Digging with Darren » Israel

Israelites found in Ancient Egypt

Darren — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:05:36 +0000

For a long time, archaeologists and biblical minimalists have renounced the idea of an Israelite captivity in Egypt corresponding to the biblical record of the Exodus. Today, evidence has been published to the contrary. Manfred Bietak, director of the Institute of Egyptology at the University of Vienna and of the Austrian Archaeological Institute in Cairo, has published an article in the Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR) citing several evidences of the existence of ancient Israelite slaves in Egypt.

Although he draws on a number of sources, Bietak’s impetus was the recent unearthing of Israelite-style four-room homes found among Medinet Habu, opposite Luxor in Egypt near the remains of the temple of Ay and Horemheb. He compares these homes to the many which have been found in excavations in the land of Israel, and notes the distinct similarities of pattern & function, making a clear point to say they are not Egyptian at all in design.

This is an important discovery by which archaeology begins corroborating the evidences of the biblical record yet again. And although the timeline doesn’t seem to entirely match, this is a great moment for those anyone who both appreciates the science of archaeology, but holds to the authority of the biblical record.

Read the very detailed article here.

Update:

In 2009 there was evidence found in Egypt of the biblical Joseph. The coins contained both Joseph’s Hebrew and Egyptian name, along with an image of a cow to represent Pharaoh’s dream. You can read about it here and here.Similar Posts:

Police find 2nd Temple-era coins, jugs during arms raid

Darren — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:10:18 +0000

Jerusalem Post reports the following:

Police officers stumbled on a large stash of jugs and coins dating back from the Second Temple era in the Galilee village of Mazara on Thursday, during an arms raid.

The archeological finds were kept in a yard belonging to family suspected by police of keeping arms.

After finding the artifacts, a representative of the Israel Antiquities Authority was called out to the scene, and he dated the findings to the Second Temple period.

Read the full report here.

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Celebrate Tu Bishvat!

Darren — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:50:27 +0000

What do wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, honey and/or dates and this month have in common? Two weeks from today is a minor holiday called Tu Bishvat. Tu Bishvat means the 15th (ו + ט) of the Hebrew month of Shevat. A few years ago our family started celebrating Tu Bishvat, and it has been a unique and fun time for the family to remember the provision of Hashem in our lives, as well as to do something for Him in a practical way.

So, you don’t understand Tu Bishvat and are not sure why you should celebrate it? First Fruits of Zion has just released two new resources to help believers both understand and celebrate this yearly event in a meaningful way, fully centered on Messiah Yeshua.

Since the second Temple, Tu Bishvat is a day that has been designated to demarcate time in regard to how the tithe from the produce of trees was given (I won’t go into the details now, but it is an interesting study). Since the destruction of the Holy Temple, this date has lost much of its significance. However, during the Middle Ages there was a resurgence which made the celebration of Tu Bishvat once again significant and meaningful. Once again, this date is being restored, but to believers.

PLANT, FFOZ’s first booklet, is designed to help you learn:

that the fifteenth of Shevat (Tu Bishvat) was recognized in Temple times as an important day in Temple worship
that Yeshua was aware of this day, and perhaps even taught about it
the evolving history of its observance post-Temple
activities and ideas about how to celebrate Tu Bishvat
stories and encouraging testimonies from believers in the land of Israel about modern observances

BLOOM is a Tu Bishvat Haggadah, similar to a Passover Haggadah, which will walk you through enjoying a Tu Bishvat seder in your home with family and friends. It is the most recent addition to the Vine of David “branch” of FFOZ.

BLOOM is inspired by the story of the early pioneers of the modern State of Israel. This seder reflects upon the dreams of a Jewish national homeland in the Promised Land throughout the centuries and its culmination with Zionism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Bloom is simple and not deeply mystical. It focuses the modern return of the Jewish people to their land as a part of the broader plan of world redemption.

Contemplate our Master Yeshua’s heart of thankfulness for the land and his lament as he perceived its destruction. Share in the vision of the Messianic Jewish luminaries who longed to see that hope restored in the State of Israel, the “beginning of the sprouting of our redemption.”

