Mole rats, as their name suggests, are pink, nearly hairless, subterranean rodents. They have short, broad heads with powerful jaw muscles and very large incisors, which they use to dig tunnels. While this may seem of no consequence for us, they may have led to an amazing archeological discovery that, yet again, affirms the truthfulness of Scripture.
Previously, a rock discovered in 1993 containing an inscription about the “House of David” was one of the few tangible, extrabiblical evidences for David. Archaeologists working at the Tel ‘Eton excavation site used the piles of dirt dug up by these burrowing rodents to discover something surprising. “The mole rat told us that there is a small settlement in a place where nobody thought a settlement had existed,” Professor Avraham Faust of Barllan University explained to Haaretz. The remains discovered show the existence of a large building – called the “Governor’s Residency” by the archaeologists – that dates to the time of King David and demonstrates a powerful kingdom. While no artifacts that mentioned the names of David or Solomon were uncovered, the site did reveal signs of a social transformation in the region.
“This has bearing on the date in which social complexity evolved in Judah [and] on the debate regarding the historicity of the kingdom of David and Solomon,” Faust said. Radiocarbon dating from foundation deposits, olive pits, and coal found on the floor of the building pointed to the 11th or 10th century BC, the time of the unified Davidic kingdom of Israel. If Faust’s work is proven true, it will be the second major archaeological site attributed to David’s reign. In 2007, a military fortress 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem was discovered and dated to the time of David (https://research.lifeway.com/2018/05/02/did-naked-mole-rats-prove-king-david-existence/).
While this is another affirmation to us of the historical accuracy of Scripture, it creates yet another issue for those who deny the inspiration of the Bible and that the events it records are genuine and true. It reminds us of the words of the psalmist, “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89 ESV). Proverbs reminds us, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar”(Proverbs 30:5-6). Peter reminds us it is the living and enduring Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). Rather than just being the musings of men, it is not a matter of one’s own interpretation, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20-21).
If we can trust the Bible to be reliable when it comes to matters of geography, history and every other event it records, then we can trust it when it comes to the spiritual truths it reveals to us. We know and trust that Christ died and shed His blood to set us free from our sins. We know that what the Bible tells about how to be saved is from God, not from the minds of people. We know how to live the Christian life. We know Heaven is real and awaiting those who are in Christ, and that Hell is real and awaiting those who are outside of Christ. There is no other piece of literature like the Bible. To spend time in it is to have God speak to us and to reveal Himself to us. Of all the things we can possess, the Bible alone offers promise for today and for eternity. How precious and valued it should be to us. We should spend time in it, and we should seek to conform our lives to the Bible, allowing it to guide us in all ways.
We sometimes sing, “How precious is the Book divine, By inspiration given, Bright as a lamp its precepts shine, to guide my soul to heaven.” It is all this and more if we use it. How precious is the Bible to you?
