Mukhraka - The Place of Elijah’s Contest on Carmel

They say once you`ve read the Bible where its events actually happened, you`ll never be the same. Nowhere is this truer than on Mount Carmel, at Mukhraka, which means "burned place," where Elijah faced off against the prophets of Baal and God sent down fire from Heaven. (I Kings 18:17-46). From the Carmelite Monastery roof or along Carmel`s hiking routes, the story is revealed: surrounding limestone outcroppings are overgrown with lichen, black as the soot from the fire that consumed Elijah`s burnt offering; to the west is the Mediterranean, where Elijah`s servant saw the cloud signaling God`s renewed blessing (I Kings 18:44); to the northeast is more Scripture scenery on the palm of your hand: the Kishon Brook, where Baal`s prophets met their end (I Kings 18:40), winding through the fertile fields of the Jezreel Valley, also known as the Valley of Armageddon. 1 Kings 17:2-7 2 And the word of the Lord came to him, 3 "Depart from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. (Israel Minister of Tourism)