Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for joining our study, and a warm welcome to new readers. These weekly study topics are often unknown until I receive a “calling” or an external “ding-ding” that directs my path. This week’s topic was revealed after I saw an article about what are potentially the archaeological remains of Noah’s Ark.
Such discoveries that unearth evidence supporting biblical passages about people, places, and events should interest all believers. Having been born and raised Jewish, I remember my father and older sister saying that religious services were a “magic show.” For some reason, I filed away that demeaning phrase along with many joyous childhood and teenage memories. Decades later, “for some reason” became apparent when, at age 20, I began my Christ-centered faith-walk.
Now, I recognize that biblical archeological discoveries conflict with those who think Judeo/Christian religious services are “magic shows” because the Bible has proven to be the world’s bestselling book of faith and history.
Loyal readers might recall “Vol. 126: What the Bible Says About Burnt Offerings,” published in 2022. That study was prompted after I met a woman recently participating in a Shiloh, Israel archaeological dig. Her team discovered a charred animal bone, evidence of a “burnt offering” compatible with Joshua 18:1, which records:
“The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there.” That meant sacrifices would have been offered to God, including burnt offerings.
In Vol. 126, I quoted from an article in Smithsonian Magazine titled “An Archaeological Dig Reignites the Debate Over the Old Testament’s Historical Accuracy.” It read:
“This trend of archaeology corroborating Biblical accounts continued so consistently that in 1959 Rabbi Dr. Nelson Glueck declared ‘no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference.’ Since then, the evidence has kept coming.”
I also quoted from a Newsweek piece by Eric Metaxas titled “Is Archaeology Proving the Bible?” He wrote, “Archaeology has been pointing to the accuracy of the Hebrew scriptures for 170 years.”
With those facts in mind, let's explore evidence compatible with God’s Word.
We begin with the previously mentioned Noah’s Ark found in Genesis chapters 6 - 9. In 2023, this significant story was discussed in Vols. 163 and 164 titled, “Why the Noah’s Ark Story Is Meaningful.”
This past week, the Jerusalem Post reported that “analyses revealed traces of marine deposits and a ship-shaped structure matching biblical dimensions” of Noah’s Ark. The “ship-shaped” mound, called the “Durupinar formation,” was first discovered in 1948 by a Kurdish farmer near Mount Ararat’s summit in Turkey. Modern studies beginning in 2021 have found more convincing evidence. Thus, if this discovery is Noah’s Ark, one can anticipate more “magic show” tales waiting to be revealed through advanced archaeological technology.
I firmly believe that science is an ally for those with faith who want to evangelize or question non-believers.
Over time, my husband and I have been fortunate to visit the sites of many biblical archaeological discoveries. During our 2022 trip to Israel, we had prearranged to meet an American Israeli resident named Yosi. I had initially “met” Yosi through this Bible study. He was (is) a reader, and we had begun communicating. Yosi graciously showed us around Jerusalem and bought tickets for King Hezekiah’s tunnel. (We had never heard of it after many visits.)
King Hezekiah reigned over Israel from 715 to 687 BC. His tunnel was discovered in 1880 and is famously recognized as a marvel of ancient engineering. Through divine intervention and hard work, fresh water was diverted outside the city walls into Jerusalem for “national security” purposes. Scripture records King Hezekiah asking about his enemies, “Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?” Then, in record time, two work crews from opposite directions hand-chiseled through bedrock and miraculously connected the two tunnels without any instruments or means of communication.
This video takes you inside the ancient wet tunnel, which is about 1800 feet long, where one experiences these two Old Testament verses:
“As for the other events of Hezekiah’s reign, all his achievements and how he made the pool and the tunnel by which he brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?” (2 Kings 20:20).
“It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook” (2 Chronicles 32:30).
Hezekiah’s Tunnel is also related to a miracle performed by Jesus — the healing of the blind man at the Pool of Siloam, found in John 9:1-12. The pool was fed by the Gihon spring, the only source of fresh water in Jerusalem, through Hezekiah’s tunnel.
The “pool” was a dry bed of rocks when we visited. Still, it's always a blessing to see the New Testament come alive at a place mentioned by Jesus. The first part of John’s passage reads:
“As he [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’
“After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing” (John 9: 1-7). Controversy followed, which you can read here.
Today’s study is meant to spark your interest in biblical archaeology and emphasize that the Word of God and corresponding worship is not a “magic show” for those who think that way.
God’s Word is based on real people, places, and miracles for which we must praise, thank, and glorify Him. Faith is knowing that the same God who spared Noah, guided King Hezekiah’s chiselers through the bedrock, and healed a blind man in the Pool of Siloam is real. Most importantly, He is actively involved and often works miracles in our lives. Amen to that!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57 – 113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a future permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Join our effort! In July, the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit hosted a four-day exhibit (with a “Chosen” VIP guest) at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Some new news. Contact: <MyraAdams01@gmail.com>
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