Understatements in the Bible

While I think everyone who reads these posts would agree that the Bible is inspired and contains truth, If not, you don’t know the authors well because we certainly all believe this! However, I wonder if, in that belief, you will allow me to make what seems like a criticism. The Bible contains truths that may not fully state that truth. Consider just two examples with me: 

First, in Genesis 1 we read the account of creation. In particular, notice the verses that detail God’s creation of the sun, moon, and stars. There is actually some detail added about the sun and moon, mentioning that one will rule the day and the other, the night. Now pause and consider these facts about our universe: A quick search on the internet will tell you that our galaxy alone is estimated to contain about 200 billion stars, about 6,000 of which you can see with the naked eye. And, by the way, the universe is estimated to contain around 100 billion galaxies. In Genesis 1:16, all of that is summed up in this statement following the part about the 2 greater lights: “and the stars.” What almost seems like a throwaway phrase sums up the creative force that is God. What an understatement.

Secondly, look at Mark 15:15 (also Matthew 27:26): “So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” In particular, notice the short phrase “having scourged Jesus.” Three short words, but how understated. I have heard multiple lessons that describe what that scourging would have entailed. Multiple leather strips with bits of rock or broken glass tied to the ends were meant to rip and tear at the flesh. Such a simple phrase and yet the agony and depth of love and commitment it represents. Such scourging was known to kill men, but Jesus endured that and more for me and for you.

Let me make one more suggestion. If the Bible can understate these facts and expressions of God’s power to this degree, think about what can be accomplished if we truly believe in the following verse:

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

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AUTHOR: Amber Tatum