Below Sea Level

Visitors to the Holy Land following one of the many different EO itineraries will always be intrigued by the Sea Level signs. These signs are set for sea level at the Mediterranean Sea.
Several times the tour bus will pass a Sea Level sign either on its way down to Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, or on its way down to Jericho, the Dead Sea, Qumran and Masada. And then, of course, on the way up again.

Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee are about 650ft below Sea Level and farther south the Dead Sea is the lowest place on the face of the earth, some 1,280 ft. below sea level. Actually it is a little healthier down below sea level as there is more oxygen in the air - so more oxygen for breathing, the heart, the brain and for better sleeping. Hence many health spas abound around the shores of the Dead Sea. It is also one of the few places in the world where an altimeter (in a plane) actually points downwards! Directions are interesting, too, as normally down is for south and up is for north but going north from Jerusalem one is actually going down to the Sea of Galilee.

Local folk have an inside joke about folk who, as we say, “don’t play with a full deck,” they point to a dumb act and smiling remark, “They are from below sea level.”

Some interesting spiritual truths and lessons come from below sea level. Jesus chooses to be baptized and begin his ministry while below sea level. The Jordan, where John baptized near Jericho, is pretty much the lowest place you can be on earth. Is this part of the divine humiliation (Phil. 2:8)? Consider the stark contrast to the plethora of gods that all sought the highest places, the hills and mountain tops for their status. Such as the home of the gods on Mount Olympus in Greece, or, in Israel, Baal and all the other gods also sought out the high places. Psalm 121 can be read in this way, “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills” – where the psalmist sees the pagan idols and immediately asks the question, “From whence cometh my help?” His answer is - not from this crowd but, raising his eyes above them continues with his answer, “My help comes from the Lord who made the heavens. . . “ Jesus rejects this kind of vanity. On the bus from Jerusalem to Jericho one passes a sea level sign and suddenly a new understanding of Jesus’ parable lights up, “A certain man *went down* to Jericho... “. Aha! 11 miles all downhill.

Below sea level swerves to reminds us of the Lord’s teachings about humility, seeking the lower place at the table, the servant being greater than the master, the paradox of being last in order to be first, and that of continually serving each other in love.

Being below sea level for a few days on an EO Holy Land tour is both a healthy and spiritually uplifting experience.

*Dr. Lee van Rensburg*

*EO Hospitality *

*Sea of Galilee, Tiberias.*
 

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Mt. Hermon

Mount Hermon, majestic and imposing as it rises almost 10,000 ft above sea level to form a natural border with Israel, Syria and Lebanon. It boasts the only ski resort in Israel (careful which slope you ski down) although the season is somewhat short.

The view from the summit (accessible by cable car in the summer) is magnificent as one can look West toward Rome, one time center of the world (Mediterranean means just that “center of the
earth”); East toward Damascus and the silk route to the Orient: South toward Jerusalem and Africa, and North along the road to Europe that by necessity crosses this natural bridge connecting the three major continents.

Personally, I think, this makes a more likely place for the third temptation of Jesus where the Satan takes the Lord to “a high mountain” and shows him all the kingdoms of this world.(Mt. 4:8-9). Mount Hermon is also a likely candidate for the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Matthew tells us that Jesus and his disciples are in Caesarea, Philippi at the foot of Mount
Hermon and that a few days later Jesus takes Peter, James and John “up a high mountain” (Mt. 17:1-2)) where a cloud covers them (Mt.17:5) and he is transfigured before them. The high altitude on this mountain often results in low level clouds that cover the peak. The slopes of Mount Hermon host over 300 vineyards and although a late starter in the wine world, nonetheless offer some fine wines.

Visitors also find it interesting that there are below sea level olive groves, Mediterranean level olive groves and high level (Mt. Hermon) olives to taste. To the connoisseurs olives the difference in taste is distinguishable. The annual snow fall on Mount Hermon provides a significant amount of water for the River Jordan when it starts to melt in the Spring. Other sources of water on this mountain are at Tel Dan, Banias and Hasbani. Interesting, too, is that some EO groups choose to renew their baptismal vows at the source of the Jordan River, at Banias, rather than farther down - however full immersion is not an option.

EO groups returning from a visit to the GolanHeights are thrilled with their photos and impressed by the mountain, the view and all its history - as well as a visit to the Druze restaurant at Birkit Ram (high pool) for a Labane wrap (goat cheese, olive oil, tzataar on unleavened bread heated on
a hot stone).


Dr. Lee van Rensburg

Hospitality Staff

Tiberias, Sea of Galilee

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