Origin of Israel

Gale Brown, Biblical Archaeology; July, 2013 The origin of Israel is fascinating. From the descendants of Abraham and Isaac came Jacob. Several generations were involved in this time frame, but every generation is not detailed, as in the case of these who are very significant in history. Abraham was visited by God (Genesis 17) and was promised that through his seed he would become the father of many nations, “as the sand of the sea.” In his old age, being 100 and Sarah in her 90’s, they had their son Isaac. Later, Jacob was born, who had twelve sons. When he had an encounter with the Angel of the Lord, God changed his name to Israel. (Genesis 35:10-12) One of these sons was Joseph, who wound up in Egypt after his jealous brothers, who initially wanted to kill him, sold him as a slave instead. By the providence of God, many years later, Joseph became a leader in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. (Genesis 39-47) Through a series of events, including a famine throughout all the land, Joseph schemed to get his father Jacob (who thought Joseph was dead all these years) and his brothers, with their families, into Egypt where they could survive. When the whole story came out, Joseph told his brothers (who at first did not know it was Joseph who was laying out this scheme) not to worry. What they had done to him was meant for evil, but God had meant it for good, to save alive all of Jacob’s household. Later on, just before Israel died, he brought his sons together, spoke his blessing upon each one, and these became the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Much later, when they left Egypt under Moses, estimates are there were at least 1-2 million. (I’m not trying to be exact here). I’ve always thought it amazing to see and follow how through God’s promise to Abraham, and then through one man whom God named Israel, the whole nation was born, and was kept through all of the good, bad, and ugly events of history. This of course created the framework, types and shadows, prophecies, and location for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ! This is the most important purpose in all of history, and God created a nation through which He brought the Christ into the world! NOTHING IS AS AMAZING AS SEEING HISTORY THROUGH SCRIPTURE, as God lays it out through this period of existence called time. What does this have to do with archaeology? Well, there are multitudes of anti-God, evolution-minded scientists and archeologists, who attempt to discredit the true account of Israel, thus discrediting the Bible. (As they also try to do with most anything else in the Bible) Now for those who believe, they don’t need confirmation of archaeological finds. Their world view starts with Scripture, everything else follows. Nevertheless, here are a few of the many references concerning Israel and its existence according to the Scriptural timeline: • The Exodus conquest, Biblically dated at 1446-1406 B.C., (including the 40 yr. wandering in the wilderness) during Late Bronze I period, has historical and chronological support in Scripture. Associates for Biblical Research http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2009/03/30/The-Biblical-Date-for-the-Exodus-is-1446-BC-A-Response-to-James-Hoffmeier.aspx The correctness of this date is vital, because looking for references and evidence of the Exodus in the wrong century, as some claim to be 13th-12th century, will obviously produce negative and incorrect results. • The Merneptah Stela (1210 B.C.) mentions Israel as an enemy force of which they boasted “is wasted.” This "wasting" they did not accomplish, but it reveals their acknowledgement of Israel. (Wikipedia; Associates of Biblical Research, www.biblearchaeology) • The Moabite stone (846 B.C.) Moabite record of the revolt of Mesha, king of Moab, recorded in 2 Kings18:3:5. Also mentions Omri, king of Israel, the “House of David”, YAHWEH, God of Israel. Associates for Biblical Research, Mesha, King of Moab. • In archaeological digs of Jericho, evidence of its destruction, such as excavated stone and block rubble appear as walls having “falling down flat”, and ash 3 feet deep shows evidence of being destroyed by fire, as recorded in Joshua 6. http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/05/01/Did-the-Israelites-Conquer-Jericho-A-New-Look-at-the-Archaeological-Evidence.aspx

Finding Noah's Ark

Gale Brown, Biblical Archaeology, July 4, 2013. How important is it if Noah’s Ark is discovered and reasonably verified? From time to time we hear about those who have searched for Noah’s Ark, and some say they are reasonably certain it is there. Many of those searches had to cease because of local laws and restrictions. I don’t know if anyone is currently active in their search. Noah’s Ark, for the most part, is said possibly to be in modern Turkey, within the mountain ranges of Mt. Ararat, according to some relatively recent archaeological expeditions. Even back when Josephus lived (37-100 A.D.) he said in his writings that some Armenians in that locale claimed to know where it was and were showing it to people! “…the Armenians call this place…The Place of Descent: for the Ark being saved in that place, its remains are shewed by the inhabitants to this day.” Flavius Josephus, “Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1, Ch. 3:5b. How important is it to us? Well, of course it would be great if God allowed that to happen, and there was an actual verifiable find. It would be awesome! However, it doesn’t really mean much in relation to our faith in Christ. Real faith is based on belief in the Scripture, relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit, being born of the Spirit. Jesus told Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (John 20:29). By the way, Jesus is The Ark to us, or better yet, the Ark is a type of Christ. He is our safety and protection from eternal destruction. Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus. I should point out here that Jesus told a story, being God in the flesh, it was from real experiences. Whether it was what He saw and learned growing up, or given to Him by revelation of the Spirit, or a combination of both, He told real stories! Anyway, Lazarus had died, and also the rich man died and went to hell. (You can read the entire discourse on your own if you want) Towards the end of the rich man’s talk with Abraham, he said this: “…I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him (Lazarus) to my father’s house, (which Abraham could not do anyway!) 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16: 19-31 NKJV). Basically, Jesus quoted Abraham as saying, “they have the Law and the prophets, let them believe the Scriptures.” Many times God allows us to see things that will cause us or others to believe. But that is not the basis of faith. It is believing Jesus Christ is who He says He is, the Savior of the world, “especially to those who believe.” Will you believe? You would never be sorry. God bless!