Coin and Stamp Collecting

Legends? Myths? or Word of God?

Ancient Hebrew Stories

God exists. The soul survives death. And the wisest man who ever lived told us what to do with our lives. What more can be said? Quite a bit, say the ancient Hebrews. According to them, we have barely begun to scratch the surface. They tell us that their race has been favored with a number of special revelations. Those special revelations, they claim, bring a unique Jewish insight into the relationship between God and man.

What have we got here? Old wives’ tales? Myths? Legends? Jewish superstitions? Or could it be, there’s more to it than that?

Down through the centuries, many people, both gentiles and Jews alike, have agreed with the ancient Hebrews. They believed God has, for one reason or another, given the Jews certain “inside information.” Educated as well as uneducated people, intelligent as well as unintelligent people, and rational as well as irrational people have held this view.

Quite a few suffered and died for these beliefs. No one is willing to suffer and die for views they hold lightly. Since we know that to be the case, let’s take a closer look at what these ancient Hebrews have to say.

Fall of Man

One of the earliest stories tells about the fall of man. Here is the story: Disposable humans were not a part of God’s plan. The first people were designed as immortals. God granted them supreme authority on earth. They ruled over animals, plants, and everything else they found in their domain.

God provided them with an ideal environment and satisfied all their needs. God, man, and nature lived in harmony. But it was not to last.

God didn’t want automatons. What would be the point? He wanted living, breathing, thinking beings who would obey him of their own free will. Of course, he knew he was taking a chance. Allowing them independent minds, they might rebel against him. And rebel they did.

A single act of defiance threw everything out of kilter. The close relationship between God and man broke down. Immortality was lost; everyone lived under a sentence of death. Nature turned against man producing thorns, thistles, and poison ivy.

Animals turned to preying upon each other and upon man too when given a chance. Man was reduced to hard labor for his food. Woman suffered birth pains. Envy, jealousy, hate, murder, and a host of other problems soon beset mankind.

God’s Plan of Redemption

Those independent thinking humans quickly proved to be disloyal, ungrateful, and hardheaded. In spite of that, God didn’t give up on them. He went to work steering, or attempting to steer humanity back on the right course. What did God do?

“He selected one particular people and spent centuries hammering into their heads the sort of God He was – that there was only one of Him and that He cared about right conduct. Those people were the Jews, and the Old Testament gives an account of the hammering process.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

Hebrew Prophets

Over the centuries a number of Hebrew prophets arose claiming they were inspired by God. Were they just a bunch of religious fanatics with vivid imaginations and a taste for the limelight? When you read their stories, that is not the impression you come away with. In fact, you get the idea that running around telling people they are wrong and God is “going to get them” was not considered a plum job.

Moses wanted no part of it. He begged God to choose someone else. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, was timid by nature. He didn’t want the job. Jonah ran away and hid, trying to avoid making his prophecy. Elijah not only ran, he even asked God to kill him so he wouldn’t have to continue his prophesying. These men weren’t looking for fame and fortune. They would have much rather that God just leave them alone.

Perhaps you are wondering, just how good were these sometime reluctant prophets at predicting the future. You may be surprised. They were pretty good at it.

Franklin Analogy

Suppose, just suppose for a moment, that around the middle of the eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin wrote in his Poor Richards’ Almanac: “Eisenhower will liberate Europe.” What would Franklin’s readers think of that? Certainly, they would find it curious. “Who’s this Eisenhower?” they would ask.

Good question too. The man would not be born for another hundred years. Then he wouldn’t come to the public’s attention for another fifty years or so. And, why would Europe need liberating anyway? Europe during Franklin’s day was as free, probably more free, than any other place in the civilized world. That being the case, Franklin’s hypothetical prediction would stand out as a double oddity for well over a century and a half.

