Sunset over the Sea of Galilee

Sea of Galilee in Israel at lowest level in 5 years

Lake Kinneret, better known to most as the Sea of Galilee or Lake Galilee, has reached its lowest level in five years, Israel's Water Authority warned this week, reports Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries.

According to a story posted on the www.israeltoday.co.il web site, three consecutive winters of below-average rainfall have resulted in the lake, Israel's primary source of drinking water, dropping to more than 12 feet below its previous “red line.”

The story went on to say, “If this winter is likewise accompanied by poor rainfall, it will be the worst four-year period for the lake since the early 1960s.

“In response to the mounting drought situation, the Water Authority has launched a public relations campaigned urging Israelis to practice greater water conservation at home.

“In the long term, Israel plans to build three more desalination plants on its Mediterranean coast which, with the two plants already in operation, will eventually supply the bulk of Israel's drinking water.”

According to http://en.wikipedia.org, much of the ministry of Jesus occurred on the shores of Lake Galilee. In those days, there was a continuous ribbon development of settlements and villages around the lake and plenty of trade and ferrying by boat. The Synoptic gospels of Mark (1:14-20), Matthew (4:18-22), and Luke (5:1-11) describe how Jesus recruited four of his apostles from the shores of Lake Galilee: the fishermen Simon and his brother Andrew and the brothers John and James.

One of Jesus' famous teaching episodes, the Sermon on the Mount, was given on a hill overlooking the lake whilst many of his miracles were also recorded to occur here including his walking on water, calming a storm, and his feeding five thousand people (in Tabgha).

In the time of the Byzantine Empire, the lake's significance in Jesus' life made it a major destination for Christian pilgrims. This led to the growth of a full-fledged tourist industry, complete with package tours and plenty of comfortable inns.

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[01/03/2008]

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