Over the course of the summer there have been a series of fascinating archeological discoveries in Israel. These discoveries confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the Bible that we read. And these discoveries demonstrate the Jewish people's ancient connection to the land of Israel. No one can say that the Jews have no claim on this land, because every time someone digs in Israel they find more evidence that Jews have lived there for thousands of years.
One of the most significant recent finds was the discovery of an extremely rare synagogue from the Second Temple Era in the foothills of the Galilee. Only eight such synagogues have been found, and this is the first one found in what would have been a rural village at the time. Archaeologists say this could have been one of the synagogues where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:23), and this important discovery confirms what the New Testament says about the area where he ministered in the Galilee. This first century synagogue was uncovered only a few weeks ago, and provides an exciting glimpse of Jewish community life in the Galilee before the Romans destroyed the Second Temple
In another part of the Galilee, at a different ancient Jewish synagogue, archaeologists uncovered part of a beautiful mosaic floor depicting scenes from the Bible. Several biblical scenes had already been found at this site, but the two scenes found this summer are very rare. One of them shows Pharaoh’s soldiers being swallowed by giant fish in the Red Sea, and the other shows the pairs of animals loaded onto Noah’s Ark.
In Jerusalem, excavations have revealed an ancient neighborhood that may have been where the temple priests lived. This neighborhood was certainly wealthy, and archaeologists have found several rare items in these ancient houses - including a bathtub that has only been found in three other places in Israel. The artifacts found here paint a fascinating picture of how Jerusalem's elite Jewish citizens lived thousands of years ago.
One of the most common arguments Israel’s detractors use against modern Israel is the claim that Jews are foreigners brought to Israel after the Holocaust. This is a false talking point used by Israel’s enemies, but archaeological evidence irrefutably demonstrates that Jews have lived continuously in Israel for over 3,500 years. This is their homeland, and the ground is filled with the proof.
he Fortress of Elah – one of the most amazing archaeological sites in Israel. This fortress was home to King David’s soldiers. Walking where King David walked, Erick shows us that just this one site proves Israel’s Jewish history goes back over 3,500 years. The archaeological evidence confirms Israel’s biblical history over and over.
Israel was not born in 1948 when Ben-Gurion declared Israel’s modern independence. It was not born in 1896 when one of modern Israel’s founding forefathers, Theodore Herzl, wrote The Jewish State and sparked a movement among Jews worldwide to return to the land. No, Israel has been the Jewish homeland for over 3,500 years and they never stopped dreaming of coming home. God promised the Jews they would return, and there was always a remnant of Jews who never left. God kept His promise, and 1948 marked the official homecoming of the Jewish people to their land after 2,000 years of wandering in exile.
--Christians United With Israel
One of the most significant recent finds was the discovery of an extremely rare synagogue from the Second Temple Era in the foothills of the Galilee. Only eight such synagogues have been found, and this is the first one found in what would have been a rural village at the time. Archaeologists say this could have been one of the synagogues where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:23), and this important discovery confirms what the New Testament says about the area where he ministered in the Galilee. This first century synagogue was uncovered only a few weeks ago, and provides an exciting glimpse of Jewish community life in the Galilee before the Romans destroyed the Second Temple
In another part of the Galilee, at a different ancient Jewish synagogue, archaeologists uncovered part of a beautiful mosaic floor depicting scenes from the Bible. Several biblical scenes had already been found at this site, but the two scenes found this summer are very rare. One of them shows Pharaoh’s soldiers being swallowed by giant fish in the Red Sea, and the other shows the pairs of animals loaded onto Noah’s Ark.
In Jerusalem, excavations have revealed an ancient neighborhood that may have been where the temple priests lived. This neighborhood was certainly wealthy, and archaeologists have found several rare items in these ancient houses - including a bathtub that has only been found in three other places in Israel. The artifacts found here paint a fascinating picture of how Jerusalem's elite Jewish citizens lived thousands of years ago.
One of the most common arguments Israel’s detractors use against modern Israel is the claim that Jews are foreigners brought to Israel after the Holocaust. This is a false talking point used by Israel’s enemies, but archaeological evidence irrefutably demonstrates that Jews have lived continuously in Israel for over 3,500 years. This is their homeland, and the ground is filled with the proof.
he Fortress of Elah – one of the most amazing archaeological sites in Israel. This fortress was home to King David’s soldiers. Walking where King David walked, Erick shows us that just this one site proves Israel’s Jewish history goes back over 3,500 years. The archaeological evidence confirms Israel’s biblical history over and over.
Israel was not born in 1948 when Ben-Gurion declared Israel’s modern independence. It was not born in 1896 when one of modern Israel’s founding forefathers, Theodore Herzl, wrote The Jewish State and sparked a movement among Jews worldwide to return to the land. No, Israel has been the Jewish homeland for over 3,500 years and they never stopped dreaming of coming home. God promised the Jews they would return, and there was always a remnant of Jews who never left. God kept His promise, and 1948 marked the official homecoming of the Jewish people to their land after 2,000 years of wandering in exile.
--Christians United With Israel