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AI has been in use behind the scenes for years and has become so common that it is involved in everything from the online shopping recommendations we receive to whether we are approved for a loan. But where is AI headed? Could AI even take over religion? With the advent of widely accessible AI services, such as ChatGPT, whole new realms of possibility have been opened, potentially replacing tremendous amounts of human work. Now, some are routinely using AI to generate original images, write original essays, and even imitate the voices of others.

According to a new report from the United Nations refugee agency, “Last year saw a record spike in people forcibly uprooted from their homes” (Deutsche Welle, June 14, 2023). In 2022, the number of displaced people around the globe rose by nearly twenty million—with many connected to the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Sudan. Tragically, poorer countries are bearing the burden of housing the refugees.

What is the Mount Ebal tablet, and what is the connection between this ancient artifact and one of the most important accounts in Israel’s earliest history? Before answering these questions, and to better appreciate just how old and how important this ancient lead tablet is, it may be helpful to briefly mention some other biblical artifacts.