Then dramatic events begin to unravel. In the 1930’s and 40’s, Hitler’s military juggernaut rolls over Europe conquering the continent. Britain barely manages to hold on. Then it happens. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander, leads the multi-national 1944 invasion liberating Europe form the Nazis.

What had been a long standing curiosity, suddenly becomes an amazingly accurate prophecy. How could Benjamin Franklin have known what would happen some two hundred years later? A lucky guess? No, it’s too detailed to have been a guess.

Had Benjamin Franklin actually made that prediction in 1750, we would still be talking about it today. A prophecy that exact and that correct would be remembered for centuries to come. However, if we go back to 700 B.C., we discover a prediction ever bit as curious as the one we devised for Franklin.

Isaiah’s Prophecy

The prophet’s name is Isaiah and his prophecy was: “Cyrus will permit Jerusalem to be rebuilt, and the temple foundation laid.” As you can well imagine, the people of Isaiah’s day found the prediction a bit odd.

“Who’s this Cyrus” they asked. Good question too.

The man would not be born for another hundred years. Then he wouldn’t come to the Jewish public attention for another fifty years or so. And, why does Jerusalem need to be rebuilt and the temple foundations laid?

Jerusalem, during Isaiah’s lifetime, was already there. And the temple, built by Solomon, was still standing.

Both Jerusalem and the temple would remain intact for over one hundred years after Isaiah uttered his prediction. That being the case, Isaiah’s prophecy stood as a double oddity for well over a century. Then events begin to take place.

Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. He carried off Judah’s King Jehoiachin and a number of the city’s leading citizen’s into exile. In 586 B.C., the Babylonian king returned and destroyed both Jerusalem and the temple.

Cyrus II came to the Persian throne in 558 B.C. Nineteen years later, he took Babylon on October 13, 539 B.C. In his first year, 538 B.C., Cyrus issued a decree permitting the Jews to return from exile and reconstruct the Jerusalem temple.

What had been a long standing curiosity, became an amazingly accurate prophecy. How could Isaiah have known what would happen some 160 years later? A lucky guess? No, it’s too detailed to have been a guess. Isaiah must have been privy to certain “inside information.” Something or someone gave him the message: “Cyrus would order Jerusalem to be rebuilt and the temple foundation laid.” The prophet isn’t secretive about his source. He informs us: “This is what the Lord says.”

A written prophecy that becomes history 160 years later should make us sit up and take notice. That is something out of the ordinary. But is this an isolated case? No. A number of Hebrew prophets demonstrated the same uncanny ability to look into the future and predict what will happen. Some of the most profound prophecies were long range predictions for nations and their people.

Prophecies for Cities, Nations, and Peoples

Obadiah (probably 8th century B.C.), speaking of Edom, says flatly, “There will be no survivors from the house of Esau.” Zephaniah (640 – 609 B.C.) tells us “Moah will become like Sodom, Ammon will become like Gomorrah. That is a poetic way of saying, both nations will be completely destroyed. Zephaniah discarded the poetic touch when it came to Philistine. Quoting God, he says: “I will destroy you and none will be left.” That’s about as plain as you can get.

Edom

What do we know about these ancient civilizations? Quite a bit. Let’s start with Edom. Beginning with Joel in the 9th century B.C., seven Hebrew prophets announced Edom’s doom. Edom was a long mountainous strip about one hundred miles long and twenty miles wide with mountain peaks as high as 5,700 feet.

They were related to the Jews. They could trace their heritage back to Isaac by way of Esau, whereas the Hebrews descended through Esau’s brother, Jacob. Despite their common heritage, Edomites were constant enemies of the Hebrews. Consequently, prophet after prophet saw nothing but disaster for Edom.

Given so much prophetic attention, how did history treat the Edomites? They didn’t fare too well. Between 550 and 400 B.C., Nabatean Arabs gradually forced the Edomites from their homeland. During the Maccabean period, around 120 B.C., John Hyrcanus and Simon of Gerasa attacked and conquered Edom. The providence was renamed Idumaca, and they were subjected to Judaism. About the time of the fall of Jerusalem, A.D. 70, Edomites disappear as a separate people. And seven Jewish prophets were proved right.

