Biblical Geographic

Mt Tabor with its characeristic shape is visible and highly recognisable from most directions. Standing out in the plain of Jezreel it is placed like a beacon, and would be the place of highlighted courage.  What is less known is that wadi Tabor runs from Mount Tabor and empties into the sea of Galilee and for those not willing to make a stand on Mt Tabor would provide an escape with little exposure.  The Hebrew contains the idea of either quarry or lofty height, and although it appears volcanic, the mountain is in fact a horst, meaning that the summit of the mount has remained a stationary level while the level of the Jezreel valley surrounding the mountain has fallen, (called a graben). This means that when created in this fashion there was a distinct decision to maintain this very small block of land at the original height, and not to allow it to descend with its surrounds. This formed part of the divine commentary: “Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he (Nebuchadnezzar) come, Jer 46:18. Even as there is no missing Tabor standing in the surrounding plains, the campaign of Nebuchadnezzar would be obvious in its intents, and with significant force. Even as Carmel juts out into the Mediterranean, the direction from the east to the west would be the direction of his movements.  The prediction of this invasion was predicated with the words “as surely as I live saith Yahweh of armies”. The inclusion of the swearing of the eternal indicates his resolute action. Paul would indicate this as “the willing more abundantly to shew [unto the heirs of promise] the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath” Heb 6:17 The Lord will sware and not repent Heb 7:21. Mount Tabor then stands as a confirmation of not only the promise of the coming of Nebuchadnezzar (who came) but of all the other oaths that Yahweh has made: “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” Isa 55:11 What is even more remarkable was that the prophecy was coming at a time when the superpower of the world Egypt (under Necho) and Assyria (albeit disintegrating) with numerous allies were combining forces against Nebuchadnezzar, and Jeremiah was predicting that Nebuchadnezzar would enter Egypt and destroy their very own land, in spite of their military prowess! Jer 46:1f.

Tabor was “the reaching of the border” of Issachar Josh 19:22,23. The troops under Deborah and Barak would be “drawn towards” Tabor Judges 4:6 Sisera was shown that Barak had “gone up” Tabor Judges 4:12 Alongside other mountains in Israel, Tabor represented the “standing” or position of deity. This was to be declared in His son Rom 3:21,25,26 who was “lifted up” so that all men could see John 12:32 This fine example now draws men to serve God, Rom 2:4.

Tabor is used of the creating of spiritual sons. The heavens are thine, and the earth is thine, as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou has formed them. The north and the south, thou has created them, Tabor (the lifted up ones from quarrying) and Hermon (the consecrated ones) shall rejoice in thee. Thou hast spoken in vision to thy holy one and said, I have laid help upon one who is mighty, I have exalted one (parallel Tabor)  chosen out (parallel consecrated) of the people Ps 89:11,12,19.

Tabor then becomes a location that is rich in language surrounding the victory over death in Christ. Typically revealed in Barak and Deborah the ecclesia who is enjoined with him. It later represented in the ones who were like Gideon killed by Zalma and Zalmanna on mount Tabor  and typical of the time of Godly vengeance when the saints will in the millennium conquer the apostate church who killed the saints, sons like Jesus their master Judges 8:17-19 This testimony is critical as it indicates to us that our resolve to make a stand in the very same arena as our Lord. When Barak was to come down from Tabor he had 10,000 men with him. Judges 4:14 a picture of Christ coming with ten thousand of his saints Jude 14; Deut 33:2; language of the departure from Sinai interlaced with language of Barak in  Ps 68:17 When the Lord gives the word, great is the company that publish it Ps 68:11,33 a delightful promise of inclusion to those willing to engage with Him!

Note that although Tabor is mentioned in 1Sam 10:3 it is likely a different location. It should probably be translated rather than a proper noun containing the idea of broken or ploughed country; The idea of Tabor being the elevated ridges along the furrows. [Tabor comes from a root word meaning to break, hence quarry] Note however that the elevated places of Mizpah and Tabor are placed together at the start of the reign of Saul in Hosea 5:1  Both were places of outlook and discovery of coming danger, but Saul was unwilling to take on the challenges, being ensnared by indecision, and by finally abandoning the word of Yahweh was to die. Saul a representative of a system that reflected the people’s desire, and not the heart of God.

At the start of the Jewish war in AD66 Josephus was to command troops here at Tabor. Later in 1799 Napoleon during his short interval in Palestine, engaged the Ottomans in a very unequal battle.

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[Roman hippodrome, Bethshean]

Bethshean is a special place for me. For it was here after crossing from Jordan that I found my feet in the land of promise for the first time, and on the tel here saw the ruins of something that was positively identified with the reign of Solomon.

