In teaching about everyday conduct for his disciples, Jesus said,
“And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matthew 5:41 ESV)
These milestones are displayed at the Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology at the Gan Hashlosha park on the south side of the Jezreel Valley in Israel.
Posted in Bible Study
The following text is taken from the Gospel of John, chapter 20.
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as ye they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. (Jn. 20:1-10 ESV)
Imagine the emotions of the disciples of Jesus, both women and men, when they were told that the tomb that had been so carefully secured on Friday was found empty on the first day of the week, with only the grave clothes and the cloth that covered the head still in the tomb.
[The second photo showing the disciples of Jesus at the open tomb was made in Leonardo AI. David Padfield assisted me in this project.
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Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Study, Culture, Israel, New Testament, Photography, Travel
Tagged Israel, Jerusalem, Jesus, Ministry of Jesus, Photographs, Tombs, Travel
Corinth is located about two miles south of the narrow isthmus which forms the land bridge, and controlled access, between the main land mass of Greece and the Peloponnesus. Corinth seemed to have flourished from the 8th to the 5th centuries B.C., and there are signs of habitation much earlier. In 146 B.C. the Greek history of Corinth was terminated when the Roman consul Mummius destroyed it. All that remains today of the old Greek city are the seven columns of the Temple of Apollo. Julius Caesar rebuilt Corinth in about 46 /4 4 B.C. as a Roman colony and settled many Roman soldiers there. Corinth became the capital of the Roman province of Achaia and had direct communications with Rome. There were enough Jews in the city to account for a synagogue (Acts 18). Perhaps the two most noticeable sites at Corinth today are the ruins of the temple of Apollo and the Acrocorinth (the mountain or high point of Corinth). The temple of Apollo was built in the 6th century B.C., but only seven of the original 38 Doric monolith columns are standing. There were numerous other pagan temples in the city including one dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing.
The judgment-seat (Greek, bema) was a speaker’s platform on which the judge sat or stood for the trial of one against whom an accusation had been made. In the excavations a t Corinth which have been conducted since 1896 the bema has been exposed in the agora. It is likely that Paul stood before Gallio at this place (Acts 1 8:12). The bema is dated to A.D. 44, but could be as early as the time of Augustus. The gospel was successful in this pagan city. Paul preached “Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2; 15:1-4). Paul was fearful but the Lord told him, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this ci ty” (Acts 18:9-10 ). Paul remained in Corinth for a year and six months.
Inscribed in a limestone pavement near the theater at Corinth is a phrase which reads in Latin: ERASTVS PRO AEDILITATE S P STRAVIT. The translation goes something like this: Erastus , in return for the aedileship, laid the pavement at his own expense. It is possible, but not certain, that this Erastus was the friend of Paul (Rom. 16:2-3; 2 Tim 4:20). If so, then Erastus may have been one of the few (contrast, not many) of the socially elite at Corinth who accepted the gospel (1 Cor 1:26).
Posted in Apostle Paul, Archaeology, Bible Places, Bible Study, Book of Acts, Greece, Photography, Travel
Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Corinth, Paul
Thomas Moore (1779-1852) is known as one of Ireland’s best writers. A little south of Dublin, in Wicklow County, the Avonmore and Avonberg rivers meet. Moore made this spot famous in his poem The Meeting of the Waters.
There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet
As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet
Oh the last rays of feeling and life must depart
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart
Yet it was not that nature had shed o’er the scene
Her purest of crystal and brightest of green
‘Twas not her soft magic of streamlet or hill
Oh No ’twas something more exquisite still
Oh No ’twas something more exquisite still
‘Twas that friends, the belov’d of my bosom were near
Who made every scene of enchantment more dear
And who felt how the best charms of nature improve
When we see them reflected from looks that we love
When we see them reflected from looks that we love
Sweet vale of Avoca! How calm could I rest
In thy bosom of shade, with the friends I love best
Where the storms that we feel in this cold world should cease
And our hearts, like thy waters, be mingled in peace
And our hearts, like thy waters, be mingled in peace
How fortunate is any person to have a special place to recall as a place of peace. I have enjoyed several of these places through the years. First, there is home. My study, when my desk is clean and it’s raining outside, is another. I think also of the Sea of Galilee at sunrise, or sunset. Spiritually we find peace in Christ.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NAU)
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In the gospels one may find several references or allusions to events of the wilderness wandering. This indicates the significance of the event and suggests that it should be studied carefully by Christians as well as Jews.
Posted in Apostle Paul, Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Egypt, Israel, New Testament, Old Testament, Photography, Revelation, Travel
Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, faith, Jesus
Last week during the Florida College annual lectureship there was a reunion lunch for “Old Timers.” Paulette and I were fortunate to sit at the table with David Tant. David and I were in the (junior college) class of 1955. I stayed around for two more years to study Bible. David went to Abilene.
