on the east they fall toward the Jordan with frightful rapidity, broken by kopjes, small canyons, and almost inaccessible swift streams. What this country is like is suggested by the picture (154 G.B.). It was a fitting home for such lonely prophets as Elijah and John the Baptist. Along these highlands rested the high towns of Hebron (44 H.T.), Bethlehem (14 H.T.), Jerusalem (496 H.T.), Shechem (82 H.T.), Samaria (156 T.J.), and, beyond Esdraelon, Nazareth (60 L.J.). Farther to the north lived the brave prophets of the Northern Kingdom among the mountain sanctuaries of the Lebanon (44 S.A., 460 H. T.) under the shadow of the King of the Land, Mount Hermon (60 S.A.). On these highlands this mere speck of a people intrenched themselves for ages against the mightiest of world powers. Here lived all their great men. Here were written their histories. Here were their two capitals. In one of their hill towns lived the Master for thirty years; in another, Jerusalem, he consummated his mission.
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The Jordan Valley
Jordan is more glorious in poetry than in history or in fact. As a stream it begins nowhere and ends in a salt lake. Its lower banks are a great hot muggy bowl (126, 394 T.J., 280, 290 H.T.). The stream has never been anything but a boundary, since it is not navigable and is too low for purposes of irrigation. Its fords have been the scene of many wars of conquest and defense (284 H.T., 64 L.J.), but the people living near it have always been weak and degenerate. It has been called the pantry of Canaan, fertile for food but ever open for easy attack. In literature, the stream has been often referred to as the symbol of the transition of death, and the outlet, the Dead Sea, as the emblem of judgment (34, 258 H.T.).
Esdraelon and the Lake of Galilee
Where the Kishon crosses northern Canaan is a long triangular valley, bounded on the south by the low range of Carmel (118 T.J.). This is Esdraelon, the fertile (328 H.T., 56 T.J.). It was Israel's natural battleground, and recalls Deborah, Gideon, Sisera, Saul, Ahab, Elijah, Jehu, Josiah, Pharaoh-necho, the Maccabees, the Romans, the Arabs, the Crusaders, and Napoleon. The seer of Patmos foresaw other world conflicts even more majestic in this valley of Armageddon.
A part of the Jordan valley, but upon the level of Esdraelon and sharing its salubrity, is the Lake of Galilee, unmentioned in the Old Testament, but in the time of Jesus a busy center of work and trade and the scene of his longest ministry. It is a sapphire sea, set in a golden frame (96, 108 G.B.).
The Eastern Tableland
The high levels east of the Jordan were the border of the desert (318 H.T.). They were always occupied, as now, by wandering tribes, and they were decidedly foreign country. To the North there is more irregularity, as in the valley of the Jabbok (78 H.T.) mentioned in the story of Jacob. Down this tableland was another caravan road into Egypt past Sinai (200, 206 H.T.), from Damascus (410 T.J.), the treasure-house of the East.
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UNDERSTANDING GEOGRAPHY BY PICTURES
The inscription on the back of each of the pictures referred to below will answer the question and the text, referred to in brackets, will tell the story more in detail.
Why is Hebron one of the most interesting spots in the world? 166 G.B., 44, 74 H.T.
Of what interesting events was the Ancient Shechem, now known as Nablous, the scene? 24, 82 H.T. (82-87 L.J.)
Who is associated with the town of Ramah? 136, 349 H. T.
What kind of boats were used on the Nile and what were they called? 154 H.T.
Of what value was the Nile to Egypt? 148 H.T.
Describe the wilderness where the children of Israel wandered for forty years. 200, 206, 224, 240 H.T.
What important discovery was made in the monastery of Saint Catherine near Mount Sinai? 210 H.T.
Why is Palestine called a "living Pompeii"? 234 H.T.
What is a Druse family? 134 G.B.
Why is Petra one of the strangest and most marvelous cities in the world? 252 H.T.
