Carmel Mountain: A Cameraman's Perspective

Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel. It is a sacred site for Jews, Christians, Muslims, Baháʼís, and Druze. Mount Carmel is best known as the site of the prophet Elijah's showdown with the prophets of Baal and Asherah. The Bible describes how Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest to see whose deity was genuinely in control of the Kingdom of Israel. The prophets of Baal were unable to light a fire, but Elijah, praying to Yahweh, successfully summoned lightning to ignite his sacrifice. The people fell to their faces and proclaimed, The Lord, he is God.

The prophet Elijah's fire-lighting challenge

On Mount Carmel, Elijah confronted 450 priests of Baal, calling on them to invoke their god to light a sacrifice. The priests cried out and cut themselves, but Baal did not answer. Then, Elijah rebuilt the altar of Yahweh, soaked it with water, and prayed. In response, fire descended from heaven and consumed the offering, the wood, the stones, and even the water. The people fell to their knees, proclaiming, "The Lord, He is God!".

The biblical account of this event is found in 1 Kings 18. It is a powerful demonstration of Yahweh's superiority over the pagan gods and a pivotal moment in Israel's history, leading the people back to their true God. The prophet's bold challenge and the dramatic display of divine power make this episode a memorable and significant part of biblical narrative.

The site of this contest is believed to be on the southeastern peak of Mount Carmel, now known as Muhraka, or "the Scorching." It is marked by a statue of Elijah and a small Carmelite monastery, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. This location has become a sacred place, attracting visitors and pilgrims wishing to connect with the biblical story and its spiritual significance.

The defeat of the prophets of Baal and Asherah

Elijah, an emissary of Yahweh, confronts Ahab and predicts a drought as punishment for their devotion to Baal. After three years, Elijah proposes a contest to prove which deity is the true God of Israel. All of Israel is summoned to Mount Carmel to witness the confrontation. The prophets of Baal pray and cut themselves to get Baal's attention, but to no avail. Elijah then rebuilds the altar of Yahweh, soaks it with water, and offers a sacrifice. He prays aloud:

> "Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

In a spectacular display, fire descends from heaven and consumes the offering, the wood, the stones, and even the water. The people fall to their faces and proclaim, "The Lord, he is God!". Elijah then orders the execution of the false prophets.

The story reflects the sacredness and beauty of Mount Carmel and highlights the power of prayer and Yahweh's dominance over the false gods. It is a symbol of Yahweh's glory and Israel's redemption.

The site of this biblical event is traditionally placed on the mountain above Yokneam, on the road to the Druze village of Daliyat el-Karmil, where a monastery called El-Muhraqa ("the burning") now stands.

The end of a three-year drought

The end of the three-year drought was announced by Elijah, who had been in hiding during this period. God told him to reveal himself to King Ahab, and to challenge the 450 prophets of Baal and Asherah to a contest to see whose god was real.

Elijah told the prophets of Baal to call on their god to light a sacrifice by sending down fire. They tried for three hours, but their god did not answer. Then it was Elijah's turn. He repaired the Lord's altar, dug a trench around it, and had it doused in water. He prayed to the Lord to send fire, and immediately fire consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and even the water.

The people fell to their knees and proclaimed, "The Lord, he is God!". The long drought was over, and the rain came.

The Carmelite Monastery

The Carmelite Order was established by a group of hermits living on Mount Carmel, who, according to tradition, are believed to have been guided by the prophet Elijah. The site of the monastery is said to be the location of Elijah's cave, 1,700 feet above sea level.

The Carmelites follow the Rule or 'Letter of Life' given by Albert, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, around 1210. In this rule, the founder of the order is referred to simply as 'Brother B', and his identity remains unknown. The order was not founded by Louis IX of France, as is sometimes claimed, although he did visit in 1252.

A Carmelite monastery was established shortly after the founding of the order. However, during the Crusades, the monastery frequently changed hands and was often converted into a mosque. In 1799, Napoleon converted the building into a hospital, and in 1821, the surviving structure was destroyed by the Pasha of Damascus.

A new monastery was later constructed over a nearby cave, known as "Elijah's Grotto" by the Discalced Carmelite friars who have custody of the site. This cave now forms the crypt of the monastic church.

Mount Carmel's significance in the Bible

Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel that stretches from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. The range is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and is known for its lush vegetation. The name "Carmel" means "vineyard", "orchard", "garden", or "God's garden".

In the Bible, Mount Carmel is best known as the site of the prophet Elijah's showdown with the pagan prophets of Baal and Asherah. During the reign of King Ahab, an altar to Baal was set up at the top of Mount Carmel to please his wife, Jezebel. In response to their devotion to a false god, Elijah proposed a contest to prove that the Lord God was the only true God. All of Israel was summoned to Mount Carmel to witness the confrontation. Elijah rebuilt the ruined altar of God and, after drenching it with water, prayed aloud for the Lord to answer him. God answered with a spectacular display of fire from heaven, consuming the offering. The people fell to their knees and proclaimed, "The Lord, he is God". Elijah then ordered the execution of the 450 false prophets.

Mount Carmel is also mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of beauty and fertility. In the Song of Solomon, Solomon praises his beloved, saying, "your head crowns you like Mount Carmel". Additionally, Mount Carmel is referenced in the Book of Amos as a place of refuge and hiding. David, before he became king, stayed in the caves of Mount Carmel and protected the shepherds there.

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