We pick up where we left off last month’s bulletin article concerning the Phoenicians unprecedented sea-faring abilities. In Homer’s writings, The Iliad and The Odyssey, the Phoenicians are described as a sea travelling people who were associated with the ancient practice of slave trade. Scholars have argued that Homer was just bias against the Phoenicians and that his claims were false. It is interesting that the Bible described the Phoenicians in the same exact way; seafarers and slave traders (Is. 23:1-4; Joel 3:4-6). The focus of this bulletin article will be the extent of their colonies/trade posts across the Mediterranean world.

            The first permanent settlement established by the Phoenicians was on the island of Cyprus, not far from the cities of Tyre and Sidon. Most historians believe that Canaanites (from whom Phoenicians descended) were trading with people of Cyprus as early as 1650 B.C., due to Cyprus’ abundant supply of copper. The Phoenicians clearly continued this trade. What archaeology has found is a major change in daily life and burial practices took place around 1100 B.C., which were not present on the island prior. A common Phoenician burial practice, that of burying an infant in a Levantine jar, has been unearthed at several locations on Cyprus. Burial practices are not easily changed; and these jars being found point to Phoenicians living on the island with the aboriginal people. The most compelling evidence for Phoenicians living on Cyprus is the temple of Kition, which is the largest Phoenician style temple found to date. This was not the only Phoenician temple on the island, but several have been found that follow the same design as temples in Tyre and Sidon. If we consider why the Phoenicians colonized or set up a trade post on Cyprus, it makes logical sense. If your nation revolves around open sea trade, would you not need places to break up a long journey? Cyprus seems to have been the ancient “truck stop” for Phoenician merchants trading around the Mediterranean Sea.

            Crete, home to the ancient civilization of the Minoans, was the next location to be inhabited by Phoenicians. The island of Crete has the largest number of Phoenician potteries in the Aegean world. A large cache of Phoenician storage potteries dated to 900 B.C. have been unearthed at Kommos, pointing to the probability that this site was used as a loading/unloading base for Phoenician goods. More solid evidence for Phoenicians inhabiting Crete is the remarkable Near-eastern metal workings found on the island. Bronze vessels and jewelry from Phoenicia or Syria have been found in several tombs on Crete. One bronze bowl, found at the Tekke tomb, had a Phoenician inscription etched into it that signified the person buried within was the owner of the bowl. The Cretans had their own language, why would they display their ownership of a bowl with a Phoenician inscription? Just like on Cyprus, archaeologists have also unearthed a drastic change in funerary rites and temple design that coincided with the dates of the Phoenician pottery and metal working being introduced. Phoenician cippus, which are stone funerary monuments, have been found on Crete. These funerary monuments have no parallel in Aegean funerary practices, which simply means Greeks did not bury their dead in this manner. Based on archaeological findings on this island, the evidence points that a Phoenician colony was established, and the residents lived peacefully with the indigenous population on the island. Ezekiel wrote this concerning Tyre’s domain, “Your borders are in the midst of the seas” (Ezek. 27:4). Both the island settlements at Cyprus and Crete show the accuracy of Ezekiel’s statement!

-Brandon Foresha

Yesterday I conducted a wedding. I have had very few opportunities to officiate at a wedding. The wedding yesterday brought me great joy to be a part of the joining of a man and a woman in marriage. You see, I performed the wedding of my mother and her fiancé. When I say I was a part in joining the man and woman together make no mistake, God does the joining (Matthew 19:6). However, mankind is required to obey the laws of the land (1 Peter 2:13-14) so long as those laws are not in conflict with the Law of God (Acts 5:29). The civil marriage law, in whatever country or locale, must be followed. However, since God has given marriage to man, it is God that sets the requirements or limitations for scriptural marriage and thus, joins a couple together.

Scriptural marriage is between a biological male and a biological female. It is sad that a person today must clarify this in today’s world. Many would make the claim that gender is fluid and a person can self-identify as male or female regardless of biology. Well folks, there are only two genders, and that is based on biological sex, male or female (Matthew 19:4). Also, this would exclude “homosexual marriages” which are not marriages in the Biblical sense of the word. As indicated at the beginning of the article, God sets the rules for marriage and from the beginning Scriptural marriage is between a man and a woman.

