Bible study is sometimes like building a jigsaw puzzle. You collect all the different parts and put them together into a clear picture. The diverse parts scattered in many sources of knowledge. Since many of those sources are available through the internet, maps, books, articles and so on, one thing you owe to do yourself – and it is to explore the holy land on foot.
This is it, you can learn about the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee , Jerusalem, know every detail, study the maps, read the books, but nothing can be compared to visiting the actual historic site. Only after you stroll Jerusalem alleys, visit the temple mount, you will understand what holiness is, and what a religious passion is. Only when you will climb the Snake Path to Messada, you will realize what siege and rebellion are. Only a visit in Qumran and the ancient sect Essenes site will tell what the Judea desert feels like and how devoted a believer can be.
I myself visited Israel in different occasions. A visit to this small country is nothing similar to anywhere else. Each stone, each rock, route and a person is connected to the bible story in some way or another. And since we are dealing with sources of knowledge – I wanted to recommend one source that made for me the difference –
In my first visit to Israel, which was the visit that I become passionate about bible study, I met an incredible personality that made my visit so interesting and resourceful. He connected the past with the present and provided intriguing knowledge about every step of the trip. His name is Miki Ermann he is a tour guide that provide guides in English and German. In my following visits I met different tour guides, most of them where very good – to some I connected and some less, but Miki was the one that opened the door to this important part of the puzzle.