The Heart of Paul / Our Journey / What is the Merneptah Stele? / Teaching support: Zambia & Zimbabwe

Author

Douglas Jacoby
July 23, 2025


For the audiovisual version of the bulletin, “The Weekly Word” (YouTube, about 3 minutes, read by Chase Mackintosh), click here. 

Good morning from the city of Douglas, on the Isle of Man! After a wonderful weekend of fellowship and preaching from 2 Peter 1 for a North London group, I’m now on the Isle of Man. The purpose: writing.

Today: a talk on Acts 28:30-31, a poem from a brother in California, and an important Egyptian Artifact—containing the earliest archaeological mention of Israel. We also appeal to you to support the African teaching ministry (scroll down).

The Isle of Man, between England & Ireland, is a “Crown Dependency,” not officially part of the UK. It’s also just a 4-hour ferry ride from our home in England.

ARTEFACT IN FOCUS: THE MERNEPTAH STELE

Josh Meynell takes us into the world of ancient Egypt to examine the Merneptah Stele, an inscription boasting of Pharaoh Merneptah’s military triumphs, which includes the earliest known reference to Israel outside the Bible. Is it an historical anchor point for biblical reliability? Discover how this 3,200-year-old artefact [the British spelling of artifact] strengthens our understanding of Scripture's historical roots.

What does a 3,200 year old Egyptian stone have to do with the Bible? In this video, Josh Meynell explores the Merneptah Stele, one of the earliest known mentions of Israel outside of the Bible. The Merneptah Stele is a fascinating glimpse into history that connects archaeology with Scripture. 

KEY NT PASSAGE: ACTS 28:30-31

The Apostle Paul is under house arrest. Luke records his final words in Acts (prior to his release, a couple more years of effective evangelistic activity, and execution). Gain a glimpse into the heart of the apostle, and some inspiration for our own mission as followers of Christ.

Click HERE for the 8-minute talk on this important NT passage. (Subscriber login required.)

OUR JOURNEY

Wanting, waiting,
hoping, praying
Holding, Loving
Singing, saying..

Keep the best
Leave the rest
Feel the zest
For the quest

What to say,
Again today?
Point the way,
Through the fray.

Find our north,
Sally forth!
We are worth
A new birth.

Join the ride,
Sail the tide,
Side by side,
We’ll hit our stride.

With God’s chart
See his heart,
Let us start,
And do our part.

Work and pray,
Seize the day,
And come what may,
We leave today!

Alan Jacques, 23/6/2025

Q3 ENGAGEMENTS

July: Copan fellowship visit / Interview on The Meeting House (Faith Radio) / London (North): "United with God" / Isle of Man—Writing week
August: Amen & Amen releases / Atlanta Braves Senior Staff / M.A. course in World Religions begins (Mountain Theological Seminary)
September: Watford, UK: Apologetics day: David Hutchings & Douglas Jacoby / Resilience Training (weekly)

Q4: United Kingdom, United States, Mongolia, China, Mexico, Kenya, Burundi

SUPPORT THE AFRICAN TEACHING MINISTRY

We are currently looking for sponsorship for heavily discounted website subscriptions (free access to all 11,000 pages of articles, audio, and video) for church members in the Southern African nations of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Full sponsorship costs $750 for Zambia and $1200 for Zimbabwe.

Click HERE to donate. Scroll down. Indicate “materials” on the drop-down menu. (If you want to select one country or the other, please let me know by email.) Thank you!

UPCOMING

Thank you for your continued interest and support in this ministry. Next week I’ll be writing to you from the US. (It’s a one-week trip to Georgia and Florida: family visit, medical and financial appointments, speaking to the Atlanta Braves senior staff, and looking at possible future residences.)

Keep those prayers coming! — D.J.