Age-wise we are a year apart. You can guess which one is older. Most of the other attendees were probably my students in the day. It was fun to be together for a while.
Paulette made this picture of David and me. Flora was not able to attend this year, but I can tell you that she is younger than either of us.
Posted in Bible Study
You received a notification about the publication of The Middle East Conflict and the Bible in a post this morning. A photo of the colorful cover was included when I printed a preview copy here at home, but it did not make its way to publication.
I wanted to share that image with you here.
Posted in Bible Study
My booklet on The Middle East Conflict and the Bible has been available off and on since 1991. I have presented numerous short series of lessons on this topic in past years.
Today Florida College Press has an attractive edition for sale in the bookstore at 119 N. Glen Arven Ave., Temple Terrace, FL 33617. This is just in time for those attending the Florida College lectures next week to pick up a copy. I remind you that the content of this booklet is written from the amillennial perspective. Specifically I have explained it as the Philosophy of History, Preterist, or Historical Background viewpoint.
We had hoped to have The Old Testament in the Book of Revelation available in a new format but still lack a little having that completed. We hope to have it ready soon.
My Studies in the Book of Revelation is available and I suggest it as the book one should choose if he/she wants to gain an understanding of the overall content of the great book of Revelation.
The Middle East Conflict and the Bible discusses the following questions.
Is the return of the Jews to Palestine in the twentieth century a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy?
Why do the Arabs and Israel have so much conflict
Was Saddam Hussein the successor to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon? Will Babylon be rebuilt?
What does Biblical prophecy say about Israel, Babylon and Nineveh?
Does God use Nations to serve His purpose?
When and how will the nations turn their swords into plowshares?
It is difficult to locate these books on the Florida College Bookstore website, but you can ask for them by calling the bookstore at the college switchboard and asking for the Bookstore: 813.988.5131.
Review Comments:
Three persons received a preview copy of the book. Here are their comments.
Don Truex: “As has been the case for decades, Ferrell Jenkins sets the standard for Biblical, practical and applicational knowledge of the events in the Middle East and their relevance to Christians. His firsthand knowledge of the Text, the land and the people combine to bring essential insight into the all-too-common turmoil in this history filled region.”
Leon Mauldin: “Today I read my advance copy of The Middle East Conflict and the Bible. I know of nothing else like it, that packs so much in one small book. This is truly a great resource!”
Brooks Cochran: “The Middle East Conflict and the Bible” is an excellent resource to use in a study of current events in the Middle East as they relate to Bible Prophecy and the Nation of Israel. This updated edition includes a chapter on “Understanding Islam The Moslem Religion”.”
Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Biblical Studies, Books, Israel, Palestine, Revelation, Travel
Tagged Bible Study, Israel in Prophecy, Jerusalem, Palesitine, West Bank
At the top of our home page, we have a link to INDEXES (INDICES). There, occasionally I have included a collection of posts on a specific subject. If you have not used this feature of the blog, I suggest you take a look.
Specifically, I am calling attention to the INDEX: Route of the Exodus and the Location of Mount Sinai. Click on the link below to visit that page which includes many photos pertaining to the exodus and Mount Sinai.
Recently I observed on a social media site a discussion conducted by several young preachers. One was asking others what they thought about the location of Mount Sinai. A few days ago I received a note from an older former student about a column that some are calling Solomon’s Post or Pillar. I have learned enough about archaeology to know that an artifact must have a context. One random stone is not enough to build a legitimate conclusion. What archaeological excavation has determined the origin and provenance of the stone post? What ancient document has mentioned the post? What evidence do we have that it is in any way associated with Israelite King Solomon?
One respondent in the exchange on social media did call attention to the articles on my blog, but mostly they each were giving their opinion. The thing that really got my attention what that not one of them referenced a Bible dictionary or Bible encyclopedia. No one called attention to a Bible Atlas. When I was in college and several students gathered in a room to pool our ignorance we called it Shooting the Bull.
Most of my Bible Atlases can be seen in this photo, but I have some others in digital format, and I do have several other smaller atlases on different shelves. Over half a century of travel to the Bible lands might explain why I have collected so many atlases as well as numerous road atlases and maps. Every preacher/teacher needs a few good Bible Atlases.
Some scholars concentrate on certain areas of study and produce good material. Here I call attention to the work of Gordon Franz. He has written several essays under the category of Cracked Pot Archaeology at https://www.lifeandland.org/category/cracked-pot-archaeology/
His article on “Where is Mount Sinai in Arabia (Galatians 4:25)? Is especially helpful. Franz documents the view that the region commonly called Sinai was known as Arabia in Roman times:
Also check the article, MT. SINAI IS NOT AT JEBEL EL-LAWZ IN SAUDI ARABIA.
