CLAY TABLETS AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Several months ago over a hundred ancient clay tablets were on display at the Bible Land Museum in Jerusalem. The 2,500 year-old Babylonian cuneiform tablets, discovered in modern-day Iraq, reveals a snapshot picture of everyday life of the Israelites during the Babylonian captivity around 600 BC. Another amazing detail is how these artifacts, discovered in a Muslim country found their way to a Jewish museum.

Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon during the two invasion waves that carried away thousands of Israelites into seventy years of forced exile. Biblical writers Daniel and Ezekiel were two Israelite captives that spent most of their lives as strangers in a strange land. Interestingly, another clay tablet on display in the British Museum mentions Nebuchadnezzar specifically by name as well as details of some of his military incursions. While analyzing the ancient cuneiform writings on the baked tablet, biblical archaeologists were excited to see what appears to be the Hebrew name of God carved into the surface.

History and the Bible both tell us that Nebuchadnezzar was a ruthless and narcissistic king. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was built by this arrogant ruler. And let’s not forget the massive 90-foot high gold statue to which three Hebrew young men were thrown into a fiery furnace for not bowing to the king’s false image. God ultimately humbled Nebuchadnezzar to the point that the king declared that there is no other God than the most High God (Daniel 3:26, 29). His declaration was a direct acknowledgement of God’s absolute sovereignty.

Sovereignty is defined as to be superior in position or power; to be independent of and unlimited by any other. Theologically, God’s sovereignty is referenced throughout the scriptures; however, the Psalms gives us a panoramic view of His sovereignty. He is the King Supreme (Psalm 29:10; 47:2); His name is over all (Psalm 83:10); His majesty is everywhere (Psalm 93:1), and He does as He pleases (Psalm 135:5-6). Archaeology does not prove the Bible; it merely validates the truths of God’s Word already established, and, as in the case of the Babylonian clay tablets, the majestic sovereignty of Almighty God. Think about it.