Before the Israelites entered the land, Megiddo served as a prominent high place where Canaanites worshiped fertility gods. Archaeologists have uncovered a large platform where these pagan practices occurred.
The Canaanites believed that the rains and fertile soil of the coast came from a god named Baal. According to their beliefs, Baal lived in the underworld during the dry winter season. When spring came, Baal returned to earth to sleep with his mistress, Asherah, so that rains would return to the land.
To encourage Baal?s return, the Canaanites sacrificed their firstborn sons, burning infants alive. The priests and priestesses of Baal publicly engaged in sexual relations with each other and with the people, hoping to entice Baal and Asherah to mate. The pagans committed these abominable acts for one simple purpose: to gain personal and material prosperity.
Canaanite worship distorted two of the most beautiful gifts God gave humans: life and the sexual relationship of husband and wife. God placed his people in Canaan so they could confront the evil practices of pagans with God?s truth and love.
