ARCHAEOLOGY, FRIEND OF THE BIBLE
Today’s Reading: Joshua 11-12
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Tel Hazor is located on the site of the ancient city of Hazor (mentioned several times in today's reading). Hazor was located in the Upper Galilee, north of the Sea of Galilee, between Ramah and Kadesh, on the high ground overlooking Lake Merom (Joshua 11:5). It is the largest archaeological site in northern Israel. There is an upper city of 30 acres and a lower city of more than 175 acres. This photo is of the Solomonic Gate, dated to the 10th century BC. This gate has six chambers and two towers (1 Kings 9:15).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Joshua 11:15
As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.
There are at least two ways to approach our readings. First, for inspiration, and second, for information. You’ve read under David Reynold’s picture some information about the city state, Hazor. According to 11:10b, Hazor was the “head of all those kingdoms.” Verse 13 mentions “their mounds,” or in modern times, they would call the mounds “tels.” The central public buildings were destroyed, or simply fell down with age, and the people would build on top of the rubble. This would result in a hill made up of the ruins. The archaeologists, who have excavated Hazor, dated the main destruction by Israel in the late 15th century BC. Evidence of fire was found in several places.
So far, the blog is not too inspirational, but perhaps our key verse can inspire us to complete, no matter how long or how much effort it takes, the commitments we’ve made. The word “discipline” is from the same root word as “disciple,” “talmudim” in Hebrew. It means “student.” The Apostle Paul, a lifetime student and teacher, wrote to the young Timothy, encouraging him to “study” or “be diligent.” We might read for inspiration, 2 Timothy 2:1-15.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I am confident that these stories of war are accurate as told. I’m thankful that the archaeological digs confirm that, for if the history is true, it follows that the inspirational messages are worthy of our respect also. Please grant that I will have grace to be and do as Paul wrote: “Strong – faithful – enduring hardship – hard working – diligent – a worker – and unashamed.” In Jesus’ Name (the One who modeled all these qualities), Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
There I go again, well over 100 words. If I had called the blog, “200 words” I’d probably go over that. Oh well, I’ll just be diligent. I’ve participated in archaeological digs in Israel, not with a backhoe or even a shovel, but with a spoon, trowel and brush. I would not have the patience to do that as a profession!
My professional photographer son, David Reynold, blesses us with the blog pictures. He and Kathy are serving as missionaries in Uganda. Kathy sent me a prayer which was prayed for them by Dr. Jay Dennis, Pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Florida. I am asking every reader to join him, along with my wife and me, in praying for them and their mission. To learn more about the cause that has taken them to Africa, click here. My wife, Norma-Jean, wants to print that prayer, frame it, and hang it on our wall. Here it is…
“Our Heavenly Father, Thank You for Calling, Gifting and Equipping Reynold and Kathy to go into Uganda and beginning there starting a movement of the Holy Spirit that will bring Oneness to the Body of Christ. Please let what happens there Touch and Change the Body of Christ, for we know when Your Body is Awakened, the world will be Shaken for You. Lord we sense that our time is short and the opportunities are long. I am praying that You would give Your two servants the Wisdom, Strength, Anointing, Joy, Discernment and Divine Appointments that can only Originate from You. I pray for Your Hedge of Protection around them. I pray for Your Spirit to go Before them, preparing the way, preparing the hearts of those they will meet. I pray that you will walk Behind them, Protecting the Seeds they have Sown. Father, please raise up those who will Sacrificially and Generously give to this Ministry. Prompt Your people, specifically the people at FBC at the Mall to do everything Possible and Beyond to Assist in this Ministry.
“Lord, Divinely Surprise us through the People they will meet; the Places they will Go; and the Experiences they will Have. Father, we pray not just for a Ministry, but for a Movement, one that Connects the Body of Christ in Unity and through that let the world see that You are Real; that You are Available; and You are Ready to Forgive, Bless and Redeem. From the Continent of Africa, touch North America; South America; Antarctica; Australia; Asia; and Europe. I pray that even on the trip to Uganda You will Confirm once again that Reynold and Kathy are in the Center of Your Will. I pray for their precious Children that You will bring a daily Awareness of Your Presence and that You will Protect them. We Pray Big O God and We Implicitly Place our Trust and Dependence upon You. May they Realize continually the meaning of “Give us this Day our Daily Bread.” Lord, thank You for allowing me to be a part of their Lives. Help me to Help them! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”
Yours for learning to study diligently and for striving to be a worker for God who does not need to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15),
David
Among the ancient ruins of Tel Hazor, you can see an olive press with a stone basin in the foreground. The mortar which held the walls in place has long since disintegrated, as has the plastered walls which often were decorated with beautiful paintings.
