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1. A field of flowers and Mount Tabor
A field of flowers and Mount Tabor
Description
We take a nearer view of Mount Tabor, looking across a field covered with flowers. While most of the mountain tops of Palestine are ragged rocks with scarcely any soil, the valleys and plains during the spring and early summer are gorgeous with flowers of every hue. One who sees them understands where our Lord found his frequent illustrations in teaching from the flowers of the fields. Looking upon the crown of Mount Tabor, and recalling the history of Israel in the time of the Judges, we seem to see upon yonder heights the little army of Deborah, the woman-judge; while upon this plain, now brilliant with blossoms, on that day were spread the tents and war-chariots of Sisera and the Canaanite host. The Israelites rushed down those slops, boldly attacked the Canaanite camps and won a glorious victory. Sisera, the commander of the Canaanites, fled on foot across the plain, only to meet death by the hammer of Jael, while sleeping in her tent.
2. Elijah's place of sacrifice - Mount Carmel
Elijah's place of sacrifice - Mount Carmel
Description
The one great name associated with Mount Carmel is that of the prophet Elijah, and the one great event in the prophet's sacrifices in the sight of all Israel, when the solemn choice of the nation was made between Jehovah and Baal. Near the foot of the mountain over-looking the plain, stands a rockt plateau which tradition has fixed upon as the site of the two rival alters. Around one alter stood four hundred priests of Baal, shouting hoarsely for their god to send the fire upon the waiting sacrifice, but calling in vain. By the other altar stood Elijah alone, the prophet of Jehovah, lifting his solitary voice to God. In a moment his prayer was answered; the fire fell from the heavens; the offering was burned; the water in the trench around it was licked up; even the dust upon the altar was consumed and its stones were destroyed under the intense heat; while the people shouted with one voice, "Jehovah, He is God!"
3. Hill of Moreh from the south
Hill of Moreh from the south
Description
The middle mountain of the three which guards the plain of Esdraelon on the East is the Hill Moreh, called in modern times Little Hermon. We see it in the distance beyond the level plain, here cultivated with care. In the foreground you look down upon the home of a farmer and his fmaily; perhaps the possessor of some of the fields in the distance. The house is built of clay and probably contains but one room. The corner of the only window is seen upon the right. Notice the wall bounding the court in front of the house. In some such home as this, not far away at Nazareth, our Lord may have lived during his youth and early manhood.
4. North over Nain to Mount Tabor from little Hermon
North over Nain to Mount Tabor from little Hermon
Description
Let us cross the Plain of Esdraelon. On its eastern border we find three mountains; the northern Mount Tabor; the middle one "The Hill of Moreh" in the Old Testament; often called in modern times "Little Hermon"; the greatest of the three on the south, Mount Gilboa. We are now looking upon Mount Tabor from the summit of the Hill of Moreh or Little Hermon. That village in the middle of the view is Nain, here, on one of his journeys, Jesus raised to life the only son of a widow. Beyond the village over the plain we see the rounded summit of Mount Tabor, the most symmetrical and beautiful in form of all the hills in this land of many hills and mountains.
5. From hill Moreh to Nazareth
From hill Moreh to Nazareth
Description
We looked upon the Hill Moreh of Little Hermon from a distance. Let us now stand upon its summit beside yonder Arab and from it look northward over the plain of Esdraelon. We can see dimly in the distance the white buildings of a town upon the mountain. That town is Nazareth, the home of Jesus during nearly thirty years. The hills around Nazareth look out upon the storied plain of Esdraelon; and from yonder hilltops the Boy Jesus must have often gazed upon this plain and the mountains surrounding it, recalling the battles of the Israelite history that were fought upon this famous field.
6. Mount Gilboa from the hill Moreh
Mount Gilboa from the hill Moreh
Description
The largest of the three mountains on the east of the plain of Esdraelon, is Mount Gilboa, which now stands before us, seen from the summit of the Hill Moreh, our view looking southward. Notice the village in the plain between the two mountains. This is Shunem, the home of the rich woman who befriended the prophet Elisha, and was rewarded in having her boy restored to life.
7. Southwest ridge of Mount Hermon
Southwest ridge of Mount Hermon
Description
Hermon does not give an easy ascent to the mountain-climber, but as you see this group upon the southwestern ridge, it can be climbed, not only by man, but by animals laden with men. For ten months in the year a crown of snow covers its head, giving it the name, "The Snow Mountain". Another name in common use is "Jebel each Sheikh", The Mountain of the Chief. From its regnant appearance like a king upon his throne, the name is appropriate, but in reality ir refers to this mountain as the residence of the religious ruler of the Druses, a powerful sect in Syria.
8. Mount Hermon from the northwest
Mount Hermon from the northwest
Description
We begin with Mount Hermon, far in the north, the loftiest peak in the land, dominating the country like a king. We are looking at it now from one of the foothills on the northwest. The view is in midsummer, when most of the snow upon the summit has melted swelling the little stream before us, one of the upper sources of the Jordan; but you can see that snow remains in the ravines that seam the mountain walls. It rises 9166 feet above the level of the Mediterranean Sea, and forms the boundary line between Palestine on the south and Syria upon the north.
9. Mount of Temptation
Mount of Temptation
Description
We are at the foot of Mount Quarantania, the traditional Mount of our Lord's Temptation. Perhaps you can see that it is perforated with caves. The belief that this was really the place of our Lord's fasting through forty days, led to its becoming for centuries the resort of hermits, who dug out caves in the soft rock and dwelt in them, regarding this mountain as holy ground. But Jesus came to this place - if this be the true location - not with the purpose of fasting or meeting Satan. He came immediately after his baptism and the over-powering outpouring of the Spirit, to plan for the new life that opened before him. His fasting was an incident, and unconscious; for, in the intensity of his thoughts and feelings, he never thought of food. It may be that on yonder level summit, he stood and in vision saw the kingdom of the world, sweep before his eyes, as in reward if like Ramses, like Sargon, like Alexander, like Caesar and like Napoleon later, he would live for this world and self, and not for God alone.
10. The hill of Hebron from the southeast
The hill of Hebron from the southeast
Description
There is one hill in southern Palestine which we must not forget to visit. It is the Hill Machpelah, bought by Abraham for a burial place. At the foot of this hill stands the city of Hebron, whose history can be traced uninterruptedly through four thousand years. Here Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived in their several generations. Here ten centuries after Abraham, David reigned as King of Judah for seven years before he received the crown of all the tribes. Here the conspiracy of wicked Absalom had its beginning, more prosperous and promising than its ending. Here, or not far distant, was the home of the good priest Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. Can you see just in the farther edge of the city, near the right, two towers rising above the roofs? Here are the minarets of the Mosque of Hebron, upon which we look as our next view.
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