Israel's History Preserved

​A curse on the Jewish people has been able to take hold because of the doubt and unbelief of the first generation of Israelites when they were to cross over into the Promised Land. One of the first demonstrations of this came in the year 587 BC, on the ninth of Av. The beautiful temple built by King Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians, and a multitude of the Jewish people were dispersed throughout the world. Many in the world today are denying that the Jewish people ever lived in Israel. However, God would not allow the evidence of the Israelite temple in Jerusalem to remain buried. Days before the ninth of Av the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University had personnel digging in the area where the First Temple had been built. They uncovered preserved wooden beams from Solomon's Temple. Heritage Minister, Amichai Eliyahu said this about the find: "Jerusalem's soil continues to provide tangible evidence of the City's ancient past. The wooden beams burned in the destruction of the First Temple stand as a powerful reminder of the Jewish people's presence in Jerusalem some 2,600 years ago. On the eve of Tisha B'Av (The 9th of Av), this discovery underscores that our connection to Jerusalem is rooted not only in faith, but also in history, archaeology, and collective memory."
 
What was found in this archeological dig confirms Scripture. "They (Babylonians) set fire to God's temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there." (2 Chronicles 36:19) The Excavation Director, Efrat Bocher, explained in greater detail about their discovery of the charred beams. "They appear to have served as the roof of the inner courtyard in a building from the First Temple period. During the destruction, they collapsed on the floor. We believe that the plaster cladding of the building's walls, melted by the fire, covered the charred wooden beams, and ultimately enabled their exceptional preservation." Not only could the age of the beams be ascertained by the counting of the growth rings, but the archeologists were able to identify the wood used for the beams as coming from Sycamore Trees. Minister Eliya went on to say, "It is our responsibility to continue uncovering, preserving, and passing this heritage on to future generations."
 
God gave instructions to the children of Israel from the second generation to observe His commandments and "teach them diligently" to their children. (Deuteronomy 6:7) He made His intentions clear, saying, "...When the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—When you have eaten and are full—then beware, least you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him and shall take oaths in His name." (Deuteronomy 6:10-13 - NKJ)
 
From this passage, we can see that God wanted the presence of the Israelites to remain in the Promised Land to be a witness to His goodness and faithfulness. Because they did not obey the Lord's commandments, other people groups like the Babylonians, Romans, and Turks took over and destroyed much of the evidence of their existence. Today we hear from many people and organizations in the world that the Jews cannot claim the land that God gave to them. But God never forgets His promises and the covenant He made. He demonstrates His faithfulness through unexpected surprises that confirm truth. This amazing story of the charred beams of the First Temple speaks to all who would doubt God's promises to Israel. This should be an encouragement for us as well. Hold on to the promises God has made to you. He will be faithful to fulfill them.