The Walls of Jericho

Summary

The video script explores the biblical account of the fall of Jericho, focusing on the archaeological evidence that supports the story. It highlights the excavations at Tel Jericho, where discoveries such as the collapsed walls, burnt layers, and grain-filled vessels align with the Bible's description. The script also touches on the curse placed on anyone who would rebuild the city, which was fulfilled centuries later. The video emphasizes how archaeological findings confirm the accuracy of the Bible and reinforces faith in its historical truth, with a call to reflect on God's promises and the ultimate return of Jesus Christ.

Takeaways

• 😀 Archaeological discoveries at the site of ancient Jericho align with the biblical account of the city's fall, confirming its historical accuracy.
• 😀 The Bible's description of the fall of Jericho, with the walls collapsing flat after a great shout and trumpet blast, is supported by archaeological evidence of fallen mud bricks forming a ramp.
• 😀 Dr. Nelson Gluck's pioneering work in biblical archaeology demonstrated that no archaeological discovery has ever contradicted biblical references, and many have confirmed them.
• 😀 The conquest of Jericho, as described in the Bible, occurred around 1400 BC, shortly after the Passover, with the Israelites destroying the city and taking its treasures.
• 😀 The city's fortifications included a stone retaining wall and a mud brick wall, both of which were confirmed through archaeological excavation.
• 😀 The discovery of burnt grain at the site of Jericho provides significant evidence that the destruction occurred during the spring harvest, just as the Bible states.
• 😀 No gold, silver, or brass artifacts were found in the ruins of Jericho, supporting the biblical narrative that these items were taken to the treasury of the Lord.
• 😀 The curse placed on anyone who rebuilt Jericho was fulfilled during the reign of King Ahab of Israel, as recorded in 1 Kings 16, with the death of his sons.
• 😀 Archaeologists discovered that a small part of Jericho's wall did not fall, which may correspond to the location of Rahab's house, as described in the Bible.
• 😀 The archaeological evidence, including the burn layer and collapsed structures, matches the biblical account of Jericho's destruction by fire and abandonment, confirming the accuracy of the Bible's narrative.

Q & A

What is the significance of Jericho in the Bible?

Jericho is known in the Bible for its fall described in the book of Joshua. It marks a key event in the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, where the city’s walls collapsed after the Israelites followed God’s command to circle the city and blow trumpets, leading to the city's capture.

What is the role of Dr. Nelson Gluck in biblical archaeology?

Dr. Nelson Gluck was an American rabbi and acclaimed archaeologist who conducted pioneering work in biblical archaeology. His research and excavations resulted in the discovery of 1,500 ancient sites and strongly supported the accuracy of biblical history, especially in relation to sites like Jericho.

What archaeological evidence supports the biblical story of Jericho's fall?

Excavations at Tel Jericho have uncovered a stone retaining wall and mud bricks that had fallen outward, forming a ramp-like structure. This aligns with the Bible's description of the walls 'falling down flat,' allowing the Israelites to enter the city. Additionally, a layer of burned remains corresponds to the destruction mentioned in the Bible.

What was the significance of the burnt grain found in Jericho?

The discovery of burnt grain at Jericho is significant because it indicates that the destruction of the city took place during the spring harvest. It also confirms that the grain was not plundered, aligning with the Bible’s description of the Israelites not raiding the city.

How does the curse on Jericho’s rebuilding in the Bible correlate with historical events?

The Bible prophesied that anyone who rebuilt Jericho would do so at the cost of their firstborn and youngest son. This prophecy was fulfilled around 850 BC during King Ahab’s reign when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt the city, leading to the deaths of his sons, as described in 1 Kings 16.

Why is the discovery of a section of the wall that did not fall important?

The discovery of a section of the wall that did not fall is important because it is believed to be the location of Rahab’s house, as described in the Bible. Rahab hid the Israelite spies, and this evidence suggests that the biblical account of her house remaining intact during the destruction is accurate.

How does the archaeological site at Jericho validate the Bible's historical accuracy?

The archaeological findings at Jericho, such as the collapsed mud bricks forming a ramp, the burn layers, and the absence of plundered gold and silver, all align with the biblical narrative. These discoveries provide material evidence confirming the events described in the Bible, supporting its historical reliability.

What did the Bible say about the treatment of Rahab and her family during Jericho's fall?

The Bible says that Rahab and her family were spared during the fall of Jericho because she hid the Israelite spies. She was later incorporated into Israel and lived among them, as a reward for her faith and actions in protecting the spies.

How did the Israelites approach the conquest of Jericho, according to the Bible?

According to the Bible, the Israelites approached Jericho after the Passover in the spring of around 1400 BC. They were commanded to march around the city once for six days, with seven priests blowing trumpets, and on the seventh day, they marched around seven times. After the trumpet sounded, the walls fell, and the Israelites captured the city.

What role does the Bible's account of Jericho’s fall play in modern archaeology?

The Bible’s account of Jericho’s fall plays a significant role in modern archaeology by providing a framework for excavations and guiding researchers to verify historical events. Archaeological discoveries at Jericho, including the collapse of the walls and burned remains, corroborate the Bible’s narrative, strengthening the credibility of both the Scripture and archaeology.