“Y’hoshua sent them out; and they went to the place for the ambush, staying between Beit-El and ‘Ai, to the west of ‘Ai; while Y’hoshua camped that night with the people.”-Joshua 8:9
In verse 9 of Joshua Chapter 8, we’re given a major clue concerning where the city of Ai was located.
We’re told it was near BEIT-EL or Bethel as it’s typically said in English.
However, things aren’t as simple as that.
Why?
Because there’s a lot of debate among scholars concerning the exact location of Bethel.
While there’s agreement on the general area of where Bethel was located, that’s about it.
There are several sites that could be the right location but not based on the Biblical description.
I just threw a curve ball at you there when I said “not based on the Biblical description”.
Here’s what you need to know about the study of archeology.
Archeology is not just based on matching the geographical locations with ancient historical descriptions (or in this case the Biblical description).
The truth is…
…the ruins of Ai and Beit-el have been found and they do indeed fit the Biblical descriptions.
The bone that archeologists have to pick with the Scriptural account is…
…that the TIME PERIOD of when the Scriptures say the Israelites inhabited this area doesn’t match up to the dating system they use.
Got it?
And that right there folks is the reason why a lot of skeptics, secular archeologists and self-professed Bible scholars arrogantly proclaim that a good majority of the events and locations described in the Bible are nothing but a bunch of made-up fairy tales.
However, what’s interesting is that year after year, some new discovery is unearthed that wouldn’t you know it just so happens to correspond to a Biblical event so perfectly it ends up making all of the skeptics and doubting Thomases out to be a bunch of fools.
And this happens much more often than you probably think.
For example, did you know that the Pool of Siloam, the pool where Yeshua sent the blind man to be healed, was discovered just a few hundred yards away from the Temple Mount?
That’s right homies.
Not only has this famous pool been unearthed, but another massive palace structure has been discovered that matches to a tee the exact time period of King David’s reign.
Of course, we all know that skeptics are gonna remain skeptics.
Because no matter how much objective and undeniable evidence is unearthed demonstrating that…
…the doubters are nothing bunch a bunch of idiots who obviously have an anti-Scriptural agenda more than anything else, they’re always gonna find some ridiculous way to demonstrate that the Bible is just mere mythology and legend.
Well summed up.
Hi Richoka, once again, thumbs up for the good works.
You know what?
Concerning those sceptics, I nearly said, cursed.
However, I suddenly received a divine counsel from the Holy Spirit; whispered to me saying – don’t..
Day in day out God gives the devil time to fool. So the devil uses ‘foolish logic to’ deny many to-be-Godly people of their blessings.
It is an undeniable fact that some of us were one time sceptics until we repented and are now saved, but not all of us may recover what we lost in the period of self denial so-called doubting Thomases or sceptics.
CONSEQUENCES:
This is why the world today with all its astronomical technological advancement have not produced many great men and leaders. World leadership is in shambles.
I don’t need to provide any evidence for the above conclusion either than the reference made in Romans 1:18-32.
We always pray for sinners to repent. Painstakingly, it is only when the sinner truly repents that he /she realises the level of damage he/she caused to the kingdom of God in him/herself, not just God. In other words, sin destroys the soul and reduces great people to nothing, I MEAN ZERO.
This is what the Holy Spirit told me again that, ‘ the more the sceptics provide anything material or immaterial in order NOT to learn or understand Holy scriptures, but in a bid to denigrate same, the more we (believers) see their emptiness and our FAITH is strengthened to our benefit. The Holy scripture says in 2 Tim :16 -17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto ALL good works
1 Tim 2:1-4 We continue to pray for the SALVATION of all men in the name of Yeshua.
Thank you and God bless
Great comment. Thanks for sharing Abraham.