Locate it on the map. 14 T.J.
What happens when the muddy waters of the Jordan flow into the Dead Sea, and why? 258 H.T.
Tell the name of "the city of palm trees" and two important facts about it. 280, 290 H.T. (287-292 H.T.)
What is the modern condition of this once important city? 390, 394 T.J.
How does Smith explain this condition? 279 H.T.
Give three important facts about the Plain of Esdraelon. 328 H.T., 56 T.J.
Explain the meaning of the national saying, "from Dan to Beersheba." 340 H.T.
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What valley was called the "Valley of the Smiths," and why? 364 H.T.
What do you know about Endor? 378 H.T. (376-380 H.T.)
What were the two chief industries of Judea? In illustrating his mission by referring to these pursuits, what words did Jesus use? 410 H.T.
What do you know about the rock-hewn tombs used in Bible lands? 176, 310, 450 H.T.
What do you know of the Cedars of Lebanon, and what is the meaning of the word "Lebanon"? 454, 460 H.T.
What stands to-day on the old temple area in Jerusalem? 464, 468 H.T.
What awful contest between rival faiths was fought out for a full day on Mount Carmel? 118 T.J. (116-122 T.J.)
What influence did the great wilderness of the Brook Cherith have on the life and literature of the Hebrew people? 126 T.J.
Between what two important cities of Palestine does the road run that is made famous by the story of the Good Samaritan? Why is it called the "Ascent of Blood"? For what reasons have pilgrims, both in Jesus' time and ours, traveled this road? 132 T.J., 90 L.J.
What two great prophets are associated with the village of Shunem, and how? 136 T.J. (138-143 T.J.)
In whose reign was Samaria made capital of the Northern Kingdom? 384 T.J., 374 T.J.
How did the location of Samaria make it easy for it to resist assault? Tell the story of one dreadful siege there. 156 T.J. (152-157 T.J.)
How was Samaria finally brought low? (411-413 T.J.)
How does the city to-day justify Isaiah's name for it, "the crown of the pride of Ephraim"? 360 T.J.
What other ruins tell the story of the once proud city? 350 T.J.
Explain the statement made in the time of Jesus (82 L.J.) "For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans" 237 T.J., 488 L.J.
What great seaport, the only inside harbor between Egypt and Mount Carmel, was the scene of Jonah's attempt to escape from the command of the Lord? 167,458 T.J. (165-171 T.J.)
Through what valley does the modern railroad from Jaffa to Jerusalem run? 180 T.J.
What great loss was suffered there in the time of Eli? 180 T.J. (342-346 H.T.)
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Give the name of some of the gates in the ancient wall of Jerusalem and explain their use 216 T.J. 322, 338 L.J.
What was the fate of the first wall that surrounded the city? 224 T.J.
Does any of the wall still exist? 224, 230 T.J.
When and for what reason did the ancient Jews gather at their wailing place in Jerusalem? 244 T.J.
What two important mounts are separated by the valley of Jehosaphat, also known as Kidron? 252 T.J.
Name something that distinguishes each mount. (264 L.J., 461 H.T.)
What important roads run through the valley of Jehosaphat? Tell some other interesting features of the valley. 260, 264 T.J.
What little village at the base of the Mount of Olives is remembered because of its pool, which was the scene of one of Jesus' miracles? 274 T.J. (197 L.J.)
What interesting discovery has been made in connection with this pool? 304 T.J.
What was the system of water supply in ancient Jerusalem? 298 T.J.
What astonishing discovery has been made by excavation concerning the mound that covers the ancient city of Lachish in Palestine? 310 T.J.
What mount was made a rival of Jerusalem by the erection of a temple which marked it as the central shrine of the nation? 366 T.J.
What range is the great mountain barrier of northern Palestine? 372 T.J., 60 S.A.
Locate this range on map. 213 L.J.
Tell the name and character of the famous monument of Mesha, king of Moab. 376 T.J.
