Friday, April 10, 2009

More Archealogical Evidence of Israelite Beginnings

From Israel21c:
Researchers from the University of Haifa today revealed an exceptional archaeological discovery of "foot-shaped" enclosures for assemblies and rituals in the Jordan Valley, dating back to the time when the Jews first settled Israel.
The article goes on to say that these foot-shaped enclosures appear to have marked territory as belonging to the various tribes of Israel, and that this discovery sheds light on the meaning of various terms and on the beginnings of Israel and her holy days.

As I was reading the article, it came to mind that God told Abram:
Get up and walk from one end of the land to the other, for I will give it to you.
(Gen 13:17)
and that when Boaz bought property from another, shoes were exchanged, with this explanation given:

7 At an earlier period in Israel, a man removed his sandal and gave [it] to the other party in order to make any matter [legally] binding concerning the right of redemption or the exchange of property. This was [the method of] legally binding a transaction in Israel.

8 So the redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, "Buy back [the property] yourself."

(Ruth 4:7-8)

Apparently there was quite a symbolism in the ancient Jewish cultures concerning feet/shoes and property ownership. There may even be some related significance to the New Testament practice of shaking off from the foot the dust of a town that does not accept the message of Jesus, as if Jesus is saying, "You won't have me? I won't own you."

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