ISRAEL DIARY
MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 12, 1998
Caesarea to Megiddo

We were early for breakfast.  The rain hadn't stopped and we were excited.  It was going to be a great day.  Discovery, new sights, and the presence of the Lord. 

It looked ominous when we walked out of the hotel.

We had a pressure packed week ahead of us and bad weather would really cutback on our trip.  However, it was not to be. 

We knew that Israel needed the rain and they got a lot of it but it was mostly at night.  Our trip was blessed with exceptionally good weather. 

Answered prayers often go unnoticed.  I noticed the Lord's answer and am grateful for all that we were able to do.  The trip was superb and all the praise and honor go to the Lord for the blessings that we experienced.  Thank you Lord.

Gilla gave a thorough introduction to Caesarea.  We continued our talk in the theater and then after we completed the presentation, everyone went around looking at the ancient theater of Caesarea and taking pictures. 

We looked at the Mediterranean when we went from the theater to the Crusader City at Caesarea. 

The waves were really kicking up.

The Crusader City of Caesarea is built over the ancient port of Caesarea.   Herod did a phenomenal job of building the port at Caesarea.  

Paul was imprisoned in this general area (Acts 23:23).

Steve committed to do the video for our trip.  This would be his third time to do our trip video and he was determined to keep dry and warm. 

He is standing in front of the Cesarean Harbor near where Paul would have landed when he sailed into Caesarea.  This was the largest Harbor on the Israeli Coast during the time of Rome's control.

Many people are surprised when they come to Caesarea and look at the Crusader ruins to find that the moat was a dry moat. 

When they remember how little water there is in this land it makes good sense.  It would be impossible to keep a wet moat full.

The weather was still cold and threatening.   We walked up from the harbor to the main entrance of the Crusader City.  Many of the stones in the road were from Roman times. 

The Crusaders where great builders.  Caesarea is a real witness to their building skills. 

During the time of the Crusaders, Caesarea was a well fortified city but much smaller than in Roman times.

We can often see through ancient eyes as we experience the present.  It requires a few moments of thought and a rememberance of how things might have been.   Our eyes are such wonderful gifts from our creator. 

We lingered at Caesarea for a short time, but not long.  We hustled to the aqueduct that dates to the Roman era and then turned north to Mount Carmel.  

We had surprises waiting for us on Mount Carmel.  It was snowing.   Really snowing.  There were a lot of people out playing in the snow. 

Muhraqa on Mount Carmel is the location of the Carmelite Monastery of St. Elijah, which commemorates the slaying of the prophets of Baal by Elijah.

In 1 Kings 17 we are presented with the activity of the Lord among His creation.  The story of Elijah's conquest of the pagan prophets is an excellent picture of God working through His followers.

I liked the altar in the Chapel.  The stone is unfinished.  The place has a real sense of the outdoors. 

There is an observation deck on the top of the building.  When the sky is clear, you can see the entire Jezreel Valley. 

We left Muhraqa and traveled south to the ancient city of Megiddo. 

The approach to Megiddo is impressive.  This is a strategic location of the Ancient Middle East.

Tel Megiddo was an  important city   as early as 3500 BC.  It was occupied until 400 BC.  The city was at one time owned by Egyptians, Canaanites, Israelites and several other civilizations.   This location controlled traffic between Mesopotamia and Egypt on the Via Maris.

We entered the Tel from the new northern gate entrance, about 100 feet from the former ramp entrance to the site.  Note that this is a large, well preserved, archaeological site.

We walked most of the site and thought deep thoughts about how things change.  Often, what we think we are seeing is changing before our very eyes.   Revelation 16:16 says that the Lord isn't through using this place.

The group walked through the water tunnel dug by King Ahab and then stopped at the cafeteria on the site for lunch.  It was a typically good Israeli meal. 

Our next stop was about 30 minutes north to Sepphoris. 

We did make a quick stop at McDonald's for coffee enroute.