Joshua's Altar
In Deuteronomy 27:2-8 we read of how Moses instructed Joshua to build an altar on Mt. Ebal after the Israelites had entered the Promised Land. There, the people were to sacrifice and give thanks to the Lord.
Bible critics have generally been skeptical of the Bible's early history of Israel's conquest of Canaan. Over the years, however, a growing number of discoveries have supported the Bible's account of the earliest history of the Israelites. Perhaps one of the most dramatic recent discoveries is the altar Joshua apparently built on Mt. Ebal after Israel entered Canaan.
The ruins of the altar are laid out in a rectangle that measures 25 by 30 feet. The walls of the nine-foot-high structure of uncut stones and rocks are filled with ash, dirt, stones, and bones. Over 4,000 bones were found in the fill, all of them bones of the sacrificial animals called for in Moses' law. Evident, too, is the ramp up to the altar that was used by the priests, as stipulated by Exodus. One discovery at the site seems to tie everything together. It is an Egyptian scarab that was probably among the spoils the Bible says Israel took with them from Egypt.
Bible-believing Christians don't need this proof to accept the Bible. But it is exciting to identify and learn more about such a historic place as the Mt. Ebal altar.
Joshua 8:30
“Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal…”
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I know that Your Word is trustworthy. But I thank You that You have provided this additional witness to the integrity of Your Word for those who doubt. Let them, too, come to know Your grace in Christ. Amen.
REF.: Machlin, Milt. "Joshua and the Archaologist." Reader's Digest. Image: Joshua's Altar, Hoshvilim, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Guest (Female): Recent discoveries support the Bible's description of Joshua's altar. Learn about it next on today's Creation Moment.
Guest (Male): And now, here's our Creation Moments host, Ian Taylor.
Ian T. Taylor: In Deuteronomy Chapter 27, verses 2-8, we read of how Moses instructed Joshua to build an altar on Mount Ebal after the Israelites had entered the Promised Land. There the people were to sacrifice and give thanks to the Lord. Bible critics have generally been skeptical of the Bible's early history of Israel's conquest of Canaan. However, over the years a growing number of discoveries have supported the Bible's account of the earliest history of the Israelites.
Perhaps one of the most dramatic recent discoveries is the altar Joshua apparently built on Mount Ebal after Israel entered Canaan. The ruins of the altar are laid out in a rectangle that measures 25 by 30 feet. The walls of the nine-foot high structure of uncut stones and rocks are filled with ash, dirt, stones, and bones. Over 4,000 bones were found in the fill, all of them bones of the sacrificial animals called for in Moses' law.
Evident, too, is the ramp up to the altar that was used by the priests, as stipulated by Exodus. One discovery at the site seems to tie everything together. It is an Egyptian scarab that was probably among the spoils the Bible says Israel took with them from Egypt. Bible-believing Christians don't need this kind of proof to accept the Bible. However, it is exciting to identify and learn more about such a historic place as the Mount Ebal altar.
Guest (Male): If you'd like to read more about creation science and biblical worldview issues, visit creationmoments.com for weekly blog posts, articles, and answers to frequently asked questions. Or call us toll-free at 1-800-42-BIBLE. That's 1-800-422-4253. And be sure to join us next time for another Creation Moment.
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Featured Offer
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Mark Cadwallader brings a curated and updated collection of his essays, including new ones, celebrating the important principles of freedom that still echo from the Garden of Eden today. God is not looking for robots, programmed to serve and obey Him. He wants us free!
About Creation Moments
Founded in 1963, Creation Moments remains committed to building up the Church and enlightening the world to the wonders of God's creation. For more than sixty years, this ministry has proclaimed the truth of biblical creation and provided irrefutable evidence that the Bible can be trusted from the very first verse to the last. In addition to its international creation-evangelism and radio outreach, Creation Moments offers hundreds of free resources on the Bible and science at its website: CreationMoments.com.
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About Ian T. Taylor & Mark W. Cadwallader
Ian T. Taylor
For most people, Ian Taylor will always be the voice of Creation Moments. He was born in the UK and lived in Canada until his passing. We were honored and blessed to have such a wonderful and dedicated creationist as part our ministry for so many years. Even now, his radio broadcast programs endure to reach others with the message about the awesome and intricate creation of an awesome and loving God.
Mark W. Cadwallader
Mark is Board Chairman of Creation Moments and has served on the Board since 1996. He holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston and has worked as an applied materials scientist and engineer in plastics, specialty chemicals, oil additives, and pollution control for over 30 years. Mark credits the ministry for opening his faith as a young man to the unerring credibility of the Bible in all areas including science, and thus helping to transform his life. Mark has published over 100 articles and conference papers in his scientific field of expertise as well as in Creation Science and apologetics. He writes the Creation Moments monthly newsletter as well as most of the blog articles posted on the ministry’s website. He has also authored books, including “Creation Spelled Out for Us All” and “The Beauty of Truth”.
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