A recent article published on the Christian News Headlines website shared a discovery that lends support to the historical authenticity of the Bible. The Associates for Biblical Research revealed a leaden amulet with a curse written on it.
The curse contains only 40 letters in Hebrew; translated into English the curse reads “Cursed, cursed, cursed, cursed by God YHW. You will die cursed. Cursed you will surely die. Cursed by YHW, cursed cursed, cursed.”
The amulet was found in 2019 among other things formerly excavated on Israel’s Mount Ebal. In the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience are recorded. Moses delivered this message to the Israelites while they were across the Jordan River from Mount Ebal.
Scholars date the curse to circa 3,200 years ago making it the earliest Hebrew inscription found. That places the curse during the time of the Judges. It is a discovery of a Hebrew curse at the very location associated with those curses Moses wrote about, but it is even of more interest to Scholars for another reason.
Scholars had long “assumed that the early, and supposedly primitive, Israelites simply lacked the skill to come up with the written grandeur of books like Genesis and Deuteronomy. This tiny curse reveals that the right people at the right time in the right place were writing about God just as the Bible describes. Despite the confidence of the scholarly consensus, this provides proof of the Israelites’ literary ability, hundreds of years before skeptics thought it possible.
Skeptics have repeatedly attacked the historical authenticity of the Scriptures thinking if they can show it is historically inaccurate they could not have been inspired by God. I have read many of them and found the attacks on Scripture to be inaccurate, but not the Scriptures.
In fact, because I believe the Bible is inspired by God I am not surprised by archaeological discoveries that prove its truth. I expect there to be historical discoveries that support the historicity of the Scriptures, it is just a matter of time before more are uncovered.
Such discoveries while heartening to the believer mean little to the unbeliever. No one is ever converted to Christianity on the basis of the evidence; no one is ever argued into heaven. It has been said, “God has provided enough evidence to make it reasonable to believe Him; yet has left enough out that we cannot come to Him by reason alone we must come by faith.”
The Scriptures state the matter clearly, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him,” Hebrews 11:6.
The evidence of biblical historicity strengthens the believer’s faith but does nothing for the unbeliever. As George MacDonald once said, “To give truth to him who loves it not, is to give him reason for more multiplied misinterpretations.”
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8. Regeneration, becoming a new creature in Christ, is accomplished only through faith.
Very interesting, Gary! I’m impressed by how well you were able to delve into this topic – while keeping the reader’s attention.
Well done.