Bethshean [heb: the house of ease, security or rest] sits at the foot of the valley of Bethshean, which in fact is the eastern extension of the valley of Jezreel after it passes its watershed at Jezreel.  The town is also known as Scythopolis, named after the conquest of the town by the Scythians, a term uniquely used within the NT [The LXX inserts Skuthon-polis in Judges 1:27, partly as a retrospective association from what was for the Alexandrian Greeks a more modern name]  The word Scythian is used only a handful of times within the NT and appears to be a rude description of coarse barbarity;  see Col 3:11 The Scythians based on the coasts of the Black and Caspian seas, within the Caucasus mountains and possibly even the steppes of Russia appear to have invaded the city ca640BC. In a small way a prelude to a greater invasion of Israel by a northern confederacy. The place of the death of Oreb is considered to be at Orbo, close to Bethshean  [Smiths bible dictionary 2:644]  if this is the case then the language of Isa 10:26 connects this location as a parable of the latter day invasion.

[model of ancient Bethshean]

Bethshean is mentioned in the El Amarna letters and topographical lists of Rameses II and Seti I as an early Egyptian stronghold [called Bitsdni], second in importance only to Gaza. It appears that the Egyptian influence may have backed the Philistine states in the time of Saul and even later Seshaq, (Sheshonq I) later would list this city as one of his conquests. The importance appears to be as the city sat on the south north Jordan road, and the west-east road across through the Yarmuk to Damascus.  A garrison of Egyptians was stationed here, and an early bronze age silo suggested to have fed them.

[Citadel to the north of the ancient ruins, Bethshean]

The city was the border of the children of Manasseh in their western division. 1Chron 7:29 But the Canaanites were not driven out of Bethshean Judges 1:27; Josh 17:11 and later the city is found with the temples of Dagon and Ashtaroth on opposite sides of the street, demonstrating the collusion between the Canaanite and the Philistine. It was here that the bodies of Saul, Jonathon and his brothers were hung to celebrate the victory on the heights of Gilboa overshadowing the city. But it was also here that the rigid loyalty of the men of Jabesh Gilead was demonstrated in retrieving the carcases and bringing them over the Jordan for burial. The more remarkable loyalty was seen in Rizpah and David in standing for covenant principle and the return of the bones to the sepulchre of Kish, a demonstration in type of the restoration of Israel from the valley of dry bones (Jabesh Gilead heb dry witness) 2Sam 21.

It became an administrative city in the time of Solomon. 1Kings 4:12.

The city is the only city of the Decapolis located within the land of modern Israel.

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[The northern side of the Tel of Jezreel]

Jezreel, the power (El) of sowing, is a city that sits on a northern facing spur towards the eastern end of the Jezreel valley. The valley itself, styled HaEmeq “the” valley as a token of its importance find’s its watershed at Jezreel. From this point the water flows towards Acco and the Mediterranean, or stepping to the east it falls past Ein-Harod into the Bethshan valley and into the Jordan. Jezreel stands at the point of difference, and within its literal topography highlights the results of choices that are made. Sow to the flesh and reap corruption, sow to the spirit and reap life everlasting. Jezreel in its primitive geography then illustrates the result of commitment to action. Christ would say that unless a seed is cast into the ground and dies, it remains a single seed (it cannot bring forth fruit) John 12:24. Commitment to God requires the death of personal interest.

But Jezreel was not famous for this spiritual wisdom in its leaders, for it was here that the king of Israel would have his summer house. The capital of the northern tribes changed considerably during the course of their rule. It was located at Shechem, Tirzah, Samaria and during summer months during the reign of Ahab at Jezreel. North facing but protected from the southern sun from the mountains of Gilboa. Being on the watershed also meant that breezes coming from most directions would sweep past this site.

Next to the palace was the vineyard of Naboth 1 Kings 21:1 and although desired by the king, there was something that held Ahab back from taking it. There was a consciousness of the laws of Yahweh. This reluctance to lose constraint was lost later in Israel’s history when they covet fields and take them, Micah 2:2. But of all the power of the king, there was a requirement to submit to the governance of greater laws, those of inheritance. For a spiritual man, a man’s inheritance spoke as a token of a greater participation in the obtaining of inheritance Heb 9:24, and as such the land would be fallow on sabbath years indicating a reliance on Yahweh for sustaining them. In like manner the “vine unpruned” [heb Nazarite] Lev 23 was a type of life that indicated a man was living in the kingdom, and was a universal law for the spiritual man Num 6.

