End Times Berean Watchman Report - The Cave of the Patriarchs

Welcome to the eighth issue of the End Times Berean Watchman Report!

In this issue, we will be looking at some recent archaeological findings regarding the Cave of the Patriarchs and thinking about Hebron, the city where it is located, and the promises made to Abraham that they remind us of.

In a 600-page doctoral thesis composed over the past eight years, Dr. Noam Arnon, explores evidence for this being the true location of the tombs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah.

First temple era pottery was found at the site, confirming it is at least 2,600 years old, but the interior demonstrates that it clearly dates back to the Bronze Age. Furthermore, I believe that the building itself, which has been attributed by modern scholars to Herod the Great, was actually originally built by King Solomon, which would further support the credibility of the site. I’m compiling that research in a book that I am currently working on called: Finding Solomon-Rediscovering the Works of Israel’s Greatest Builder. I hope to have that out by the end of next year.

This research should reinforce our convictions that not only were the patriarchs were real people, but also, in the same way that to this day their tombs have not been forgotten, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will not forget his promises to the Jewish people.

Hebron, the city that David ruled Judah from for seven and a half years before conquering Jerusalem (2 Samuel 2:11), is almost as contested as Jerusalem itself. The reason that the research above is so noteworthy is that Muslim interests have made it extremely difficult to study or even access the inner caves of the site. And there are regular clashes with the Palestinians in the town of Hebron. Consequently, it has been very difficult for Jews to obtain building permits there to expand this part of their ancient homeland.

But appeasement of unreasonable demands has always proven to lead to even more unreasonable demands, not improved relations and mutual concessions. In positive news, the development of a new Jewish neighborhood in Hebron was finally allowed to begin construction. Hopefully, the present Israeli government will continue to support these projects and allow Jews to grow their presence in this important and historic city.

The connection of Jews with Hebron of course goes all the way back to Abraham. He purchased the Cave of Machpelah as a tomb for his wife Sarah, and after that, it became the tomb for all of the early patriarchs. You also see something very interesting about middle eastern culture, and how negotiations for a sale price are made between friends and/or when there is great mutual respect. Ephron the Hittite offers to GIVE Abraham the cave as a gift, but Abraham refuses and asks him to tell him the price for the land. The first offer to give the item away is meant as a show of respect, it is not really a sincere offer to give the item without cost. Four thousand years later, you will still find that this way of negotiating or fixing a price between friends is common in the Middle East.

Hebron is also the city that Absalom rebelled against his father David from, when he attempted to crown himself king over his father (2 Samuel 15:10).

The Jewish roots in Hebron are in some ways even deeper than those in Jerusalem, but it is in Jerusalem that God chose to place his throne and to rest the soles of his feet (Ezekiel 43:7). Nevertheless, Hebron is a city that anchors our past and points us towards the final fulfillment of God’s enduring promise to Abraham, i.e. the first Abraham Accord…