by Pastor Patrick Cho

This morning, we were given a very unique opportunity to work together with the Associates for Biblical Research in an archaeological dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir. While et-Tel is the modern accepted location of biblical Ai (Josh. 7-8), there is no archaeological evidence that anyone inhabited the city during the days of Joshua’s conquest. Khirbet el-Maqatir offers an alternative site for Ai that fits well with the biblical narrative.

Those who participated in the dig needed to be up at around 4:00am to get ready. Breakfast was at 4:30am and the bus left for the dig at 5:00am. I really didn’t know what to expect, but when we arrived at the site, it was pretty impressive. Before we actually got on our hands and knees to start excavating, Gary Byers, the administrative director for the dig, walked us around the site to get us acclimated. He showed us how this site better fit the details of Joshua 7-8 than et-Tel. We were able to see where Joshua and his men might have set up their ambush (Josh. 8:4). We were also able to see that the gate of the city faced north towards Shiloh and Shechem.

I was assigned to dig in a first-century house that was discovered at the site. The first hour or so was pretty discouraging because we spent most of the time moving dirt and rocks. But after some time, we discovered a jug handle and rim that was probably from the Roman period. Those who were assigned to sift through our dirt also found a small purple coin that might be a widow’s mite. In the area just next to us, a group discovered a cistern about eight feet deep in one of the rooms of the house. It was pretty exciting and every time something was discovered, you could hear cheers around the dig.

Later in the morning, the rest of our group who did not participate in the dig joined us. We walked back down to the bus and headed north to Shiloh. This was Israel’s religious capital during the days of Joshua. The Tabernacle was erected at Shiloh and remained there for over 300 years. Shiloh was also where Joshua cast lots to divide the land amongst the twelve tribes. We didn’t spend a lot of time at Shiloh, but it was interesting to see a possible location where the Tabernacle might have been set up. An area is there that would have been able to meet the dimensions of the Tabernacle.

After Shiloh, we headed even farther north to a lookout on Mt. Gerizim overlooking Shechem and opposite Mt. Ebal. According to the command of Moses, Israel was to put six tribes on Mt. Gerizim for blessing and six on Mt. Ebal for cursing to review the covenant God made with His people (Deut. 11:29; 27:12-26). Joshua obeyed this command after destroying the city of Ai (Josh. 8:30-35). After the land had been allotted to the tribes of Israel, Joshua gathered the people at Shechem to renew the covenant (Josh. 24).

In the Old Testament, Shechem was set aside as one of the six cities of refuge (Josh. 20:1-9). As we stood on the lookout, we could look down below to Shechem where there is a building marking the traditional location of where Joseph’s body would have been buried (Josh. 24:32). There is also a large red-roofed church built over Jacob’s well where Jesus would have met the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42). Given the biblical significance of this area, it was neat to be able to stand there and envision all that took place surrounding the city.

It is Friday so we celebrated Sabbath dinner together back at the moshav at Yad-Hashmona. Dinner and dessert were delicious, and afterwards one of the leaders for IBEX stood and read from Psalm 92 declaring the greatness and goodness of YHWH. It was another tiring day in Israel but also very rewarding. This was also our last day of touring in Israel. Tomorrow, we have a free day in Jerusalem before heading back to the moshav to pack and enjoy our last dinner together as a team.