A SATISFYING LIFE How to Attain It

Continue with 3. The Book of Reliable Guidance

Although the writing of the Bible was completed more than 1,900 years ago, its contents intrigue men and women of modern times.  For instance, open your Bible to Job 26:7. Keep in mind that this text was written in the 15th century B.C.E. It reads: "[God] is stretching out the north over the empty place, hanging the earth upon nothing."   Next, turn to Isaiah 40:22, nothing that the book of Isaiah was written in the eighth century B.C.E.  This verse reads: "There is One  who is dwelling above  the circle of the earth, the dwellers  in which are as grasshoppers, the One who is stretching out the heavens just as a fine gauze, who spreads them out like a tent in which to dwell."  What comes to your  mind when you read these two descriptions?  An image of a spherical object  "hanging" in space.  You have likely seen such an image in photographs sent from modern spacecraft.  You may wonder, 'could men living so long ago make such scientifically accurate statements?' 

Let us consider another question with regard to the Bible. Is the Bible historically accurate?  Some think that the Bible  is only a compilation of legends , without historical basis. Take, for example, the well-known Israelite King David. Until recently, the sole basis for knowledge of his existence was the Bible. Although mainline historians accept him as an authentic figure, some skeptics try to dismiss him as a legend invented by Jewish propagandists.  What do the facts show?  

In 1993 an inscription referring to the "House of David" was found in the ruins of the ancient Israelite city of Dan.  The inscription was part of a shattered monument from the ninth century B.C.E., commemorating a victory over the Israelites by their enemy.  Suddenly, there was an ancient reference to David outside  the pages of the Bible!   Was this significant?  Regarding this finding, Israel Finkelstein, of Tel Aviv University, observed:  "Biblical Nihilis collapsed overnight with the discovery of the David inscription." Interestingly, Professor William F. Albright, an archaeologist who spent decades excavating in Palestine, once said:  "Discovery after discovery has been established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition of the value of the Bible as a source of history." Again, we might ask,  'Unlike epics and legends, how could this ancient book be so historically accurate?' But there is more. 

Next time:  A SATISFYING LIFE How to Attain It -Conclusion of 3. The Book of Reliable Guidance 

From the Watchtower magazine