Experiencing the Land of the Bible – Tour Stop #1

Experiencing the Land of the Bible is a series of posts about places in the Holy Land that I visited on my trip in 2023. If you travel to Israel with me, many (if not all) of these are places we’ll visit as well. Each week’s post highlights the biblical and historical significance of the site, any interesting modern facts that add value, some pictures and maybe some videos I took in those locations as well. And if there’s a faith lesson to be learned, I’ll make sure to point that out as well.

Israel is a beautiful place that will not only inspire you, but totally transform your faith. You’ll never see the Bible the same way again… it will come alive in a way you never expected. If you’re interested in visiting the Holy Land, we have a trip scheduled for March 12-20, 2026. Space is going fast, but you can still get more information and reserve a spot now!

Where Are We?

Welcome to Netanya, a stunning Mediterranean city perched on limestone cliffs just 30 minutes north of Tel Aviv. When we visit the Holy Land, we’ll fly into Ben Gurion Airport and take a short bus ride to Netanya, where we’ll spend our first night. It’s a chance to relax, knock out some of the jet lag, walk the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, eat some great food, and prepare for what you’re going to experience in the days ahead.

Today, it’s all palm trees, beach cafes, and high-rise hotels, but don’t let the modern vibes fool you. This coastal city offers a strategic window into ancient Israel’s geography, trade, and the bigger story of God’s work in this land.

Biblical Significance

Netanya doesn’t get name-dropped in your Bible reading plan, but its neighborhood certainly does.

This region sits right in the heart of the ancient tribal territory of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Dan’s territory ran along the coast, and while the tribe was originally given a much smaller allotment, they were later pushed out by the Philistines and migrated north (see Judges 18). Sound familiar? That’s because the Philistine threat along the coastline was a real and constant threat to the Israelites.

In other words, this area was the friction zone. It was the place where the Israelites lived on the edge, both geographically and spiritually. The border between obedience and compromise. Between trust and fear.

And Netanya is right there in the middle of it.

Archaeological & Historical Insight

While Netanya itself is a modern city, just inland and surrounding it are layers of history that testify to the struggles and stories of ancient Israel:

• Apollonia-Arsuf, just south of Netanya, preserves ruins from the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Crusader periods. This coastline has seen thousands of years of military and merchant traffic.
• To the north and east, you hit the ancient trade route known as the Via Maris (“Way of the Sea”), which linked Egypt with Mesopotamia. This road would’ve seen Egyptian chariots, Roman legions, and yes, Jesus himself would likely have walked it as well.
• You’re also not far from Caesarea Maritima, Herod’s showpiece port city (and next week’s virtual tour stop).

So even though Netanya is more resort town than ruin site, it sits on the same land that tells the Bible’s story: contested land, transitional land, and ultimately, promised land.

View more of my photos from the Holy Land

Aha Moment: The Story Starts Before the Story Starts

Here’s the thing: most people skip Netanya on their Bible journey. It’s not on the Top 10 List, but that’s kind of a significant point.

The land of the Bible doesn’t just come alive in the big, dramatic locations; it lives in the margins, in the foothills, on the coastlines, in the borderlands.

Netanya invites us to consider how often God has been preparing things behind the scenes, before the main action kicks off. Before the battles. Before the miracles. Before the names we recognize show up.

Sometimes, the most meaningful parts of the story aren’t written in bold ink – they’re written in the margins. Netanya reminds us that God is present even in the background of the story, and maybe especially there.

Reflection Prompt

Where in your life is God writing a story that doesn’t feel like the main story?

What if the in-between places – the uncelebrated, untagged, unnoticed spots – are actually sacred ground in the making?

Take some time to pray:

Lord, help me not rush past the borderlands. Give me eyes to see where You’re working, even in the places in my life that don’t get the spotlight. Get my attention and help me see what you’re doing behind the scenes.

Netanya is worth a stop, not just for the beaches and shawarma and shopping at local markets, but for the reminder that every inch of this land tells the story of God. From the high drama of Jerusalem to the quiet cliffs of the Mediterranean, it’s all sacred.