From the Mountain to the Sea

"How long halt ye between two opinions?  if the Lord be

God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him"

1 Kings 18:21

Monday October 31-  Our day started on the top of Mt. Carmel, this

mountain sanctuary for the worship of Baal.   Enter Elijah and Elisha,

two of the most amazing Old Testament prophets.  As I stood in front of this

statue, I was thinking back to a gospel doctrine class I attended last year.  

Our instructor was visibly excited about teaching this lesson.  He said when 

he was called to teach the class in the middle of the Old Testament year

(which could cause a bit of fear in most of us), he was thinking ahead to the

lessons about Elijah and Elisha.  They are his heroes.  He proceeded to 

teach a passionate lesson that left us all asking the question, "How long

halt ye between two opinions?"  This biblical account makes us think about

our level of commitment to the gospel.  Have we completely given our life

to Christ?  Or do we still dabble in the things of the world?  We can't serve
God and man.  We have to decide.

So, I'm standing at the base of the statue, looking at Elijah as he slays

the prophets of Baal, and thinking to myself, man I wish Jared Shelton

could see this.  Wouldn't he love it?

The view from the top of the mountain is 360 degree awesome!  What a 

beautiful morning to be in Israel.

The Carmelite Monastery stands near the site where Elijah defeated the Baalists.

Sherri and I found a quiet garden spot and read the account of Elijah

and the prophets of Baal for ourselves.

(Photo credit: Debi Sager)

At the base of the mountain is the Cave of Elijah where it is believed the

prophet took refuge from the anger of King Ahab.

"And he came hither unto a cave, and lodged there;

and behold the word of the Lord came to him, and he said

unto him, 'What doest thou here, Elijah?'

And he said I have been very jealous for the Lord God of

hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy 

covenant, thown down thy altars and slain thy

prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am

left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

And he said, 'Go forth, and stand upon the mount

before the Lord.'  And, behold, the Lord passed by,

and a great and strong wind rent the mountains,

and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but

the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind

an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not 

in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped

his face in his mantle, and went out, and

stood in the entering of the cave."

1 Kings 19:9-12

Another favorite account.  Yes, you gotta love Elijah!

We left the mountain and headed for the sea. This Carmel mountain range is 

thirteen miles long and projects into the Mediterranean Sea at Haifa.

Let me off the bus!!!  The sea is calling my name.  

Ahhhh...

Words aren't necessary.  Just soak in the beauty of the pictures.  And 

no, I didn't photoshop these, the water is really that blue!

Caesarea by the Sea, named in honor of Caesar Augustus and one of the

most beautiful places I have ever been. No wonder King Herod made this

place his summer playground, building his palace here in 22 BC, complete

with a theatre, hippodrome (think chariot races) and other luxuries.  Caesarea

became the home of the Roman procurators, including Pontius Pilate, 

during the time of Christ.

Herod's palace must have been something else.  Can you imagine sitting

in this theatre with the Mediterranean as your backdrop?

The book of Acts is full of references about Caesarea.

"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius.."

Acts 10:1

This is the story of the first Gentile convert to the gospel.  Peter sees a vision

that leads him to Cornelius, who is taught and accepts the gospel.  I had just

read this account about a week before I left on my trip.  Now I was in the 

city where it happened.  I will forever read this missionary story through a

new lense.  In my mind, I will see the blue of the sea and smell the salt in

the air.

"And when he had landed at Caesarea...."

Acts 18:22

"But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea..."

Acts 25:4

Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea for two years and testified in the very

arena in which I walked.  I had to catch my breathe when I had this realization.

The great missionary Paul, stood here and defended his testimony of Christ.  

Being here gave me a desire to be a more faithful disciple.  Could I have

just a little of his courage?  Would my conduct "persuade others to be a

christian?"  Could I testify as he did, that it is in Christ that" we live, and

move and have our being"?  Questions that had me thinking. Oh, how inspired
I am by the apostle Paul.

*MYOF Goal #25 - Visit Israel.