Israel Day 7 – Stop 1: Aphek
Aphek is a strategic location for anybody living in or crossing through Israel. The Yarqon river runs from Aphek to the Mediterranean Sea, which means anybody wanting to move from South (Egypt) to North or from the North (Hittites) to the South had to go through Aphek. This of course means lots of tax money…and a perpetual battle for who will control said tax money.
There are a few stories which include stops in Aphek, (e.g. 1 Samuel 4) but the one I was most drawn to today was from Acts 23:12-35.
Paul is arrested by the Jews and being held in Jerusalem under Roman guard. A plot comes forward where some of the Jews vow not to eat or drink until they kill Paul. The tribune (guy in charge) gets wind of the plot and transfers Paul westward with 470 soldiers – quite a guard for a prisoner.
They come into the city of Aphek – then known as Antipatris. There was only one road into the city at that time. This is that road:
So there you have it. I walked on the same road as Paul today…or at least on the same road as Paul’s horse.
