HOST: DR. JIM BARNETTE

GUIDE: DR. JEFF LEONARD

Dear Friends,

Along with Jim Barnette, Pastor of Brookwood

Baptist Church in Mountain Brook, I am delighted

to announce our next trip to the land of Israel:

May 27-June 7, 2019. This exploration of the land

of the Bible will give you an unparalleled oppor-

tunity to explore the ancient world that produced

Judaism, Christianity, and the heritage they share.

Balancing mind and heart, this trip will delve into

the history, language, and culture of Israel while at

the same time providing once-in-a-lifetime oppor-

tunities for spiritual reflection.

Walk through a tunnel built by the great King Hez-

ekiah. Say a prayer at the Western Wall. Reflect on

the life of Jesus in the place where he died. Ride a

camel. Float in the Dead Sea. And so much more!

Join us for the trip of a lifetime!

Jeff Leonard

Biblical Explorations LLC

BROOKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH

AND

BIBLICAL EXPLORATIONS

INVITE YOU TO

ISRAEL EXPLORE THE LAND OF THE BIBLE

MAY 27-JUNE 7, 2019

$2850 - LAND ONLY

(ALL INCLUSIVE EXCEPT AIR AND TRIP INSURANCE PLAN) For further information or to request a

trip application, please visit:

biblicalexplorations.com

or contact:

jeff@biblicalexplorations.com

(205) 988-8386

Jerusalem

Elah Valley

Beer Sheva

Masada

Qumran

Dead Sea

Jericho

Sea of Galilee

Capernaum

Korazim

Hazor

Caesarea

Philippi

Nazareth

Megiddo

Mt. Carmel

Mediterranean

Sea

Caesarea

Maritima

Bethlehem

ITINERARY INCLUDES:

ABOUT THE TRIP:

All inclusive (except airfare): tips, taxes, transportation, hotels,

breakfast, dinner, and entry fees included in trip fee.

Swim and hike options throughout

Unique blend of Scripture, history, and culture

MAY 27 (MON): ARRIVAL. Our trip begins at Ben Gurion airport (TLV)

in Tel Aviv. After our meet-up, we’ll board the bus for a one-hour

drive to Jerusalem, the most important city in the world. With any

luck, we’ll arrive in time to see the last rays of sunset reflecting off the

walls of the Old City. Overnight: Gloria Hotel, Jerusalem.

MAY 28 (TUE): SOUTH TO THE WILDERNESS. Our first stop today is the

Elah Valley, location of David’s famous battle with Goliath. After a

stop at the ancient border fort Lachish, we

head to the frontier town of Beer Sheva,

hub of Abraham and Isaac’s travels

through the Promised Land. At day’s end,

we arrive at Mitzpe Ramon, the southern-

most destination of our journey. Here, we

can catch a glimpse of ibexes scrambling

among the rocks of the Ramon Crater’s

1600’ cliffs. Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon.

MAY 29 (WED): LIFE IN THE NEGEV. Our day begins with a ride down

into the Ramon Crater. Next, we head north to Wadi Ein Avdat

where an easy hike brings us to a waterfall hidden away among the

canyon’s walls. At the conclusion of our

hike, a short ride brings us to the Nabatean

palace of Avdat where we explore the

ruins that bear witness to the legendary

wealth and expert desert skills of the Naba-

tean merchants. Our day concludes with a

stop at the ancient Canaanite city of Arad

and the Israelite fortress and temple built

nearby. Overnight: Oasis Hotel, Jericho.

MAY 30 (THU): ALONG THE DEAD SEA. Today’s journey takes us to a

series of sites along the shores of the Dead Sea. We travel first to the

sheer cliffs of Masada, one of Israel’s most important historical sites.

Here, the last remnants of the Zealots held out against the Roman

legions who surrounded them. A cable car will take us to the top of

the site where we have ample time for exploration and reflection.

Turning back to the north, we stop at Ein Gedi, the desert oasis

where David once hid from King Saul. Next, we visit the ruins of

Qumran, home to the scribes who produced the famous Dead Sea

Scrolls. The once-in-a-lifetime experience of a swim in the Dead Sea

caps our day, before we head to our lodging for the night. Over-

night: Oasis Hotel, Jericho.

Explore the Land of the Bible

May 27-June 7, 2019

Dr. Jim Barnette of Brookwood Baptist

Dr. Jeff Leonard of Biblical Explorations LLC

MAY 31 (FRI): THROUGH THE JORDAN VALLEY. We trek north today

through the Jordan Valley. After a brief tour of Jericho, we drive to

the vast ruins of Beth Shean, known in

Jesus’ day as Scythopolis. More than any

other location in Israel, this site gives us a

feel for the “other world” of Gentile life in

Galilee. Next, we visit Belvoir, a stunning

mountaintop fortress built by the Crusad-

ers. With each mile we drive north, the dry

hills of the Judean wilderness transition to

the fertile valleys of the Galilee. Our last stop is at Yardenit, a beauti-

ful overlook of the headwaters of the Jordan River. Overnight: Royal

Plaza, Tiberias.