Since all of the observances related to Temple worship are not currently in effect, modern Tu Bishvat has observances similar to Arbor Day in which trees are planted in Israel, often in memory of a loved one. This year, we have a special goal. We want to send the funds to Israel to plant a sapling in the name of our unborn child we recently lost. Maybe you have a similar situation and would like to remember a loved one. The Jewish National Fund is a great place to accomplish this.

Tu Bishvat for 2011 is Thursday, January 20th

If you’ve never experienced Tu Bishvat, this year can be your first. Don’t delay. Order these resources today so that you will have them in time for your seder. Experience something unique and special with your family while making a difference in the world.Similar Posts:

Temple Mount Awareness Day

Darren — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:13:17 +0000

I received an email from the Temple Institute with the following message:

“This month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year.” (Exodus 12:2)

It was on this day, Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the month of Nisan that the creator of the world, the G-d of Israel, conferred upon His children the ability and the responsibility to make change in the world, to perfect His creation. And it was on this day, one year later, that the Tabernacle was dedicated in the desert. The Holy Temple is the very jewel in the crown of G-d’s creation, yet today the Temple Mount is desolate. The Holy Temple lies in ruins, and the Moslem Wakf has commandeered the Temple Mount, forbidding all but Moslems to approach the Mount freely and to raise their voices in prayer to G-d.

The Temple Institute has, along with other organizations, declared today, March 16, 2010, the first day of the month of Nisan, the month of our redemption from Egypt and the month of our future redemption, to be THE FIRST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL TEMPLE MOUNT AWARENESS DAY. We have called upon all who wish to ascend the Mount, Jews and Gentiles, in accordance to Jewish law, to gather at the foot of the Mount this morning. The Israeli police have declared the Mount off limits on this day to all but Moslems, citing Arab threats to commit violence as a response to our desire to ascend the Mount to mark this holy day. The police are thereby by preventing us from fulfilling our commitment to G-d and Torah, and from exercising our inalienable rights as citizens of a democratic society.

Once again, following a decades-old pattern, the police have abandoned the task which has been entrusted to them to uphold, and rather than punish the inciters to violence, they have punished the intended victims of the calls to violence.

Nevertheless, the police cannot prevent us from performing the most important and essential task of petitioning the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and demanding immediate change: Jews and Gentiles must be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount. Today is the day that together we can make our voice heard. Below are the telephone, fax and email contacts for the Prime Minister’s office:

Telephone number: 011-972-02-6705555

Fax number: 011-972-02-5664838

email address: bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il

additional email address: PMO.HEB@it.pmo.gov.il

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the Temple Mount. As you know, the Temple Mount is the holiest site in the world for the Jewish people, yet the Muslim authorities, aided by Israel Police, systematically deny the right of religious expression on the Mount to all non-Moslems. On numerous occasions the High Court of Justice has upheld the Jewish people’s right to pray at the site, yet the police continue to prevent this. Furthermore, Jewish visitors are harassed and degraded. This discrimination is a grave trampling of civil rights. Israeli law is not recognized by the Wakf authorities; illegal digging has destroyed priceless historical remnants of Jerusalem’s Jewish history.
Please, end this travesty and allow Jewish freedom of expression at the Temple Mount. I urge you to include the Temple Mount in your “Heritage Plan” of sites significant to the Jewish people.
Sincerely,

Whether you copy and paste this message, or write your own message, please keep your words courteous, respectful and focused on one thing only:

GRANTING FREEDOM OF ACCESS AND FREEDOM OF WORSHIP ON THE MOUNT.

The Prime Minister’s office will receive and be strengthened and encouraged by our thousands of messages. We are taking a stand for our futures and our children’s futures and making a difference. Together we will perform the task which G-d bequeathed us when we left the Egyptian house of bondage and became free men and women forever.

