It's A Soi Thing: JPI Series: Mount Nebo

Now off to another historical place in the Bible, Mount Nebo.

It is an elevated ridge in Jordan, likely around 2, 680 ft above sea level where

Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land but was forbidden to set foot onto.

This is also the place where he died and was buried, although the exact place where he was rested was unknown.

Me and the gang

Stone marking at the entrance of Mount Nebo

the road leading to Mount Nebo

Me and Mr. Hassan, our tour guide

the back side of the church

feeling the chilly breeze, love it.

the Great Stone used to close the monastery gates

*I've read in one site (realdiscoveries.com) that the Great Stone was the rolling door of the Garden of Tomb, the place where Jesus laid.

At the top of the mountain houses a sort of museum of enormous mosaic floors wall arts, etc.

These were the items found during an excavation led by the Franciscans, who now owns and restored the place.

mosaic floor

If you go further, you'll see a Byzantine basilica which was uncovered by the archeologist during the 1930's. And this has been incorporated into the modern building known as the Memorial Church of Moses.

The church and monastery were constructed in the second half of the 4th century to honor the place of death of Moses. The church was closed for several years for renovations, so we weren't able to explore its interior.

the Brazen Serpent

The Brazen Serpent, which was created by an Italian artist, Giovanni Fantonni, has become a symbol for Mount Nebo which is a replica of the Biblical brazen serpent.

It was during the Exodus journey when God placed a plague to kill the rebellious Israelites.

Then God instructed Moses to erect this bronze serpent on a pole to stop the plague.

All who looked up to serpent survived.

Thus the curative serpent around the pole became the symbol of the pharmaceutical companies.
It is also the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.