MT OF TEMPTATION
9th February 2017Jericho
There are two significant facts about Jericho: It is the lowest city (270m below sea level) on earth and one of the oldest (if not the oldest) cities on earth. It is referred to as the Palm City in Deuteronomy 34:3.
The ruins of the ancient city of Jericho are situated near the modern town, and from the Old Testament we learn that it was a strong walled city and the first that Joshua spied on and conquered. It is also here that the walls collapsed after Joshua and his men surrounded them for seven days (Joshua 2-4). With the dividing of the land, Jericho was given to Benjamin (Joshua 18:12). King Eglon of Moab (today part of Jordan) ruled the Palm city (Judges 3:13). The servants of David whose beards were shaved off by King Hanun of the Ammonites (also part of Jordan) had to wait in Jericho until their beards grew back (2 Samuel 10:5). Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho (1 Kings 16:34). Jericho was where the prophets stayed (2 Kings 2:4-5). Elisha purifies the water of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22). After the Babylonian captivity Jericho was once again inhabited (Ezra 2:34).
From the New Testament we also learn that Jericho lies south of the old city. It was the winter home of Herod the Great. There was an amphitheatre, racecourse and water conduits.
It was here that blind Bartimaeus was healed (Luke 18:35) and Zacchaeus climbed in the sycamore tree to have a view of Jesus as He passed by (Luke 19:1-9). The Mount of Temptation is clearly visible from Jericho (Matthew 4:8).
Modern Jericho is situated near the ruins of ancient Jericho and it is the first Arabian town to be handed over to the Palestinian authorities (1994 & 2005).
Today it is a peaceful town with approximately 7,000 residents and is a fertile agricultural area that is irrigated from the fountain Elisha purified. The market is abundantly stocked with fruit and vegetables. Dates and bananas are abundant.
Daar is twee betekenisvolle feite oor Jerigo: Dit is die laagste stad op aarde (270m onder seevlak) en een van die oudste stede (indien nie die oudste nie) ter wêreld. In Deuteronomium 34:3 word daar na Jerigo as die Palmstad verwys.
Die murasies van die outydse stad is naby die moderne dorp geleë. Ons leer in die Ou Testament dat Jerigo ‘n sterk ommuurde stad was en die eerste waarop Josua gespioneer en oorwin het. Dit is ook hier waar die mure ineengestort het nadat Josua en sy manskappe dit vir sewe dae omsingel het (Josua 2 – 4). Met die verdeling van die land was Jerigo vir Benjamin gegee (Josua 18:12). Koning Eglon van Moab (vandag deel van Jordanie) het die Palm Stad regeer (Rigters 3:13). Die diensbodes van Dawid, wie se baarde afgeskeer is deur Koning Hanun van die Ammoniete (ook deel van Jordanie), moes in Jerigo wag totdat hul baarde weer teruggegroei het (2 Samuel 10:5). Hiel van Bethel het Jerigo herbou (1 Konings 16:34). Jerigo was waar die profete gebly het (2 Konings 2:4-5). Elisa suiwer die water van Jerigo (2 Konings 2:19-22). Na die Babel gevangeskap is Jerigo weer bewoon (Esra 2:34).
Volgens die Nuwe Testament lê Jerigo suid van die ou stad. Dit was die winter tuiste van Herodus die Grote. Daar was ‘n amfiteater, renbaan en water leikanale.
Dit is ook hier waar die blinde Bartimaeus genees is (Lukas 18:35) en Saggeus in ‘n vyeboom geklim het om vir Jesus te sien toe Hy verby gegaan het (Lukas 19:1-9). Die Berg van Versoeking is ook duidelik sigbaar vanaf Jerigo (Matteus 4:8).
Moderne Jerigo is naby die murasies van outydse Jerigo geleë en is die eerste Arabiese dorp om aan Palestyn oewerhede oorhandig te word (1994 & 2005).
Vandag is dit ‘n rustige dorpie met ongeveer 7,000 inwoners. Dit is ‘n vrugbare landbou gebied wat besproei word vanuit die fontein wat Elisa versuiwer het. Die mark het ‘n oorvloed voorraad van vrugte en groente. Piesangs en dadels is in oorvloed.