Mount Carmel
"Your head crowns you like Carmel, and the flowing locks of your head are like purple threads" Song of Solomon 7:5
Mount Carmel is situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jezreel Valley. The immense natural beauty of the Carmel forest is coupled with the biblical story of Elijah confronting the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). The story can be recounted and experienced visually in the Stella Maris church, whose view is amazing, or from the Mukraha monastery, whose breath-taking view looks to the Jezreel Valley and the Kishon stream where the slaughter took place. You can see the traditional site of Elijah's Cave where Elijah hid in the cliffs towards the sea.
In the heart of the Carmel National Park are the Druze communities of Daliat al Carmel and Issifiya, where you can enjoy the bustling markets featuring traditional Druze products. The Druze culture is fascinating, placing its roots as descendants of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law (Exodus 4:17).
FROM SCRIPTURES
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. (Isaiah 35:1-2 ESV).
When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word (1 Kings 18:17-21 ESV).
