Patterns of evidence: Is the Bible right about Israel, and can history prove it?

Do the Jewish people really have an ancient connection to the land of Israel? A new film documenting evidence relating to the biblical story of the people of Israel will be released this month, showing in theaters across the United States on Nov. 13, 14, and 17. 

Tracing the trajectory of Israel as described in the Bible – past, present and future – Christian filmmaker and documentarian Tim Mahoney pieced together a coherent story borne out by archaeological finds and historical records. The film is called, "Patterns of Evidence: The Israel Dilemma - Ancient Prophecies."

The film weaves dramatic reconstructions of biblical and historical events together with prophetic utterances from the Bible, demonstrating their veracity in discussions with academics, experts and key spokespeople, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres.

At a time when Israel’s very existence and legitimacy as a nation are under intense scrutiny, the film explores the biblical mandate for Israel. God’s covenant with Israel appears in the very first book of the Bible, promising the land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But is this ongoing story better described as fact or fairytale? 

Opening with scenes from Israel's Declaration of Independence in 1948, David Ben Gurion, the primary founder of the State of Israel and its first prime minister, is quoted as saying the Bible is “our deed to the Land.”

This view is echoed by former Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Dannon who said in an interview with BBC: “This is our deed to the land. That’s biblical.” 

He added, “We have historical rights to the land… You just need to read a history book. You can go to Rome and see the Arch of Titus. And you will see evidence for our connection to the land.” 

It’s a bold assertion but is rigorously put to the test by Mahoney and his team, who approach the fulfillment of biblical prophecy as a yardstick with which to measure accuracy, and a means of discerning the validity of the Bible and – by extension – its message.

Mahoney explained, “Prophecy can provide a kind of scientific tool, a verifiable test of its legitimacy. The ability to predict results is a hallmark of any good scientific theory.”

Brent Kinman, a pastor and the author of "History, Design and the End of Time," says in the film: “The scriptures predict events hundreds, sometimes thousands of years off into the future, and they do so with a reliability that is breathtaking.” 

The film then carefully examines biblical claims, quotes, and stories in parallel with what can be historically proven.

Interviews with experts and leaders in history and archaeology further validate Mahoney’s hypothesis. Even skeptical figures like archaeologist Israel Finkelstein from Tel Aviv University acknowledge there is substantial evidence supporting later biblical accounts.

Referring to 2 Chronicles 32, Finkelstein affirmed it was “a very strong case,” saying, “You have on one hand the biblical story of what had happened at Lachish, on the other hand, you have the story in the Assyrian records, and then you have the archeological records. When you match all of them together, the three from three sides, you get a wonderful picture. This is one of the best cases when you can really match all the records from all directions.”

The documentary explores many of the most exciting archaeological discoveries in recent years, demonstrating how they support much of what is described in the Hebrew scriptures.

Speaking with Bar-Ilan University's Gabriel Barkay, the director of the Temple Mount Sifting Project, Mahoney expresses his amazement at the wealth of archeological and historical evidence that has been discovered.

“So the historical evidence as it relates to the biblical text is enormous?” he says.

“Yes,” Barkay agreed. “We have an abundance of material that either directly or indirectly relates to the biblical evidence, no doubt.” 

Mahoney’s research builds the case that ancient Israel has been in the Promised Land from the time of the Bible – and that God’s promises to Israel continue until today.  

“From ancient prophecies and the evidence assembled in the film, we begin to see God’s firm foundation: He promised the Land of Promise to the Jews. This is part of His bigger plan for the world, and His plan will not be thwarted.”

“One of the greatest evidences for the God of Israel, the God of the Bible, is the people of Israel, the history of Israel,” New York Times bestselling author and Bible teacher Joel Richardson confirms in the film. 

“When you look at this long, repeated pattern of the Gentiles rising up and attacking, persecuting, murdering the Jewish people, there’s this glaring problem: Why? What’s the reason? And every time it happens it’s different.” 

He concluded, “This has never happened in human history that a nation disappeared and two thousand years later it’s repatriated and restored, reestablished, and yet it has happened precisely according to the words of the Lord through Moses. The history of the Jewish people provides us with one of the most irrefutable proofs of the God of the Bible.” 

Patterns of Evidence: The Israel Dilemma - Ancient Prophecies will debut in 500 theaters throughout the U.S. on Nov. 13, 14, and 17, just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Click below to watch the trailer for the documentary. 

In 2020, Mahoney established the Patterns of Evidence Foundation to help fund the filmmaking process that uncovers evidence of God’s activity throughout history.

The "Israel Dilemma I & II" is a Patterns of Evidence Foundation project, produced by Thinking Man Films. 

An additional film, “Patterns of Evidence: The Israel Dilemma - Promised Return” will be in theaters in the spring of 2025.