Bible study and Field Trips in Holy Land
St. Georges College, Jerusalem
Abraham, Past and Present
Before starting classes at St. George,
spent ten days at YMCA at Galilee reviewing
the Bible, especially pertaining to God's
covenant with his Chosen People and the
Promised Land.
Archeologists find ancient cities
No specific boundaries of Canaan
Although Canaan was promised, to Abraham's
son, Isaac, no boundaries seem very specific,
and the proviso is very strongly stated in many places.
Namely, that the people must obey His Commandments and be a Holy People to remain the in the
Promised Land.
Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself
Although Levitus and Deuteronomy contain many
laws which seem outdated to us, and the sacrifices
are not available to forgive sins, there are health
laws and holy laws still applicable today.
There is a very strong law that the strangers
must be treated the same under the covenant.
Do unto others as we would have done to us
is stated many times. And Moses' final song
at the end of Deuteronomy is startling in its cruelty
regarding the punishment if the laws are not kept.
Corruption, disregard for law
The local paper, Haaretz, is incredible for its wit,
and humour as it describes corruption,
disregard for law, their own Supreme Court, World
Court, as well as the UN decisions. Their Parliament
gives itself the right to rescind these decisions.
There are so many parties, and so many "deals" constantly referred to that one gets dizzy trying to remember
not only the script but the characters involved behind
scenes.
Palestinian Human Rights
Specifically, Palestinians Human Rights are disregarded.
Homes and villages destroyed. As occupiers, Israel
considers everybody evil and guilty, without court hearings.
Property rights are violated. And now ugly concrete
walls are breaking up farm lands, all in the name of
national security.
Humiliation and suffering create hatred
The Palestinians suffer because of endless delay
and humiliation at check points into Israel. Ambulances
are having difficulty in getting through. Pregnant woman
are losing babies, and emergency treatment is withdraw.
Children ride donkeys to get to the distant check points to get
to school. Mothers fret and worry about safe return,
and schools frequently close earlier to get the girls
home before dark.
Draconian Law. Under severe cruel laws all suffer
Revenge and hatred against Other
Not only the Palestinians suffer, but Israelis suffer, too.
Because of the huge defence budget, economic assistance
for the widows, orphans, and elderly has been decreased.
Tourist industry has decreased considerably. Pollution,
protection from earthquakes, environmental protection,
water problems result from the opem corruption in govern
ment. Bribery in granting building permits is rampant.
Inappropriate land use threatens Israel
High rise hotels and millionaire housing threatens the fragile and
historic land, as well as limited water supply. Sadly, Israelis are fearful
of suicide bombings, avoid busses, and end up hating
Palestinians who seem to them causing the problems. If they
would all just become exiled to another country, is their solution.
Corruption of Palestinians Leaders
The Palestinian leaders seem to have the same corruption,
revenge and hatred which is part of their tenaciously
holding the right of ownership of the land. I have seen
palacial mansions of Palestinian Leaders, who think they
are entitled to live like leaders of other lands.
Vestiges of ancient cities still in area
Hebron, Jericho, Capernum, to mention a few
The area, threatened by inappropriate high rise and high
density development, was once the busy main highway
between Egypt, Mesopotania, and
Assyria. Vestiges of these cities are still there, and
archeologists are uncovering the sand dunes now located
on these once busy highways. Remains of Bible cities are
preserved by the British Museum in London, as well as
Pergumum Museum in East Berlin, all mentioned
in the Old Testament.
Land of Old Family Feuds
Children of Abraham - Ishmael and Isaac
The Muslims in some complicated way
are the children of the father Abraham
ISHMAEL, first born, son of Hagar
Some say his CONCUBINE,
Others say his WIFE
Bitterness and feuding never resolved
But very common in all families
To this day.
And what's happening now?
Two warriors still at it
Arafat and Sharon
More recently, Palestine was part of Turkey,
Also Jordan, who lost the colonies during
recent wars. These are now the lands occupied
by Israel, also through another war. Sadly,
many of the children of Ishmael here many years
Sharon once a Terrorist, now a General
Respected by USA who assists him, for
some unfathomable reason. Tells children
of Ishmael: Go away! We hate you!
Arrafat, his old opponent, refuses to leave
Terrorist now Bulldozer Sharon
Sharon, known to his friends, as Bulldozer
Is always looking for suspected Terrorists
Himself a Terrorist, he sees all in his own image.
And like the Old Wild West outlaw
He shoots and asks later
Nobody is innocent until declared guilty
Never part of his Code of Ethics
Women, Children, Innocents
get in his way
Nobody is innocent until declared guilty
Not part of his outlaw gang
Frequently, women, children, homes of
citizens get in the way, and are accidently
killed, maimed, terrorist sometime found,
but always suspected, but never tried.
There may be a sherrif looking for him
But he never sees
Arafat and Sharon
Reflections of Each Other
As a Terrorist himself in the olden days,
once a Terrorist always a Terrorist, and
he sees one on every street corner, as a
reflection of his bad old days.
How would you feel if it happened to you?
Revenge and hatred
Well, sadly, Muslims who are very devote
and pray daily, five times, and memorize
the Koran, also get very angry and seek
revenge.
Suicide Bombers Appear
All of us say: how would you like it,
if we did it to you? And after much
provocation by Bulldozer Sharon, with
houses and families destroyed, martyrs
turn up with explosives and give their
lives to get even. They are called
Terrorists and suicide bombers.
Another reason to stop peace efforts
So What? History is full of Martyrs
If like the Buddhists, who go into a
square and simply burn themselves, it
would be fine. Even Paul Revere said
Give me Liberty or Give me Death
History is full of all kinds of martyrs
Christians have many saints
Who gave their life for Christianity