Moah

To the north of Edom, bordering the Salt (or Dead) Sea, lies Moah. Moabites descended from Lot, nephew of Abraham. So they were also relatives of the Hebrews. And they too were condemned by the Hebrew prophets. Amos said Moah will be destroyed for desecrating the bones of the king of Edom. And Zephaniah, as we mentioned before, prophesied that Moab would become like Sodom.

Moab was subdued by Nebuchadnezzar. Later Persians controlled it, then various Arab groups dominated Moab. The Moabites ceased to be a nation although they were still known as a race during the post-exile period. Alexander Jannaeus defeated them in the second century B.C.

Ammon

To Israel’s east lay Ammon. The Ammonites descended from Lot’s younger daughter. So they are closely related to the Moabites and more distantly to the Hebrews. To extend their borders further west, they went to war with Israel.

On one occasion, the Ammonites threatened to gouge out the right eye of everyone living in Jabesh Gilead. Only King Saul’s quick action prevented the Ammonites from carrying out their threat. Another sore point was when Israel requested their help, Ammon refused.

In general, these people opposed the Jews whenever the opportunity arose. Both Ezekiel and Zephaniah predicted their complete destruction. Their last stand appears to have been against Judas Maccabeus 166 – 160 B.C. Judas won, and nothing more is recorded about the Ammonites.

Philistine

The Philistines lived along a small area on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. They weren’t Semites. They came from Caphtor which may have been Crete or the islands of the Aegean. Joel, between 840 and 830 B.C., warned the Philistines that what they did to Israel would be done to them.

They had stolen the Hebrews’ gold, silver, and treasures. Worse than that, Philistines sold Jews as slaves to the Greeks. Amos, between 760 – 750 B.C., predicted the Philistines would be completely annihilated. A century later, Zephaniah said a remnant of Judah will inherit their land.

Here is how history has dealt with the Philistines. In his 734 to 732 B.C. campaign, Tiglath-pileser of Assyria defeated the Philistine cities of Ashkelon and Gaza. All of Philistine was brought under Assyrian rule. Then in 711 B.C., the Philistine people revolted against paying Assyria any further tribute. Sargon III put down the revolt with a vengeance.

Trouble continued for the Philistines. About 630 B.C., Scythians broke out of Caucasus and invaded the fertile crescent. They plundered the temple at Ashkelon and dominated the area for twenty-eight years. Later, Chaldeans destroyed Philistine.

Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs have all claimed the territory at one time or another after the demise of the Neo-Babylonia empire. Today, what were once Philistine cities are a part of Israel. Philistine is no longer with us.

Those once strong, vigorous nations have long since become completely destroyed or absorbed into some other group. Today no distinct Edomite, Ammonite, Moabite, or Philistine exists. Not a trace of them can be identified in modern populations. Obadiah, and Zephaniah’s chilling predictions have become indisputable facts of history.

Now contrast those dismal prophecies for Edom, Moab, Ammon, and Philistine to the reassuring long range forecast for Israel.

Israel

Abram (Abraham) moved to Canaan in 2091 B.C. The Lord said to Abram, “Look around you, north, south, east, and west. All the land you see I will give to you and your descendents forever.” (Genesis 13:14-15)

About 1,335 years later, Amos adds his prophecy. Quoting God: “I will bring back my exiled people Israel, they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them . . .” (Amos 9:14) “I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God. (Amos 9:15)

So what does history tell us about the Jews? Between 597 and 586 B.C., Judah and Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. Some were killed and many of the more affluent were carted off into exile. Compliments of Cyrus and later Persian rulers, Jewish exiles were allowed to return between 537 and 445 B.C. They stayed in their restored homeland for the next 515 years.

