Our journey through Israel continues and takes us to a place steeped in biblical history and bathed in the golden hues of sunrise - some of the best in Israel in my opinion.
Welcome to Elon Moreh - where ancient promises echo across the ages!
Elon Moreh - the Oak of Moreh
The precise geographical location is not known, but based on speculation and what is seen surrounding the Mount Kabir range, gives rise to the idea that this may have been where Abram (later Abraham) likely stood and camped when God made His everlasting covenant with him.
A Promise Etched in Time
But why is Elon Moreh significant? It's at this spot where Abraham, the father of many nations stood - a place where God made His covenant with Him - the covenant that still stands today. Abraham, alongside his wife, Sarai (later Sarah) and nephew Lot, embarked on a journey from Harran to the land of Canaan. Their footsteps led them to the site of the great tree of Moreh, near Shechem. Then the Canaanites still inhabited the land. Imagine standing there hearing God’s promise resonating through the ages: “To your offspring, I will give this land.” So Abraham built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him” Gen 12:1-7.
This promise of God - the inheritance of the land - is the single most repeated promise throughout the Bible. It echoes in the hearts of generations, a beacon of hope and our destiny.
As we stand at Elon Moreh, the landscape unfolds before us: To the west, the peaks of Ebal and Gerizim rise—the Mount of Blessing and the Mount of Curses. Between them lies Shechem, known today as Nablus. This is the place where Simon and Levi killed all the men of the city because they had raped their sister Dinah (Gen 34). The grave of Joseph is also in Shechem and Jews are allowed to visit from time to time (if they are escorted by the IDF) - Jos 24:32. And if you look carefully enough, one can also see the remains of Joshua’s altar on mount Ebal. (Jos 8:30)
Gazing northward, we get a glimpse of the Tirzah valley and the fabled “road of the sun.” On clear days, a breathtaking panorama unfolds—the shimmering waters of the Galilee, the vast expanse of the Mediterranean, and the desolate beauty of the Dead Sea. It’s a trifecta of seas, a reminder of the land’s richness and complexity.
Our eyes trace the path of Abraham’s first entry into the promised land. We see the rugged mountains of Gilead and the expansive plains of Moab. These are the same vistas that greeted Joshua and the Israelites many generations later, as they crossed the Jordan River, stepping into their destiny.
Elon Moreh whispers a timeless tale—a promise etched in the very stones of the land. As the sun rises, illuminating the ancient hills, we stand at the crossroads of faith and destiny, heirs to a covenant that spans over thousands of years.
May we, like Abraham, walk in the footsteps of promise - for the echoes of God’s words still resonate, inviting us to embrace our inheritance.
An interesting point to note - the 3 places mentioned in the bible where land was BOUGHT - are all contested areas today. Jacob bought a piece of land in Shechem (Gen 33:18-20) - this is where Joseph is buried (Josh 24:32); Abraham bought the land/cave where Sarah was buried in Hebron (Gen 23) and David bought land for the threshing floor, now on the Temple Mount (2 Sam 24:24) .
We will look at these other sites as we continue on our journey through the promised land.
If you would like to read more about the Israeli pioneers living in the much contested area of Judea and Samaria please follow the links below:
Until next time,
Shalom
Marili
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