Curse Tablet Conclusion

[Ebal, twenty-nine of thirty]

The Mt. Ebal Curse tablet exhibits compelling evidence–evidence not to be ignored but acted upon.

Its claims are not now immutable facts. More evidence is needed.

Yet, it deserves the ” compelling ” classification. It is not silly. It is not a “nothing burger”. It is not the stuff of pareidolia.

This is my twenty-ninth and concluding post arguing that the proposed Joshua’s Altar and the Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet deserve a chance to prove what they might be. To start the journey from its beginning, click here. Otherwise, drive on.

To this conclusion, we traveled an epic journey. Beginning in the Late Bronze Age, eras trekked include the Greco-Roman, the days of Wellhausen, Adam Zertal’s enigmatic discovery, Frankie Syder’s find, the scourge of COVID-19, and Stripling’s saga.

Reaching this conclusion also encompassed scientific detective work plus the application of an objective legal measure.

But so what? What value does this endeavor derive?

This quote from Winston Churchill pertains:.

“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”

Winston Churchill

The tablet possibly glimpses our ancient past. From thence, mankind can course correct as appropriate. Then we can best find our heading.

Examples abound of how people’s misunderstanding of history clouded their interpretation of the future. Think of the consequences of the Nazis’ misperceptions of their Germanic past or the bizarre interpretations that Vladimir Putin employs to “justify” his Ukrainian invasions.

On the other hand, we in the United States reap the benefits of our forefathers’ historical wisdom.

From antiquity, they perceived three powers of government. Thence, they embraced the need for them to be separately held.

Later, they embraced due process for all in our country. Its necessity they derived from Magna Carter and beyond. Thence, they perceived it as fundamental to our freedoms.

Similarly, we must embrace these gifts. Thus, we protect liberty.

Unfortunately, many in my country no longer venerate this inheritance. They envision the country’s past differently and therefore its future. Once cherished ideas are forgotten or ignored.

We need to wake up!

A similar warning the tablet story makes.

It is this: We have little hope of discerning wisdom from the past if we have no evidence of it.

We have seen that Mt. Ebal’s alleged Joshua’s Altar lies in a dangerous part of the world. There, it faces real threats.

If destroyed, its secrets cannot hope to guide our future.

This realization warrants an aggressive application of Churchill’s wisdom.

Responsible entities–private, national, and international–should immediately implement these measures:

• Authorize and fund the safe and thorough, yet expedited, archaeological excavation of the Mt. Ebal altar site, including within both of its encompassing footprint structures;
• Employ a policing force to guard the site 24/7 during the entirety of the above operation; and
• Authorize and fund safe and thorough additional scientific and epigraphical analysis of the Curse Tablet to fully determine the nature of the inscriptions it harbors.

Why? Clarifying evidence potentially lies on Mt. Ebal, evidence of monumental importance.

Losing it would constitute a disaster of incomprehensible proportions.

Imagine the gut punch of bulldozers scrapping away incalculably precious historical evidence!

Consider, that:

• In all the years since Zertal’s death, the small round altar most likely associated with Joshua has yet to be fully excavated; and
• Other Curse Tablet offerings may yet be found there.

Justifications for vigilance and action abound.

In view of such, what might Churchill implore?

Surely it would be, “Do something now! Do not let this opportunity to glimpse the remote past become scattered dust. How then could it inform your future?”

For this reason, I have written the letters found afterwards in the supplemental materials. I addressed these to my congressional delegation. They argue for the immediate scholarly archaeological excavation and scientific analysis of Mt. Ebal’s proposed Joshua’s Altar and associated artifacts.

Of how these things might ultimately be accomplished, I do not pretend to fully visualize.

This involves a diplomatic component, the constituent parts of which extend beyond my and most others’ expertise.

A possible framework, however, may include some or all of the following:

• Our State Department convinces Israel to give the Palestinian Authority(PA) concessions;
• In return, the PA grants it a three to five year authorization for altar area excavations;
• The PA expropriates the property as a cultural heritage site. For this, the U.S., Israel, or the U.N. affords appropriate due process compensation;
• The agreement includes 24 hour Israeli Army or U. N. protection of the site during the excavation; and
• The parties agree that artifacts discovered will belong to the Nation of Israel.

With these efforts, educational institutes and corporations may assist.

Again, the above implies nuance beyond my and most others’ expertise.

Yet, not knowing the exact levers that someone must pull does not mean we cannot act. For example, we can inform those at the levers that they need to pull them. Letters similar to mine, I thus encourage others to send.

Why? The tablet presents actionable evidence. Its assault on scholarly history is real. Yet, delay imperils evidence that may further validate that assault.

Final Thoughts

Share with others what you have learned. Tell of the forceful narrative of which the Curse Tablet speaks.

Also, encourage those in authority to ensure the prompt excavation of Joshua’s Altar.

Then hopefully, the Curse Tablet can testify not just to a possibility but to an inescapable reality.

What truths past and future might this reality focus more clearly?

Consider:

John 5:46

If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.

Deuteronomy 18:15

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.

John 1:45

Philip found Nathanael and told him “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21

But now apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.¹

What is the bottom line? It is this: Evidence clarifying such as above must not continue to lie at risk!

Thank you for engaging this topic with me!

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Next Post: Supplemental material

1. https://biblehub.com/john/5-46.htm ↩︎