Jerusalem Central to Three Major Religions (plus more there) January Monthly Meeting Holy Land Trip 2017 Religions 1 Early

the Three Major Religions First – the Israelites, the Hebrew people, the Jewish religion Then – Christians – Christ –ians (ones), Christianity as religion Then – Muslims – persons following the teachings of Muhammed, the Islam religion

Before the “First” (before Judaism) Tel Aviv is on the coast, 56 km south of Caesarea

Before Judaism Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley From the early Bronze Age (3150-2200 BCE) a cultic compound of several temples, a large round stone altar with seven steps leading to top. 25 levels of settlement spanning 3000 yrs

Before the First (before Judaism) and on through… Megiddo: Another temple/altar uncovered from the 9th C. BCE plus cultic objects A Solomonic settlement there but size/dating not clear Rebuilt in 8th C. BCE Israelites had a training site for chariots and use of horses Shortly after that Megiddo area annexed to Assyria Settlement shifted south in 4th C. BCE But in 2nd C. CE seems a Roman legion stationed there Excavations from 3rd C. CE revealed a settlement with a Christian prayer hall with an inscribed mosaic pavement Because of language in the book of Revelation designated as the “Armageddon” for a metaphoric final battle

Before or During Judaism Canaanites in Jerusalem before they were defeated Joshua 10:8 (Joshua - leader the Israelites after Moses dies) Canaanites Superiority Building stone structures Making metal tools, implements, weapons Technical ability (Solomon used Canaanites to design and construct temple) Religion of the Canaanites Only what was in the Old Testament was known about the Canaanite religions until the 1928 discovery of clay tablets at a site that was the ancient Syrian city of Ugarit What came to be known as the Ugaritic texts gave much information about religious life and more Included a previously unknown North Semitic alphabet Diplomatic, legal, economic, administrative, scholastic, literary and religious texts

Before the First (before Judaism) From Tyndale Bible Dictionary: Study of the polytheistic religion of the Canaanites has contributed much to our understanding of the religion of ancient Israel. The Hebrew theological and religious structures were given by God to a people who were influenced and affected by other religions. To appreciate the Israelites’ monotheistic religion fully that challenged their life and unity as a nation. Contact among the many religions of the ancient Near East produced not only tension but also much syncretism or borrowing of concepts and practices.

Before the First (before Judaism) From Tyndale Bible Dictionary: Among all those peoples, however, the Hebrews took an independent course. Their God was the unique and cosmic deity who demanded exclusive allegiance. Such a concept ran against the grain of all the religions of the day. Israelite morality (covenant laws at Mt. Sinai) was very different from cultic traditions of Canaanite life Hebrew ethical monotheism was in many ways opposite to the polytheistic nature worship of Canaanite religion

Canaanites and Jews in the same land Jewish religion weakening with assimilation Elijah battles prophets of Baal & Asherah 17When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?" 18He answered, "I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father's house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. 19Now therefore have all Israel assemble for me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.” 20So Ahab sent to all the Israelites, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. 21Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18

Mt Carmel Haifa Tel Aviv

Mount Carmel According to Jewish, Christian, Druze and Muslim belief, it is on the summit of Mount Carmel that the dramatic battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place. Amid this struggle, the fire that rained down from the sky fell in this exact location. The battle's horrific end is described in 1 Kings 18:38-40