Thursday, January 16, 2014

Back to Bible Times in Jerash

History of This Historical Site at Jerash

Set in the fertile hills of Gilead, Gerasa, the former name of Jerash, was founded in 170 B C.  The relatively small settlement at that time focused around the Temple of Zeus.  Archeological investigation has revealed settlements going back to 1600 AD.

It was  under the Romans during the first century that the basic town plan as it survives today was laid down.

Walking in Jerash

Enough of our history lesson, walk with us on the colonnaded. Use your imagination as view the Temple of Zeus, and the Temple of Artemis complex.  Stand in the plaza with us.






Holly's lesson on a moving column.

 If you get tired sit in one of the theater seats.

(Remember my tablet crashed and this replacement tablet will not let me move photos around, or next to each other.  As soon as possible I plan to get to a PC and reposition the photos)

Understanding

Seeing these old stones gives a background view of some of the Bible's context.  The way the original authors depicted their life with God establishes the standards for understanding our life with God today. 

Richard J Foster in his book, Life with God, had a lot to say on this topic.  We will understand that the Bible is the "means through which we are introduced to Jesus and invited to follow him in this life of humility and service..."  We understand that "in Christ, our origin is God and our destination is God, we will yield fruit of service to others....God is writing us into the beautiful culmination of this grand story: human beings as the dwelling place of God who is fully present with them."

With all my heart I say ilhamdilla-Praise God's grace and mercy.