Strange and Interesting Bible Facts

Interesting Tidbit: This Bible fact might not be news to you; the Old Testament was written in Hebrew; the New Testament in Greek. It’s only a rule of thumb because some Aramaic is thrown in too (Daniel, Ezra, and a few other places.) I had many years of Bible study before I knew this. But once explained it made so much sense! Given to the Jews, the Old Testament was written in their language. But just prior to Christ’s birth, Alexander the Great conquered the known world making Greek the common language. Amazingly, because of this, when the Gospels were written, they could be read by any literate person in the known world! The news also traveled fast along the complex road system the Romans had built. Isn’t God good! His timing is always perfect!

Nahum Trivia: Nahum2:2-4 says, “The warriors are dressed in scarlet, the chariots are enveloped in flashing steel … The chariots race madly in the streets, they rush wildly in the squares. Their appearance is like torches, they dash to and fro like lightening.” This prophecy was literally fulfilled when the Medes invaded Nineveh, one of Assyria’s most powerful cities. The Greek historian Xenophon records that the Medes wore bright red battle tunics … the warriors are dressed in scarlet…and one of the invading armies (either the Medes or one of its allies) had steel swords on their chariots which flashed in the sun as they raced forward … the chariots are enveloped in flashing steel … their appearance is like torches dashing to and fro like lightening …

Who wrote the book of Hebrews? Truthfully, no one really knows for sure. The most common belief is that Paul wrote it. However, there are some significant differences in this book and Paul’s other books. It doesn’t start the same way, and the Old Testament quotes are from the Septuagint where as Paul usually quoted the original Hebrew. There are other differences too. If not Paul, then who? Possible authors include: Luke, Barnabas, Priscilla (the wife of Aquila), and Clement of Rome. One real possibility is that it was one of Paul’s sermons which was transcribed by someone else. But my father always claimed with a twinkle in his eye, and his tongue in his cheek that he thought Priscilla was the author because in Hebrews 13:22, the writer says he has written in “few words”, and who but a woman can write 13 chapters and call it “few words”? (KJV)

The Two Edged Sword

"Tell it not in Gath"

 “Tell it not in Gath; weep not at all…” (Micah 1:10) 

What in the world does this verse mean?! As I studied the book of Micah, what I learned about this verse struck me as particularly poignant. The prophet Micah predicts an upcoming calamity upon the divided kingdom of Israel. Israel’s enemies lived in Gath. When Micah wrote, “Tell it not in Gath”, he meant, “Don’t let our enemies know of our impending calamity.” And why didn’t Micah want Israel’s enemies to know?  Micah knew they would rejoice in Israel’s troubles. This is sad to me. Micah was called by God to make a prophecy that he wished he did not have to make. Like every Israeli at the time, he especially didn’t want his enemies to know…Tell it not in Gath!

 Have you ever felt like this? Have you ever faced a really tough or even embarrassing set of circumstances which you wish no one else knew about. But at least your family and friends will love you and support you through it. If only you could keep those who might rejoice in your problems from ever knowing!

              Fortunately this is not Micah’s last word on the topic. He later revisits this question, sounding more hopeful. In Micah 7: 8-9 he writes,

“Do not rejoice over me O my enemy. Though I fall, yet I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness.”

             Praise be to God, because of Him we too can tell our enemies, “Do not rejoice over me; though I fall, by God’s help, yet I will rise! God will someday bring me out into the light once again!”