Praise God for Reynold and Kathy and their ministry work in Uganda!! Wow!!! The magnitude of God’s reach through them is indescribable!! Well done oh good and faithful servants!!! The ‘One Life Study Overview’ is an incredible teaching format for church leaders and flocks to grow throughout Uganda and Africa as a whole. Praying for God’s shield of protection wrapped around them, the Holy Spirit to live and breathe through them, and miracles of Christ’s love to spread beyond them! In Jesus precious name–amen, amen, and amen!
This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
2 Tim 2:11-13
OH the rock of Christ on which we stand! When our Lord is for us, nothing can be against us! Blessings dear brothers and sisters in Christ! Amen!!!
Amen. Thank you. And may God bless you. May the Good News of Jesus Christ go out in the power of the Holy Spirit today. And may many open their hearts and lives to Him. Please God, open the doors for us to share, give us boldness, and the grace to live to glorify You.
Such a lot to take in today. Thank you Rev. for all the explanations and your son’s pics.
You and your lovely wife must be so proud and pleased with Reynold and Kathy. What a thoughtful prayer for these two devoted people.
A friend sent me this little prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, as you walk into my home, please take all my worries, diseases, and fears; and please protect my parents, brothers and sisters, my children, my friends and all my family, in the name of Jesus! Amen.
Amen, Lynda, amen!
May His Perfect Will be done through Kathy and Reynold. May He give them favour with the people and may they understand the blessings of the gospel.
Amen, Beverlee. And may I add to the prayer, after reading about the false prophet in “Agents of the Apocalypse”, Lord keep their doctrine pure consistently holding to the absolute truth that the only way to salvation and eternal life is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and through Him alone. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12). I just felt in my spirit to say this as we can be none too careful today and Satan is the great deceiver. Amen? Pray, God’s blessings upon you Reynold and Kathy and success according to God’s will. Blessings everyone.
Amen!
Amen, sister Ger, amen!!
Lynda thank you I needed the prayer your friend sent
to you I think I will write it down
Lianne Hogg
Dear David,
This is not a reply to your blog but a hope for improvement to view the clips. I went to Apple with my iPad on Saturday because the Crossroad archived links would just bring up a white window with the title and reference to crossroads on the bottom. Typing in the title in the search bar and finding the clip did not always bring me an interavtive clip although it showed up with other clips listed. It had no arrow and by touching it I could not open it.
I was told that the error is with crossroads, not supporting ios 8.1.2 yet (which I finally loaded down last week). Is there anything that can be done? I hate to miss the good clips. Thank you very much. Helen
Hi Helen,
This appears to be a common problem with the ipad release update 8.1.2.
Apple is working on a release update for 8.1.3 to address these issues.
I don’t own an ipad, but hopefully soon it’s released for yourself and all ipad users.
Hope this is helpful.
Diane 🙂
Bless the feet that go. Lord we thank you that Reynold and Kathy have answered your call, and we pray You will protect them in all areas. Give them strength and courage each day to meet the needs of those they interact with. Prepare hearts to hear what they say and bring many new saints into The Kingdom. In the previous name of Jesus, I pray.
I am so blessed to be “a student” of this blog each day and thanks to all who contribute, as you Pastor David send out our daily bread. Blessings.
Amen Lynda, thanks for sharing your friend’s prayer.
Dear Rev. David M. and Norma- Jean,
What a wonderful ministry Reynold and Kathy have started. What is so awesome is to witness Our Lord making possible what seemed unattainable , making bureaucracy so easy to access and unite all that are, desiring one thing , letting Jesus , Our King ,Our Saviour be known, loved, worshipped, glorified until His coming back.
Have a blessed day everyone.
xoxoxo Carole.
The ministry of unity in the church is such a vital one. I am reminded of a chorus that Dave and Dale Garrett (Scripture in Song) used to sing:
Father make us one,
Father make us one,
That the world may know thou hast sent the Son
Father make us one.
k
Behold, how pleasant and how good it is
For brethren to dwell in unity
For there the Lord commands the blessing
Father make us one.
May the unity begin in Uganda as Reynold and Kathy step out in faith and may
God “command” the blessing there and as it moves throughout the world.
Appreciate all you offered in this blog Rev. David, the great pictures of Reynold’s that enhance your words; your prayer for diligence in all we are called to do. May it be so Lord!
I too prayed the prayer over Reynold and Kathy, and copied it to keep them uplifted in all they are called to do, for guidance and encouragement of the Lord. Jesus’ desire is that “they all should be one”.
Lord keep them safe in The Palm of your Hands!!!
Just wanted to thank you for this blog and all I’ve learned and agreement with you prayers. I remember what you said about your great granddaughter who said she loves you but she doesn’t want to hear anymore stories. Ha! I want you to know that I ENJOY THE STORIES AND KEEP THEM COMING. You are just too familiar to her at the moment – she will warm up eventually. – Thank You and God Bless!