The Bone Box.

The ossuary or bone box was a type of burial box used during the 1^st centuries in Israel and other societies of that era.  About seven years ago a particular ossuary turn up in an antiquities shop in downtown Jerusalem.  What made this box special were the names carved on the front of the box……James, son of Joseph brother of Jesus.  Not sure of its authenticity,  the dealer called in several authorities on early Hebrew script as well as other various experts in carbon dating and those who could date the  patina or dust from the grooves of the box.

In antiquity, after death, the body was laid out  in the family burial tomb.  After several months of decomposition, the bones were removed and placed in this burial box and returned to the tomb.  So this particular James was so well loved and honored that some thought he needed his own bone box.  Only the wealthier could afford this type of box although it could also be used to honor special people.  Perhaps this was the case for this ossuary.

Most experts agreed……..this was an original 1^st century bone box and the carving on the box was original as well.   The names were not carved into the box at a later date…..in other words this was not a forgery.  Many well done forgeries have been bought and sold passing them off as originals.  Herein lays the controversy.

This ossuary was declared to be a forgery by the Israel Antiquities Committee.  Three men who studied the box declared that the writing on the box was not from the 1^st century but was carved during a later date.

Why is all this important?  Why are we concerned about this particular ossuary?  Well, for one thing it might be a link to James, the brother of Jesus. It could be ossuary of James himself. He certainly lived in Jerusalem during the days after the crucifixion.   We read that he headed up the council of Jewish elders who discussed admitting Gentiles into the community of believers.  Read Acts 15 for clarification.

This gives us fuel to fan the flames of our faith.  We can believe that the words of Acts are verified in having this become  “our” James.  Of course this can never be proved.  Undoubtedly there were many men named James, men named Joseph, and men named Jesus or Jeshua.  But the ratio of the three being related becomes narrow when the statisticians do their work on the actual size of the city during the 1^st century.

Now after seven years of discussions, heated arguments and testimony by experts, the box has been declared to be the real thing.  It is not a forgery. The box and its carving were done in the 1^st century. (for more information check the internet)

This doesn’t affect our faith but simply affirms what we have known all along.  The words of Scripture are true.  They are God inspired.  They are words that can guide our life.

          The bone box helps…..