Lessons from Israel: Gamla

Our family trip to Israel was a powerful spiritual experience for many reasons.  We walked where Jesus walked. We saw the very places where the events of the Bible took place.  Those events came alive to us in fresh ways. We gained insight into the world to which Jesus announced the kingdom of God.  These are all the ways that I anticipated growing and learning. But one way that I experienced God that surprised me: I was moved by the beautiful scenery in this part of the world.  Israel is an amazingly beautiful part of God’s creation! Just prior to going to Israel, I spent several days on the Appalachian Trail. I thought that trip would be the scenic highlight of my sabbatical.  Sorry, but even Grayson Highlands on the AT can’t hold a candle to the rugged beauty of Israel.

This is a picture of an ancient town called Gamla.  “Gamla” comes from the Hebrew word for camel. You can see the ridge of this town looks like a camel’s hump.  The view from this town in the Golan Heights is breathtaking. It sits between two plateaus with the Sea of Galilee in the distance.  There was a synagogue in Gamla during Jesus’ time. It’s quite likely that Jesus visited this place. However, it is undeniable that God blessed this place with an amazing beauty.  I experienced him here in the beauty of his creation as much as anywhere on our trip.