The king and queen presumed to take this inheritance, but like the catholic system later which presumes its position in repressing the truth, the mighty hand of God will determine the results of sowing. The outcome will be the inheritance within the city of deity coming down from heaven, outside its gates those who murder, lie and sow to the flesh, Rev 22.

[The pool of Jezreel]

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Gilboa means a bubbling fountain. The Har-Gilboa range marks the northern boundary of the Samarian hills and is 1667 feet above sea level. It is 2060 feet from the summit looking down onto Bethshan below it’s foot. There is a single winding road to its summit which comes off the Afula-Bethshan road. The summit is a military area closed to the public. [A video of the view from the observation tower can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kck246hGZBQ]

After a life of apparent conflict with his son, Saul was to die together with Jonathan at this point. It would beg the questions:

WHY would Jonathan choose to stand with his father in a time when it appeared that Israel was to be judged by the Philistines?

1. Jonathan saw his obligations to the nation, and as such would fight their battles.
2. His spiritual mind would see that God had called individuals like David before, and had indeed used Jonathon with his armour-bearer to overcome enormous obstacles and that it may be possible that again individuals may turn the events for good ends for the nation.
3. Jonathan displayed loyalty to his father when it did not conflict with his duty to deity, reflected later in Christ who would honour his Father. This was obedience to a commandment with promise.
4. He did not know with complete certainty that this was the specific moment that God would finish his father’s life, and as such there was still opportunity for reform 5)His support of his father would best serve the interests of David.

WHY would Saul fall on Gilboa that day?

1. He had asked for advice of the witch 1Sam 28:19.
2. Poor moral standing in the nation, and so his continuing rule would affect the people.
3. Saul’s mighty men had gone with David. 1Chron 12:1f  or did not come to the battle, such as the men of Jabesh Gilead 1Sam 31:12.
4. Saul had killed the priests, and so no one to call for God’s presence in the battle Deut 20:1-4 the survivor was with David 1Sam 22:20.
5. His armour-bearer had lost his faith. His job was to protect from arrows, yet Saul was smitten 1Sam 31:3 and he dies with him, guilty of not doing his job 1Sam 31:5.
6. God had given the king in his anger, and would take away the king in his wrath Hosea 13:11 This divine intervention marked the “fulfilling” or conclusion to a period of spiritual guidance from men, that did not achieve eternal ends. Acts 13:21,22 in contrast the man who was killed on God’s high place was resurrected and was not suffered to see corruption like Saul and his sons on the temple walls in Bethshan. He was raised and now forms the leader of a battle for justification in which if we are persuaded we can “continue” in the grace of God Acts 13:43

It is described as being Israel’s “high places” and “Jonathan’s high places”  [notice the repetition almost as book-ends in 2Sam 1:19,25]. And although elevated in altitude, it also represented the moral values demonstrated from the events happening at this location. This would in fact point to the final accomplishments of God in the nation of Israel, Zech 9:13. It was then Jonathan’s place, not the place of Saul. It represented the bubbling enthusiasm of Jonathan for support of the king, and in particular the king promised to his great friend David.

It is the place where Saul and Jonathan were not divided, that same day, together. [pointed emphasis] 2Sam 1:23; 1Sam 31:6. For it was in Christ’s death that the national and spiritual interests of God collided. Later in Israel’s history at 33-70AD  there would be a death of a spiritual son, and the removal of the national government at the same time as a result of not being touched by His death Zech 9:10 and despisers to be destroyed by a foreign invasion Acts 13:41; Hab 1:5.  The honour of Jesus placed on his Father was legendary, and became the token of a spirit or disposition of holiness, on account of which he would be raised from the dead. Jonathan was waiting for such a one as this to appear.

Ref to Gilboa: 1Sam 28:4; 31:1,8; 2Sam 1:6,21; 21:12; 1Chron 10:1,8.

Note the use of Saul and his children’s names within the Gilboa  range area:

1. Moshav called Magen Sh’aul to the west of the Gilboa range.
2. Merav a religious kibbutz named after Saul’s daughter.
3. Malkishua, a rehabilitation centre named after one of his sons.

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There are several places with the name Moreh:
A] Abraham sat under the oak of Mamre Gen 12:6 The Hebrew Elone Moreh, contains the idea of the strength of the teacher. Having received the commandment of deity to remove from the place of his nativity, people and personal interests he obeyed. Coming to the land of promise Abraham sat under the oak at Shechem the place of bearing personal responsibilities (Shechem Heb. burden bearers)  He was to then learn in his travels the operation of God in his life, that irrespective of personal interests, God can perform when we are not able.  This was immediately taught after leaving the oak of Mamre in his sojourning in Egypt.