Scriptural marriage can be entered by one who has never been married. Marriage is a great blessing from God to man and the first divine institution (government and the church are the other two). After God made man “the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet (suitable – JDS) for him,” Genesis 2:18. The husband is to love his wife, the wife is to submit to her husband (Ephesians 5:22ff). They are “joined together,” literally “yoked together” indicating they are closely united and pulling together in things in life, whatever may come.

Scriptural marriage can be entered by one whose spouse had died. In Romans 7:2-3, Paul says, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” While Paul is using marriage in this context as an illustration that the Jews are no longer under the Old Covenant and can, without “spiritual adultery,” be subject to the New Covenant, he teaches a marital truth. Those whose spouses have died are eligible to be remarried to another being loosed from their first marriage.

Scriptural marriage can be entered by one who has been scripturally married and scripturally divorced. This is the marital plague of our society today. Many believe that marriage is “just for now” or “until something better comes along.” They do not want to believe that marriage is the serious, lifelong covenant (Malachi 2:14) that it is. God has allowed one exception for scriptural divorce and remarriage, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery,” Matthew 19:9. The innocent party whose spouse has committed fornication (a sexual act) has the option (right) to divorce their mate and eventually marry another with God’s approval.

God’s marriage law is loving and strict. In the case of my mother and her boyfriend, I could perform their marriage ceremony because their spouses had died and they were free to marry. However, I have beloved family members whom I could not perform their wedding due to the circumstances they described of a divorce which God does not approve. Friend, God’s marriage law is for all mankind and must be obeyed.

-Jerry D. Sturgill

In Isaiah 58:1, the Lord instructs the prophet to deliver a forceful address of His people’s continued rebellion:

 “Cry aloud, spare not;

Lift up your voice like a trumpet;

Tell My people their transgression,

And the house of Jacob their sins.”

Such a bold condemnation of this people is somewhat surprising since verse 2 gives this description of them:

 “Yet they seek Me daily,

And delight to know My ways,

As a nation that did righteousness,

And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.

They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;

They take delight in approaching God.”

These were religious people; they delighted in approaching God in religious observances, hearing His ordinances read and praying to Him. Verse 3 even indicates they fasted and afflicted their souls. So where is the transgression God is powerfully condemning?  Verses 6 and 7 provide the answer; God asks:

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:

To loose the bonds of wickedness,

To undo the heavy burdens,

To let the oppressed go free,

And that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;

When you see the naked, that you cover him,

And not hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Religious observances are of no value if a man will not love his neighbor and help the needy (Lk. 10:27-37). Jesus warned of the condemnation coming on the scribes and Pharisees who outwardly appeared so religious but devoured the poor and needy (Mt. 23:1-33; Mk. 12:38-40; Lk. 20:45-47). Indeed, Jesus will judge us regarding our treatment of those in need (Mt. 25:31-46) God identifies with the vulnerable in society. He describes Himself as a helper of the helpless and fatherless (Psa. 10:14; 68:5).  Thus, if we give to the poor, we give to our Maker and please Him (Prov. 14:31; 19:17). Isaiah was crying out against individuals who observed special days of fasting and religious activities, but were exploiting their workers (Isa. 58:3). Later, to the same stripe of people, God asked through Zechariah if their fasting was really for Him, for if their religion was really for pleasing the Lord then it would include showing kindness to the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, and the poor (Zech. 7:4-10). Phony religion is easy to practice and easy to find all around us, but, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27).

–Mark Day

Abraham’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen had a conflict over grassland available for the livestock. Abraham said to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren” (Gen. 13:8). Even though Abraham, through his seniority, could have claimed his rights to choose the land he thought best for his flocks, he chose rather to give Lot first choice of where he would go. If Lot went left, he would go right and vice-versa (Gen. 13:9). There are situations in life that call for me to be the bigger person and accommodate my brethren for the sake of peace. While sin and false teaching can never be tolerated (Gal. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 5:20), there are areas in life where the Lord has given us liberty to differ. This liberty (freedom of choice) must not be asserted in such a way that it becomes a stumbling block to others (1 Cor. 8:9) Rather, liberty gives us the freedom to serve through love (1 Cor. 9:19; Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16).

In Romans 14:1-15:7, Paul addressed matters of judgment such as eating of meats and keeping certain days. These were not to be bound on others as requirements of salvation. If a brother in Christ had scruples regarding eating meats, then brethren who recognized there was nothing unclean in eating meats should not despise the brother that had such scruples and insist on eating meat (Rom. 14:10-15). Instead of doubtful disputations over meat (Rom. 14:1), when the kingdom of God is not meat and drink (v. 17), the inspired apostle redirects the brethren by writing, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (v.19).

