Archives For Archaeology

Beth Shemesh—The Pentecost at an Unlikely Place

Most people familiar with the Pentecost—or Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks—associate the Jewish holiday with the Book of Ruth.

After all, the most exciting events of Ruth’s story occurred during the time of Shavuot at Bethlehem’s wheat harvest (Ruth 2:23). It’s no wonder today that many people include reading of the Book of Ruth as part of their celebration of Shavuot.

Beth Shemesh—The Pentecost at an Unlikely Place Beth Shemesh—The Pentecost at an Unlikely Place

(Photo: Samson was born between Eshtaol (left) and Zorah (right). Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Although I absolutely love the Book of Ruth, Shavuot more often causes my mind to wander further west of Bethlehem—down into the Shephelah.

It’s unlikely anybody celebrates the Pentecost at such an unlikely place as Beth Shemesh.

But a practical application urges us to do so.

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Tower of David Citadel—Jerusalem’s History Made Easy

Whenever someone asks how to spend a day in Jerusalem, I try to steer the person away from shopping malls and toward the Tower of David Citadel—Jerusalem’s museum of the city’s history.

The museum does what no book can. In just a few hours’ time, one can catch a glimpse of Jerusalem’s history as well as observe archaeology from the city’s various periods.

Tower of David Citadel—Jerusalem’s History Made Easy Tower of David Citadel—Jerusalem’s History Made Easy

(Photo: Courtyard of David Citadel, Jerusalem. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Ironically, the museum that does so much to remove the confusion about Jerusalem’s history is named in error.

The Tower of David Citadel in Jerusalem has nothing to do with David.

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Tel Megiddo and What Megiddo Tells Us

Location, location, location . . .

If history ever compared the land of Israel to the game of “Monopoly,” the site of Tel Megiddo would be Boardwalk.

It was the most coveted spot on the playing board.

Tel Megiddo and What Megiddo Tells Tel Megiddo and What Megiddo Tells Us

(Photo: Tel Megiddo, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Tel Megiddo’s tremendous value came from its strategic location as the sentinel of the most important pass through the Mt. Carmel range.

Whoever held Tel Megiddo in the ancient world controlled the traffic and trade along the International Highway to and from Egypt. That meant both military and financial security.

Taking Megiddo is like capturing a thousand cities. —Pharaoh Thutmose III

Its value simply can’t be exaggerated.

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Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park—See the Story in History

With picks in hand, my wife and I entered a cave in the Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park.

The archaeological dig had only recently begun, so our group was one of the first to volunteer.

The low ceiling of the cave forced us to squat while digging.

Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park—See the Story in History Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park—See the Story in History

(Photo: Exploring the Caves in Bet Guvrin Maresha National Park. Photo by James Foo)

I could see the original tool markings still chiseled on the walls of the cave. Everybody was thrilled when my wife unearthed a fully intact jar handle.

I dug up some pottery shards, and examined them closely.

I saw fingerprints on them.

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5 Holy Land Blogs You Should Follow

If you regularly read my blog, it’s likely you share my interest in the Holy Land.

Where biblical events took place are more than throwaway mentions in the pages of Scripture. Often, they have significant bearing on God’s participation in the lives of His people.

Sunrise over Mount of Olives tb031605564 5 Holy Land Blogs You Should Follow

(Photo: Sunrise over Mount of Olives, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Unfortunately, because we’re unfamiliar with geography we often miss these nuggets. I have found a lot of help in several Holy Land blogs that open up the Bible’s lands to my understanding.

I want to share with you 5 of my favorite Holy Land blogs and provide you an easy way to follow them.

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Caesarea—Explore Israel’s Harbor & Herod’s Palace

The straight line of Israel’s seacoast has never lent itself to significant harbors.

For centuries, only Joppa in the south and Acco in the north provided modest havens for ships. But in 22 BC, work began on a new port—a vast harbor befitting the grand ideals of its visionary, King Herod the Great.

Caesarea harbor aerial from west tb121704935 Caesarea—Explore Israel’s Harbor & Herod’s Palace

(Photo: Caesarea’s Ancient Harbor, courtesy of Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

At Caesarea today, a modern harbor rests in the same location as the ancient one. The few fishing vessels and pleasure boats moored to the modern pier do little justice to the port of the first century.

I shot the following video while flying in a helicopter over Caesarea.

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Lachish—Blending the Bible, History, & Archaeology

Screams of war had occurred precisely where I stood.

Hebrew and Assyrian arrows spraying at each other. Sling stones crushing armor and skulls. Assyrian battering rams methodically picking apart the city’s outer wall.

Finally, Lachish fell.

Tel Lachish—Mixing the Biblical Historical Archeological Lachish—Blending the Bible, History, & Archaeology

(Photo: Relief from Sennacherib’s Victory Over Lachish, in British Museum)

Of all ancient tells in the Holy Land, the Israel Antiquities Authority owns only one—Tel Lachish. It remained the most important city in the southern kingdom of Judah, except for Jerusalem.

Archaeology abundantly points to the biblical events here as historical.

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Beth Shean—A Place for Happy Explorers

Sometimes the things God gives you seem too hard to hold.

The Lord provided prime real estate to the Tribe of Manasseh. But the excellent location proved to be a double-edged sword.

Tel Beth Shean excavations tbs47339010 Beth Shean—A Place for Happy Explorers

(Photo: Beth Shean Excavations, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Because the spot was so good, every nation wanted control of Beth Shean. And whoever held it always seemed to contend with those who would wrench it from their grasp.

Perhaps its strategic location gave Beth Shean its name, “House of Security.”

But security only works when you trust in God.

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The Herodium—A Monument to God’s Sovereignty

Herod the Great is often remembered for the story that never appears on Christmas cards.

Hearing from the Magi that the “king of the Jews” was born in Bethlehem, the paranoid Herod sent and slew all the male boys under two years old in the town—a cryptic fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:15.

Herodium with lower pool tb021407739 The Herodium—A Monument to God’s Sovereignty

(Photo: The Herodium, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Of course, Jesus’ family got word of the impending threat and escaped by night to sojourn in Egypt until Herod’s death (Matthew 2:13-18).

Whenever I visit the area of the Herodium, I can’t help but think of the historical irony that Herod tried to kill Jesus—but failed. Instead, Herod himself died and was buried in the Herodium overlooking the very city the Messiah was born (Micah 5:2).

This offers a lesson of great encouragement in God’s sovereignty.

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Top 5 Gifts for Bible Lands and Bible Study

Most of us give Christmas gifts that are quickly forgotten.

After the iPhone gets cracked, or the DVD gets watched, or the sweater gets snagged, they all end up at the landfill.

This year, why not give a gift that will last a lifetime?

Juletræslys Top 5 Gifts for Bible Lands and Bible Study

(Photo by Malene Thyssen)

Bible Lands study tools make great gifts because they take your personal Bible study to the next level. What’s more, they don’t wear out.

Here are my top 5 recommendations for gifts you’ll enjoy giving.

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