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A message to Believers.
1. Observation:
– Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy about Israel’s history and future, including its challenges, exile, and return.
– The fulfillment of this prophecy has been witnessed by the world in Israel’s journey through history.
Manetho’s Account:
Manetho, an Egyptian priest and historian from the 3rd century BCE, wrote Aegyptiaca, a history of Egypt. In this work, he described an event resembling the Exodus, though his account is heavily propagandized. Manetho claimed that a group of lepers and outcasts, led by a figure resembling Moses, caused chaos in Egypt before being expelled. This narrative, preserved in fragments by later historians like Josephus, portrays the Israelites negatively, as oppressors rather than victims. While this account is far from the biblical portrayal, it provides an intriguing glimpse into how Egyptian historians might have interpreted or remembered the Exodus.
Greco-Roman Authors:
Greco-Roman authors such as Strabo and Tacitus also mention the Exodus. Strabo, in his Geography, discusses migrations and movements of peoples, including the Israelites. Tacitus, in his histories, provides a Roman perspective on the Exodus, describing it as a significant migration of a people from Egypt to their homeland. These accounts, while brief and often biased, acknowledge the existence of a major event involving the Israelites. They offer valuable insights into how the Exodus was perceived outside of Jewish tradition.
Archaeological Evidence
Archaeological evidence of Semitic peoples in Egypt during the second millennium BCE includes documents like Papyrus Brooklyn 35.1446, which lists Semitic names among servants in Egypt. This suggests a significant presence of Semitic-speaking peoples in Egypt during the Middle Kingdom. Additionally, inscriptions and records from this period indicate interactions between Egypt and the Levant, including trade and the movement of peoples. While direct evidence of Moses or the Exodus is lacking, these findings provide context for the biblical narrative.
The goal here is to get as many non-biblical accounts regardless of their nature that point in the direction that there was a Moses and there was an Israel in captivity in Egypt. This is just a small (understatement) start but I’m going to find as many as I can. This part of the scientific method will continue to evolve as does my knowledge of historical non-biblical accounts. This is also one of the most important and vital steps in the process.
2. Research:
– Study the text of Deuteronomy and other biblical scriptures to understand the prophecy in detail.
– Investigate historical records and archaeological findings about Israel’s captivity, exile, and eventual return to sovereignty.
– Explore scholarly and theological interpretations of the prophecy.
Moses’s prophecy in Deuteronomy is profound and spans several chapters. Here are some key highlights from the NASB:
Blessings and Curses: In Deuteronomy 28, Moses outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. He prophesies that Israel will prosper if they follow God’s commandments but will face exile and hardship if they turn away.
Exile and Return: In Deuteronomy 30:1-10, Moses predicts that Israel will be scattered among the nations due to disobedience but will eventually return to their land when they repent and turn back to God.
Leadership Transition: In Deuteronomy 31, Moses speaks of his impending death and the transition of leadership to Joshua. He warns Israel to remain faithful to God and foretells their future rebellion.
3.Hypothesis:
– “Moses’s prophecy in Deuteronomy is reflected in Israel’s historical trajectory, which could indicate, reveal, and prove a divine relationship between a real God and Israel.”
4. Experiment:
– Analyze the prophecy in Deuteronomy and compare it with documented historical events and timelines.
– Examine patterns or correlations between Israel’s experiences and the biblical narrative.
– Seek evidence of external validation, such as accounts from other cultures or nations that observed Israel’s history.
5. Analysis:
– Compile and evaluate the evidence gathered during the research and comparisons.
– Assess the consistency between the prophecy and historical events.
– Consider alternative explanations for the observed phenomena, such as political, social, or natural factors.
Steps 4 and 5:
Moses’ prophecy in Deuteronomy outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, including exile and eventual restoration. Here’s a detailed timeline of events leading up to the reinstatement of Israel in 1948:
1406 BCE: Moses delivers his final speeches, including the prophecy, before Israel enters the Promised Land.
722 BCE: The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of the ten tribes.
586 BCE: The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling the southern kingdom of Judah.
538 BCE: The Persian King Cyrus allows Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.
70 CE: The Romans destroy the Second Temple, leading to the Jewish diaspora.
135 CE: The Bar Kokhba revolt is crushed by the Romans, further dispersing Jews.
1897: The First Zionist Congress is held in Basel, Switzerland, advocating for a Jewish homeland.
1917: The Balfour Declaration expresses British support for a Jewish homeland in The REGION of Palestine (Not the state which was established in 1988)
1947: The United Nations votes to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
1948: The State of Israel is declared on May 14, fulfilling the prophecy of restoration
More Timeline info:
The Judges Period (circa 1400–1050 BCE): After entering the Promised Land, Israel was ruled by judges, a time marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance.
The United Monarchy (circa 1050–930 BCE): The establishment of the kingdom under Saul, David, and Solomon, including the building of the First Temple by Solomon.
The Divided Kingdom (circa 930 BCE): The split into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah), leading to separate histories and eventual exiles.
The Return from Babylonian Exile (circa 538 BCE): The rebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbabel and the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah.
The Hellenistic Period (circa 332–63 BCE): The influence of Greek culture following Alexander the Great’s conquest, including the Maccabean Revolt and the rededication of the Temple (Hanukkah).
The Roman Period (63 BCE–70 CE): Roman occupation, the life and ministry of Jesus, and the destruction of the Second Temple.
The Jewish Diaspora (70 CE–1948): The scattering of Jewish communities worldwide, including significant events like the Spanish Inquisition, the rise of Zionism, and the Holocaust.
6. Conclusion:
– Summarize the findings. Does the evidence support the hypothesis, or are there gaps or contradictions?
– Discuss the implications of the findings regarding the relationship in the Bible.
Moses’s prophecy, as recorded in Deuteronomy, aligns remarkably with historical events, reinforcing its significance. Evidence suggests the existence of Moses, corroborated by non-biblical accounts like those of Manetho and Greco-Roman authors. Additionally, archaeological findings indicate the presence of Semitic peoples in Egypt, supporting the narrative of Israel’s captivity. The details of Moses’s prophecy, including blessings, curses, exile, and eventual restoration, have been fulfilled throughout Israel’s documented history. These fulfillments not only highlight the accuracy of Moses’s predictions but also affirm the unique relationship between Israel and a real, active God.
7. Repeat or Refine:
– Revisit the hypothesis if new evidence or perspectives arise.
– Refine the analysis to address any unanswered questions or inconsistencies.
With the more accurate and reliable information I find, I will update this process. This is just a rough draft and a start in a direction. Me saying that this is a rough draft is a ridiculous understatement. FYI.
8. Report:
– Share the findings through presentations, writings, or discussions to invite feedback and collaboration.
– Reflect on how this structured approach contributes to theological and historical understanding.
I just posted it to my blog. Lmao. On a serious note though, once this is actually complete it will be interesting to see others feedback and or collaboration.
