Posted by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM
June 1, 2018 -
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One of my favorite streams of news is that of biblical archaeology. In the skepticism of modern times, it seems the Lord has ordained that the stones would cry out to bear witness to the truth of His Word.
In a time when scholars were challenging the existence of King David, an archaeological relic turned up bearing witness to the ‘House of David.’ When scholars were challenging the details of Old Testament history, a seal was found bearing the name of Baruch the scribe of the prophet of Isaiah. Added to this was the discovery of the seals of others mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah. In recent years a seal was turned up bearing the name of King Hezekiah.
At the start of 2018, another archaeological discovery was announced that even secular periodicals and websites were calling ground breaking and a find of ‘biblical proportions’.
The Book of Isaiah is most likely the most popular book of any prophet. It is the book that contains the prophecy of the last days when nations will beat their swords into ploughshares, the prophecy of the child born whose name will be “Immanuel,” the prophecy of the Suffering Servant, Messiah, who will suffer and die for our sins, and the prophecies of the kingdom, including that of a new heaven and a new earth.
Yet there has never been any physical evidence or proof outside the Bible that he ever existed. There is nothing strange about that. The chance of there being any physical evidence for any figure of the ancient world apart from royalty or leaders, would be very unlikely. The chance of an ancient parchment lasting thousands of years is very remote. It would have to be evidence engraved in stone or clay. And yet even with that, the chances of finding such a piece or fragment of stone or clay would be extremely unlikely.
That’s what makes this recent discovery so amazing. It was discovered south of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, on the slope that forms the city of David. It is this same area that has yielded many of the other recent and stunning discoveries of biblical archaeology. The object is a half inch of an oval clay relic – an impression made by a seal that bound an ancient document and bore witness of the document’s authenticity. To whom did the seal belong?
The clay bears the impression of the word ‘Yishayahu’ or ‘Isaiah.’ The second word, slightly damaged, missing its last letter, appears to be the word ‘Navi’ or ‘Prophet.’ Thus it would read, ‘Isaiah the Prophet.’
The Bible records that Isaiah lived at the time of King Hezekiah. At times he acted as the king’s counsel. He was the one who told Hezekiah not to fear the wrath of the Assyrians and that God would deliver Jerusalem from their hands. Thus it appears to be very significant and striking that the clay impression bearing the name of Isaiah was found less than ten feet from the place where a clay impression was found bearing the name of King Hezekiah. The words of Isaiah himself bears witness to his life and ministry, words which accurately foretold future events hundreds and thousands of years before they took place. The fact that, two and half thousand years later, the stones are crying out in witness to the truth of Scripture is a profound phenomenon. All the more for this, be strong this month in the truth of your faith. Speak, stand, and walk boldly in the Word of God, and may God greatly bless you as you do.
Your brother and co-laborer in His love and service,
See Message: The Mystery Of The Hidden Scrolls
