"Heaven helps those who help themselves" is not in the bible from my understanding, rather its the opposite. God helps the helpless, the powerless etc. please enlighten me more on this, thank you.
It is not in the Bible. However, we should not completely discard the "possible" underlying interpretation the initial writer of the quote was trying to convey
Many Christians thought that Jacob worked seven years for Laban, realized that Laban deceived him to marry Leah, and then worked seven more years before finally getting married to Rachel. However the bible shows that he took both Leah and Rachel immediately before he began serving Laban. For clarity, I advise you to read this Jacob's story in other translations of the Bible aside King James Version (KJV). Meanwhile lets look at look at some of the facts from the Bible: (Genesis 29:21 KJV) And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. Please note that the 7 years of service required of Jacob were the total dowry and not the customary waiting period before a wife was given to the groom. In other words, Jacob took Leah after the customary waiting period which was a couple of days just like we read in vs 21. Notice that he said, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled" implying a certain number of d...
Did you know that the bible verse in Genesis 8:22 often quoted by a lot of the gospel ministers to support giving of money, offerings and tithes has nothing to do with money? (Genesis 8:22 KJV) While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. The statement in the verse was made by God to Noah immediately after the flood. It was made to assure Noah that He will never again destroy all life on earth by water anď that as long as the earth remains none of the following will ever cease on earth: Planting of seeds and harvesting of seeds. The four different seasons - spring, summer, fall and winter. Day and night. In other words, the natural life on earth is perpetual . I recommend you read at least the entire Genesis chapter 8 in other bible translations to better understand the context. So when next you hear the verse in connection to giving just remember the context in which God made the statement. If you l...
Genesis 6:6 is one of those difficult verses in the bible of which different bible commentators have varied interpretations. The verse seems to suggest that God regretted His action of creating man on earth. But how can one attribute regret to the All-Knowing God? Genesis 6:6 (ESV) And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. Genesis 6:6 (KJV) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:6 (NASB) The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Hebrew word translated as “ regretted ” or " repented" or " sorry" in the above verse is yin'nā'hem , from the root word nacham . The word is exclusively about emotions: a feeling of pain, sadness, or unhappiness. The word does not imply that God feels He has made a mistake, or that He wishes to have done differently . However, this wo...
There are two places in the King James Version of the Bible where specific reference is made of the phrase "double portion". Deuteronomy 21:17 But he shall acknowledge the firstborn . . . by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his”. 2 Kings 2:9 “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha answered, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me” The term simply refers to the right of the firstborn as seen in the expression in Deuteronomy 21:17. What Elisha asked for was to be treated as the firstborn among the sons of the prophets. Here are excerpt from notable Bible Commentaries: Elisha asks to be treated as the firstborn among “the sons of the prophets,” and so to receive twice as great a share of “the spirit and power” of his master as any of the rest. “Let me be the firstborn among thy spiritual sons;” “Make me thy true spiritual heir;” not “Gi...
The concept of meditation has been mostly appropriated to other religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism and other eastern religions. Sadly, some Christians today have never practiced meditation the bible way, and typically when you ask some believers how many of them meditate on a regular basis, the answer is only a few. There are many forms of meditations encompassing practices from different traditions, cultures, spiritual disciplines, and religions which are not in line with the concept of biblical meditation. Some of them include: Silent meditation which involves simply sitting in quiet without thoughts for anything. Calming meditation which involves focusing on a particular object which could be your breath, a mantra, a visualization without focus on God and His Word . Yoga meditation which may include sitting calmly on a rug, and/or listening to sonorous music. Biblical meditation is not even primarily for relaxation, although you may find it calming and comforting. It is...
Abraham had two sons, the one by Sarah (a freewoman) and the other by Hagar (a bondwoman). However, we see in Genesis chapter 22 that in three different occasions, God referred to Isaac as the only son of Abraham, in total disregard of Ishmael as a son. So, in what sense is Isaac the only Son of Abraham? (Genesis 22:2 KJV) And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. (Genesis 22:12 KJV) And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. (Genesis 22:16 KJV) And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son , thine only son. First notice that the second time the word ‘ son ’ is used in all the above verses, it is in italics, indica...
“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” — John 6:53 (KJV) These are among the most controversial words Jesus ever spoke — so much so that many of His own disciples turned away from following Him after this (John 6:66). But what did He really mean? Was He speaking literally… or was there a spiritual mystery hidden in His words? Let’s walk through this verse with reverence and clarity, using Scripture to interpret Scripture. What Does “Eat My Flesh” Mean? To understand this, we must first know who “the flesh of the Son of Man” is. Jesus is not just the eternal Word — He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). This “flesh” represents more than just physical body — it speaks of: His humanity His incarnation (birth in human form) His earthly life and suffering His identity as the prophesied Son of Man So when Jesus says, “eat my flesh,” He is saying: Yo...
Many Christians believe that the word translated “whole” in Luke 17:19 KJV refers to both physical and spiritual healing and that the nine lepers in the chapter received only physical healing because they did not return to give thanks to Jesus where as the leper that returned to give thanks to Jesus received both physical and spiritual healing. They believe all the lepers were cleansed but the one that returned to Jesus got something extra which is that he was made whole (i.e his limbs which may have been lost or deformed as a result of the leprosy were restored or that he got salvation for his soul). Though this may be true, there's however a more likely possibility that the leper did not get something more than the rest of the nine. Let's first read the story: (Luke 17:12-19 KJV) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when h...
Here's the thing. All Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews (Exodus 2:1-10). Moses was an Israelite, but he was born of the tribe of Levi, not of Judah. The original name for the Israelites was Hebrews. The Word comes from the word "eyver" which refers to "the other side" referring to the fact that Abraham came from the other side of the Euphrates. The word "Jew" is derived from the Name Judah. Today, the word "Jew" is used to refer to all of the physical and spiritual descendants of Jacob and the word "Judaism" is used to refer to their beliefs. Technically, this usage is inaccurate.
3 John 1:2 KJV Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Many Christians regard the above verse as a declaration from God of His desire to financially prosper believers. While we acknowledge the bible-fact that God's plan for His children is that of good and not of evil, however, the above verse is not a sovereign declaration of Almighty God; it is rather a greeting/prayer from Paul to Gaius. The verse is never God's promise to financially prosper any believer, which has faith, in this dispensation as some profess. Paul's statement in that verse is like saying, "Hello dear, I hope all is well with you. I wish you long life, good health and prosperity as you grow in the things of the spirit'. Here are other translations for better understanding: 3 Joh 1:2 CEV Dear friend, and I pray all goes well for you. I hope you are as strong in body, as I know you are in spirit. 3 Joh 1:2 ISV Dear friend, I pray ...
"Heaven helps those who help themselves" is not in the bible from my understanding, rather its the opposite.
ReplyDeleteGod helps the helpless, the powerless etc.
please enlighten me more on this, thank you.
Nice try Nze. Let's wait for comments from others.
ReplyDeleteNze, you are absolutely correct.
ReplyDeleteIt is not in the Bible. However, we should not completely discard the "possible" underlying interpretation the initial writer of the quote was trying to convey
ReplyDelete