We have become used to online reviews for all sorts of items. Book reviews on Amazon. Reviews of places to stay on AirBnb. Reviews on Yelp for everything from restaurants to dentists. And more.
Nearly 3,000 years ago, in Babylon, these complaint letters were written on stone tablets in cuneiform and sent to the place of business. The earliest complaint letter uncovered by archaeologists can be found in the British Museum (pictured here). It’s believed to have been written in 1750 B.C.
The translation of this letter reads as follows:
“Tell Ea-Nasir: Nanni sends the following message:
When you came, you said to me: “I will give fine quality copper ingots.”
You left, but you did not do what you promised me.
You put ingots which were not good before my messenger and said:
“If you want to take them, take them; if you do not want to take them, go away!”
What do you take me for that you treat me with such contempt? …
… How have you treated me for that copper?
You have withheld my money bag from me in enemy territory;
it is now up to you to restore to me in full.
Take notice that I will not accept any copper from you that is not of fine quality.
I shall select and take the ingots individually in my yard,
and I shall exercise against you my right of rejection because you have treated me with contempt.”
(translation found at JoyofMuseums.com)
Apparently, the archeological dig where this letter was found included many complaint letters! Forbes magazine published an article about Ea-Nasir titled “Meet the Worst Businessman of the 18th Century BC.”
Next time you post something online, consider the possibility that (if the Lord tarries) it will be read by someone else 3,000 years from now. Words can last a loooooong time.
Fun Fridays – July 21, 2023
I truly doubt that I’ll be read
many years from now,
but I pray that what I write’s not dead,
and here is why and how:
that a bit of what I tried to say
about God and life and joy
stuck in someone’s mind to stay,
small changes to deploy
in that life, and like a stone
tossed into still and waiting pond
sent ripples that in starlight shone
to unknown shores beyond,
and thus in foreign distant hearts
my words may yet play further parts.
You’re a true missionary of the written word, Andrew! I know your words will last, and that they are pleasing to God. 🙂
Pam, thank you so much. I really hope the words do last, in some way, because I have found joy not in escape from cancer, but in the midst of it.
Today I can barely move my arms, and can only finger-type on a phone…and yet, it’s a GOOD day.
Joy in the midst is what we shoot for. ((hugs)) and prayers winging your way!
This is super interesting, Steve. Humans have been grumbling for a l-o-n-g time, haven’t we? This is in my face this morning as I’ve been grumbling since 5am when my 32-year-old special needs adult daughter woke up and refused to come back to bed. Then she fell asleep an hour later on the couch. And then she dumped her Cheerios on the floor … again. It’s an almost daily occurrence. Sigh.
Philippians 2:14 (NIV) says: do everything without grumbling and arguing …
That’s hard. But when I remember verse 15, I’m encouraged: … so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
May I continue to remember this!
A sobering post. I already regret stuff I posted a year ago, I can only imagine how bad it will seem in 3000 years. I suppose this also applies to replies made on this blog. Hmmm.
Oh, the power of words. The old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is the epitomy of wrong. Our spoken or written words are sharper than any two-edged sword. May we think before we speak and pray our words will uplift all who hear them.
The idea of my words coming back in 3,000 years is rather scary. It reminds me of the Star Trek original episode where Captain Kirk and his crew found a planet where the people had the American Constitution as their only guide for government. It was a partial document, and the people mispronounced the words, until our beloved Kirk came along. Kirk, being Kirk, got them on the right track, just before they were going to kill him. (Drama King, that’s our Kirk!) Sticks and stones…..
That was a good episode!
Galaxy Quest is along these lines, where the cast of a Star-Trekish series has been taken seriously by an alien race. They send representatives to Earth to ask for help from their T.V. heroes!
Love that stuff.
Never underestimate the power of the written word, as evidenced by Forbes magazine.
This is great! Mom was right; be careful what you put out there as you can’t take it back!
You’ve inspired a humorous newspaper column with this. Thanks!
What a fascinating post! Thank you!
Haha, wow! I’ve pictured someone in that distant future coming upon, chuckling at me and one of my comedy films
Ha ha ha! The world’s first recorded scammer! Yes, be careful what you write especially if put in stone (or clay) or online!
When my students complained about the language in Shakespeare’s plays, I would suggest that when they wrote their prize-winning screenplays (none of them wanted to write a novel) and in the far future, teachers were making students learn about their works in English classes, those future students would find their words as ridiculous as they find the plays of the 1600s. Language changes, but people stay pretty much the same.
Sometimes even the best recorded words can be twisted when taken out of context or if read in isolation. I like to read from the New American Standard Bible (NASB). When my wife suggests my attitude may be amiss, I pull out my NASB and read Psalm 55:17: “Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice.” I claim I’m being biblical, but she gives me one of those looks. Doesn’t come out the same in other translations.
O the lasting power of words. The most difficult discipline of humans, Christians included, is that of the tongue. And it seems that age is no respecter of this lack of discipline.
Personally, I am working on this issue by seeking help from the only aid mortals have – our sovereign Lord.
Lo Fields