Then in A.D. 70, Titus and his Roman legions destroyed Jerusalem scattering what was left of the Jews. Dispersed throughout the world, Jews somehow clung onto their distinct ethnic identity for the next 1,878 years.

May 14, 1948, the Jewish sate of Israel was reborn.

Jews from practically every nation on earth returned to their homeland. They haven’t stopped yet. Although vastly outnumbered, they beat back their Arab foes in the 1967 Six-Day War and the 1973 Holy-Day War.

As Amos predicted 2,750 years ago, the remnant of Israel is still with us. Once again, Jews live in their own land – the same land God promised Abram and his descendants over four thousand years ago. Against all odds, Amos’ prophecy came true a second time.

Man cannot look into the future. No one knows what is going to happen tomorrow, much less what will occur hundreds of years from now. That’s just plain common sense. Be that as it may, solid evidence convinces us that several ancient Hebrews did have insight into the future.

They told us what was to become of specific cities, nations, and peoples. Occasionally, one of these prophets would name names and give timetables for future events. What they said would happen, did happen, just as they said it would.

They told the truth. None of these prophets took credit for their predictions. To a man, each prophet claimed God as his source. Apparently, God has no difficulty communicating with man when he chooses to do so.

Question to Consider: Do you believe these fulfilled prophecies lend credibility to the Bible as the word of God?

About the Author

Jerry Boone, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States webmaster@merechristianity.us Mr. Boone is a sailor, author, and webmaster of http://merechristianity.us with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Georgia State University. His works include: Mere Christianity.us and SAFETY LINE – EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN, an apologetic study published 1998.

1954 Proof Franklin Silver Half Dollar Hairlines Coin $59.95

1961 D Choice BU Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $19.44

1962d FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR – 90% SILVER – AU $8.95

1958 Gem Proof Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $34.95

1961 (P) BU Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $15.99

20 – 90 % SILVER CIRCULATED FRANKLIN HALF DOLLARSROLL $155.00

GROUP OF 3 90% SILVER HALF DOLLARS 2 FRANKLIN 1 LIBERTY $17.49

ROLL OF 20 SILVER FRANKLIN HALF DOLLARS $138.00

ROLL OF 20 SILVER FRANKLIN HALF DOLLARS $138.00

1956-P Benjamin Franklin Silver Half-Dollar $22.50

1955-P Benjamin Franklin Silver Half-Dollar BU+ $37.50

1949 Franklin Silver Half Dollar ! ! UNC ! ! FBL ! ! $69.95

1963 FRANKLIN 1964 KENNEDY SILVER LAST& FIRST HALVES BU $19.95

20 DIFFERENT ($10 face) Circ 90% Silver Franklin Halves $156.99

1954 D Franklin Silver Half Dollar Uncirculated $75.00

1951 Franklin Silver Half Dollar Uncirculated $60.00

1959 Gem Proof Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $29.95

1963 D Franklin Silver Half Dollar Uncirculated $30.00

1951 Franklin Silver Half Dollar ! UNC ! ! FBL ! ! $74.95

1951 D Franklin Silver Half Dollar ! UNC ! ! FBL ! ! $49.95

1948-D FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR ,90% SILVER CHOICE $29.95

1954 D Franklin Silver Half Dollar Uncirculated $75.00

1951 D Franklin Silver Half Dollar ! UNC ! ! FBL ! ! $49.95

1952 Franklin Silver Half Dollar ! UNC ! FBL ! $59.95

1954 Franklin Silver Half Dollar Uncirculated $75.00

1963-D 90% SILVER FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR – U GRADE $5.20

BU 1949 90% SILVER FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR $12.01

