1868. A missionary finds an ancient stone tablet in Jordan. The spot was the biblical Moab, where Ruth was from. Words on it describe a war also told of in 2 Kings.

1872. George Smith discovers an ancient story called The Epic of Gilgamesh. In part of the tale, a hero receives warning from a “god” that a great flood is coming. The “god” tells him to build a boat and be saved from the judgment. Remind you of anyone? (Hint: Check Genesis 6!)

1993. Diggers in Israel uncover an ancient inscription. It says BYTDWD. Translation: House of David.

Archaeology is the study of history through excavation (a.k.a., digging things up). A lot has happened in this world since God made it. Much evidence of past lives has decayed. It’s gone for good. But some remains. Archaeologists’ finds are like puzzle pieces. Historians try to put the pieces together. Sometimes (like in Nineveh), the evidence matches up exactly with biblical accounts. At other times (as with the ancient stone tablet about war), it tells the Bible’s story from a different perspective. And sometimes (like with The Epic of Gilgamesh), the evidence just gives hints of a time gone by.

Are we shocked that diggers found evidence of Nineveh? Nope! God’s words in the Bible are true. Of course they match up with archaeology. History is “His story.”

In this life, we walk by faith, not by sight. We don’t have to “see it to believe it.” But we can look into every part of the world for His fingerprints, and rejoice when we find them.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. — 2 Corinthians 5:7