Archaeology and the simple

Last night I was reading an article titled, "Kings of Controversy" in National Geographic.  When I came to this Psalm this morning, I had to smile.  The story in the article is about how archaeologists are testing to verify that they have discovered King Solomon's mines, the place where people watched David slay Goliath, and also the house of David.  The remains would be over 12,000 years old now but the evidence seems pretty sound to me.  There are political issues among the archaeologists and agendas.  When the proof is verified, the ownership of the land in Israel will be set.  Some of the Israelis believe this is "right-winged" attempts at politics, and seek to prove the archaeology is false.  Others believe it's the only way to prove ownership.  Some say the Bible should not be used as a reference in archaeology- it should be solely based on scientific fact.  And others want to make the "Most Famous" list finding the biggest treasure.  Think I'll just pray for peace for those in this region.

Psalms 78 is another very long Psalm.  It describes the exodus where Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt.  It's very interesting and details how every blessing God provided, turned into a complaint.  Even though the people were seeing God's miracles, they weren't thankful.  Finally God left them to their own devices- just turned His back in anger.  Psalm 78:65 picks up where God once again became engaged with His people. 

There were 12 tribes of Israel.  God disqualified all of them except Judah.  From Judah came David, a simple shepherd boy.  He was chosen to be King over Israel, and in the lineage of the Son of God- Son of Man, Jesus.  God chooses the simple ones like us.  He came through simple people.

Psalms 78
65 Suddenly the Lord was up on his feet
like someone roused from deep sleep,
shouting like a drunken warrior.
66 He hit his enemies hard, sent them running,
yelping, not daring to look back.
67 He disqualified Joseph as leader,
told Ephraim he didn't have what it takes,
68 And chose the Tribe of Judah instead,
Mount Zion, which he loves so much.
69 He built his sanctuary there, resplendent,
solid and lasting as the earth itself.
70 Then he chose David, his servant,
handpicked him from his work in the sheep pens.
71 One day he was caring for the ewes and their lambs,
the next day God had him shepherding Jacob,
his people Israel, his prize possession.

But why would God choose a shepherd?  The answer is here:   

72 His good heart made him a good shepherd;
he guided the people wisely and well.
THE MESSAGE

The New Testament explains it even further.  God doesn't expect much from men's wisdom, our mighty acts, our self-made nobility.  He chooses the foolish to shame the wise, the weak to shame the mighty, the despised ones, the things that are not happening to show the nothingness of the things that are.  Our jaws drop when we here the testimonies of some Christians.  From nothing to magnificent through the power of Christ.  Good news for us!  We don't have to be brilliant or perfect.  Just God's.
1 Cor 1:26-31
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption —  31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
NKJV