JUNE 1 (SAT): NORTH TO THE GOLAN. Today, we head north to ex-

plore Upper Galilee. Our first stop is Hazor, famously conquered by

Joshua during the Conquest and again by Deborah during the time of

the Judges. Next, we visit the springs of

Banias, known in Jesus’ day as Caesarea

Philippi, where Peter famously said, “You

are the Christ, the son of the living God.”

From Banias, we travel to Dan, the north-

ernmost city in ancient Israel and the place

where King Jeroboam provoked the

prophets’ ire by installing a shrine housing

a golden calf. A short drive takes us to Har Bental and an overlook of

the famous Damascus Road where Paul met the risen Jesus. Over-

night: Royal Plaza, Tiberias.

JUNE 2 (SUN): AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE. Today, we tour key sites

from Jesus’ ministry. We begin with a stop at Kursi, the site where

Jesus cast demons into a herd of swine. Next, we take a boat ride on

the Sea of Galilee itself. After our boat ride, we head to the towering

Arbel cliffs with their panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee. On the

north side of the Sea, we visit the ruins of Korazim, a hillside village

Jesus chastised for rejecting his message. Then, at the Mount of the

Beatitudes, we can reflect on Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount.

We end our day with a stop at Capernaum, base of Jesus’ ministry in

the Galilee. Here, we can explore remnants of the many ancient

houses at the site and walk through the town’s extraordinary syna-

gogue. Overnight: Royal Plaza, Tiberias.

JUNE 3 (MON): TO THE MEDITERRANEAN. Today we head southwest to

Nazareth, boyhood home of Jesus. Next it is on to Megiddo, a store

city during the days of King Solomon, for a look at Canaanite tem-

ples and the town’s ancient water system.

Best known by its Greek name, Armaged-

don, here we can imagine the scene envi-

sioned by the author of Revelation. As we

continue south, we visit Mt. Carmel, site of

Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal.

Along the coast of the Mediterranean, we

arrive at Caesarea Maritima, the city built

by Herod to be the center of Rome’s rule over Israel. Then, we’re off

to the final stop of our trek through Israel, the city of Jerusalem.

Overnight: Gloria Hotel, Jerusalem.

JUNE 4 (TUE): JERUSALEM. We begin our day with a walk through the

Old City to the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Next, we visit

the Citadel, site of Herod the Great’s palace in Jerusalem and the

place where Jesus was condemned by Pilate to be crucified. A short

walk takes us to the bustling Jewish Quarter and Judaism’s holiest

site, the Western Wall. After we explore the excavations of Herod

the Great’s Temple Mount, we visit the oldest part of the city, the

City of David just south of the present city walls. Here, we cap our

day with a hike through the ancient Hezekiah’s Tunnel, built by the

famous king to protect the city’s water supply from Assyrian invaders.

Overnight: Gloria Hotel, Jerusalem.

JUNE 5 (WED): JERUSALEM. A short bus ride takes us to the world-

famous Israel Museum where we marvel at an enormous scale model

of Second-Temple Jerusalem. Here, we visit the Shrine of the Book,

home to the famous Dead Sea Scrolls. After a tour of the museum

itself, we travel a few short miles to the

Herodion, Herod’s magnificent palace and

eventual tomb near the ancient city of

Bethlehem. While we’re in Bethlehem, we

stop off for a visit at the Church of the

Nativity, one of the most ancient churches

in all of Christendom. Overnight: Gloria

Hotel, Jerusalem.

JUNE 6 (THU): JERUSALEM. We cap our final day in the Holy Land with

a tour of sites from the last hours of Jesus’ life on earth. We begin at

the top of the Mount of Olives with its beautiful overlook of the city.

As we make our way down the mount, we visit the Dominus Flevit

church, commemorating the place where

Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and the Church

of All Nations, near the site of the Garden of

Gethsemane. We continue on to the Church

of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where we consider

the last hours Jesus passed in the dungeons

of Caiaphas’ house. From the Citadel, we

trace Jesus’ steps to the cross. We end our

tour at this very spot, the location of Calvary preserved inside the

walls of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The rest of the afternoon

is yours to spend shopping for souvenirs, visiting an extra site or two,

or simply meandering through the streets of the Old City. Overnight:

Gloria Hotel, Jerusalem.

JUNE 7 (FRI): DEPART TEL AVIV

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

Swim in the Dead Sea

Day hike through Wadi Ein Avdat

Visit the Holy Land’s most ancient churches

Hike through Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Pray at the Western Wall

Ride a boat on the Sea of Galilee

Shop in Jerusalem’s Old City

Explore Israel’s most important archaeological sites.

Hearty breakfast and dinner provided daily

Travel by air-conditioned motor coach

All tips, taxes, entry fees, and guide services included

Use of Whisper Device for easy listening