What does this have to do with believers in Messiah? Why should we have any concern over the Temple Mount or the Temple? The short answer is that it was (and will be again) the House of God. It was (and will be again) the House of Prayer for All Nations. It was (and will be again) the place Yeshua loved, spent countless days in and called it “my Father’s House.” If nothing else, Yeshua’s love for his Father’s House should spark a love within us as well.

However, if these answers are not satisfying, then please allow the Scriptures to have a voice in the matter. Search out the prophets such as Zechariah and Ezekiel to find where Hashem will re-institute the Temple in the olam hazeh (this present age) as a means of serving Him properly. If you need still further study to help understand these passages, I highly recommend the audio series by Daniel Lancaster of First Fruits of Zion called “What About the Sacrifices?” You may order them here. Until then, may we pray:

May it be Your will, O LORD, our God and the God of our fathers, that the Holy Temple will be rebuilt quickly and in our days, and give us our portion in Your Torah, and may we server You there in fear, as it was in days long ago and in ancient times. And may the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem be sweet to the LORD, as it was in days long ago and in ancient times.

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Israel Updates

Darren — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 18:38:00 +0000

Let’s just say I’m glad my expectations didn’t come true regarding Hizbullah’s plan for striking hard on Tisha b’Av. There must have been some serious t’shuva (repentance) going on around the world, for which we are all grateful. Here is an overview of the attacks to date:

Chronology of Rocket Attacks
14:08 Aug 04, ’06 / 10 Av 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Following is a chronology of rocket attacks during the past weeks.

July 12, 2006 – Six rockets were fired – 1 person wounded seriously, 2 moderate and 1 light.
July 13th – 133 rockets: 2 dead, 2 serious, 5 moderate, 112 light
July 14th – 108 rockets: 2 dead, 1 serious, 3 moderate, 50 light
July 15th – 126 rockets: 3 moderate, 13 light
July 16th – 36 rockets: 8 dead, 3 serious, 5 moderate, 54 light
July 17th – 95 rockets: 1 serious, 2 moderate, 18 light
July 18th – 127 rockets: 1 dead, 1 serious, 9 light
July 19th – 107 rockets: 2 dead, 1 moderate, 25 light
July 20th – 33 rockets: no injuries
July 21st – 92 rockets: 4 moderate, 18 light
July 22nd – 122 rockets: 2 serious, 2 moderate, 22 light
July 23rd – 88 rockets: 2 dead, 2 serious, 1 moderate, 44 moderate
July 24th – 103 rockets: 2 serious, 12 light
July 25th – 118 rockets: 2 dead, 7 moderate, 37 light
July 26th – 125 rockets: 1 serious
July 27th – 106 rockets: 26 light
July 28th – 107 rockets: 1 moderate, 19 light
July 29th – 93 rockets: 5 light
July 30th – 148 rockets: 2 moderate, 8 light
July 31st – 5 mortar shells: no injuries
August 1st – 12 mortars, 7 rockets: no injuries
August 2nd – 225 rockets: 1 dead, 1 moderate, 14 light
August 3rd – 163 rockets: 8 dead, 12 serious, 88 light

Update: Today (August 4th) there were reported to be over 200 rockets that landed, with numerous injuries (42 injured in the last wave of attacks alone).

Please continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem that all of her children will turn to Hashem, and that the entire world will say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23).Similar Posts:

Hizbullah’s Media Manipulation-Part 2

Darren — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:31:00 +0000

This is an incredible follow-up to my original post regarding Hizbullah’s ability to manipulate the media into turning the world against Israel.

It’s amazing how many cries of “Israel is a Children Killer” and such we see on these comments all over the internet. Do these people have any brains at all? This is all a setup. Hizbullah would have gladly detonated that building full of HUNDREDS of their own children if they thought the media would publish it. This is media propaganda on the part of Hizbullah and the world is falling for it. If the IAF actually did bomb that building with children in it, it’s either their own fault for not leaving after being warned, or more likely Hizbullah having forcing them to stay as a human shield. Let’s face it. Hizbullah doesn’t fight by the rules. They don’t have know the rules. Israel is fighting as fair as possible. They are being much more merciful than any other country in the world would have been. Below you will find some interesting perspectives on this bombing, particularly the time-frame discrepancies and the morbid probability that the women and children inside this shelter were already dead, another prop by Hizbullah for international sympathy. We now have a new feature film-making industry: Hezbollywood.

