About a week or so ago, I was listening to the bible while driving and the story of the man who was lying at the pool in Bethesda caught my attention.
I was so excited about what the Lord was speaking to me in this story that I hardly could wait to get home to do a further study on the story.
Well, when I got home, I immediately got out my bible and started reading the story. To my amazement, I saw something that I had never seen before and that many preachers have never seen too (I say this because I have heard many preach on this story).
Look at John 5:5-6
And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
What I have always thought or heard preached was that the man was at the pool for 38 years. But that is not what the word says. It says, he had the infirmity for 38 years. NOT that he had been at the pool for 38 years.
This observation may seem minor but can help you see things you had not seen before and help you get answers to questions you may have when studying this particular portion of the scriptures.
Since the purpose of writing this post is not to share with you the things I learnt from the story but to encourage you to get into the habit of studying the bible for yourself, let me show you another one.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I had always thought and heard it preached that “But my god shall supply all your needs…”
If you are not very careful, you may even be wondering what the difference is as you read it now.
Notice the word needs. It says need (singular) in the bible NOT needs (plural) like most people read it.
When you start catching such “small” things, your bible study will become interesting because you will start asking the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the truths that may have been hidden from you because of the wrong information you had before.
Am sure you too have caught some of these mistakes. I would love to hear them. If you have any you would like to share, please leave them in the comment box.
I encourage you to read the bible for yourself other than just relying on others to tell you what it says.
I wish you a better bible study!
Until next time,
Stay blessed & keep the faith!
Moses kangave
