Volume 2

320 Life of Jesus Christ
gave Him and the disciples a little luncheon, and conducted
Him with great love and simplicity into the city.
Jesus delivered a short discourse upon the Patriarch Jacob
and of all that had happened to him in those parts. Most
of these people had been baptized by John. A patriarchal
simplicity reigned in all the cities around this region, and
many of the ancient customs were still observed. Jesus did
not tarry long here, only time enough to receive the
honors paid Him on His route.
From Mahanaim He went along the northern bank of
the Jabok for about an hour eastward to the place where
Jacob and Esau met. The valley here sinks deep. During
the whole way Jesus taught His disciples. After some time
they recrossed to the southern bank not far from where
two little streams united to form the Jabok. Then they
continued their journey for about a mile to the east with
the desert of Ephraim on their right.
After traversing the valley they found, upon a mountainridge
to the east of the forest of Ephraim, Ramoth­
Galaad, a beautiful city, clean and regularly built. In it
the heathens had their own quarter and temple. The
sacred services were celebrated by Levites. One of the
disciples went on ahead to announce Jesus' approach. The
Levites and others of distinction were already awaiting
Him in a tent near the well outside the city. They washed
the newcomers' feet, gave them the usual refreshments as
a pledge of hospitality, and conducted them into the city.
There they found a crowd of poor sick gathered on an
open square to implore Jesus' help. He cured many of
them. That evening He taught in the synagogue, for it was
the beginning of the Sabbath that commemorated the
sacrifice of Jephte's daughter, which in this city was celebrated
as a mourning and national festival. There were
crowds of young maidens and other people from the country
around.
Jesus and the disciples took a repast with the Levites