THE WORD OF GOD IS HISTORICALLY RELIABLE
Isaiah the prophet declared, “In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of
Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it” (Isa. 20:1). Is this text historically reliable?
In the early 1800’s this passage was a point of controversy among critics of the Bible. Some alleged that
there never was a king named Sargon, while others contended that Isaiah had confused the name with
someone else. Then in 1843 French archeologist Paul-Emile Botta discovered the palace of Sargon II at
Khorsabad about 14 miles north of ancient Nineveh. The magnificent palace completely occupied some
25 acres and the walls of the palace were 91⁄2 to 16 feet thick. One of the huge winged bulls from
Sargon’s palace, carved from stone, is in the Oriental Museum in Chicago, IL. It is 16 feet long, 16 feet
high and weighs 40 tons. That is quite impressive, especially for a king that wasn't even supposed to
exist!
In 1963 fragments of an Assyrian document were found in Ashdod. They contained a commemora-
tion of Sargon’s defeat of the city. These various archeological discoveries demonstrate that 1) The As-
syrian army, under the rule of Sargon invaded Ashdod during the time of Isaiah. 2) Sargon himself did
not personally accompany the invasion--rather it was led by Tartan (the title of Sargon’s commander-in-
chief, ASV footnote). 3) The city of Ashdod was conquered.
The Biblical facts are confirmed by the archeological discoveries. Yes, the account in Isaiah 20:1 is
historically accurate. Archeological discoveries have yet to prove the biblical account to be in error. The
Bible is historically accurate--not just in Isaiah 20:1, but in all other instances as well. It always has
been--and it will always be. We can rely on the Bible, we can trust its history and we can trust its teach-
ings.
Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). He also said that God’s Word is the truth: “Sanctify them in the truth, thy word is truth” (John 17:17). It
is this same truth that we can know and which makes us free: “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free” (John 8:32). He also said that we will day be judged by it: “He that rejecteth me,
and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him
in the last day” (John 12:48). Are you ready for that day?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Are you giving up sin or given up to sin?
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it” (Isa. 20:1). Is this text historically reliable?
In the early 1800’s this passage was a point of controversy among critics of the Bible. Some alleged that
there never was a king named Sargon, while others contended that Isaiah had confused the name with
someone else. Then in 1843 French archeologist Paul-Emile Botta discovered the palace of Sargon II at
Khorsabad about 14 miles north of ancient Nineveh. The magnificent palace completely occupied some
25 acres and the walls of the palace were 91⁄2 to 16 feet thick. One of the huge winged bulls from
Sargon’s palace, carved from stone, is in the Oriental Museum in Chicago, IL. It is 16 feet long, 16 feet
high and weighs 40 tons. That is quite impressive, especially for a king that wasn't even supposed to
exist!
In 1963 fragments of an Assyrian document were found in Ashdod. They contained a commemora-
tion of Sargon’s defeat of the city. These various archeological discoveries demonstrate that 1) The As-
syrian army, under the rule of Sargon invaded Ashdod during the time of Isaiah. 2) Sargon himself did
not personally accompany the invasion--rather it was led by Tartan (the title of Sargon’s commander-in-
chief, ASV footnote). 3) The city of Ashdod was conquered.
The Biblical facts are confirmed by the archeological discoveries. Yes, the account in Isaiah 20:1 is
historically accurate. Archeological discoveries have yet to prove the biblical account to be in error. The
Bible is historically accurate--not just in Isaiah 20:1, but in all other instances as well. It always has
been--and it will always be. We can rely on the Bible, we can trust its history and we can trust its teach-
ings.
Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). He also said that God’s Word is the truth: “Sanctify them in the truth, thy word is truth” (John 17:17). It
is this same truth that we can know and which makes us free: “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free” (John 8:32). He also said that we will day be judged by it: “He that rejecteth me,
and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him
in the last day” (John 12:48). Are you ready for that day?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Are you giving up sin or given up to sin?
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
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