Archaeology and the Old Testament

1. Archaeology and the Old Testament Apologetics Part III hsmparadox.wikispaces.com

2. The Environment And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Tim 2:24-26

3. The Nature of Archaeology We cannot say “Archaeology proves the Bible.” It certainly does not prove the biblical claims that it is the inspired, inerrant word of God. If we mean that it proves that certain events recorded in the Bible actually happened, then yes, we can claim proof.

4. Hittites • Critics claimed that the Hittites were a myth. • Archaeologists have discovered not just artifacts but an entire Hittite culture • Today you can obtain a doctorate in Hittites Studies from University of Chicago

5. Sennacherib • King of Assyria mentioned in 2 Kings 17 • 2 Kings 18:13-19:37 and Isaiah 36:1-37:38 • Hezehiah pays tribute • Sennacherib lays siege to Jerusalem • Angel of the Lord passes through the Assyrian camp and wipes out 185,000 men

6. Sennacherib • Archaeology does not acknowledge the biblical explanation of events • However, there is no historical explanation why Assyria did not enter Jerusalem against his intent • Neither are there reasons given for Assyria’s diminished role in world affairs immediately after this event • Clay tablets confirm the biblical account of his death

7. David and his dynasty Inscriptions mentioning David and the House of David date to the 9th century BC

8. Sargon • It was once claimed there was no Assyrian king named Sargon as recorded in Isaiah 20:1 because this name was not known in any other record • Then, Sargon's palace was discovered in Khorsabad, Iraq. • The very event mentioned in Isaiah 20, his capture of Ashdod (a port city in Israel), was recorded on the palace walls. • Fragments of a stone column memorializing the victory were found at Ashdod itself

9. Sargon • 14.4 ft high statue weighing 35,274 lbs. was found at the palace entrance

10. Daniel • Another king who was in doubt was Belshazzar, king of Babylon, named in Daniel 5 • According to recorded history, the last king of Babylon was Nabonidus. • Tablets were found showing that Belshazzar was Nabonidus' son who served as coregent in Babylon. • Thus, Belshazzar could offer to make Daniel "third highest ruler in the kingdom" (Dan. 5:16) for reading the handwriting on the wall, the highest available position

11. Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom and Gomorrah have been located. They do in fact appear to have been centers of commerce. They also show signs of earthquake activity evidence of brimstone (bituminous pitch) hurled down (not just a metaphor) sedimentary rock layers have been molded together by intense heat. It is possible an oil basin beneath the Dead Sea ignited and erupted.

12. Crossing the Jordan The Jordan occasionally does become dammed. Mudslide set off by seismic activity several miles upstream from Jericho at a place called Adam. This activity has been observed and recorded in the years 1160, 1267, 1546, 1834, 1906, and 1927 .

13. Jericho Findings in Jericho were so astounding, the team prepared a signed statement to assure others of the truth of their find: • the walls fell outward. • the city was strongly fortified • the attack occurred just after harvest (Josh 3:15) • the inhabitants had no opportunity to flee with their things • the siege was short • the city was not plundered • the city was burned

14. 270 Flood Stories • The most famous aside from the Bible is found in the Epic of Gilgamesh • Utnapishtim  built a boat 120 cubits square and filled it with his silver and gold and all the animals he had

15. 270 Flood Stories • Hawaii – after the 1st man, Kaniuhonna, during the 1st world, the world was bad, but there was 1 good man left (Nu-u). He built a big canoe, put animals on it and only he and his family were saved from the big flood

16. 270 Flood Stories • China – Fuhi, his 3 sons and 3 daughters escaped the big flood. They alone survived

17. 270 Flood Stories • Toltecs of Mexico – The 1st world lasted 1716 years and was destroyed by a great flood that covered the mountains. Only the Coxcox family survived 1920

18. Land of Goshen Gulf of Aqaba Crossing the Red Sea

19. They traveled from Goshen via Succoth through this wadi exiting at Nuweiba beach

20. Satellite picture of the wadi leading to the only exit: Nuweiba Beach! Nuweiba Beach

21. Coming out on Nuweiba Beach

23. When Ron Wyatt first visited Nuweiba in 1978, he found a Phoenician style column lying in the water. Unfortunately the inscriptions had been eroded away, hence the column's importance was not understood until 1984 when a second granite column was found on the Saudi coastline opposite -- identical to the first, except on this one the inscription was still intact! Solomon's Memorial Pillars.

24. In Phoenician letters (Archaic Hebrew), it contained the words: Mizraim (Egypt ); Solomon; Edom; death; Pharaoh; Moses; and Yahweh, indicating that King Solomon had set up these columns as a memorial to the miracle of the crossing of the sea. Ron Wyatt found 2 pillars King Solomon put on both beaches to commemorate the Red Sea crossing!

25. Solomon's Memorial Pillars.

26. Checking sonar depth measurements, Wyatt discovered an underwater land bridge exactly between Nuweiba Beach & the Saudi side.

27. God divided the sea by an Eastern storm exposing this underwater land bridge & Moses went over it as if it were dry land

28. So Wyatt decided to go scuba diving & look underwater there

29. Wheels of Pharaoh’s chariots that got drowned when trying to pursue them! Artifacts found include wheels, chariot bodies, as well as human and horse bones. Divers have located such on the Saudi coastline opposite Nuweiba as well.

30. Since 1987, Ron Wyatt found three four-spoke gilded chariot wheels.

31. A coral-encrusted chariot wheel, filmed off the Saudi coastline, matches chariot wheels found in Tutankhamen's tomb.

32. Chariot wheel and axle covered with coral and up-ended.

33. The Nature of Archaeology We cannot say “Archaeology proves the Bible.” It certainly does not prove the biblical claims that it is the inspired, inerrant word of God. If we mean that it proves that certain events recorded in the Bible actually happened, then yes, we can claim proof.

34. Archaeology and the Old Testament Apologetics Part III hsmparadox.wikispaces.com