Land of Milk and Honey Ministries

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:20a 

My journey to Israel, the real Land of Milk and Honey

 By Bee B Bareng

 December. 29, 2005, Old Jerusalem – Our morning began with a walk to Old Jerusalem. IBEX professor, Dr. Todd Bolen started with a verse in Psalm 48:12-14, “Walk about Zion and go all around her. Count her towers; mark well her bulwarks; consider her palaces; that you may tell it to the generation following”.

 For the next 22 days, that’s exactly what the Talbot Bible land class did in beautiful Israel.

 Nazareth Village – Stepping into the life Jesus knew as a young boy reminded me of my growing up  years back in a small town in the Philippines called Liliw.  I  was  the middle child of seven  siblings. We don’t have much. So, at an early age, I began to dream of living in America,  which my father often called it, “the land of milk and honey.”

 In search for contentment, I came to America in 1975, My personal encounter with the Lord Jesus here in America was just the first step in the long process of obtaining my citizen ship to heaven.. Jesus became my traveling Companion and Guide, I learned that the Bible is God’s word to me and His word contains wonderful promises in my life;  that the real land of milk and honey is found in Israel, the homeland of  my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. What a privilege to be able to walk  in Nazareth village, the hometown of our Lord.

 Mount Sinai

The 3,750 steps up to Jebel Musa  (Moses Mountain) was a mixture of intense up hill climb, leisurely walk, sweat and smile, victory, and inspiration. My final five hundred steps up to this Holy Mountain was almost unbearable. But God came to my rescue. “Trust Me” was the word I heard. Few minutes later, as my son Ryan carried me up and approached the finish, I heard loud applause from our group who were already on the mountain top. I opened up my eyes only to view the magnificent sight of a place where God allowed Moses to receive the Laws from the Lord Jesus through a burning bush.

 The great lesson I learned from Sinai experience left a fragrance of wonderful memory. Like the Apostle Paul, I must be prepared to press on and reach forward for those things which are ahead of me (Philippians 3;12-14). And if my strength fail, God is my Portion, my Rock and my Deliverer.

 Galilee

Walking by the shore of Galilee one afternoon took me to the time when Jesus called Peter and Andrew to “follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt 4:19) By this time, we have traveled to may historical places in Israel. It has involved strenuous hikes , entering into dark caves or difficult terrain. The journey made me realized that to be willing to follow Jesus in sharing the good news to the lost, I will have to  be bold, endure hardships ,fears,  and like a good fishermen, to be extra patient.  By this motivation, even the fishers of men can anticipate a good catch, the joy of seeing someone came to Christ and will live with Him forever is truly an wonderful reward.

 Mount of Olives

When I got accepted to join Talbot Israel course, I only have one purpose in mind, to walk where Jesus walked. I have no knowledge of history, geography, and prophecy of Israel. But standing beside Mount of Olives on the Sabbath morning of December 31, 2005, is for me the highlight of my journey to Israel, the real “land of milk and honey.”

 Jesus will come again. The Bible says in Zech 14:4a , “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley”.

 What an awesome sight that will be. I can’t wait to see Jesus again! How about you?

 “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2;19-20

(Bee and husband Leo are  blessed with three married children, a daughter, and five adorable grandchildren. They  all live in southern California)