Fly Like An Eagle

A strange and Interesting Bible Fact:

Ask a child, “What is likely to sprout wings and fly away like an eagle?” and you’ll receive a number of answers, especially if they just finished a fantasy story. A pre-schooler might say, “a bunny rabbit.” The child will then dissolve in a fit of giggles. A middle school child with an electronic game might quickly answer, “a whale.” They know with electronics, anything is possible. The real answer is found in Proverbs 23:4-5. Wealth is sure to sprout wings and fly like an eagle. Guard your child’s future—teach them the Biblical wisdom—money does fly away. 

A LISTENING FRIEND

 A strange and Interesting Bible Fact:

One of my listening friends. 

What do you say when your friend is diagnosed with cancer or an incurable disease? Often because we have no idea what to do or how to fix the situation, we offer platitudes which leave us feeling foolish—our words don’t help. God’s Word gives simple instructions for such situations. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17: 22 (niv). Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 (niv). One thing you can do is be there and when the words don’t come, listen.

AT THE WATER’S EDGE

A strange and Interesting Bible Fact:

When the waters—circumstances of life—overwhelm us we have a tendency to complain like the Israelites. God said to them, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” EX 14:13 (niv). Number 11:23, “The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” 

Elijah struck the water in II Kings 2:9. Each of the Biblical challenges happened at the water’s edge. In verses 13 and 14 we find Elisha “stood on the bank of the Jordan.” Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha faced the chilly watery circumstances—each learned to listen to God, walk to the water’s edge in faith, and then make the choice to move forward. 

HELP IN SLAYING GIANTS

A strange and Interesting Bible Fact

When we talk about David and Goliath, most people have some kind of mental picture. It may be from growing up with the Bible stories or seeing a movie. Young David killed the giant with a sling and five stones, but what about the War Against the Philistines found in II Samuel 22:15-17 (tnab). 

“…David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.” Someone killed the giant for David. The Bible notes say, “By calling these men descendants of Rapha the writer was saying that they were giants.” Sometimes we can kill the giants in our lives, sometimes we need the help of others to slay our giants—especially during the Christmas season. 

Like A Bottle in the Smoke

A leather bag made of animal skin is the most common kind of bottle in Biblical times. A smaller bottle kept the shape of the animal with the bone removed. The larger ones were hides sewn together.

A liquid was usually carried in a ‘bottle’ with the hair left on, but tanning had to be completed before a bottle could serve to carry wine. A bottle hung in the smoke to dry, it shriveled—thus the phrase found in Psalms 119:83 “I am become like a bottle in the smoke.” 

Alike Chapters: II King 19 and Isaiah 37

A strange and Interesting Bible Fact

We are all familiar with Old Testament passages being repeated in the New Testament. But what about two chapters so similar they appear to be copied and pasted. Why? With all the words and stories available, why is the scripture repeated? (Study II King 19 and Isaiah 37 (niv). Why do we hear stories about infamous people and members of our family repeated over and over? That we might know, discern the truth and follow the wisdom of God. Study and know God’s laws. The truth does set us free.

UNBLESSED MONEY

A strange and Interesting Bible Fact

A bag was a shepherd’s wallet, usually made of kid’s skin with a strap fastened to each end to hang from the shoulder. When David went out to meet Goliath, he placed pebbles in his bag. Proverbs 20:23 (niv) is a caution against putting pebbles in a bag to cheat a merchant. 

Haggai 1:6 describes unblessed money as a “money bag with holes in it.” My pondering mind wonders about some of our ill-gotten gains today. Is all my money blessed by God, or do I carry around a bag with holes in it, or is it just the taxation, or is it called a debit card?