Welcome back, once again, to our virtual tour of Israel. Last week we began an exciting trek through history that eventually led us through the gates of time to the top of Har Megiddo. Today we will take a look at some of the interesting excavations that have left their mark on archaeology for nearly a century. We will learn about pagan practices of old and prophetic proclamations yet to be fulfilled. It’s time to peel back another layer of biblical history, so let’s get started!
Our first stop brings us to very long and wide trench that goes through a large section of the tel. Gottlieb Schumacher was the first to excavate here from 1903-1905. Lots of mistakes were made. The techniques and technology were not good back then. Instead of uncovering the earth layer by layer, he ran a trench thru the tel ruining everything along the way! Fortunately, he kept decent records that helped us understand some of his findings. Archaeology is the only science where you can never repeat the experiment. Today, a site is never fully excavated; some is always left for the next generations. Technology most certainly gets better as time goes on. This site has been excavated on and off for over 100 years. Twenty-five layers of civilization have been unearthed. Despite the early techniques by archaeologists, this site remains a treasure trove of history.
Ruins at Har Megiddo. Photo Credit: Trover
Looking down into the large trench below us, we can see an impressive pagan spiritual site. There is a perfectly formed round altar made of stone. This altar is the bottom of 17 structures that were found one on top of the other. Archaeologists excavated layers of pagan ritualistic history all in one spot. This altar that we can see today dates to 2,700 BCE. That means that we are looking at history that is nearly 5,000 years old! Pagan temples and altars were built for specific purposes. There were Canaanite ceremonial objects found at this site and it is believed that this was the spiritual site where prayers and sacrifices were made in order to ask the gods for rain. The Jezreel Valley below us is very fruitful, but it needs a lot of rain for farming. It made sense then and it still makes sense today. We are thankful to God for every rainy season that helps us sustain the very same fields that have been producing for a millennium.
Now let’s walk to the shaded observation point. We are looking out onto the massive Jezreel Valley. It goes as far as the eye can see. In the distance, we can see Nazareth to the north, the Gilboa Mountains to the south, Mt. Tabor in front of us to the east, and continuing east, we can see as far as the Golan Heights (on a clear day). This is where Har Megiddo turns into the prophetic Armageddon. Most people believe that the word “Armageddon” is a corruption of the actual name of the city Har Megiddo. The New Testament predicts the final battle at the end of days in the book of Revelation, specifically stating, “Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” Revelation 16:16. The book of Revelation is not an easy book to understand. But there is a certainty that the earth will experience some kind of End of Days judgment.
Jezreel valley view from above. Photo Credit: Pintrest
If we look in the book of Ezekiel 38:14-23 we also get a confirmation of this same type of prophetic judgment: “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
I don’t need to tell you that this is some scary stuff. And if you look at the beginning of this prophecy, it says “when my people Israel are living in safety.” May I remind you that the Jews are now living in safety in Israel for the first time in over 2,000 years. Yes, indeed, the time is drawing nearer.
Amggedon. Photo Credit: Discover
As we continue our tour, I will mention a few archaeological finds as we make our way to a very impressive water system dating to the time of King Ahab (Ahav). There are ruins of some not so impressive palaces and buildings along the way. But we do pass a huge grain silo that is in excellent condition. Even the steps going down to the bottom of the silo are still somewhat visible. This silo proves that the city had a large agricultural production during the Israelite period. We continue past the silo to find horse stables. The bible talks about Solomon’s stables that he used for his chariot racing. There is some discussion as to whether these stables date to the time of King Solomon or to the time of Ahab (Ahav), some 100 years later. Ahab was listed as one of the kings who fought in the Battle of Karcar against the Assyrians. He brought 2,000 chariots and 10,000 soldiers, the strongest king in the Middle East. This is not mentioned in the Bible but in the Assyrian records. In any case whether these date to Solomon or Ahab, it is quite cool to be able to stand in horse stables that belonged to the Israelites.
Ancient silo that can be seen at Har Megiddo. Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
Now we come to one of the most impressive finds of Megiddo; a monumental water system. Three of these types of water systems have been found in Israel. The dating for the water systems in Hatzor, Gezer, and Megiddo are from Ahab in the 9th century BCE. And if you remember, those are the same three cities that the Bible says that King Solomon fortified. And those Solomonic gates were all found in the last 100 years of archaeology. Amazing!
The only access to this water system was from within the city. The outside source was completely hidden for protection from enemy invasion. They dug a vertical shaft to the same level as the water spring way below. Then they built steps down to a horizontal tunnel to the water source. This meant that at any time the city was under siege the people could still get water from within the city. If you read the book “The Source” written by James A. Michener, it brings a keen perspective of what life must have been like in those days. I’m sure he used Har Megiddo as the model for his book. Let’s go down the 187 steps to the horizontal tunnel that leads to the water spring. Though we are walking on modern metal steps, we can still see remnants of the original steps below us. The cool, damp air lends a sense of mystery and the thought of ancient Israelites experiencing the same air to collect their water is powerful. Now we walk carefully through a very long tunnel to the source itself. While the water level is quite low now, because water has been diverted from the stream for modern farming, the water is still crystal clear. This is one of the most incredible experiences one can have. Literally walking down into a 2,800-year-old water system and finding perfectly drinkable water!
Unfortunately, it is time to exit Megiddo. We will walk up 80 steps and through the once hidden exit and step back into the 21st century. But you will take with you a connection to the ancient past and I hope you will look at your Bibles with fresh eyes.
Please join me next week for another fantastic journey through Israel.
Until next time, Shalom.
Experience the beauty of northern Israel and har megiddo. Photo Credit: Philadelphia Church of God
Top Photo Credit: Quora