In this lesson, we want to focus on some places that Jesus traveled to that are mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. Many amazing miracles occurred in these places by the power of God.

Jericho

  • Jericho was the first city Israel conquered after crossing over the Jordan River (Joshua 6).
  • It is called “the oldest city in the world.”
  • It has the lowest elevation of any city on earth (840 ft sea level).
  • Though desert areas surround it, the city has an ancient spring called En es-Sultan that has made it an oasis for thousands of years. The spring still produces about 1,000 gallons of water per minute.
  • From Tell Jericho, one can easily see the Jordan River to the east and beyond it, the Plain of Moab and even Mt. Nebo. Thus, Moses could see Jericho and Rahab (and her people) could see the Israelites camped across the river.
  • Jericho trusted in two great defenses to protect them from the Israelites: Jordan River and their tall city walls.
  • Both the Bible and archaeology show that the city has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times.

The Jordan River

  • The Jordan River has an upper course from its tributaries into the Sea of Galilee. It also has a lower course from the Sea of Galilee into the Dead Sea.
  • The Jordan River runs about 156 miles.
  • The Jordan River runs from the Sea of Galilee (690 ft below sea level) into the Dead Sea (1,385 ft below sea level) through the Jordan Valley.
  • Before the modern nations of Israel and Jordan began diverting water for irrigation, the river averaged 100 feet in width with a depth of 3 to 10 feet. Winter rains would cause the river to swell to a mile wide in places.
  • The water level is shallow, and the river very narrow today. It looks like a stagnant, muddy creek in many places.
  • When God backed up the river for Israel to cross, he stopped the waters 18 miles upstream at Adam. That created a wide path for the Israelites to cross the riverbed into Canaan.
  • The Jordan River serves as the current boundary line between Israel and Jordan. It is lined with military checkpoints, fences, and surveillance outposts.
  • A road with bridges circles the Sea of Galilee, and one can cross the Jordan river on both the north and south ends of the Sea of Galilee.