PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: JOURNEY TO MOUNT SINAI II

PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: JOURNEY TO MOUNT SINAI II is a documentary in which investigative filmmaker Timothy Mahoney talks to multiple archeologists and historians about three of six possible sites for Mount Sinai, the mountain where Moses and his followers encountered God in Exodus. JOURNEY TO MOUNT SINAI II makes a good case for one of the six sites, which fits the biblical record, has the attributes depicted in the Bible, and even has several artifacts still at the site.

After examining and rejecting three of the six sites in the first movie, Mahoney and his film crew visit the remaining three sites. Mahoney interviews various experts, pro and con, for each site. He compares each site to the biblical record, including the possible location of the campsites leading to Mount Sinai, as depicted in the Book of Exodus. He also looks at the surrounding terrain and attributes of the three sites. For example, the area at the foot of Sinai should have a large plain to acclimate one to two million people. It also should have sufficient water as well as evidence of the stream from which the Hebrews and their animals drank. Finally, he looks for possible examples of the altar and the 12 stone pillars Moses used to mark the spot and pay homage to the 12 tribes of Israel.

Mahoney finds the best candidate for Mount Sinai in the Land of Midian in Saudi Arabia, East of the Gulf of Aqaba. It has a large plain, plenty of water, evidence of a stream with several smaller tributaries, some ancient inscriptions, and an ancient altar for the sacrificing of animals. Mahoney also finds a large nearby gravesite that fits the description in Chapter 32 of Exodus where Moses and his loyal followers killed 3,000 rebels who refused to recant their worship of the golden calf while Moses was gone for 40 days talking to God on the mountain.

PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: JOURNEY TO MOUNT SINAI II is an informative, faith-filled movie. It makes a compelling case for one of the final three possible locations to Mount Sinai. The evidence for the altar is impressive, as is the evidence of the gravesite. The 12 pillars at the site are not quite as convincing, however. Sadly, the Saudi Arabian government won’t allow a proper archeological dig at the site. JOURNEY TO MOUNT SINAI II provides enough information, though, to convince viewers that the site is an ideal candidate for the real Mount Sinai described by Moses in the Book of Exodus and described by other writers in other books of the Bible.