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time to take your own Bible to carefully read all the biblical
passages, IN THEIR CONTEXT. I shall give you here the biblical
passages.
Jerusalem originally was named Jebus--see Joshua 18:28 and
Judges 19:10. The Jebusites were Canaanites (black--descended from
Ham through Canaan), (Gen. 10:16). God promised to drive out the
Jebusites, if the Israelites would be His instruments in doing so
(Ex. 33:1-3 and 34:11-15)--after Joshua led Israel into the promised
land--see Joshua 16:10 and Judges 1:8,21. Notice God's warnings
IF the Israelites left them there, so the TWO RACES dwelt in the
same land.
David took Jerusalem (II Sam. 5:1-13). Building David's
house--from which he ruled (we are now digging down to find that
location in the archaeological project). Solomon's enlarging it
into his palace, and the Jerusalem wall (I Kings 3:1, etc.). God
CHOSE JERUSALEM as His city (I Kings 11:13).
Building of the second temple, 70 years after Nebuchadnezzar,
King of Babylon, destroyed it (Ezra 1,2). Although later God
turned His face from Jerusalem, due to Israel's rebellions, He will
YET choose it (again) (Zech. 1:17). Now, down to our time: Pope's
palace to be built there??? (Dan. 11:40 to end). At Christ's
coming (Zech. 14) Christ will RULE WORLD from David's throne (Isa.
9:6-7 and Luke 1:26-33). The NEW JERUSALEM coming down from
heaven (Rev. 21).
Saturday night, in the ballroom of the Hilton, we had a
dinner with about 45 present. At the center table were Ministers
of the Cabinet--Moshe Kol, and Gideon Hausner and wife. General
Yigail Yadin, organizer of the Israeli Army in 1948, former Chief
of Staff, noted archaeologist, scholar and author; Professor Mazar,
Mr. and Mrs. Rader and myself. Many other top priority people in
government and education were present. It was a renewing of
friendships that now have lasted and grown deeper for eight years.
Sunday afternoon we went over to Professor Mazar's home, and
many other top Israelis dropped in while we were there. Professor
Mazar is Director of our big dig and a former President of Hebrew
University.
Sunday evening, we had dinner with the Panovs--ballet artists
who appeared last fall in a masterful ballet production at the
Ambassador Auditorium. They are among the very top Russian ballet
artists. They have defected from Russia and are now building a
home in Jerusalem. It was delightful to meet them again, with
some of their company. Also with us were our VERY dear friends
Ambassador and Mrs. Michael Ravid. He was formerly Consul General
at Los Angeles.
But Monday was our BIG DAY--our meeting with Prime Minister
Yitzak Rabin. Usually it is contrary to protocol in many countries
to see both the President and the Prime Minister on the same visit.
This time I did not see President Katzir, but I had already had
two or three fine personal meetings with him, and he sent to me
his personal regards and best wishes on this visit.