In case you haven’t heard, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in conjunction with the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are sponsoring an exhibit called Dead Sea Scrolls & The Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures.  Be Still My Heart!  This was interesting, and I am glad I got to see it.

As we drove up to Southwestern Seminary, Carolyn and her friend Penni squealed with delight.  “Barnard Hall – oh my!”  Come to find out, both Carolyn and Penni had lived in the ladies dorm – Barnard Hall (at different times) – while they were students at Southwestern Seminary.  They mentioned that back then it was affectionately called “Barnyard Hall”.  I guess it was where the “chicks” lived – surely they were not referring to some of those other barnyard animals.  After all, this is a Baptist seminary.

Pictures were not allowed inside the exhibits, but here are a few highlight of what you can see.

In 1947, a goat herder near the Dead Sea stumbled upon a  cave filled with tall pots holding leather scrolls.  He was looking, for a lost goat.  Instead, he found the greatest manuscript discovery of our time – a literary paper trail for the Old Testament that stretches from the Roman Empire to the modern Bible.  (From the introduction to the brochure.)  These exhibits take you on this journey from the third century BC to the first century AD when the Dead Sea Scrolls were written.

Highlights I remember:

• The gigantic photographs of the Dead Sea and the surrounding areas.  Beautiful.
• Earthen ware two handled wine jugs from the island of Rhodes.  Thought it interesting that just like today certain areas were known for their pottery.
• The oil lamps were so small.  Made me think of “This Little Light of Mine.”  Just a small light in the darkness makes so much difference.
• The little pottery and glass vessels for perfume and cosmetics made me realize that nice pretty objects have always been made and cherished.
• There was a fantastic model of Jerusalem, and in another area there was a “Wailing Wall.”  People had put pieces of paper with prayer request into the model wall.  It reminded me of friend BB saying she placed a prayer for me at the Wailing Wall.
• The burial boxes called “ossuaries” took my breath away.  The deceased would be buried in carved out shelves in burial caves and left there for about a year until the flesh would decay.  Then the bones were placed in in the limestone ossuaries.  One of the ossuaries on display is inscribed as being for “Alexander son of Simon of Cyrene.  This is the son of Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross on the way to Jesus’ crucifixion.  (see Mark 15:21)  To see a connection to someone mentioned in the Bible still gives me chills.
• Then there were the scrolls – facsimiles and fragments.  One of the facsimiles was the Isaiah scroll which is the only complete scroll found.  (I think I am right about that.)  Most of the fragments were smaller than the palm of my hand, but people much smarter than I have studied them and identified the scriptures.  It is beyond amazing.  What is also beyond understanding is how these early writings match later writings.  The three most common books of the Old Testament scrolls are from Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and the Psalms – the three most quoted books in the New Testament.  Makes sense.
• I did learn that parchment was made from leather, and papyrus is paper.  Live and learn.
• The artifacts from Masada were interesting.  I especially liked the storehouse jugs.  They are large pottery jugs that were used to store dry food and grains.  (Always like the kitchen stuff.)
• There were many many coins.  One set of coins were minted for the Jewish Revolt around 67/68 AD.  I found that to be very interesting.

We did not visit it, but outside there is also an exhibit of an architectural dig.  There is so much more to see than I have mentioned.  I believe I read that there are over 150 artifacts on display and over 20 scroll fragments.  Many of the scroll fragments have never been on display before.

Hurry and go if you can.  It closes on Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Blessings to you and yours,