B] Another “hill of Moreh” was located near Gilgal Deut 11:30, but pointed to the same lessons of between Gerazim and Ebal 11:29. Deity was to re-iterate the lessons of Abraham to the nation. He was “to set before you” as a teacher the law Deut 11:26. It was here that great stones were plastered and inscribed with the words of the law Deut 27:2,3. The law being a schoolmaster to point to the faith of the Lord Gal 3:24 written “very plainly” [in large letters] Deut 27:8 and spoken in the a “loud voice” 27:14 with the intent of Israel taking heed and hearkening 27:15. But God taught through the requirement to do all the works of the law, that when a man failed, he said he could/n’t do it by himself.

But now that faith is “revealed” or demonstrated to us we have an obligation to respond to become sons of the promises to Abraham Gal 3:23,25. But the method of teaching was different: Whereas the  law “kept under” a man “shut up” Gal 3:23 [the language of leprosy Lev 13:4 where a man was even if he was suspected of being leprous he was "looked at"  then was shut up, and after seven days then looked at again, and if the problem was not apparent he was let go] there was there room for works of the law.  How could he?  he was alone, outside the camp! But under faith, the teaching method is seeing the prospect of God’s work, and then believing that God can do it in us. The scope of works is then the degree of our persuasion. God has openly demonstrated His son, that all men can see, openly crucified amongst us; “before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth” Gal 3:1 so a running man could see it Hab 2:2 so Behold! (the idea of a teacher!) Habakkuk learnt the lesson in his concluding words “Yahweh Elohim is my strength and he will make my feet  like hind’s feet (like goat on impossible cliffs) and He will make me to walk upon mine high places” Hab 3:18,19.

C] Gideon was to come to Jezreel valley, with the Midianites on the north (the place of Judgment) beside the hill of Moreh Judges 7:1 It was the place of teaching: “Proclaim in the ears of this people!” 7:3.  So what was being taught, if this was the place of teaching? It was also the place of Ein Harod the eye (fountain) of fear. What would overcome fear? 1) The people are too many for me 7:2 That is God did not require people to provide salvation, it would come from Him. The separation of people was achieved by the following criteria: Whoever was fearful and afraid depart. God needed faith in his ability to be involved.    2) The people are still too many for me 7:4 That is God did not require people to provide salvation, it would come from Him. The lesson would be demonstrated in considerable degrees. This time the selection criteria was the response to the water, would they take it with attention to what was happening around them, or would they drink with brazen disregard?  By 300 men, the number of the saved ecclesia, called the host of Yahweh! 7:15  (3 the number of atonement as three coverings on the tabernacle and 100 the number of the perfect ecclesia) 3) He taught that what I do, you do 7:17 so Christ is accepted as a representative, and if he died, we consider ourselves dead bodies!

The root word for Moreh means to point the way as a teacher. to shoot an arrow,  and is used of the early rains that point to the break in the seasons Joel 2:23, with the revealing that God was in the midst of Israel 2:27 but pointed that  afterwards His spirit would be poured on not only sons and daughters but also servants and handmaids, 2:29 first demonstrated in a limited way in the days of the Apostles Acts 2:17f but will in a remarkable way be demonstrated in the pouring out of spirit into those that accept the teaching of deity in His son.

The root is also used in the name of Jerusalem. Translated as yireh; in the mount it shall be seen, was a pointing as a teacher to the peace that will one day be accomplished in that place and with the people of Jerusalem. And if we needed any further confidence in the operation of God: we as a community have seen a foretaste of God’s people again in Jerusalem, surely a pointer that better things are just around the corner. [Incidentally within the image above the cactus on the left is a Sabra, a term used to denote a native born Israeli, self-claimed prickly on the outside, soft within] Christ would see that Israel had rejected their teacher, and that they could not see the peace pointed out for them both in Jerusalem but more in the method of peace revealed by God in him, Luke 19:41,42.

Saul prefigured this ignoring of the teacher, rebelling against the commandment of God and was like following the directions of a witch! 1Sam 15:20. A witch who pointed out directions in the dark! 1Sam 28:25. Saul died following advice from Endor, a town that is found at the base of the hill of Moreh 1Sam 28:7 [mod Jebel ed-Dehi]. He died because he only did what others compelled him to do 1Sam 28:23 and not by faith. It was at the very same place that Christ would raise a son at Nain Luke 7:11-18. A son who was carried out dead (like the nation at AD70) but restored (at Christ’s appearing and kingdom) to his mother (the patriarchs, especially Sarah the mother of faithful sons, not Hagar the servant who was the mother of national Israel, compelled to do works of law). The mother has much people with her Luke 7:11,12 even as (many) children will laugh with Sarah Gen 21:6,7. The spirit of this event seen in Isa 54:1-8.