The past few months have introduced changes to our usual worship routines. While we follow the New Testament’s instructions to come together to worship in the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-26), singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), praying (1 Cor. 14:15-17), preaching (Acts 20:7), and giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2), there is a tendency for brethren to have strife over where they are sitting in the auditorium, how the elements of the Lord’s supper are packaged and distributed, and whether or not a mask is worn. Sometimes there is strife between congregations on the different procedures each congregation has chosen to implement as the church assembles to worship. Let us remember to pursue peace with our brethren. The kingdom of God is not in these incidental details. Each congregation of the Lord’s church is autonomous. A plurality of elders (also referred to as overseers and shepherds in the NT) serve among each local congregation to look after the members (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-7; Philippians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1-4). An elder of one congregation should not tell another congregation how to conduct their affairs in the realm of judgment. There is no Scriptural precedent for such.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9). The Lord’s people are to pursue peace with one another; this includes allowing differences in the realm of judgment. In this way energy may be focused on growing closer to God and bringing the Gospel to the lost so they can obey it and have peace with God. Let us all be peacemakers.

-Mark Day

Who were the people of Tyre and Sidon we read about in the Old Testament? There are a few notable characters who hailed from this region of Palestine. When Solomon began building the Temple, Hiram king of Tyre provided the cedar (2 Chron. 2:1-11). Jezebel was a princess of Sidon, who violently opposed God’s people and persecuted His prophets (1 Kgs. 16:31). Tyre, Sidon, Beirut, and Byblos were the major city-states that made up the Phoenician nation. These city-states were autonomous, meaning they ruled themselves. Though they jointly made up the Phoenician civilization, they were not under a centralized kingdom. In this bulletin article I want to examine where the Phoenicians came from and how the Bible, history, and archaeology work together to give the full account of these people.

Little is recorded about the Phoenicians until Israel is established because the Phoenicians were the remnant of the Canaanites expelled by Joshua. The most likely outcome was the Canaanites who survived the conquest banded together at strongholds just outside Israelite control. The tribe of Asher was given much of the coastal land as inheritance, but the city of Tyre was a boundary for their territory (Josh. 19:29). Simply put, the Phoenicians are the nation that arose after the Canaanite tribes were removed. When Israel conquered Canaan, they notoriously forsook God and went after the false gods of the land. They served the Baals and Ashtoreths, which were the deities of the Canaanites (Judg. 2:10-23). Fast-forward to the Phoenician Jezebel who hailed from the city-state of Sidon. Which deities did her people worship? Jezebel financed and fed the prophets of Baal and Ashtoreths (1 Kgs. 18:19). Her own father’s name is Ethbaal (1 Kgs. 16:31). Do not think of the Phoenicians as a new nation in Canaan, but as a continuance of the local people in the promised land. God commanded the Israelites to utterly destroy the Canaanites, Israel did not, and the Phoenicians were a result (Deut. 20:16-18).

The city-states that made up Phoenicia were by no means strong militarily. In fact, Tyre’s tactic when war came to their land was to retreat from the coastal city to an island off the coast that was easier to defend. This tactic was successful in resisting the Babylonians (Ezek. 29:17-20), not so successful against Alexander the Great (Ezek. 26:12). War was not the tool utilized by the Phoenicians in expanding their borders. What set the Phoenicians apart from every other nation in antiquity was their unparalleled sea trade and travel. The Bible describes the Phoenicians as the seafaring traders of the ancient world (Is. 23:1-12; Ezek. 27). Their location in Palestine not only placed them on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but provided them with the best lumber for ship building. While studying, you may have run across the cedars of Lebanon. These cedars were highly valued by all nations around the Mediterranean. The nations who had an abundance of these cedars were wealthy (1 Kgs. 10:27). The Phoenicians put this highly sought-after lumber to use by creating ships that could sail the open sea. Other seafaring civilizations, such as the ancient Greeks were not able to sail in open water. They would instead sail the coastline or hop from island to island. The Phoenicians were not restrained to the coastline, but could sail wherever they desired. This gave them the ability to trade with and colonize places as far as Sicily, Sardinia, Spain, and southern France.

Next month, my bulletin article will continue to examine the Phoenicians and their importance to the ancient world.

-Brandon Foresha