These articles appeared on a recent post by Lazer Brody:

Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5

[Disclaimer: I don't endorse any of these sites or the content, some of which may be offensive. The links provided here are for informational purposes only.]Similar Posts:

Hizbullah’s Media Manipulation

Darren — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 13:36:00 +0000

Anderson Cooper, of CNN, recently exposed Hizbollah’s manipulation of the media in order to win the sympathy of the international community. All kinds of media stagings. You’ve got to read it for yourself.Similar Posts:

Downloadable Prayers for Israel

Darren — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 23:22:00 +0000

For the convenience of those who are faithfully praying for Israel, I have posted the recommended Prayers for Israel in PDF (Adobe Reader) format. Feel free to download it and pass it along. It includes the 4 chapters of Psalms and the prayer for the hostages from the Chief Rabbi of Israel.

Update: Link to PDF has been fixed. Thanks to Aaron Sperry for the notification.Similar Posts:

Hizbullah Rocket Range

Darren — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:41:00 +0000

DEBKAfile has posted a nice chart showing the range of the Hizbullah rockets and missiles if you interested. It can be found here: Debka Missile ChartSimilar Posts:

Israel Bombs UN Outpost?

Darren — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:55:00 +0000

Recently, it has been reported that Israel bombed an UN outpost in Lebanon. I personally believe the reports to be true, and here’s the reason why:

No Tears for UNIFILSimilar Posts:

Israel Warzone Updates

Darren — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 22:28:00 +0000

For the best day-by-day mapping of attacks and counter-attacks that I’ve found, check out the coverage by the Washington Post. They update it every day, and show all of the attack locations and related headlines. You can also select the day that you wish to see displayed. They have every day mapped out from July 15th to present.Similar Posts:

Middle East Conflict Status 07/21/06

Darren — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:38:00 +0000

As usual, the world leaders just “don’t get it.” And unfortunately, this will be the case until the people of the Almighty (including you and me) turn 180 degrees in accordance with true Tshuva (repentance) and allow Hashem to smash His enemies. Smiles and jeers are across the faces of world leaders (and even some reading this email) as the Jewish death toll rises. My “prediction” is that anti-Semitism will continue to rise, especially within Christianity and Israel will continue to be hounded by her enemies until the return of our Righteous Messiah. This is only the tip of the iceberg for what is in store.

Here are some prime examples of what I’m talking about:

NOTE: Some of the links included below are from observant Jewish sources. This means that some of these resources will not be available online from about 1:00pm CST (sundown in Israel) until about 2:00 or 3:00pm tomorrow (sundown in Israel) due to the careful protection of the Lord’s Sabbath.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero supporting Palestinian efforts:
http://freund.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/07/europes_salonis.html

Nazareth Arabs being pounded by Hizbullah rockets welcome Hizbullah takeover:
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=107981

Jordanians protest and call for Hizbullah to “burn Israel”:
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=108042

Egyptians join the cry to destroy Israel:
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=108047

Here are some recent updates (courtesy of IsraelNN.com):