When you arrive at the Life and Land page search for Saudi Arabia. The site will return links for several articles.
Many of the articles written by Gordon Franz are available on the ABR (Associates for Biblical Research) web site. Go there and search for Mount Sinai. Use the link below to visit this site.
https://biblearchaeology.org/search#ges:searchword%3DMount%2BSinai%26page%3D1
Franz exposes the claims of the late Ron Wyatt and Robert Cornuke pertaining to several biblical events.
Carl Rasmussen says there are at “at least ten different proposals for the location of the Red Sea or Reed Sea including three lakes near the Mediterranean Sea, five lakes along the line of the present-day Suez Canal, as well as the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Elath. In addition, there are at least twelve different candidates for Mount Sinai: five in the southern part of the peninsula, four in the north, one in the center, one in Midian (Saudi Arabia), and another in Edom (southern Transjordan). (Zondervan Atlas of the Bible Revised Edition. 105).
The following map is part of a collection by David at BibleMapper now numbering 165. You may access this wonderful resource here.
Anson F. Rainey was considered one of the top scholars on matters of Old Testament geography. I am pleased to have an autographed copy of The Sacred Bridge which was written by Anson Rainey (OT) and Steven Notley (NT).
Rainey’s comment on this matter is on page 120 of The Sacred Bridge. “Mount Sinai = Horeb = Mount Paran. The wilderness itinerary (Num 33:1–49) seems to point to a location for Mount Sinai in the southern Sinai Peninsula. Mount Sinai (סִינַי) is mentioned fifteen times in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers as the place where the people of Israel received the revelation of the Torah. Poetic passages (e.g. Judg 5:5; Ps 68:9 [Eng. 8; note also v. 18 = Eng. 17]) depict it as the dwelling place of YHWH. Two call it Mount Paran (הַר פָּארָן; Deut 33:2; Hab 3:3). The steppe land (wilderness) of Paran (מִדְבַּר פָּארָן; e.g. Num 10:12; 12:16; 13:3) seems to be the generic name for the main Sinai expanses of which there are various subdivisions. Its name may be preserved in that of the oasis of Feirân known as Φαραν in Byzantine sources (Aharoni 1979:199). In Numbers 10:33 Sinai is called “the mountain of YHWH.” Seventeen times in the Hebrew Bible, especially throughout Deuteronomy and three passages in Exodus (3:1; 17:6; 33:6) and elsewhere (1 Kgs 8:9; 19:8; 2 Chr 5:10; Ps 106:9; Mal 3:22), the name Horeb (חֹרֵב) is used, evidently for the same place.” He also reminds us that several passages mention the mountain of God.
In conclusion, I am writing this post in an effort to encourage all preachers and teachers to study more widely and deeper. I am aware that books are extremely expensive these days and many churches do not take into account this peculiar expense that ministers have. Perhaps this word to the sufficient is wise.
Posted in Archaeology, Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Books, Egypt, Maps, Old Testament, Photography, Travel
The past few days I have been looking through my photos of Mount Nebo in Jordan. My first visit to the site was in 1967 when the Old City of Jerusalem was in Jordan. Our group got up early on Tuesday May 2 and packed into some of the larger American cars for the ride to Mount Nebo and other sites in the area. For my first two tours the tour operator used cars to transport the group from place to place. We had 19 tour members on that first tour. The tour operator used Mercedes autos on the second tour. When we arrived at the site the tour members would gather to listen to the guide make his presentation.
I recall the guides for the early tours making comments about the view from Mount Nebo when they were younger. Several said they used to be able to see Mount Hermon from the site, before there was so much haze from pollution. I can recall a time or two that we might have had a fairly decent glimpse of Jericho.
Most times we could see only the wilderness of Judea on the west side of the Dead Sea. We might see a little bit of the northern end of the Dead Sea.
Because of the sin of Moses in failing to give credit to God for the water he provide in the wilderness Moses was not permitted to enter the promised land (Numbers 20:1-13).
Mount Nebo is the place from which Moses viewed the land that the LORD had promised to Abraham’s seed (Deuteronomy 34:1-8).
He could see the land but he was not permitting to lead the people across the Jordan into the land. This responsibility would fall to his successor Joshua.
The building on Mount Nebo is a reconstructed Byzantine church built at the site to commemorate the event of Moses viewing the promised land before his death and burial in the vicinity.
The next photo show the typical view we have today when we look to the west from Mount Nebo.
Here is a map showing Mount Nebo in the time of Moses.
Ferrell's Travel Blog 
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