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Israel Study Tour - Brian Haynes
June 2-13, 2014
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A Full Heart
Our morning started off with spectacular views from Megiddo as we overlooked the Jezreel Valley - perhaps the most fertile valley on the earth. This site is one of the first archeological digs in Israel and has provided evidence for seven civilizations, which date back 7000 years ago. Its Hebrew name, Har Megiddo, which means Hill of Megiddo, is where we get the Greek word Armageddon.
Megiddo was a city of influence along the Via Maris road and was also known as the “Way of the Sea.” Although several civilizations maintained Megiddo over the centuries, its most expansive period was under the rule of Solomon. Consider the fact that Solomon had constructed the city with the finest materials and with the capacity to house stone stables for 450 horses!
As splendid as the city was, one thing stood out the most…the city wasn’t serving the one true God with all its heart. In the midst of the city stood a 5000 year old altar to baal. It’s difficult to fathom that the Israelites maintained the altar to baal that was constructed before they overtook the city. The wisest king to ever live, and the one credited for constructed God’s temple, condoned sacrifices to the idol baal on that ancient altar. As unreasonable as that may sound, I wonder how many times I’m guilty of serving the gods of my life rather than the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Megiddo
From the earliest times (EB) to the earliest historical records of the area (Thutmose III) to the future (Revelation 16), Megiddo assumes a prominent role. This is largely owing to its strategic location astride the Megiddo Pass (Wadi Ara) and inside the busy Jezreel Valley.
We soon found ourselves perched upon a nest of rocks on the side of a foliage filled mountain where Elijah called down fire from heaven. Mt. Carmel is home to one the greatest stories in the Bible; it’s a story of God using one man to defeat hundreds of false prophets and the god of baal. The story of Elijah contrasted so many lessons previously heard this week. We’ve seen time and time again where God’s chosen have elected not to obey completely: marrying outside of their nation, keeping spoils of war for themselves, not tearing down false gods, and failure to fully annihilate enemies of God. Elijah at Mt. Carmel was a refreshing account of obedience where he did what God asked him to do in totality.
Mt. Carmel
Biblically, Mt. Carmel is referenced most often as a symbol of beauty and fertility. To be given the “splendor of Carmel” was to be blessed indeed (Isa 35:2). Solomon praised his beloved: “your head crowns you like Mount Carmel” (Song 7:5). But for Carmel to wither was a sign of devastating judgment (Nahum 1:4).
The final stop of the day was a reminder of man’s temporal tendencies compared to an everlasting God. Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea has been said to have been mistaken for the setting sun by passing sailors. Herod spared no expense in honoring Caesar, Rome, and his own name by establishing this jewel by the sea. We were able to see the luxuries of the city, the pantheistic presence within, the influence of Hellenism, and the sad state of a ruined legacy - a legacy with no one, true God. As we were reminded in Caesarea Philippi, Christ can build His church on any rock He chooses. Herod’s marble palace and glimmering city was reduced to chunks of rubbish marooned by a rejecting ocean.
Caesarea Maritima
The city and harbor were built under Herod the Great during c. 22–10 BC near the site of a former Phoenician naval station known as Stratonos pyrgos (Στράτωνος πύργος).[2] It later became the provincial capital of Roman Judea, Roman Syria Palaestina and Byzantine Palaestina Prima provinces. The city was populated throughout the 1st to 6th centuries CE and became an important early center of Christianity during the Byzantine period, but was mostly abandoned following the Muslim conquest of 640. It was re-fortified by the Crusaders, and finally slighted by the Mamluks in 1265.
What a humbling day: the wisest king serving two masters unsuccessfully; the world’s greatest builder laboring in futility, and a wandering profit bringing glory to God in humble obedience. Today was about a challenge of surrender. We have two pictures of what happens with a life that gives only a part of the heart to God. However, we were given a picture of what God can do with a heart that is fully given to Him. What kind of impact could we make in our circles of influence if we gave God a full heart?
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