Glimpses of Israel - Kfar Naum

Kfar Naum, better known as Capernaum, lies between the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, and is located at the north western end of Lake Kinneret. The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would come to this region.

"Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first he lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterwards more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (Isaiah 9:1-2)

Messiah Yeshua came from Nazareth to stay in Capernaum. It was from here that He journeyed into the surrounding regions; and it was to Capernaum that He regularly returned. Moreover, it was at Capernaum that Yeshua performed mighty works of God. Many were healed, while others had demons cast from them. For these reasons, Capernaum was highly exalted. Sadly, His own people were non-accepting. Thus the Messiah declared:

"And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you." (Matthew 11:23-24)

Today Capernaum is a prized tourist location, where visitors ponder its former days of glory when the Messiah walked its streets and preached in its synagogue. What treasures lie beneath the surface waiting to be revealed! Only time will tell.