We knew the whole time. However, archeologists recently found evidence that supports the Bible, again. Excavations are taking place in the old city of David. During one such excavation, a bulla or clay seal was found bearing the name of Nathan-Melech. This 2,600-year-old artifact reads, “(belonging) to Nathan-Melech, Servant of the King.” Archeologists state that due to the rarity of the name, the message on the seal and where it was found, there is little doubt who this belonged to. Nathan-Melech was mentioned in connection with King Josiah’s reforms. “He did away with the horses which the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-Melech the official, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire” (2 Kgs. 23:11). This is a significant find because, until now, there has been no archaeological evidence for this king. Finds like these continue to prove what we have seen by faith for hundreds of years.
How should we respond to this kind of information? We read a collection of books and letters that tell about events that took place thousands of years ago. We call it the Holy Bible. It is natural that there might be some questions. Yet, over and over discoveries come out of the buried past that confirm its historical accuracy. This book was written by about 40 men over a period of 1,500 years, and it is still a reliable and accurate source of information about the past. We should be joyous that the word of God that has governed our lives continues to answer the skeptics’ doubts. We should be thankful toward our God who is still proving Himself to be faithful in all things. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).
If the world is now acknowledging that Josiah was really real, then there are some other things one might want to consider. If Josiah was real, then his reforms were real. He did purify the temple and the nation of the foreign gods (2 Kgs. 23:1-20). If his reforms were real, then they did find the word of God in the temple that sent him down the path of reform (2 Kgs. 22:8). If the law was found, then they did read it and inquire of the Lord what should be done (2 Kgs. 22:13). If inquiry was made, then a response was truly given (2 Kgs. 22:15-20). God told the people that destruction was coming, and nothing was going to stop it. For Josiah, things were going to be different. “‘Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD… and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,’ declares the LORD” (2 Kgs. 22:19). If the word of God continues to be proven true, how long will we wait before we respond like Josiah? Be humbled and repentant before the God of all creation.