Bob Boyda
The subject of archaeology, or the science of archaeology, especially as it relates to the Bible, is a valuable tool in giving to us living messages from a buried past. Our Western minds, ignorant of biblical customs, which are Eastern, fred archaeology helpful in illuminating many portions of Scripture. By providing abundant material to fill in backgrounds, archaeological discoveries give us a better perspective of life and events in ancient times. They help also to correct mistaken concepts regarding biblical history, often questioned by critics. The artifacts (or discoveries) which have been resurrected by the pick and spade of the archaeologist have illuminated many passages and have confirmed the historical accuracy of the Word of God.
Too often, this subject is presented in such a manner as to go over the head of the average person. Technical terms and expressions, plus multiple footnotes, cause most people to become bogged down, especially if an “interpreter” or a dictionary must assist.
For years the science of archaeology was as “dead” to me as the name implied, simply because the “grey-beards” of higher learning confined the subject matter to “their” language. While their nomenclature is vital and necessary, this subject can be made interesting when presented in understandable terms. It is difficult for a patient to understand a doctor’s medical terms, but when he is told he has a plain “stomach ache,” the patient readily understands his ailment. Things which are not understood are “dead,” but a simple definition, or explanation, often makes a subject come “alive.”
This, I believe, is one of the purposes of the Associates for Biblical Research’s new magazine, Archaeology and Biblical Research. I appreciate the privilege of submitting an article, and I will look forward to each issue with great interest.
BSP 0 (Autumn 1987) p. 18
Such a periodical as Archaeology and Biblical Research will take the reader on his own archaeological expedition. You will read of many discoveries which have already been found, information that will delight you as you open your Bible and read with interest as that portion takes on new meaning. You wlll be kept up to date on current discoveries in Bible Lands—something new coming to light almost daily as archaeologists dig up old buried Bible cities.
Sometimes you will be presented with the critic’s view, only to see how their misuse of Scripture is unfair in light of archaeological fact.
With your Bible in hand and a fresh copy of Archaeology and Biblical Research, imagine the thrill of making your way to an entombed city in the land of the Bible. It looks like a hill or mound of dirt to others but to you it is a hidden past about to be resurrected. And you are going to find something that reveals life as it was centuries ago! You may unearth a number of clay tablets clustered together. You may even bring to light a tablet or an inscription that pinpoints a person or an event mentioned in history or the Bible itself. You may discover a tomb in which skeletons and personal belongings buried with the deceased unfold llfe in a given age. At this site (called a mound, or “tell”), you will find countess potsherds, or “sherds” (pieces of broken pottery). A fairly large piece may have served as a dipper; or if darkened by smoke, it might have been used to carry live coals of fire from one house to another, either as a light for one’s path, or to start a fire for warmth or cooking.
Among the thousands of potsherds unearthed at your “dig” (where the actual excavation is being conducted), you might discover an “ostracon” (inscribed pottery fragment), often used to scribble a message, give instructions, or maybe to serve as a receipt or delivery bill for shipment of some commodity. The texture of a sherd and how it was fired helps tremendously in giving the approximate time or date of the findings.
Each piece of broken pottery will remind you of Job, who found comfort in scraping his boris with a potsherd (2:8). Potsherds will remind you of man’s being at enmity with God, without strength, and constantly at strife with his fellowman (Psalm 22:15; Isaiah 45:9). Every broken piece will also be a reminder of a sinner’s heart-broken and completely beyond repair, forgotten like a broken vessel (Proverbs 26:23; Psalm 31:12).
However, you may even find an unbroken object, and that will remind you of a vessel molded by the Potter, one that is useful and ready for the Master’s use.
Suppose you were a staff member of the archaeological team that discovered King Tut’s (Tutankamun’s) tomb in the Valley of the Kings across the Nile river from Karnak, Egypt.in 1922! Your eyes and mind would still be aglow as you recalled the fabulous wealth of all his personal belongings which were found; priceless items worth multi-millions of dollars.
This discovery enabled us to have a better understanding of the “treasures of Egypt” which Moses
BSP 0 (Autumn 1987) p. 19
forsook in not being calied the “son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” To him, the “reproach of Christ was far greater riches” than aU the wealth of all the Pharaohs corn-billed. With an eye single to Him who is invisible, he knew that His riches far exceeded what he would gain in the world, and then in the end lose his own soul (Hebrews 11:23–27; Mark 8:36).
An item which came to light in Tut’s tomb was his footstool. Victorious kings carved on their footstools images of their victims or defeated foes. When seated upon their thrones, a king would plant his feet upon the stool, signifying complete victory over his enemy.
Seeing such a footstool helps us to better understand Christ’s victory over Satan, sin, death, and hell in His death, burial, and resurrection (Colossians 2:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:17; Revelation 1:5, 18). His resurrection made possible His leading or taking captive the one who formerly held captive those in bondage of sin and in fear of death, namely Satan, leading “captivity captive” (Ephesians 4:8; Hebrews 2:14, 15).
Through the mighty working of God’s power by the Holy Spirit in His resurrection, Christ is now above principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, with all things under His feet. The “enemy” is so branded and stamped on His footstool as He sits upon the throne of His Father. This victory assures us that our enemy is defeated — that Christ’s victory is ours, that we can put on the whole armor of God and so resist the devil that he flees from us, and we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us (Ephesians 6:11–18; James 4:7; Romans 8:37).
One of the greatest fascinations of archaeology as it relates to the Bible is this: It is not just a tool to present facts. It is a tool to apply to the Word of God and use as external evidence in witnessing for Christ.
In this science we find a vast amount of data which confirm the historical accuracy of the Scriptures, illuminates many portions, helps one to often find spiritual applications, and shows people in a scientific age that hereis concrete evidence which has bearing upon the kind of Truth they are really seeking.
BSP 0 (Autumn 1987) p. 20