Katyusha rockets fired from Lebanon are landing in Haifa, Tiberias, Nahariya, Akko and Tzfat. Numerous rockets have fallen in Haifa, landing in the Hadar neighborhood and on Neve’im Street, near City Hall.
IDF Activating 5,000 Reservists. The IDF has announced today, Friday, that tzav-8 emergency activation orders are being distributed to many reservists who will be deployed in many areas, thereby releasing compulsory duty soldiers for deployment in northern Israel. The army media release states that soldiers from various battalions are being activated, totaling approximately a brigade. Earlier in the week, three battalions were activated and many hesder yeshiva students were activated, taken from yeshiva study halls back into active service.
Iranian-made 220mm rockets, modified in Syria are striking Haifa, resulting in heavy property damage and injuries. The rockets carry over 100kg (220 lbs) of explosives and packed with metallic balls. In one of the rocket impact points today, a rocket cut through four stories of a concrete building, testifying to the intensity of impact.
Israel acting humanely (but unnoticed by the media). Lebanese media reports that the Israel Air Force has dropped fliers over southern Lebanon, calling on residents to flee the area. According to the Lebanese report, southern Lebanese residents are instructed to move as far north as the Litani river, explaining the southern area will be targeted in IAF bombing raids.
Six rockets landed in Tzfat a short time ago. In Nahariya, in another wave of attacks, five homes were damaged. Miraculously, there were no injuries in either city.

And these are but an infinitesimally small number of reports from a multitude of others.

For a very good assessment of both the tactical and spiritual status of the war from “Rabbi Rambo”, here is an excellent article:
Emuna News Special Report

If you don’t have these resources bookmarked yet, here are some great resources for TRUE and ACCURATE information on the Middle East crisis, as opposed to the lies we are being fed on our news networks:

Israel National News
http://www.israelnn.com/

The Michael Freund Blog (Founder & Chairman of Shavei Israel)
http://freund.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Lazer Beams (Rabbi Lazer Brody – aka “Rabbi Rambo”)
http://www.lazerbrody.net

WHAT CAN I DO???

I’m glad you asked. Here are some suggestions…

Repent from acts in your life that are displeasing to the Almighty
Pray for Israel and her soldiers (Israeli Rabbis have specifically requested the recitation of Psalms 13, 70, 125, and 128. Why not pray God’s Words?)
Donate to pro-Israel charities
Boycott products, services and organizations that are anti-Israel
Distribute information to as many people as possible to let the truth of this situation be known
Educate your family, friends and children on how critical it is to know which side of this we are to take. We must stand for righteousness, rather than wickedness, and we must stand when others are comfortable being seated. “The wicked prevail when good men do nothing.”

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Weak-Kneed Lebanese

Darren — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 13:35:00 +0000

Reports keep coming in like this one:

Lebanese leaders continue to call upon the international community to halt the Israeli military operation, turning to the United Nations, the European Union and the Vatican to apply pressure on Jerusalem.

For some reason, the Lebanese can’t figure out why the Israelis are bombing the heck out of them. I know some people aren’t that bright, but this seems particularly dull.

Listen up, Lebanon! If you REALLY want a cease-fire and are peace-loving, you’ll send out your military to round up and/or eliminate these Hizbullah thugs that you’re babysitting. If you REALLY want peace, you’ll get your Arab friends on the Muslim Hotline and tell them to kick Hizbullah’s butt and get them out of your country. If you REALLY want peace, you’ll do everything in your power to crush Hizbullah and the Syrian-Iranian support of trouble-makers in your country, instead of pulling the doggie’s tale and running to Momma because he’s growling at you. Wake up and smell the napalm, Lebanon.Similar Posts:

Prayer Support Needed

Darren — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 20:10:00 +0000

(IsraelNN.com) Rabbis continue to call on Jews around the world to recite prayers and Psalms due to the ongoing warfare on Israel’s northern and southern borders, as well as for the safe return of captive soldiers. Special mention is made to recite Psalms 13, 70, 125, and 128.

Please increase your support of Israel through your prayers today.Similar Posts:

IPF – Israeli Prayer Force

Darren — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:56:00 +0000

As I was watching CBS News last night (during the 10 minutes of power before our blackout) I saw this image appear as they panned from a stockpile of ammunition to what you now see. Immediately after this image was one of another Israeli soldier folding his tallit gadol. It was an incredible feeling to first of all see this from the troops, and second to see this on a major US network. You would have thought this was an image from israelnn.com! This is how the real war will be won. And just like Boaz said, this is the front that we all need to be fighting on. Even Olmert seems to have turned to the Almighty in these tragic days. Let’s tighten up our tefillin and fight like we mean it!Similar Posts: