BLOG 406 October 15, 2018
WISE ON THE MIDDLE EAST Each week Robert L. Wise, PhD, explores the Middle Eastern situation, ranging from Egypt through Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the surrounding area. Wise first traveled to Israel and the neighboring countries in 1968. Two of his sons taught in Jordan and Lebanon universities. Wise presents an objective view of the behind the scenes situation in these countries.
In the last couple of blogs, I’ve been updating you on the events occurring during the summer while I was off line. Last week, we surveyed Egypt. At the same time, remarkable finds were occurring in Israel through the digs around Jerusalem’s Old City. Here’s the latest from that front.
Are these discoveries important? Arab and Muslim activists scream because they discount Israeli claims to the ancient city when evidence demonstrates the Jews were always there just as they always alleged. Liberal scholars who proclaim Biblical stories are only myths have to take a backseat as well. The most recent finds validate the historic facts of scripture.
Recently, the Israel Antiquities Authority displayed an unprecedented piece of papyrus containing a reference to Jerusalem from the First Temple period. Written in ancient Hebrew script, the papyrus dates back to the 7th century BCE. At this time, this is the earliest extra-biblical source to mention Jerusalem in Hebrew.
Hebrew University professor Eilat Mazar has been working in an area that she contends extends back to King Solomon. The distinctive pottery shards she found have helped identity the city walls Solomon built on the edge of the Kidron Valley. She has uncovered dozens of small seals used for verifying official documents as well as engraved jug handles that reflect the 7th and 8th centuries BCE.
At this time, Prof. Mazar is working on the remains of what she believes will prove to be the palace of King David. If this work is validated, the impact will be extraordinary. Prof. Ronnie Reich and Eli Shukron excavated at the southern end of the City of David and uncovered what they believe is a large ritual bath, a mikve, that dates from the Second Temple period. This site is mentioned in John 9 as “the pool of Siloam” where Jesus healed a blind man. Next to the pool was a stairway that extended clear up to the Temple Mount. During their work a small seal was recovered with the word Bethlehem. This is the earliest proof that Bethlehem existed at this time.
Since my first visit to Israel in 1968, so much has been uncovered that it takes ones breath away. Again and again, the biblical story has been authenticated. The connection between the Jewish people and their land has become an established fact.
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Dr. Robert L. Wise 