What can be said of the city of Damascus both as to character and location? 406 T.J.
What great man of New Testament times is associated with this city? (371 L.J.)
In the midst of Mohammedan occupancy to-day, what portion of the old Christian city of Damascus is left to preserve the prophecy, "Thy kingdom, O Christ, is an everlasting kingdom"? 378 L.J.
What river at Damascus was once compared with the Jordan river? 410 T.J.
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By whom was it compared? (144 T.J.)
What two famous cities on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean held the commercial supremacy of the East? 436, 442 T.J.
How did a king of one of these cities come into business relations with a king of Israel? (457 H.T.)
What Judean city possessed such fertile soil that it was called the "House of Bread"? 478 T.J.
What beautiful character is associated with these harvest fields? (35 T.J.)
What is the meaning of the name "Gethsemane," and why was the garden so called? 260 L.J.
How did the location of Lydda make it a business center? 352 L.J.
Name and locate the Roman city in which Paul the Apostle grew to manhood; and give two sources of civic pride. 374 L.J.
What great prophet had his home in Anathoth, a little city near Jerusalem? 316 S.A.
What scenes in the lives of two great men of Judea were laid in the hill country of Judea now marked by the Convent of Mar-Sarba? 358 S.A.
What were some of the distinguishing features of the city of Corinth in the time of Paul? 418, 432 S.A.
How did her situation contribute to Corinth's greatness? 402 L.J.
For what characteristics did Corinth became proverbial in the ancient world? 410 L.J. (408-412 L.J.)
Name and describe the most pronounced object in Ancient Athens. 406 L.J.,442 S.A.
What Bible hero visited these scenes on his travels? 398 L.J. (404-408 L.J.)
Tell how the situation of Antioch made it a place of concourse for all classes and kinds of people. 446 S.A.
Locate Antioch on map. 381 L.J.
What historical ground did Paul's route in Macedonia cover? 428 L.J.
What natural cause accounts for the decay of the city of Miletus which was in Paul's day one of the leading centers of Greek civilization? 420 L.J. (425,426 L.J.)
Describe the aspect, as seen from the sea, of the city of Assos, visited by Paul on his third missionary journey. 424 L.J. (425 L.J.)
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What is the appearance of the AEgean Sea to-day, commercially speaking, as compared with classic times? 432 L.J.
Of what historical events was the city of Salonica the scene and by what name was it known in the time of Paul? 436 L.J. (403,404 L.J.)
What interesting points might have been viewed by Paul from the deck of the "Twin Brothers," as it lay in the port of Puteoli? 440 L.J.
Name and give the interesting events that centered about the mount known as the "Mount of God". 94 S.A.
What stands on the island of Malta to-day commemorating Paul's visit there? 480 L.J. (474-477 L.J.)
Describe and give the name of the great Way which has been called the "Queen of Roads". 476 L.J.
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LOCATING BIBLE CHARACTERS IN THE LAND
(Use map at the beginning of this chapter except when referred elsewhere. )
Abraham
Locate the place of Abram's birth, Ur in Chaldea. 21, 487 H.T.
Trace his migration, with his father and family, to Haran in Mesopotamia, 21, 487 H.T.; and his route from there to the land of Canaan, passing through: Shechem (also known as Sichem), his first stopping place, 22, 487 H.T.; Bethel, where he built an altar, 22, 487 H.T.; Hebron, where he made his permanent home and where later Sarah died, 25,45 H.T.
Sodom and Gomorrah were situated in the valley of the Jordan where it broadens out in its southern part into a plain. The present Dead Sea is said to lie over the site of these two cities. Trace out on the map the distance covered by Abram when he pursued the five foreign kings "as far as Dan." 25, 26, 488 H.T.
How does the extent of land, "from the river of Egypt unto the great river Euphrates," which was promised to Abram and his family, correspond to that territory ruled over by the great king Solomon? 28, 455, 488 H.T.
