The Fundamentals - Torrey - XVIII - Chapter 16 (The testimony of the monuments to the truth of the Scriptures)

Required reading
The Fundamentals edited by R. A. Torrey (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 16 (The testimony of the monuments to the truth of the Scriptures).

My summary
This week Wright gives us some archaeological discoveries that confirm the truth of the Old Testament.

The discoveries include:
(i) the identification of Belshazzar;
(ii) the black obelisk of Shalmaneser;
(iii) the Moabite stone;
(iv) the expedition of Shishak;
(v) evidence of the Israelites in Egypt;
(vi) the Hittites;
(vii) the Tel El-Amarna tablets;
(viii) confirmation of geographical details;
(ix) confirmation of the fourteenth chapter of Genesis.

What grabbed me
I appreciated this closing statement: 'It is sufficient to say that while many more positive confirmations of the seemingly improbable statements of the sacred historians can be adduced, there have been no discoveries which necessarily contravene their statements. The cases already here enumerated relate to such widely separated times and places, and furnish explanations so unexpected, yet natural, to difficulties that have been thought insuperable, that their testimony cannot be ignored or rejected. That this history should be confirmed in so many cases and in such a remarkable manner by monuments uncovered 3,000 years after their erection, can be nothing else than providential. Surely, God has seen to it that the failing faith of these later days should not be left to grope in darkness. When the faith of many was waning and many heralds of truth were tempted to speak with uncertain sound, the very stones have cried out with a voice that only the deaf could fail to hear. Both in the writing and in the preservation of the Bible we behold the handiwork of God.'

Archaeological evidence confirming the truth of the Bible is indeed providential.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 17 (The recent testimony of archaeology to the Scriptures).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.