It appears that the territory around Moreh was pivotal in the battle of Deborah and Barak. Although not mentioned in Judges 4,5 the battle apparently was turned at Endor Psalm 83:9,10.

The question of Paul then is a telling one to us: have we received the spirit (a disposition of willing service to God) by the works of law or the hearing of faith? God does not need us, but is willing to reveal Himself without measure to those that believe in his operation.

The Jezreel valley is the largest valley in Israel, and provides that largest east-west corridor from Acco on the coast to Bethshan, Tiberias and Hatzor. The via Maris, the major connecting road extending from the coasts of Egypt passes through the valley on its way to Damascus. It was inevitable then that any major force passing through the land would find their way through this valley. The alternate route was across the highland or central massif and down into the bitterly hot and humid Jordan valley, and considered a longer and more tiresome route or through the valley of Dothan to the southeast of Megiddo.

The floor of the valley is famous for significant biblical battles:

1. At its central and western end:  The battle of Deborah and Barak, who descending from the heights of Tabor which overlook the landscape of the valley.
2. At its central and eastern end:  the battle of the Midianites and Gideon, whose troops assembled at Ein Harod, and engaged towards Moreh
3. At its central and eastern end:  the battle of the Philistines and Saul, with the assembling of the Philistines between the slopes of Jezreel and Moreh, and the final defeat of Saul and his sons on mount Gilboa, the south-western border of the valley
4. At its western end: The destruction of the prophets of Baal in the brook Kishon
5. At its south-western end: The engagement of Pharaoh Necho and Josiah at Megiddo, which marks the southwestern gateway to the valley.
6. At its south-eastern end:  The overthrow of Jezebel and her house at Jezreel.

Protecting the entry from the coastal plain into what could be considered the most important valley of Israel called HaEmeq; “the valley” or the valley of Jezreel, stands Megiddo.  This was a natural choke point on the via maris that extended through the valley on its way to Damascus and beyond.  This town then was always considered a strong strategic passage, and numerous attempts for fortification of the site were constructed. Across the floor of this valley marched numerous bodies of troops, including the troops of the combined Midianite hordes facing Gideon, and the rout of the forces of Sisera would get bogged down in the waters arising from around Megiddo.

[From Megiddo looking towards Acco, and the western end of the Jezreel]                  Megiddo, “the place of crowns” or modern  el-Lejjun  is around 12km from Carmel and around 20km from Nazareth. One of the Canaanite kings was here Josh 12:21. Solomon fortified Megiddo as an administrative centre for one of his divisions of the land. Ahab enlarged the considerable fortifications here with a water conduit. Much later it was at Megiddo that Pharaoh Necho on his way to encounter the Babylonians at Haran and Carchemish was blocked by king Josiah here. 2 Chron 35:20-27; 2 Kings 23:29.

Egypt looms large in the record of both Jeremiah and Ezekiel: Seven segments of judgment are given against the Egyptians in Ezekiel 29:1-32:21.   Of all the nations listed by Jeremiah, Egypt is mentioned first in Jer 25:20. and again listed first in the nations (Jer 46-51) to which God would bring “evil on all flesh” Jer 45:5. Israel had broken covenant with God, and sought covenant strength with Egypt. But both Egypt’s and Israel’s fortunes were on the brink of significant change.

When Assur-Ubalit moved his capital from Nineveh to Korsabad, the Egyptians supplied mercenary troops for his security. They held the city for two years before falling to the rising force of Babylon. To bring adequate support Pharaoh Necho marched troops from Egypt through Israel 2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chron 35:20 and joined the company of Assur-Ubalit to cross the Euphrates to engage the Babylonians at Haran, but failed to take the city. [Note the RSV of 2 Kings 24 should read went up to, not against in AV] The Euphrates became the new border under Nebopolasser until the following battle at Carchemish and rout to Hamath which turned the tide for Egyptian fortunes.

But Josiah had wanted to prevent the support of the Assyrians. It appears that he saw the rising Assyrian force as the destroyer of his people, and wanted time for the reform of a spiritual remnant within the nation. The remarkable issue is that Pharaoh Necho is described as being a prophet: “the mouth of Elohim” 2Chron 35:22 having said that God had commanded him to make haste, and that his war was not with the nation of Judah 2Chron 35;21!

A further battle happened here where General Allenby engaged with the Turks. His surprise engagement with troops being moved through wadi el Iraq led to the rout of the Turks in Northern Israel.