Daily Archives: February 8, 2010

Those lost books of the Old Testament

Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? They conspired against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there. Then they brought him on horses and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David. (2 Kings 14:18-20 NAU)

A few weeks back Dr. Claude Mariottini posted a list of 33 books mentioned in the Old Testament that have not survived. I suggest you capture this list and save it for use in future studies. The link is here.

Think what we might learn about Amaziah (796-767 BC) and the fortress city of Lachish if we had access to this book. Does this mean that the Bible is not complete for its purpose? I would say, “Absolutely not.” The Bible reveals God’s plan for the salvation of man. An important part of that plan is worked out in the history of His people Israel.

We learn better how to understand the Bible through other historical records, archaeology and the study of the land of the Bible. The aerial photo of Tel Lachish gives an impression of the possibility of the city serving as a place of refuge for King Amaziah.

Aerial view of Tel Lachish. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Aerial view of Tel Lachish. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.