Archaeologists unearth ancient gate-shrine in Israel [Psalm 85]

Israeli archaeologists have unearthed a 2,900-year-old gate-shrine they say confirms the biblical story of King Hezekiah, who mandated the worship of God and the rejection of all other deities. The gate-shrine in Tel Lachish National Park was uncovered decades ago, but a new excavation has completely exposed the gate, which is the largest one known from the First Temple period.

"The size of the gate is consistent with the historical and archaeological knowledge we possess, whereby Lachish was a major city and the most important one after Jerusalem," said excavation director Sa'ar Ganor.

According to the Book of Kings, he said, "the cities' gates were the place where 'everything took place': the city elders, judges, governors, kings and officials — everyone would sit on benches in the city gate. These benches were found in our excavation." The 80x80-foot Lachish city gate is 13 feet tall and consists of six chambers, three on either side of the main street that passed between them. Among the artifacts found in its rooms were benches with armrests, jars, a large number of scoops for loading grain and stamped jar handles that bear the name of the official seal impression.

The continuation of the building is the gate-shrine, whose steps "ascended to a large room where there was a bench upon which offerings were placed," Ganor said. "An opening was exposed in the corner of the room that led to the holy of holies; to our great excitement, we found two four-horned altars and scores of ceramic finds consisting of lamps, bowls and stands in this room...

Regardless of what the world powers say about Jewish ownership and history of the promised land, three things are certain regarding the Land of Israel:

1. Archaeology does not lie when the truth is excavated each day (Psalm 85:11).

2. The God of Israel has looked down from heaven and realized His promise to bring the Jews (Israel) back from the four corners of the globe to their land (Psalms 85:1).

3. The righteous one, the Messiah of Israel, is coming back to judge the quick and the dead. The one who paid the wages of Israel's, and everyone's, sins (Isaiah 52, Danial 9, Zech 12) of those who believe (Psalm 85:13).

Psalms 85:1 LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity * of Jacob. 2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. 3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. 4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease . 5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? 6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? 7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. 8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

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