"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...
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...
I have heard a lot of Preachers say that Jesus could not perform many miracle in Nazareth because the people's unbelief neutralized His power. They go as far as dramatizing it by showing that Jesus tried to heal a blind eye, a deaf ear or a lame man but couldn't because their unbelief neutralized Jesus' power. What exactly does the Bible say? (Matthew 13:54-58 KJV) And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. ...
Just like all the other questions treated on this blog, we will look at what the scripture says about this question. Firstly, what does it mean to be redeemed? It means "to buy out" most times in reference to the purchase of a slave's freedom. It is related to the word 'ransom' The argument for saying that Christians are only Fruit of Redemption and not the Redeemed is from the standpoint that Christians are born again therefore without any past. In other words they cannot be the Redeemed since having no past they were never under any form of slavery for which they needed to be Redeemed. It posits that Christians are rather the fruit of His redemptive work on the Jews who were under slavery of sin. However, based on the definition stated above, the under listed scriptures support the argument that Christians are both the redeemed as well as the fruit of His redemption. Both the Jews and the Gentiles were under the slavery of sin. (1 Corinthians 6:...
There is a simple and clear truth regarding the Holy Spirit which many people miss. The Bible clearly and simply reveals that the Holy Spirit was GIVEN to Jesus from the Father and then literally 'poured out' upon God's people. However Jesus needed to go back to heaven before this could happen. Let's take a look at some scriptures: (John 7:38-39) 'He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)' (John 16:7) 'Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.' (John 20:17) Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Fath...
Fasting is the abstinence from food and drinks for a spiritual purpose and for a specified period of time. It could be any of the following: an absolute fast (also known as dry fasting ) which is normally defined as abstinence from all food and drink for a defined period. a partial fast which limits only particular foods or drinks or substances, or be intermittent. It may also include abstinence from sexual relationships between husband and wife. The Origin of Fasting Fasting was first described in connection with the day of atonement, in the phrase “ afflict/humble your souls .” Once each year on the Day of Atonement the Hebrews were to afflict their souls (Leviticus 16:31), which meant fasting (cf. Isaiah. 58:3). They were to abstain from any form of food from the evening until evening (sunset to sunset). Leviticus 16:29-32 “This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you sh...
Sometime after Jesus' birth, he was visited by Magi (magicians, or "wise-men"). We don't like the word magician so we soften it by interpreting it as "wise-men". Back then "Magi" were probably more highly educated and therefore wise. They probably studied many things including astronomy. That's why they paid attention to, and followed the "star". It may or may not have been a real star. It could have been a confluence of planets (most likely) or it could just as easily have been a miraculous event since God can do anything. Some think that the "star" could have been an angel. We just don't know. The Magi came AFTER Jesus' birth AND after His presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-39). This happened 40 days that were required for Mary's purification. Therefore the Magi were not there on the night of his birth as manger scenes and Christmas cards, and many songs depict. "Little Drummer Boy" is just no...
Some Christians often quote the bible phrase " God is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live into him " as proof that people never really die, but rather their "soul" continues to live on after death. We will take a closer look at the entire story in context in the book of Luke chapter 20 verses 27 to 38 to have a better understanding of the phrase and it's meaning: (Luke 20:27-36 KJV) Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died ...
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 ...
The Hebrew word translated "God" in every passage of Genesis 1 as well as in more than 2,000 places throughout the Old Testament is Elohim. Elohim is a noun that is plural in form but normally singular in usage—that is, paired with singular verbs—when designating the true God. The word Eloah, meaning "Mighty One," is the singular form. Elohim, meaning "Mighty Ones," is plural. And, indeed, there are two Mighty Ones, the Most High and the Word. But, collectively, as Elohim, the two are seen as one God. We should note that since Elohim is used of the God family, each family member can be referred to by this word. (Some Bible writers also use the word elohim as a plural noun with plural usage to describe false gods. So one crucial factor in comprehending the meaning of this Hebrew word is determining what is intended by the context.) The Bible teaches a plurality within the Godhead in both the Old and New Testaments. Let us now look at some of t...
"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