Day 06 - Two Different Paths – Northern Kingdom

Greetings from Jerusalem! At the time of this writing, our group has safely arrived in Jerusalem, and our adventures will continue here for our remaining three days. First though, we’d love to share with you our day’s travels.

Steve led our morning devotion time with a lesson on two paths. We read aloud the account of the prodigal son and talked about the two paths we can choose to follow. Today is also Independence Day in America. Steve encouraged us to celebrate our dependence on God and freedom from sin. As Christians, we are citizens of God’s eternal Kingdom. He is worthy of our praise.

We got an early start in Beth She’an this morning! Beth She’an which was an ancient Canaanite city at one time. The major significance of this city is that this is the site where Saul’s body was placed after his army fell to the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, ending Saul’s reign and his life (1 Sam. 31). We hiked up Tel Beth She’an and could not believe what we saw! Down below were the incredible Greco-Roman ruins of the city Scythopolis. Because there was still so much there, it was easy to see the layout of the city and appreciate the grand architecture. Here we toured the ruins but also had great faith lessons comparing this ancient Hellenistic culture to the one we have in America.

Beth She’an is located 17 miles (27 km) south of the Sea of Galilee, Beth She’an is situated at the strategic junction of the Harod and Jordan Valleys. The fertility of the land and the abundance of water led the Jewish sages to say, “If the Garden of Eden is in the land of Israel, then its gate is Beth She’an.”

Our second stop of the day was Megiddo, which has 7,000 years of human history. It is one of the most excavated tels (artificial mounds formed from the accumulated remains of generations of people living on the same site for hundreds or thousands of years) in Israel. The city has been built and destroyed 20 25 30 31 32 times (they keep discovering more), so there is a lot to unearth. The height of glory for this city was from the time of King Solomon to the time of King Ahab. Whoever controlled Megiddo controlled the Via Maris, which was the road that cut through this part of the land. Whoever controlled this city ended up controlling the known world at the time, so it’s little wonder why there were so many conquests of the city. As we walked, we saw ruins everywhere, including a public grainery that was built in the 8th century BC. Looking out from Megiddo, the Jezreel Valley stretched out ahead of us. Another name for this is the Valley of Armageddon. It’s a stunning place for both historical and prophetic reasons. Our profoundly knowledgeable guide, Yehuda, showed us everything, explaining as we went. 

After a delicious lunch at a nearby Druze restaurant, we visited Mount Carmel, which is where the prophet Elijah confronted the 450 false prophets of Baal and 400 priests of Asherah. We sat on rocks cliff side at the top of the mountain as Steve told us the Biblical story. Elijah chided the prophets of Baal telling them that if Baal was a true god, that he would show himself and answer them. After an entire day of calling on him, Baal was silent. All Elijah had to do was pray to the LORD once, at the time of the evening sacrifice. At this prayer, God answered, reigning fire from heaven and consuming the sacrifice Elijah had offered to him. The prophets were defeated and God sent much needed rain on the land. After this King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, was furious with Elijah, threatening his life. He ran all the way to the wilderness all by himself and hid in a cave. After such a victory, even the great prophet Elijah was not above discouragement. Steve encouraged us that, even when we’re struggling and having a rough time in life, always choose to come out of the cave. Never do life alone. Remember who you are in the hard times. We’re still His children. We must stay focused on the mission He’s given us. God is faithful, even when we don’t feel it.

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).

Our final stop of the day was Caesarea Maritima. This coastal settlement was built by Herod the Great. He imagined the city and what it would be like in 22 BC. It took twelve years to complete the unique and ambitious project. Because of the success of the city, King Herod gained the trust of the Romans. Through the years after Herod, many changes happened in this city. Different empires and people groups occupied the city. The most meaningful story for us happened concerning the Apostle Paul. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Guil read from the book of Acts. He taught us about Paul’s time in the city. When he was under arrest and appealed to Caesar, Paul was held here until he set sail for Rome. Paul spent two years in custody and in chains… not for anything he had done, but for following the Holy Spirit. Paul put the message of our Saviour above anything else. It is because of His resurrection that we stand here today. The truth inside of us needs to be carried and shared wherever we go.

The city and harbor of Caesarea Maritima 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). 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 AD 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.

That’s it for today. We’re all so overwhelmed by the magnificence of this place, and we know that as we get closer to all the special sites in Jerusalem, that feeling will only grow.

Thanks again for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for our health and safety, and that we will continue to learn and encounter God more and more in the days to come. We love all of you and we wish you a blessed day.

Laila Tov! (Good night!)

CIC Israel ‘22