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Lesson OneKing David’s Palace, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, and The Tower of David3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoModern-Day Jerusalem: The Temple Mount and Old City Markets3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ThreeJerusalem: Before and After Babylonian Conquest3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FourThe Land God Promised Abraham3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FiveWhere Jesus Was Born—Bethlehem3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson SixMount Tabor, Deborah, and the Jezreel Valley3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson SevenThe Epic Battle at Gideon’s Spring3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson EightThe Important Role of Megiddo in the End Times3 Activities1 Assessment
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion1 Activity1 Assessment
Participants 107
Discussion Questions
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Jerusalem stands at the center of the land of Israel. Why was this important in biblical times?
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27 Replies
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Ancient Jerusalem held significant importance during biblical times. As the capital of Israel, it served as a central location that unified the people of God. Jerusalem was known for its security and strength and functioned as a key hub for the Israelites, both geographically and spiritually, facilitating travel and religious practice. Moreover, it provided a sense of belonging and identity for the people of Israel.
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As we see in modern times as well, Jerusalem always seems to be a centre of faith and importance for many people. Its physical location must have seemed like the centre of the world for the ancients, positioned between Asia, Africa and Europe.
Jerusalem has a mystical aura for me. I have never been there, probably never will, but it has such an important role in the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths that I find it impossible to ignore and look forward to learning more about such a Holy city.
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Considering that Jerusalem, as captured from the Jebusites, didn’t have a river flowing through it nor was it on a major trade-route, it was indeed strange for David to build the capital of the kingdom here, except for the fact that God selected it as John Beck suggested. However, I can see physical and political factors. Being surrounded by mountains, it was a defensible capital. It reminds the Jews how the Lord likewise surrounds and protects His people (Psalm 125:2). Politically, it was a more neutral place than Hebron where David was initially crowned king of the tribe of Judah only (2 Samuel 2:1-4). Hebron was too far from the other tribes of Israel. After David was crowned as king over the whole Israel also at Hebron (2 Samuel 5:1-3), he needed to establish a capital closer to the rest of the tribes, and he chose Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:4-5).
#holyland
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Ancient Jerusalem was very important in Biblical times. It served as the capital of Israel and was a central unifying location for God’s chosen people. It was also an important strategic and secure location. Jerusalem served as a connecting hub for the Israelites, both geographically and spiritually. It also gave the people of God a place to call home and stood as a symbol of national pride.
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Jerusalem is the location that God chose for Himself. It is believed to be the location of the Garden of Eden and the location of the Heavenly city, New Jerusalem that will be the dwelling place of God and all the saints in the book of Revelation.
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What do you think Joab experienced as he fought in the water tunnels to take the city of Jerusalem?
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24 Replies
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It must have been a difficult fight due to the lack of light, room to maneuver, and difficulty of securing access to the city.
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I imagine Joan and his army would have been constantly on edge and prepared to fight. The prayers would have been constant!
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The tunnels were dark, damp and narrow. Joab and his men could easily slip, or if they gave their presence away and the Jebusites attacked them there, they could easily have been trapped in the narrow tunnel. Joab probably experienced anxiety, but the fact that he overcame it demonstrated his loyalty to David and his faith in God as well.
#holyland
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I believe that Joab felt a sense of uncertainty and a bit of fear as he fought in the tunnels beneath the city of Jerusalem. Yet, he experienced a great sense of confident urgency and a strong sense of purpose as well. Joab was on a divine mission for God and the completion of his task outweighed any trepidation and apprehension he may have been feeling as he fought. He knew that Jehovah God was on his side and he could not fail.
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Fear, excitement, anticipation of meeting the enemy in the dark. It was a bold move to attack from within, but assurance that God was with them.
