Esdraelon and the Lake of Galilee
Where the Kishon crosses northern Canaan is a long triangular valley, bounded on the south by the low range of Carmel (118 T.J.). This is Esdraelon, the fertile (328 H.T., 56 T.J.). It was Israel"s natural battleground, and recalls Deborah, Gideon, Sisera, Saul, Ahab, Elijah, Jehu, Josiah, Pharaoh-necho, the Maccabees, the Romans, the Arabs, the Crusaders, and Napoleon. The seer of Patmos foresaw other world conflicts even more majestic in this valley of Armageddon.
A part of the Jordan valley, but upon the level of Esdraelon and sharing its salubrity, is the Lake of Galilee, unmentioned in the Old Testament, but in the time of Jesus a busy center of work and trade and the scene of his longest ministry. It is a sapphire sea, set in a golden frame (96, 108 G.B.).
The Eastern Tableland
The high levels east of the Jordan were the border of the desert (318 H.T.). They were always occupied, as now, by wandering tribes, and they were decidedly foreign country. To the North there is more irregularity, as in the valley of the Jabbok (78 H.T.) mentioned in the story of Jacob. Down this tableland was another caravan road into Egypt past Sinai (200, 206 H.T.), from Damascus (410 T.J.), the treasure-house of the East.
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UNDERSTANDING GEOGRAPHY BY PICTURES
The inscription on the back of each of the pictures referred to below will answer the question and the text, referred to in brackets, will tell the story more in detail.
Why is Hebron one of the most interesting spots in the world? 166 G.B., 44, 74 H.T.
Of what interesting events was the Ancient Shechem, now known as Nablous, the scene? 24, 82 H.T.
(82-87 L.J.)
Who is a.s.sociated with the town of Ramah? 136, 349 H. T.
What kind of boats were used on the Nile and what were they called? 154 H.T.
Of what value was the Nile to Egypt? 148 H.T.
Describe the wilderness where the children of Israel wandered for forty years. 200, 206, 224, 240 H.T.
What important discovery was made in the monastery of Saint Catherine near Mount Sinai? 210 H.T.
Why is Palestine called a "living Pompeii"? 234 H.T.
What is a Druse family? 134 G.B.
Why is Petra one of the strangest and most marvelous cities in the world? 252 H.T.
Locate it on the map. 14 T.J.
What happens when the muddy waters of the Jordan flow into the Dead Sea, and why? 258 H.T.
Tell the name of "the city of palm trees" and two important facts about it. 280, 290 H.T.
(287-292 H.T.)
What is the modern condition of this once important city? 390, 394 T.J.
How does Smith explain this condition? 279 H.T.
Give three important facts about the Plain of Esdraelon. 328 H.T., 56 T.J.
Explain the meaning of the national saying, "from Dan to Beersheba." 340 H.T.
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What valley was called the "Valley of the Smiths," and why? 364 H.T.
What do you know about Endor? 378 H.T.
(376-380 H.T.)
What were the two chief industries of Judea?
In ill.u.s.trating his mission by referring to these pursuits, what words did Jesus use? 410 H.T.
What do you know about the rock-hewn tombs used in Bible lands? 176, 310, 450 H.T.
What do you know of the Cedars of Lebanon, and what is the meaning of the word "Lebanon"? 454, 460 H.T.
What stands to-day on the old temple area in Jerusalem? 464, 468 H.T.
What awful contest between rival faiths was fought out for a full day on Mount Carmel? 118 T.J.
(116-122 T.J.)
What influence did the great wilderness of the Brook Cherith have on the life and literature of the Hebrew people? 126 T.J.
Between what two important cities of Palestine does the road run that is made famous by the story of the Good Samaritan? Why is it called the "Ascent of Blood"? For what reasons have pilgrims, both in Jesus" time and ours, traveled this road? 132 T.J., 90 L.J.
What two great prophets are a.s.sociated with the village of Shunem, and how? 136 T.J.
(138-143 T.J.)
In whose reign was Samaria made capital of the Northern Kingdom? 384 T.J., 374 T.J.
How did the location of Samaria make it easy for it to resist a.s.sault? Tell the story of one dreadful siege there. 156 T.J.
(152-157 T.J.)
How was Samaria finally brought low? (411-413 T.J.)
How does the city to-day justify Isaiah"s name for it, "the crown of the pride of Ephraim"? 360 T.J.
What other ruins tell the story of the once proud city? 350 T.J.
Explain the statement made in the time of Jesus (82 L.J.) "For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans" 237 T.J., 488 L.J.
What great seaport, the only inside harbor between Egypt and Mount Carmel, was the scene of Jonah"s attempt to escape from the command of the Lord? 167,458 T.J.
(165-171 T.J.)
Through what valley does the modern railroad from Jaffa to Jerusalem run? 180 T.J.
What great loss was suffered there in the time of Eli? 180 T.J.
(342-346 H.T.)