1963 D FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER COIN! $9.99

Franklin Half Mixed Lot– Pre1964 90% Silver $37.00

90% Silver Franklin Half Dollars 100.00 Face value $2,000.00

roll of 20 Ben Franklin Halves 90% coin silver bullion $189.99

1956 Franklin Silver Half Dollar ! UNC ! FBL ! $39.95

1959 Franklin Silver Half Dollar ! UNC ! SUPER GEM ! $74.95

1959 D Franklin Silver Half Dollar ! UNC ! FBL ! $39.95

1949-S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER RARE $18.95

SILVER 1962 BEN FRANKLIN PROOF HALF FLAWLESS COIN $18.00

90 % SILVER 1963 PROOF BEN FRANKLIN HALF NICE COIN $17.00

Franklin Silver Half Dollar Pocket Watch/ Pocket Knife $52.00

1952 (P) VF Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $12.18

1962 D BU Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $15.99

1959 SILVER FRANKLIN HALVES 1 ROLL 20 COINS $132.50

3 Franklin Half Halves Dollar 90% Silver ‘51-’53 coins $13.27

1958-D FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR – US SILVER COIN $12.00

1953 D VF Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $12.18

1951 S Fine Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $11.83

1958 d FRANKLIN 1/2 Half Dollar 50 CENT SILVER COIN $55.00

1951 (P) Fine Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $11.83

1958 FRANKLIN PROOF SILVER HALF DOLLAR – FREE SHIPPING $34.95

EXCEPTIONAL BU/FBL 1950-D FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR $21.57

3 SILVER HALF FRANKLIN $13.49

1954 S BU Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $28.62

AMAZING BU/FBL 1955 FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR – NR! $11.50

1950-P FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER $11.95

RAINBOW REV GEM/BU 1961 FRANKLIN SILVER HALF NO RESERVE $9.99

1962 D Franklin Silver Half Dollar What a Beauty! $2.99

1963 PROOF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HALF Silver Coin $6.19

1951 S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER $11.50

1953 D FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER $11.50

U.S. Silver Franklin 1963P BU Half Dollar (CD869) $18.00

1957 PROOF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HALF Silver Coin Nice Date $7.60

1963 PROOF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HALF Silver Coin $6.50

Benjamin Franklin US Half Dollar Silver Coins Set of 4 $20.05

1958 Franklin Silver Half Dollar – Gem Proof $42.00

1963 (P) BU Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $15.99

1963 Gem Proof Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $13.95

Benjamin Franklin US Half Dollar Silver Coins Set of 4 $16.27

22 Franklin Half Dollars–90% Silver–Roll +2 $145.00

1 Roll Franklin Half Dollars – 90% Silver – 1961-D $142.00

1951 BEN FRANKLIN HALF SILVER DOLLARS (4902H) $19.95

1951 Franklin half dollar silver halves $2.80

1951 Franklin Half, UNC. Silver 90%, $6.95

1949-D Franklin Half, UNC. Silver 90%, Nice Bell Lines $11.95

1963-D BU Silver Franklin Half Dollar……#6671 $14.95

1962D Franklin Half – UNC/Silver $12.95

1 Uncirculated Franklin Silver Half Dollar 1956-P $8.75

1 Uncirculated Franklin Silver Half Dollar 1955-P $8.50

1949 Franklin Half, UNC. Silver 90% $9.95

1 Uncirculated Franklin Silver Half Dollar 1954-S $4.95

1948-D Franklin Half, CH BU Silver 90%, nice lustre! $11.95

1948 Franklin Half, CH AU/Unc Silver 90%, nice lustre! $8.95

1954S 90% Silver Franklin Half Dollar . $12.95

90 % SILVER 1963 BEN FRANKLIN HALF PROOF MS NICE COIN $16.00

90 % SILVER PROOF 1961 BEN FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR COIN $16.00