Locate the town of Beer-sheba, one of the homes of Abram. 42, 488 H. T.
Solomon built the great temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. 461 H.T. What other event do some think happened at this place? 41, 491 H.T.
Isaac
Locate and give the meaning of the name of the far distant land where Isaac's wife was sought. 50,491 H.T.
Jacob
Locate Paddan-aram, where Jacob fled from his home in Canaan to be with his uncle Laban. 68, 492 H.T.
Locate the ford of Jabbok near which Jacob wrestled with the angel. 80, 492 H.T.
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Joseph
Find the city of Dothan where Joseph's brothers conspired against him. 95, 492 H.T.
What other great man was associated with Dothan? 151. T.J.,492 H.T.
In what part of Egypt was the fat land of Goshen, which Pharaoh gave to Joseph's father and brothers for a dwelling place? 125, 493 H.T.
(Note, in the story of the plagues, 158 H.T., that the Hebrews still dwelt in this particular part of Egypt in the days of oppression.)
Moses
Trace out the general route taken by the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan, locating the Red Sea, where the hosts of Pharaoh were drowned, 180 H.T.; Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments were given, 201 H. T.; the wilderness, between the arms of the Red Sea, where the people wandered so long, 242 H. T.; Hebron, to which the spies were sent, 243 H. T.; Kadesh, where the people abode for many years and where Miriam died, 248 H.T.; Edom, the hostile land through which the people wished to pass, 249 H.T.; Mount Hor, where Aaron died, 250 H.T.; Moab, where the Israelites encamped for some time, 255 H.T.; the Jordan river, at the head of the Dead Sea, where the Israelites finally crossed into the land of Canaan, 285 H.T.
Joshua
(See larger map of Palestine, 14 T.J., for conquests of Canaan.)
When the children of Israel crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, they found it full of foes. Joshua, the courageous warrior, won the land for the Israelites.
Locate the scene of many of his mighty conquests--Jericho, 287 H.T.; Ai, also known as Hai, 294 H.T.; Gibeon, 300 H.T.; Jerusalem, 305 H.T.
Where was Gilgal, the place of Joshua's camp? 300 H.T.
Ehud
From what section of the land did the Moabites come who warred against the Israelites in the time of the judge Ehud? 315 H.T.
This is the same Moab to which the family of Naomi and Elimelech went to escape famine in their native city of Bethlehem (35 T.J.), which was six miles south of Jerusalem.
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By what physical formation were the people of Bethlehem able to see that there was food in the land of Moab? 487 T.J.
Gideon
Locate the land of the Midianites, the Arab wanderers who oppressed Israel in the time of Gideon. 319 H.T.
(This is said to be the same country whither Moses fled when he killed the Egyptian, 141 H.T.)
Samuel
(Map, page 14 T.J.)
By noting the three great cities of Philistia, Ashdod, Askelon, and Gath, give the general location of the land of the Philistines, the people so long at enmity with the Israelites (342,360,375 H.T.) from whose hosts came the giant Goliath (386 H.T.) 493 H.T.
Saul
Locate the country of Gilead where at Jabesh Saul's first battle was fought. 359 H.T.
(Note how the people of Jabesh-gilead later remembered Saul's help. 359,381,494 H.T.)
David
(Map, page 14 T.J.)
Where was the town of Gath, the home of the giant Goliath? 386, 497 H.T.
(Note that later King Uzziah broke down the walls of Gath. 287, 288 T.J.)
Locate the land belonging to the tribe of Judah on whose hills David lived as a boy and tended sheep. 382 H.T.
Solomon
Describe the location of the city of Jerusalem, the capital of the kingdom of David and Solomon. Give its position with respect to the Dead Sea, the Mediterranean, Dan, and Beer-sheba. 461 H.T.
Did the Queen of Sheba come far to visit Solomon? Trace what was probably her route. Note how far Solomon's fame had spread. 487, 498 H.T.
