I’m thinking about biblical archaeology this morning. I love reading about bible sites and objects being found and excavated. The truth of the stories in the bible is all around us. Literally buried layer upon layer. The problem is that our memories and lifespans are too short to connect the dots and dates. At least not without interest and effort.

Another problem is that we think it’s all about us, not taking into account that every generation before us thought the same thing. We build and plan, focusing only on us and ours, believing somehow we’ll be the generation that beats the odds, and lives forever. Psalm 49:11 speaks to this point:

”Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.” (Psalm 49:11)

We live on a farm with many acres of land. On the backside of the farm, there is bottom land with two raised mounds of earth. These are Indian mounds where generations of Native Americans lived their daily lives. Many arrow heads have been unearthed  as a result of breaking up the ground in preparation for spring planting.

We act surprised every time we find a piece of their history like we have forgotten they existed. Or like they lived millions of years ago in a different reality. When, in fact, it’s only been a few generations since the land we call ours was sustaining them and their families.

Bible lands, the Promised Land, Israel is no different. It’s all there. Every Bible character. Every story. Every battle. Every weapon forged. Every scrap of cloth. Every drop of blood spilled. Every grave or tomb. Every brick oven. Every well or cistern. Every altar. It’s all still there under the layers of each generation’s passing. A silent testimony of the Truth of God’s Word.

I love biblical archaeology, but I’ll probably never have the opportunity to take part in an actual archaeological dig. It’s a good thing that digging into the Word of God, mining out nuggets of history and truth is even more trustworthy than shards of pottery and dead men’s bones. It’s the Living Word, and it’s not just history. It’s our story too.

Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name!

-Pat