Q: Since archaeological evidence does not directly point to historical evidence of the Exodus and Moses, I’m wondering if any archaeological evidence about the Old Testament indicates that supernatural events may have occurred. In Catholicism, we are blessed to have the Shroud of Turin, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s tilma, Eucharistic miracles, etc., and I know that those should not be the crux of our faith. But since we can’t even find the bodies of the Maccabees, let alone any of the prophets, I’m struggling to believe that the miracles of the Old Testament did happen. I wish that there was some evidence or artifact remaining from the Old Testament that has miraculous qualities, just as we have evidence of many miraculous occurrences from the New Testament until today — especially because it appears that so many Old Testament archaeologists lose their faith. Perhaps God intended for many of the events of the Old Testament to remain mysterious. I believe that the ark of the covenant was destroyed and that Moses’ burial won’t be found, correct? Thank you for your time! – Anna

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

It’s not a good idea to put too much weight on a lack of archaeological evidence.

It’s understandable that some Old Testament events simply didn’t leave much trace, given the harshness of the desert. 

Also, the crossing of the Reed Sea (a better translation than Red Sea) obviously involved water, which would cover most traces of a people in transit. And who knows what future archaeologists might find?

The remains of the temple in Jerusalem (the Western Wall) certainly point to a huge complex that stood there in antiquity. This is no small piece of evidence for corroborating important parts of the Old Testament.

Some of the miracles recounted in the Old Testament — such as Elijah’s raising of the widow’s son to life (1 Kings 17:17-24) — won’t likely leave any archaeological remains. The same goes for many people mentioned in the Old Testament, including Moses and the Maccabees, as well as the fate of the ark of the covenant.

That said, the story of Moses and the Exodus has the ring of authenticity as a foundational story for Judaism.

Most foundational stories in antiquity had fantastic elements to them, such as gods slaying one another and using bodies to make the world (think of the Epic of Gilgamesh).

The stories in the Pentateuch, by contrast, are very human. 

The Hebrews in Egypt are depicted as slaves and as constant whiners in the desert — hardly the stuff of fantastic legends.

Then there is Moses, whose first recorded act in public is to murder an Egyptian. The next day he is dressed down by a fellow Hebrew (Exodus 2:14). This is hardly a flattering debut for one who was called to lead his kinsmen out of bondage. 

The Old Testament does at times incorporate elements of myths from the ancient world, yet it tells a warts-and-all history of the development of the Israelites/Jews.

Parts of the OT also use various literary styles. Books such as Job have qualities that give it the feel of a fable. But that doesn’t detract from its core message (about the mystery of evil in the world). For related reading about the OT, see this post.

It’s good to remember that a big reason why the Church accepted the Scriptures of the Jews (what would become our Old Testament) is because Jesus himself quoted from them and said that they foretold his coming into the world. “For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me” (John 5:46).

In short, don’t be too quick to write off the OT as a fabrication. It’s not always meant to be read as a history textbook or science manual, but it does transmit messages that are meant to guide us in the moral life. Jesus certainly took the OT seriously, even as he came to fulfill and supersede it.

Moreover, the fact that the chosen people of the Old Testament are with us to this day is extraordinary.

By the way, we really don’t have archaeological evidence for the miracles in the New Testament. So why believe in the New Testament? 

A full answer could fill a book. Suffice it to say we have the Church that Jesus founded. And guided by the Holy Spirit it teaches and nourishes us on our way to eternity.