Knowing history is good, but...

Last year, as we were perusing through the Bible, my friend Mr. Wachira(JKM) hit me with a question that made me pause: "Do you believe these things really happened?"

I may not have quoted him word for word, but that was the heart of his query. This query was raised as we were looking into the story of the three Hebrew boys in the furnace.

Mr. Wachira and I go way back—college days. He’s a man of faith and well-versed in the communication and videography field - (https://youtu.be/bUm6KjeDEVY?si=3uoiiuFB3wGc-4nh). I share this with his blessing because I greatly honor him. He stepped in as a father figure when I needed one most, having lost my dad at nine years old. The presence of strong men along my journey has been priceless.

The aforementioned conversation came back to me as we're reading through the book of Numbers this year. It reminded me of something one David Linthicum (a prominent figure in cloud computing and technology strategy) once said: "Numbers don’t lie, but people can lie about numbers."

So, how do we help others see the possibility of truth in the scriptures, especially the writings of Moses in the Torah?  

Mr. Wachira raised another crucial point: "Where does faith fit into all this?" Because, truth be told, we could stack up all the archaeological evidence in the world and still miss the point if it doesn't lead us to faith. As Jude puts it: "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit… save others by snatching them from the fire" (Jude 1:20-23).

But can we trust the Bible?

Yes. There is evidence to this effect—historical, archaeological, and cultural—that supports many biblical events. But ultimately, the Bible isn’t just a history book. It’s a faith book. Still, let’s explore some fascinating finds that may help build our confidence in its truth:

1. The Lack of Direct Mentions (and why that makes sense)

There's no known Egyptian, Canaanite, or other contemporary records that explicitly describe the Exodus, the pillar of fire, or manna from heaven. But let’s consider why:  

- Embarrassing Defeats Were Erased: Egypt was known for erasing defeats from history. If the Exodus involved a catastrophic loss for them, they wouldn’t have documented it.  

- Nomads Leave Few Traces: The Israelites, as wanderers, wouldn’t have left behind many inscriptions.

2. Indirect Clues and Possible Confirmations.

Despite the silence on some fronts, archaeology and ancient writings offer fascinating hints:  

A) Egyptian Hints of Hebrew Presence.

- The Ipuwer Papyrus (13th–17th century BC) describes disasters—rivers of blood, societal chaos, and slaves escaping. It sounds like Exodus, though scholars debate the connection.  

- The Merneptah Stele (c. 1208 BC) mentions "Israel" as a people group in Canaan, confirming they were there after the Exodus period.

B) Outside Views of Israelites in Canaan.

- The Amarna Letters (14th century BC)—Canaanite tablets to Egypt—mention the Habiru causing unrest, which some connect to the Hebrews.  

- The Mesha Stele (9th century BC) —from Moab—mentions conflicts with Israel and Yahweh, their God.  

C) Echoes of Plagues and Wanderers in Other Cultures.

- Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC) recorded Egyptian disasters reminiscent of the plagues.  

- Arabian traditions speak of a "wandering people" in the desert, which may hint at the Israelites.

3. Wouldn’t Nations Have Seen the Pillar of Fire?

It’s likely they did! Numbers 14:13-14 says other nations heard about God’s presence with Israel. And since a mixed crowd journeyed with Israel (Exodus 12:38), the stories may have spread orally.

Faith however, is the greatest evidence of all. Here’s where Mr. Wachira’s wisdom shines: Even if we found every archaeological artifact possible, faith would still be required. As Hebrews 11:1 says: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." You need to have faith for what saints hope for and as an evidence of what you cannot see.

Jude reminds us that faith isn’t just about accepting facts—it’s about contending for it and living it out (Jude 1:3). Faith takes history and turns it into His story.  

So, did it really happen? Yes, and beyond the history, it’s happening —when our hearts believe, and our lives reflect that belief. He still saves, still separates saints from sinners, and still supplies manna today.

If you’re curious to explore more, here are some valuable resources:  

1. Top Ten Discoveries Related to Moses and the Exodus – Bible Archaeology (https://biblearchaeology.org/research/chronological-categories/exodus-era/4919-top-ten-discoveries-related-to-moses-and-the-exod?utm)

2. The Wanderers – Titus Kennedy (Salvo Magazine) (https://salvomag.com/article/salvo68/the-wanderers?utm)

3. The Exodus: Fact or Fiction? – Biblical Archaeology Society (https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/exodus/exodus-fact-or-fiction/?utm)

4. Evidence of the Exodus? – Armstrong Institute (https://armstronginstitute.org/238-evidence-of-the-exodus?utm)

5. Top 10 Artifacts Showing the Exodus – Patterns of Evidence (https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2019/06/01/artifacts-show-biblical-exodus/?utm)

6. Exodus Evidence: An Egyptologist’s View – Biblical Archaeology Library (https://library.biblicalarchaeology.org/article/exodus-evidence-an-egyptologist-looks-at-biblical-history/?)

I share this with much gratitude to Mr. Wachira, whose question sparked this reflection. It reminded me that knowing history is good, but knowing Him(God) is better.

So, did the fire burn? Did the sea part? Did the manna fall? I believe so. And more importantly—He still saves, still parts seas, and still provides manna today.

Would love to hear your thoughts. Let's grow together.  

Japheth Map.