Digging...

For the past week, I have been “digging” at an archaeology site that is believed to be Ai—the Old Testament city that Joshua conquered and burned in the 15th Century BC (Joshua 7-8). It is back-breaking, grueling, hot work…hours and hours spent in the Israeli heat hunched over a trench, picking through thorns, dirt, rocks, and rubble, digging for evidence that this site is, indeed, Joshua’s Ai. Every bone and joint in my body (including ones I didn’t know existed) have been screaming at me, “Who cares?!” Is this painstaking effort to unearth a little city that was allegedly destroyed and burned by Joshua 3400 years ago worth all of the toil and trouble? In a word, yes! And in response to my aching left big toe, right pinky, back, and all other unhappy body parts that seem to be demanding an answer to the “who cares?” question … I believe that God cares. Thank goodness, so do many dedicated men and women who are committed to unearthing the evidence that supports Biblical Truth. We live in a world that seeks to dismiss the Bible as simply a good book of stories with no historical proof. The work of Biblical archaeology is invaluable in the effort to refute the critics of God.

Archaeologists look at a site like the one I’ve been at and ask several questions of it. Does the location fit with the Biblical narrative? Can the ruins and artifacts be dated back to the time in question (approx. 1400 BC in the case of Ai)? Is there physical evidence, like an inscription, that proves it is the site in question? Without finding some sort of inscription (which hasn’t been found at Ai), we cannot know with absolute, 100% certainty that it is Ai. However, the other evidence is mounting. Geographically, it makes good sense within the context of the Biblical narrative. Pottery dug out of the site dates back to the time of Joshua. And, it appears that the city endured a major fire which again fits with the Bible’s account of Ai. It is not definitive that this is Ai, but the evidence is pointing in that direction. If we can make a strong case that this is Ai, then we have further evidence to support our belief that the Bible, God’s Word, is historically reliable and trustworthy. So, archaeologists and volunteers will be back again next summer for another grueling season of digging to find the truth.

I have made a life of digging for truth, and have always found it to be really hard work. As a reporter, I dug for journalistic truth. Little did I know that during my journalism days, the Lord was equipping and preparing me to dig for a higher purpose—the knowledge and wisdom of God. It doesn’t come easy. It requires a commitment to studying His Word, seeking His face, and pursuing the things of Him. In a world that is constantly telling us to run after riches, fame, and human approval, the pursuit of the knowledge of God seems pointless to some. Like the critics who dismiss Biblical archaeology, arguing that the Bible has no historical truth, the ungodly see the pursuit of the knowledge of God as a worthless or vain effort. Our time on earth is better spent, they believe, striving for fame and fortune. In fact, as Job 28 tells us, man will go to the very core of the earth, risking life and limb to extract earthly riches.

Man’s hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains. He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures. He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light. (Job 28:9-11)

It seems to be a natural human endeavor to strive for the things of this world. And, God has given man the ability and ingenuity to do that. But, He also offers us the opportunity to pursue something greater than anything this world has to offer—His Wisdom—a treasure that man cannot find on his own.

God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells. (Job 28:23)

The wisdom and knowledge of God is found only with God’s help, through His Word and a relationship with Him. And, I believe that it is worth the effort. If man is willing to go to extreme measures to acquire the things of this world (like fortune and fame) that have no eternal value, how much more of an effort should we be willing to make to acquire the things of God that will last forever?!

And so….I dig. For the last three years, I have been digging in an academic setting—unearthing theological truths through my grueling studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. This summer, the Lord has blessed me with a much-needed change of dig location. As they say in archaeology, I’ve “opened a new square” and am digging for God’s Wisdom in the Holy Land. It is a refreshing change of scenery and I look forward to finding the treasures He has for me here. As I used to say in my journalism days… stay tuned. I will let you know what I find. Meantime, I pray that you are experiencing a purposeful, fruitful "dig" of your own as well this summer. :)

Shalom! k