Where is hell? In 1979, archaeologists began excavating in the area that is believed to be ancient Gehenna. The Valley of Gehenna is outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and was the town dump. In the Bible, Gehenna is often translated as Hell. Fires were common – it was hell on earth.
Archaeologists found in Gehenna what is considered to be one of the oldest bits of Scripture that exists, more than 400 years older than the Dead Sea Scrolls (586 B.C.). The scorched ground yielded two rolled-up silver amulets. When painstakingly unfurled, the text was almost verbatim to the Bible verses:
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God’s presence turn toward you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)
In other words, the oldest bit of scripture that exists in the world is a blessing of peace that was snatched from hell. In that beleaguered and beautiful land, the prayer endures.
- In this beleaguered and beautiful nation which has so many hellish things happening, how can we bless those around us?
- In this beleaguered and beautiful nation which has so many hellish things happening, how can we shine and be gracious?
- In this beleaguered and beautiful nation which has so many hellish things happening, how can we be God’s presence and share peace?
God calls us to minister in the middle of wherever we find hellish situations: Do Justice, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly with God.
Shalom, Paul