Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths
Archaeology has "depths"; this is Capernaum. Notice the houses are more like rooms. It gives new meaning to the phrase, clean your room. Capernaum is in a gorgeous part of Israel and sits beside the Sea of Galilee. No wonder Jesus chose to live here as an adult. This is where Peter lived and Jesus healed his mother-in-law.
Extended houses, rural or urban, were created for extended families. Like townhouses. A new house is built during a betrothal time. This is what Joseph was doing, building a house for them when Mary was found to be with child.
When Caiaphas' house was discovered in the 1960's, it wasn't large, but had beautiful mosaic floors like Arabic carpets and beautiful staircases.
The Biblical Antiquities Center in LaGrange, Georgia has put a lot of effort into showing us what a typical house would look like in Jesus' lifetime.
Houses become extended and have garden areas, when more room is available.
Below is food preparation.
They demonstrate people did lie at table then later used the table for a bed.
A typical meal. The goblet would be clay or wooden.
Tools
Storage and space inside.
A place of work, these are tools in a tent near a threshing floor for wheat. Well known to David's grandparents, Ruth and Boaz.
Mark 7:24-30
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24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
Jesus seeking a private moment, has a woman throw herself at His feet. Jesus acts as a merciful King. This portion of Scripture has us remember humility in our conversation with Jesus. And has another reminder. Israel is God's. The Children of Israel are His.
Romans 11:17-24
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith.
So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Psalm 122
A Song of Ascents. Of David. (The music is for going up the stairs of God's Temple.)
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1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for [Or as a testimony for] Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Father God, just as we pray for those we love, You've told us to pray for others as we pray for ourselves. Strengthen Your nation, You've chosen, we pray for the peace of Israel. We pray for the love of Jesus Christ to shine brightly. In the highest name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.
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