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Locate Ezion-geber, the town on the Red Sea from which Solomon sent his ships to trade in Egypt and Arabia. 482, 498 H. T.
(Note that the same people who were formerly in bitter bondage in Egypt were trading on equal terms with that nation. 498 H.T.).
Deborah
(Map, page 14 T.J.)
What general section of the Israelitish country was concerned in the story of Deborah? 487 T.J.
Locate the principal places: the hill country of Ephraim near the country belonging to the tribe of Naphtali from which Barak came to seek Deborah's help, 52, 53 T.J.; Bethel where Deborah lived, 52 T.J.
Elijah and Elisha
(Map, page 112 T.J.)
Trace out the journeys of Elijah from Samaria, the capital of Ahab's kingdom (113 T.J.) to Zarephath, where the widow served him, 114, 115 T.J.; Mount Carmel near Jezreel where he met the prophets of Baal, 116-122 T.J.; Beer-sheba, where he left his servant, 123 T.J.; Mount Horeb, where he received new courage, 123, 124 T.J.; Jezreel, the scene of Naboth's vineyard, 127-130 T.J.; the Jordan, near Jerusalem, where Elijah was taken in a chariot of fire and where Elisha took up his work, 130-134 T.J.
Locate Syria and its capital, Damascus, the home of Naaman, the leper who came to Elisha to be healed. 143-147 T.J.
Jonah
Locate Joppa, from which place Jonah sailed to Tarshish.
Locate Nineveh to which he finally went. 165-171, 493 T.J.
Samson
(Map, page 14 T.J.)
Locate the city of Dan which was Samson's home, and in general the scenes of his raids into Philistia. 172-182, 493 T.J.
Daniel
Locate Babylon, where Daniel lived in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. 183 T.J.
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Esther, Nehemiah
Locate Shushan, prominent in the stories of Esther and Nehemiah. 60, 212, 488 T.J.
Life of Jesus
(Use map, page 24 L.J., in addition to map in this volume.)
The scenes of Jesus' life were laid in many places throughout the land of Palestine. These places are here tabulated and divided according to the periods of His life. Three practical tests are proposed:--
(1) How many of the places given below suggest to you familiar stories?
(2) How many of these scenes can you locate on the map?
(3) Make an outline of the life of Jesus from the sequence of events here given by writing out in brief the incident connected with each place.
The Boyhood
Bethlehem of Judea. 37 L.J.
Jerusalem. 49 L.J.
Egypt. 45 L.J.
Nazareth. 49 L.J.
Preparation for the Ministry
The Jordan River. 65 L.J.
The Wilderness near Jericho. 70 L.J.
The Ministry
Cana. 78 L.J.
Samaria. 82 L.J.
The Mount of Beatitudes. 105, 107, 108 L.J.
Capernaum. 125 L.J.
The City of Nain. 130 L.J.
The Lake of Gennesaret. 136, 489 L.J.
The Banquet Hall of Herod. 154 L.J.
The Pool of Bethesda. 167, 489 L.J.
Caesarea Philippi. 178 L.J.
Bethany. 215 L.J.
Jericho. 221 L.J.
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Passion Week
An Upper Chamber. 249 L.J.
The Mount of Olives. 264 L.J.
Palace of the High Priest. 269 L.J.
Pilate's Palace. 272 L.J.
The Palace of Herod. 275 L.J.
Pilate's Judgment Hall. 276 L.J.
Golgotha (Calvary) 281 L.J.
Joseph's Garden. 286 L.J.
The Resurrection
The Village of Emmaus. 301 L.J.
The Sea of Galilee. 307 L.J.
The Mount of Ascension. 310 L.J.
Trace out on the map on page 381 the first missionary journey of Paul. 376 L.J.
Trace out on the map on page 393 Paul's second missionary journey. 392 L.J.
Trace out on the map on page 415 Paul's third missionary journey. 417 L.J.
Follow the route on page 449 of Paul's journey to Rome. 462 L.J.
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