Mount Carmel

Bright and early, out the door and up the hill to Mt. Carmel. We crossed through the Jezreel Valley and over the Kidron Brook (which was really a dry creekbed since it's not winter) and headed up the hill. Once atop the hill, we could see "forever". Mt. Carmel is not a solitary mountain, but rather a series of summits that is about 8 miles long. The range is on the far west edge of Israel adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. There are two passes through the range and whoever controlled the passes had significant control over the region as it affected all trade and travel, etc.

The most significant Biblical event for this site is Elijah's challenge to the Baal prophets where God consumed the offering on Elijah's altar and the offering on the Baal altar was untouched. At this point, Elijah succinctly asked, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal, follow him." After the unmistakable witness of the Lord's power, the people fell on their faces and said, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!"

The photo was taken today from the summit at Mt. Carmel where today there is a Carmelite Monastery. This view overlooks the Jezreel Valley which at one time was a swamp and malaria was rampant. When the Jews came back to the land, they purchased this and similar land that was perceived by the Arabs to be worthless. Of course, the Arabs said, "Those CRAZY Jews!" But look at the "swamp" now!!