The Central Ridge Highway
The land of Israel is the link which at times connects the fertile crescent, and more often than that this land is the place of separation. Through the eons different nations and peoples have traipsed upon the Holy Land in order to expand their own wealth and kingdoms. The land of Israel is incredibly well connected. Major roads run through the land. The major road which travels from the north to Egypt along the level plain of Sharon is called the via Maris (by way of the sea). Beyond the Jordan River the King’s highway runs between Arabia and the Euphrates, where both the Via Maris and King’s Highway connect with the Silk Highway. These are the roads traveled by nations and their armies. The common man has sought to escape these major thoroughfares for less traveled local roads. Thus Abram, when he first traveled from Haran to the south took the Central Ridge Highway. This is a more local road that travels the spine or watershed of the mountains. From the lofty heights of this road the traveler can see where he has been and where he is going. He can also see from east to west: from Mediterranean to the Jordan Valley. The Central Ridge Highway is the main road of the Biblical narrative. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his children walked this road. Joshua, Samuel and Saul traveled this way as well. Elijah, Elisha, and Amos used this road. And Joseph took Mary along this path which later Jesus would traverse also. The road, also called the Way of the Patriarchs runs north and south, and is connected by crossroads from the sea to the Jordan River. Important intersections can be found at Jerusalem, Bethel, Shechem, and Hazor. The Philistines attempted to take this road through Aijalon Valley, Sorek Valley, Elah Valley, Guvrin Valley and Lachish Valley. Through the book Advent Journeys you can join Joseph and Mary as they travel the Central Ridge Road from Nazareth to Bethlehem.