TRAVELING THE HIGHWAY OF THE PATRIARCHS – ROUTE 60 IN ISRAEL

During our trip to Israel we traveled from Dan to Beer Sheba and visited 12 Israeli National Parks. The most interesting road we traveled was route 60 known as the Highway of the Patriarchs. This is the route Abraham took as he came into Canaan, where Isaac was born, and Jacob and Esau.

Coming from the Negev in the south the road begins in Beer Sheba and ends in Nazareth in the north. We began our trip in Nazareth and went all the way to Beer Sheba, which was as far south as we traveled. It is about 12-15 miles from Gaza.

In this post I’ll begin down south in Beer Sheba where Abraham started. Beer Sheba was considered the southern extremity of the Promised Land, and gave rise to the term, “From Dan to Beer Sheba (Judges 20.1).

In Beer Sheba Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech king of Philistia and swore an oath of mutual respect and assistance. This covenant gave Beer Sheba its name meaning, “The well of the oath.”

It is here that Hagar wandered when fleeing from Sarah (Gen 21.33), Abraham dug a well and planted a tamarisk tree, and where he returned after God prevented him from sacrificing Isaac (Gen 22.19). Here God appeared to Hagar (Gen 21.17), Isaac (Gen 26.23-33), and Jacob (Gen 46.1-5). Jacob and Esau grew up together at Beer Sheba.

We visited Tel Beer Sheba and remembered these events.

We then traveled to Hebron through the Judean desert and saw Bedouin camps and many camels. Hebron is located in the West Bank and few Americans travel there. We stopped to see the Cave of Machpelah which Abraham purchased as a burial place for his wife Sarah (Gen 23.19). Other references to this place are Gen13.18, 18.1-15, 49.31, and 50.13.

Abraham purchased the cave from Ephron the Hittite in a classic Bible negotiation. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah are all buried here.  The shrine is most holy to Muslims and Jews. Christians enter through the Jewish section while Muslims have their own entrance on the other side.

It was a special place to visit due to the importance to both Jews and Muslims. We were told that below the structure of the shrine is a series of caves where they say the Patriarchs are buried.

Abraham is the father of the Jews and Arabs. Ishmael received great blessings from God and he fathered 12 sons which became Arab tribes (Gen 25.12-16).

Next came Efrat and Bethlehem at which we did not stop. Ephrata, Pennsylvania is named after Efrat and we met Jenna Lewinskya woman who is raising sheep whose DNA matches with sheep from this area. She purchased the sheep from the Canadian government and hopes to move them to Efrat in the near future. You can read about it here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/flock-jacob-sheep-jerseyville-israel-1.3748928

Route 60 passes by the area of Rachel’s tomb in Bethlehem and then into Jerusalem. We spent four days at the Jerusalem House of Prayer for all Nations while touring Jerusalem. http://jhopfan.com/

Continuing along the Highway of the Patriarchs we stopped at Tel Beth El and walked around Jacob’s Rock Park. The park commemorates Jacob’s dream at Beth el where he saw a ladder ascending to heaven and angels going up and down the ladder (Gen 28.10-22).

Later that day we stopped at Shiloh were the Mishkan or tent tabernacle resided for 369 years after the children of Israel enter the Promised Land with Joshua. This was a mountainous area in the hills of lower Samaria.  I could envision the tribes of Israel camping in the valley three times a year to celebrate the Feasts of the Lord. Today the valley is filled with vineyards. It took great effort to travel to Shiloh three times a year.

Shiloh was most likely destroyed by the Philistines during the time of Eli and his disobedient sons (1 Samuel 1-7).

The ark did not return to Shiloh after it was captured and eventually returned by the Philistines.

After this we entered into the rugged hill country of Samaria where we visited the modern city of Shechem, now called Nablus, where Mt. Gerizim an Ebal, are located. These are the mounts of blessing and curses. Half the tribes stood on Mt. Gerizim pronouncing the blessings for keeping the Law and half stood on Mt. Ebal pronouncing the curses (Deut 11.29; 27.4-26). Mt. Gerizim has vegetation and growth on it, but Ebal is bare to this day.

Below Gerizim is the modern city of Shechem which is an Arab city. Joseph, Jacob’s son is buried here (Exodus 13.19; Joshua 24.32).

Nearby are the vineyards of a present day ministry called Ha Yovel. These are volunteers fulfilling the Biblical prophecy of Isaiah 61.58: “And the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.”  http://www.hayovel.com/

The final stop on route 60 is the Arab town of Nazareth where Yeshua grew up. Here we visited Nazareth Village a recreation of life in Nazareth 2,000 years ago. The planners of Nazareth Village conducted archaeological digs and consulted experts who could help peel back the 20 centuries of time, distance and culture that have often dulled and distorted our understandings. It is very realistic and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was done historically. http://www.nazarethvillage.com/about/vision-and-purpose/

That is a short trip up the Highway of the Patriarchs.