THE BIBLE DOESN'T SAY THAT #2

There are SO many words and catchphrases that Christians use today that they think are in the Bible but are not really in the Bible at all. That is right, the Bible doesn’t say that. In fact, Christians often quote these more than they quote the actual words of the Bible!

Let’s continue looking at more things that some believe are in the Bible, but on closer examination are not quite what we think.

We Three Kings of Orient Are

Nope. There were not three kings present at the birth of Jesus or even immediately after His birth. In Matthew 2, we read they were “wise men” and not kings (v. 1). When they finally reach Jesus, they go into the house, not the manger or stable, and they meet the young child, not the baby Jesus (v. 11). The number three refers to the gifts the Bible tells us they brought; gold, frankincense and myrrh (v. 11). Everyone assumes one gift-one king!

It makes a nice song for the Christmas season, and a lovely Nativity scene, but it is not Biblically correct.

Eve Ate the Apple

Not really. The account in Genesis 3 states that Adam and Eve were not to eat of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden, which was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). We actually have no idea what kind of fruit was on the tree, besides the forbidden kind.

The depiction of the fruit being an apple was first made in 1667 by author John Milton in his work “Paradise Lost.” Afterwards it was shown that way in works of art. Actually, it was Snow White who was tempted by an apple, not Eve. But that’s a fairy tale for another time.

Jonah and the Whale

Sorry to break this to you, but a favorite of children”s Sunday School is not accurate at all. The Bible specifically calls it a “great fish” (Jonah 1:17) and not a whale. The Hebrew word used here refers to the type of fish one would catch and eat. Other places in the Old Testament that speak of whales (Genesis 1:21, Job 7:12, Ezekiel 32:2) refer to large creatures, some thing like sea monsters. That is quite a difference. And you can ask any science-minded person and they will tell you that a whale is not a fish, it is a mammal.

Whatever swallowed Jonah and held him for three days, it was a unique creation of God. And God can do that!

That’s Not Fair!

If you have children, you may hear this a lot. Even some adults will use this to justify their behavior, believing that they are “good people” and God will be “fair” with them at Judgement Day. Sorry to disappoint everyone, but there is no place in the Bible that states God is “fair”. God is just and He is righteous and He will give everyone all that they deserve, according to His will. After all, He created everything and everyone, so He has the right to do as He wills with His creation.

Just to be clear, the word “fair” appears 62 times in the King James Bible, all but three refer to appearance (ex. Esther 2:7) or a market (ex. Ezekiel 27:12). The three that don’t (Proverbs 26:25, Jeremiah 12:6, Romans 16:18) refer to those who speak fair but are really using deceiving speech. So which “fair” do you prefer?

God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

Wrong. God helps those He chooses to bless, and those people are often the ones who turn to Him for His help, because they cannot help themselves.

We cannot save ourselves, yet God helps us (Romans 5:6-11).

We cannot overcome our sin, yet God helps us (Romans 6:5-7).

We cannot approach God on our own, yet God helps us (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Now there are some situations in which you need to “help yourself,” and God may help you there. But he is not obligated to and there is no guarantee He will. We need to be very careful not to claim God has said things that he never actually said.

Instead of assuming what we are told is in the Bible is actually in the Bible, we should actually study our Bibles and know Scripture in context and in truth.

Think as a Berean! (Acts 17:10-11)

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Rob Harley, an accomplished accountant with over four decades of experience, is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, who has dedicated his life to studying and sharing the message of salvation. With degrees in Accounting and Christian Education & Administration, he has led impactful Bible studies for diverse age groups for over 25 years, while nurturing a strong faith-based family in Central Florida.