israel post 3

So, more from Sunday, 4-28...

From Caesarea, we headed further down the road to Mt. Carmel. Mt. Carmel is a "tel", which is a large hill. It is a hill today because it is one civilization built on top of another, until it grows to a large hill. And it is also where Elijah from the Bible challenges 450 prophets of a particular Baal to a contest at the altar on Mount Carmel to determine whose deity was genuinely in control of the Kingdom of Israel.

According to the Bible in 1 Kings 18, the challenge was to see which deity could light a sacrifice by fire. After the prophets of Baal had failed to achieve this, Elijah had water poured on his sacrifice to saturate the altar and then he prayed; fire fell and consumed the sacrifice, wood, stones, soil, and water which prompted the Israelite witnesses to proclaim, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!". In the account, Elijah announced the end to a long drought; clouds gathered, the sky turned black, and it rained heavily.

From Mt. Carmel, we then headed to Megiddo, which is a site of ancient ruins. That equals a lot of rocks :) It was quite neat to see though, and even more spectacular was the fact that from one location here, we were able to overlook the Valley of Armageddon. In the Bible, this valley is where the end of time battle will occur when Jesus returns. To stand and view that valley, and know that it will all come down to the good fight right there...that was a bit surreal.

The view from atop Mt. Carmel -- overlooking the Valley of Jezreel.

There was a beautiful garden area, and this Virgin was a focal point.

Chris, Jon and Neeley in the Garden of Mt. Carmel.

At Megiddo, an ancient stairway that Chris captured.

Rock and palm trees...kind of an odd combination!

Another view of the rock and palms...

A view of the Valley of Armageddon...I can't quit picture the forthcoming battle here, can you?

We received an extra, last minute treat -- we were allowed to go down a ton of metal stairs to get to the bottom and see the natural spring of Megiddo...a very sufficient water source that still held water today.

Me and hubby with the Valley of Armageddon behind us...

And me with my bestie Kim, in front of the Valley...I'm so glad we were on the same tour bus all week!!

So that finishes up our Sunday in Israel. Tomorrow I will start off with Monday's travels -- beginning with our amazing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee!!

PS...like I mentioned, I don't feel like these pictures are really doing any of this any justice...it kind of makes me sad!! I hope that you are enjoying them and getting something from it all...