Mesa Verde Petroglyphs and the Written Word

2022-09-12

We went to Mesa Verde National Park and took to a rather arduous trail. After narrow paths and steps of stones, we came to the petroglyphs (writing on stone). According to some archaeologists, they believe the ancient Pueblo people sometimes recorded the positions of the sun at the solstices on the rocks. What we saw could have been anything, but it is interesting to consider what the writings we saw meant. We also saw buildings carved and built from the rocks on the canyon walls by the ancient Pueblo people. There were certainly amazing sights.

Reflecting on this, I think about how important the written word is. Without preserved writing, people can misremember events. Writing preserves a culture for centuries to come, if due diligence is taken to preserve them. This is why the Lord used the Scriptures to preserve His Word from one generation to another. The first use of the word “write” shows us some of that purpose: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven” (Exodus 17:14). The story of the battle with the Amalekites was preserved “for a memorial” so that people would remember it, and they would see how God would keep His promise concerning Amalek.

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. (Psalms 12:6-7)