Week 3...Megiddo and Hazor

One of the most important insights we gain from our serious study of the Bible is learning how to read it. How often have you heard that we must know the kind of literary form the writer is using. This helps prevent our reading the Bible literally as if everything was intended to be historically accurate. You have learned there are often theological explanations given for events that seem historical (e.g.: God let the Assyrians defeat them in battle because they disobeyed the Covenant). Well, as we consider the two places we will discuss this week, you will see that indeed history and geography do play an important role in events described in the Bible.

Another point I cannot pass over without mentioning… Last week we spoke of Elijah who is this charismatic prophet in what we call the Northern Kingdom performing many wondrous deeds, releasing the power of God in the lives of God's people. Interesting that the daily Mass readings last week were about Elijah! This week we turn to Megiddo and Hazor and in last Sunday's reading there was mention of Megiddo in the 1st reading from Zechariah. Zechariah mentions the day of mourning at Megiddo. There have been many such days in its nearly 4000 year history as a strategic center. Battles were waged here for control of the fertile territory over which it stands guard. This was true in 1918 in the struggle between the British and the Ottoman Turks over control of the Middle East. Megiddo also is situated on the Via Maris at one of the 3 passes through the mountains. "Armageddon" of Revelation refers to "har" (mount) Megiddo. The writer is more looking back at the past as a battleground than predicting some future event.

Hazor and Megiddo are tels. Each one has been built up, destroyed and rebuilt successively about 20 times! Conquerors reused building materials and since towns were already built near water sources and a favorable location, just rebuild over the old city! So as you stand looking over each of these places, you realize how "A thousand years in your sight are merely as yesterday", and that humankind is but a passing breath before the eternity of God. (Ps 90) We also can consider the fact that Israel and Judah were small kingdoms against the might of Assyria, Babylon or Egypt when they were at the height of their power. Israel was located at the crossroads of these power centers, a land bridge over which passed merchants and traders but also armies. Both Megiddo and Hazor were recognized by Solomon as having strategic importance and so were fortified by him to discourage and assault from the North on his kingdom. This accounts for one of the 20 layers!

Remains of holy places are striking to see. At Megiddo there is a Canaanite altar that was found at one of the early layers. Some have argued it dates back to the 3rd Mil. At Hazor there is a collection of upright stones or sacred pillars. Who set them there and for what reason are only some of the silent questions we are left to ponder. The stones are silent yet, in some ways they also shout! It takes a powerful lot of imagination to piece together what life was like from these silent stones but mention is made of both of these places for their strategic importance. There are many biblical texts we could mention that cite Megiddo and Hazor. Zechariah 12:--- that was the 1st reading this past Sunday is one. King Josiah (2 Kings 22-23) died at Megiddo; Deborah and Barach defeat the armies of Sisera who is the General of Jabin who was king of Hazor (Judges 4-5). The Book of Judith describes the attempted conquest of the fictional city of Bethulia. Again, the theological message is embedded in the story that could be situated at either of these places. Many of you who are reading this recall walking through the water tunnel of Megiddo on our visit here. The best way to study the Bible is to take field trips!

Perhaps there is little by way of inspiration or reflection we can derive from our visit to Hazor and Megiddo. One can have different responses to visiting antiquities. Have you ever visited Gettysburg or some similar sacred place? The sense of the past and the questions that arise touch something deeply within us. Here, we remember that God's revelation has taken place over thousands of years. We realize that human history and God's unfolding of his ways takes place in the midst of and not separate from human history.

For sure we bear the wounds of war and misery in our day. The words of Zechariah (12:11-13:1) may supply comfort for us. It is always a good idea to read some verses before and some after a cited text. Try this! Zechariah Ch 12-14 are chapters that look forward in hope to a time when God will intervene to save. "On that day…" is a reference to the "Day of the Lord", the day when God's ultimate victory will be accomplished. So these chapters have an apocalyptic flavor to them. These are intended to give us hope. Read them and simply stay with whatever images speak this to you. The area around these 2 places, Megiddo and Hazor, is dry, barren and lifeless. They no longer nurture life or protect inhabitants and have we not found much better modes for inflicting harm than battering rams to break through casemate walls!

There is much violence in the Bible. How do you explain this to someone who finds the Bible difficult to read for this very reason?
Think of a place that is sacred to you that links you to some past history-your own or ours as a nation of a human family.
If you have not done so, consult your atlas and find Megiddo and Hazor. Consider their strategic location. Why would this have mattered to Israel in their days?