Exodus 34:6-7 The Lord passed by (Moses) and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity and transgression and sin….”
THEME: “God’s Call Is a Gift”
God has been interceding on behalf of the human family through mere men and women from the beginning. Indeed, the story of God’s grace is a story for today, a story for you and me.
The Exodus Tour is about this word of grace as it’s recorded in the Book of Exodus. During our retreat at the foot of Mt. Sinai we’ll study God’s call on Moses’ life to set Israel free after 400-years of bondage under Pharaoh. We’ll also reflect on the nation’s journey to the Sinai Peninsula, where they received God’s law and His instructions for how to be forgiven when they broke it. And we’ll consider their journey through the wilderness and how they finally entered the Promised Land under Joshua.
The first half of our tour will be in Egypt and Jordan, and the second half will be in Israel. We’ll begin in Cairo with an historical introduction and a dinner cruise on the Nile River. We’ll fly to the Sinai Peninsula, the region where God revealed his plan to Moses, for our retreat and study of the Book of Exodus. And then we’ll cross the Red Sea (in a boat!) and travel in Jordan for 3-nights before we begin our 7-day adventure in Israel.
The goal of this tour is to explore through Bible study, reflection, and touring the concept of God’s call on our lives, how this might be a source of inspiration and encouragement for us as we consider who we are as a spouse, a son or daughter, a friend, a neighbor, a worker, and a citizen in our day-to-day lives.
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Ask about the 7-night Israel-only tour option!
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Welcome to Egypt! We’ll meet at our hotel in Cairo around 5 p.m. for a “Welcome to Egypt” meeting. Afterward, we’ll enjoy our first dinner together. We’ll be in Cairo for 3-nights.
DAY 2 Pyramids & the Sphinx: Each day will begin with devotion, prayer, and song. After breakfast we’ll begin our tour of Cairo with an historical orientation at the Egyptian Antiquities Museum. It contains the largest collection of artifacts of the pharaohs, including King Tutankhamen. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Pyramid Plateau which includes the great Sphinx. We’ll finish the day with a special treat, taking in the city lights of Cairo as we enjoy a dinner cruise down the Nile River, a festive occasion, indeed!
DAY 3 The Ancient Christian Church: Coptic Christianity was the majority religion in Egypt for over 700 years; it provides the link between ancient and present day Egypt. We’ll visit the Coptic Museum. This houses the world’s largest collection of Coptic Christian artwork, which is more than art, but a history of a Christian culture and way of life. We’ll also visit The Hanging Church. Built in the 9th century, it remains one of the finest churches in the city. You’ll be free to have dinner on your own and to haggle for Egyptian treasures in the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar.
DAY 4 St. Catherine’s Monastery: Early in the morning we’ll be on an early flight to Sharm el-Sheik on the Sinai Peninsula. We’ll begin our 3-day retreat at the foot of Mt. Sinai, exploring God’s grace to His people Israel and what this means to us today as we study the Book of Exodus. In the morning, we’ll visit St. Catherine’s Monastery. It’s built around the traditional location of the Burning Bush and Moses’ Well. The monastery is known for its 6th century basilica, ancient icons, and Bible manuscripts. Staying at St. Catherine’s Guesthouse, we’ll be just outside the walls of the monastery. After lunch, we’ll begin our overview of the Book of Exodus with a focus on how God calls each one of us today. We’ll be here for 2-nights. We’ll have our breakfasts and dinners here.
DAY 5 Sunday on Mt. Sinai: Early in the morning we’ll begin our ascent of Mt. Sinai. This is a significant walk, about 2-hours on a relatively easy camel track and another hour on a more challenging set of uneven stone steps. However, there are plenty of cafes with tea and snacks on the way up if you run out of steam! Once there, we’ll worship as the sun rises over the mountain. Afterwards, you might want to take a nap at the guesthouse! After lunch, in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy our second study of the Book of Exodus. We’ll focus primarily on the power of God’s law and the greater power of His grace. There’ll be time for reflection and prayer afterwards before dinner.
DAY 6 Crossing the Red Sea: Today we begin our trek into Jordan, driving to the coastal city of Nuweiba, Egypt, we’ll cross the Gulf of Aqaba of the Red Sea into Jordan by ferry……unlike Moses! We’ll bus to Wadi Musa where we’ll put up for one night and have an early dinner together with a chance to talk about what we’ve seen and experienced so far.
DAY 7 Petra & Amman: After breakfast and devotions we’ll visit Petra, the hidden city of the Nabataeans (6th c. BC), with its famous treasury facade (you saw it in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”), ancient theater, royal tombs, Byzantine church, and other sites. Then we’ll drive to the capital of Jordan, Amman. We’ll be here for 2-nights. Time permitting, we’ll take in some of the Roman and Byzantine sites in the city and enjoy dinner together.
