Biblical Geographic

Recent discussions have been floated to the origins of a small golden bell found in a drain at Jerusalem. Some consider the possibility that is was from the hem of the priest’s garments.  I thought it rather interesting to hear the noise this ancient bell made, and can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjx9tP3yTRI&feature=youtu.be

The daughter of Caleb was named after such a bell Judges 1:12,13 Josh 15:15,16: Achsah means anklet, from a root meaning to tinkle, as a bell moving see Isa 3:16-18 [cf also 1Chron 2:49] and represented the noise of the high priest active within the holy place.  The intention of the bell was teaching Ex 28:15 so during his ministry in the holy place he was acknowledged to be active, and so did not die! This gives and insight into the nature of God’s work: it is both active and positive! The character of the priests robes were seen in the life of Achsah in her “coming in” YLit Josh 15:18  Her coming in was the action that moved Caleb: “persuaded” NASB “urged” RSV. A figure of the accomplishment of tasks like her father, who was given strength to go out and come in Josh 14:11 [A remarkable strength in an older man to take on the great challenges of taking on the giants of Kirjatharba] So the work of Achsah as a representative of the ecclesia was seen as a faithful priest in her service. It should also be noted that when 2 carried (Joshua and Caleb) the grapes from Eschol, that there were also pomegranates! Num 13:23 and their feet were also used for teaching Num 15:38-41 These bells I believe give a clue to the nature of Caleb. He was almost an unseen man, never demanding, but achieving enormous things for the benefit for others: encouraging Judah to take their inheritance, encouraging Judah to help Simeon, taking Hebron and then giving it to the family of the high priest for the benefit of the nation.

The bell then has a tremendous biblical tradition of the care for others, and probably implied in the beautiful feet that bring the glad tidings of atonement achieved! Isa 52:7 and paradoxically announced in the coming out of John from the holy place being dumb.

A description of the bell can be read here:  http://www.ritmeyer.com/2011/07/21/have-archaeologists-discovered-high-priests-bell/

Zeus was the father of the Gods, and the basis of the comment from the Athenian poet Aratus, ca300-250BC, Phaenomena 1:5: “We are his offspring” Acts 17:28 A poem in which Aratus gives an overview of the origins of the stars.

Silas was called (roman) Jupiter, or (greek)  Zeus at Lystra Acts 14:12,13 The occupants of Lystra brought oxen and garlands to the gates to offer to the gods. The greek meaning has a father of helps.

Christ had been asked by the Jewish nation who was his father John 8. Christ then demonstrates that the nation had come from the fatherhood of the devil. But his real question was what mother had they come from: for claiming spiritual fatherhood also requires spiritual motherhood. The Jewish nation could legitimately claim fatherhood in Abraham, but they were a nation entrapped in slavery to tasks, and following the spirit of Hagar who mocked at the real spiritual seed, and had circumstances presented would have killed him, in the same way the nation killed his greatest son.

To be a true spiritual son, one has to have the spirit of the Father, Rom 8. And to be attached to that spirit of holiness requires not only faith but a genuine response to the belief that the Father has created something that we cannot do, we are in fact “dead bodies” Rom 4. To be a real son then is not only looking the same, but having the same character.

To be a son of Zeus would mean that Silas was made in the image and likeness of his father, but Paul and Silas had a greater revelation, that of a life more wonderful and satisfying, that was a reflection of the eternal, moral and physical glory of the one “who will become” the Father of lights, the deity who will be to us for mighty ones, and we to him for a people Ex 6:6