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Israel Journal Day 2

February 24, 2010

Day 2: CAESAREA – MT CARMEL – MEGIDDO

Driving 33 miles north of Tel Aviv along the Mediterranean coast we came to Caesarea Maritima. We first visited the remains of the 25 km aqueduct which was necessary because when this city was built here by Herod there was a need for water.

Caesarea has a rich history as it was the capitol of the Roman province of Judea for many years. In the middle of the 3rd century BC, the Phoenicians built a small port here, and called it Stratos Tower. It was captured by Alexander Janneus in 96 BC, and became a Jewish community. When general Pompey conquered Israel in 66 BC, Stratos Tower became a non Jewish city. Emperor Agustus gave the city to King Herod, who built an entirely new city between 22 and 10 BC, and called it Caesarea to honor the emperor. Jerome states he saw the Hebrew original of the Gospel of Matthew here.

Peter baptized the Roman Centurion, Cornelius here.
Acts 10:1,48 Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort… So he (Peter) gave orders to have them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Philip the Evangelist lived in Caesarea.
Acts 21:8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist..
Paul was imprisoned here 2 years, before being sent to Rome for trial. (Acts 24:27)

Excavations starting in the 1958 after a man discovered the theater while working in his field on his tractor resulting in uncovering a large Roman theater, and the city wall.

The first known inscription of the name Pontus Pilate.
This plaque proved the accuracy of the NT claim of this political figure.

There is also a Crusader fort near by.

Modern day Caesarea has become known as the Beverly Hills of Israel having the only golf course in the country.

Mt. Carmel

We Continued north until we came to Mt. Carmel where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal.
1 Kings 18:18–19 Elijah replied, “I have not brought disaster on Israel. But you and your father’s dynasty have, by abandoning the LORD‘s commandments and following the Baals. Now send out messengers and assemble all Israel before me at Mount Carmel, as well as the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah whom Jezebel supports.

The view from the lookout was spectacular with us being able to see Jerusalem in the distance. I looked up into the beautiful clear sky and saw 4 F15’s pass overhead, as well as the runway for the Israeli air force located in the Kishon valley. All of a sudden we heard an explosion which caused a certain level of curiosity – later we were told it was one of the F15’s breaking the sound barrier. COOL! This is the valley that Elijah executed the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 18:40).

Megiddo

Megiddo became the main route between Egypt and Syria, and because of its position, many battles were fought in this area. Excavations have revealed a history of 20–25 layers of occupation going back 3500 years, when Thutmosis 3 and the Egyptian army conquered the area from the Canaanites.

It is believed that human sacrifices actually took place here on this round rock altar. Just looking upon this mound of rocks brought such a sense of sadness to me as I wondered of the people that had lost their lives in the name of religion. Even sadder was imagining children being placed here by their parents.

Eventually it came into the hands of the Israelites where King Solomon built one of his walled cities which overlooks the Jezreel Valley.
1Kings 9:15 Here are the details concerning the work crews King Solomon conscripted to build the LORD‘s temple, his palace, the terrace, the wall of Jerusalem, and the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.

In the 10th century BC King Ahab built a water tunnel where we walked through which required that we descended 183 steps. Big walk just for water.

Not long after, in 925 BC, during King Rehoboam’s reign, it was captured by Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt. Later, it fell to Tiglath-Pilser III, King of Assyria, in 732 BC, who made it the capitol of one of the Assyrian provinces. King Josiah’s last battle occurred here against Pharaoh Necho in 609 BC at Megiddo.
2Kings 23:29 During Josiah’s reign Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt marched toward the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to fight him, but Necho killed him at Megiddo when he saw him.
The city’s continued destruction and rebuilding has resulted in raising it into a high mound. It has become one of the largest archeological excavations in Israel. In the future, the armies of the world will assemble at Armageddon (Megiddo Revelation 19:14–16) for what is referred to as the “battle of midway”. It marks the half way point between the Nile delta and Golan Heights. For me to see all of these areas where battles have happened for all of history as well as seeing the battles that are presently on the verge of taking place is very sobering to me. Why can’t people just get along?

Jesus may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

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