DAY 8 Baptism in the Jordan River: Scholars tell us today that the most likely location of Jesus’ baptism was on the Jordan-side of the river at Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan. For everyone who’s interested we’ll have a baptism renewal service. This is a wonderful opportunity to think about the Lord’s work in our lives through this means of grace. From the beginning, even in the lives of the Old Testament saints, Noah, Abraham, and Moses, the Lord has used simple means to share His grace, His love with people. We’ll also visit Mt. Nebo, where Moses gazed into the Promised Land as Israel prepared to enter. And we’ll go to Madaba; it’s filled with spectacular Byzantine mosaics. Time permitting, we’ll visit Tel Elias, where Elijah ascended into heaven on “chariots of fire,” and the Rhotorios Monastery, the traditional site of John the Baptist’s cave.
DAY 9 The Promised Land! Today we’ll drive from Jordan into Israel, crossing the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge (two nations, two names). Our first stop will be Jericho, site of Joshua’s first conquest, and then we’ll see Ai, the site of Joshua’s first and only defeat. We’ll continue on to Nabi Samuel, the burial place of Samuel the prophet, priest, and judge of Israel. And we’ll continue north and overnight in Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee. We’ll be in Tiberius for 2-nights. We’ll eat together tonight celebrating our arrival in Israel!
DAY 10 Galilee: Our route today will be a giant circle southwest of the Sea of Galilee, beginning with a visit to Beit She’an, where Joshua met with iron chariots, and Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul and his sons died in battle. We’ll continue to Gideon Springs (Ein Harod today), where Gideon chose his 300 warriors. Next, we’ll explore Mt. Tabor aka Mt. Transfiguration, where the judge, Deborah, formed her army, and where Christ’s divinity was revealed to his disciples, Peter, James, and John. Continuing, we’ll stop at Nazareth and visit the Synagogue Church, an ancient Orthodox church built on the foundation of Christ’s hometown synagogue. We’ll finish our touring for the day with a visit to Cana. Jesus was a guest to a wedding here, but he became the host as he turned water into wine. We’ll have opportunity for the renewal of wedding vows for couples interested. Everyone will be free to have dinner on their own tonight.
DAY 11 The Sea of Galilee: We’ll tour around the ring of the Sea of Galilee, visiting the Mount of Beatitudes; Tabgha, where Jesus fed the 5,000; Capernaum, center of Christ’s ministry in Galilee; Bethsaida, where Jesus performed many miracles; and Kursi, where the Lord cast the swine into the sea. We’ll cross the Sea of Galilee by ferry from Ein Gev, returning to Tiberius, and begin our trek south to Jerusalem in the afternoon. We’ll enjoy dinner together on the way. For 5-nights we’ll be in Old City Jerusalem!
DAY 12 Sunday in Jerusalem: Today’s the Lord’s Day and we’ll worship together at Redeemer Lutheran Church in the Old City. Around lunchtime, we’ll make our way to the Holocaust Museum and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display. In the late afternoon, we’ll walk the Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulcher Church, Christ’s path to the Cross in the Old City. You’ll be free to have dinner on your own this evening.
DAY 13 Qumran & the Old City: After devotions and breakfast we’ll visit Qumran and explore the ruins of the Essene community, which may’ve copied and preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls. We’ll return to Jerusalem by lunchtime and have the afternoon to explore some of the important sites in the Old City, especially the Wailing Wall and the Rabbinic Tunnel.
DAY 14 Archaeology, Hebron & Bethlehem: We’ll begin our day with a 3-hour seminar and archaeological dig in Maresha National Park, getting our hands dirty in one of the most dug up parts of the world! On the way, we’ll drive through Ella Valley, the place where David fought and overcame Goliath. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Hebron, an important city for Abraham and Joshua, and Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David and Jesus. Tonight you’ll be free to have dinner on your own.
DAY 15 After devotions and breakfast we’ll visit the Temple Mount, former site of Solomon’s Temple and presently Islam’s Dome of the Rock. For the rest of the day we’ll explore the southern approach to Old City Jerusalem, beginning at the Shiloach Pool aka Pool of Siloam and ending at David’s Tomb. We’ll see Hezekiah’s Tunnel, the City of David, Mt. Zion, and the Upper Room at Dormitian Abbey along the way. Tonight will be our last meal together, a happy celebration and time of reflection on all of the good things God has done among us.
DAY 16 Blessed Travels! A transfer to Tel Aviv International Airport is easy. It’s only an hour’s drive from Jerusalem. We’ll make sure everyone finds their way there stress free!
Itinerary details subject to change.
WHAT YOU’RE GETTING! Educon Travel wants to give you a unique opportunity for a Bible-based journey with a whole bunch of great features:
- A focused, theme-based itinerary
- First-rate teaching by Christian pastors and instructors
- A significant time to learn and reflect during our educational retreat
- A small, flexible group; only 20-24 people
- Daily devotions and Bible study
- Great guides who care about you
- Excellent hospitality at family-run establishments
- Delicious, authentic, local meals
- Upfront pricing—No surprises!
Open the PDF file below for the itinerary, Terms & Conditions and application for this tour.
Our mission is to grow in spirit, mind & body as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word in the places where it was first revealed. 
Call me with your questions. I will personally help you with all of your travel needs and make sure you enjoy a great tour. Call me toll free at 866-277-2383. -Richard