1963 SILVER BEN FRANKLIN PROOF HALF LASTYEAR COIN MAID $16.00

1950-D Franklin Half, Unc Silver 90% $9.95

1950 Franklin Half, AU, Silver 90% $7.95

1960 (P) BU Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $15.99

1949-S Franklin Half, BU, Silver 90% $14.95

1958 Gem Proof Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $34.95

1954 (P) Fine Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin $11.83

1954-D Franklin Silver Half – PCGS MS64FBL $39.00

1961 FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR GEM-PROOF SHINNY-WOW $4.26

1951 SILVER BEN FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR BU $15.55

13 Ben Franklin half dollars 90% silver halves $6.50 FV $100.00

1961 Choice BU Franklin Half Dollar Silver US Coin $19.50

1952-S SILVER BEN FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR BU $23.68

1962 Choice BU Franklin Half Dollar Silver US Coin $19.50

1962 FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR (CAMEO-PROOF) SHINNY $7.50

One 20 Coin Roll 90% Silver Franklin Half Dollars $149.95

---

Silver Finish Concho 1-3/16 Screwback – Eagle Half Dollar $2.53 Give your leather work a distinctive look of quality; the perfect embellishment for crafts and wearable art….

Beadalon 3 To 1 Ring End Connectors – Half Moon 2PK/Silver Plated $2.66 Create exquisite chandelier jewelry with these lovely components. The filigree features twisted wire carefully bent and soldered into place giving a unique and versatile design ready for use. Also great for necklaces bracelets and chokers….

Blue Moon Half Round Metal Bead Caps – 18PK Silver $1.65 The finishing touch to any bead a decorative way to cover up loose ends….

Franklin Silver Half Dollar Pocket Watch/ Pocket Knife $49.95 Our pocket watch is as handy as it is handsome. It features a genuine Franklin Half Dollar. The .900 Fine Silver coin is used for the face of the watch, and the reverse houses the precision quartz movement at the back. The watch has a sweep second hand and a cover that opens as a magnifying glass. Attached to a 12″ polished goldtone fob chain with a single blade pocket knife, this exciting pocket …

COMPLETE FRANKIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR COLLECTION 1948-1963 $699.95 When the Silver Franklin Half Dollar was issued in 1948, Benjamin Franklin became the first person other than a president to be immortalized on a circulating US coin. Even the Liberty Bell on the reverse is a “first”; all previous silver coins featured large stylized eagles (To comply with a requirement to include the national bird, a miniature eagle is adjacent to the bell). Now, you can own a c…

Complete Franklin Half Dollar Dansco $425.00 This set includes every Ben Franklin half dollar from all mints from 1948 to 1963 – a total of 35 coins made of 90% silver . It was replaced in 1964 by the Kennedy half dollar in honor of the recently slain President. Your coins come secured inside a Dans…

Pocket Change or a Rare Coin Collection? How to Tell the Difference. $4.25 Do you have a “stash” of coins you’ve been gathering in a large water jug? Today is the day to discover if you have “buried treasure”….

Franklin & Kennedy Silver Half Dollars We must be crazy to offer one roll of BU Franklin Halves and one roll of BU Silver Kennedy halves in brilliant uncirculated condition. The Franklin Half Dollars was designed by John R. Sinnock and was minted from 1948-1963. The Silver Kennedy Half Dollars was designed by Gilroy Roberts and minted from 1964 to present. Buy today to take advantage of this incredible offer! This collection totals for…

1948-1963 Franklin Silver Half Dollar Set with Album The Franklin Silver Half Dollar was struck from 1948 until 1963, when it was replaced with the Kennedy Half Dollar. This 35-coin collection includes every coin issued for circulation, from the first in 1948 to the last in 1963 – every year of issue and every Mint mark. Franklin Silver Half Dollar Set Includes Philadelphia Mint (16) 1948-1963 Denver Mint (14) 1948-1954, 1957-1963 San Francisco Mint…

Franklin / Kennedy Silver Coins $499.95 Here’s your chance to create an exciting coin display! This 2 roll set of 20 coins each – all in Brilliant Uncirculated Condition! Franklin silver half-dollars depicts Benjamin Franklin’s portrait and the reverse pictures the Liberty Bell. 1964 John F. Ke…

---