What unanswered questions arise as you read the Bible?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Diakonos

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2019
1,381
434
83
31
Anacortes, WA
#42
“He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant. His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.” (Psalm 55:20–21, NASB95)

Who is this?
 
G

Gojira

Guest
#43
John 14:12
I've always wondered how it is that those of us that believe are unable to do the "greater things" that Jesus promised.
Do we just not have enough faith?
There is the doctrine of cessationism. I believe that is the word.
 

DJT_47

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2022
1,040
187
63
#44
There are many, but the mystery of God is by far the most perplexing, that dwarfs everything else including the universe which is simply one of his creations.
 
Oct 29, 2022
73
32
18
#45
“He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant. His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.” (Psalm 55:20–21, NASB95)

Who is this?
from king commentary;
Psalms 55:16-21
God Will Hear
In contrast to what David wishes in Psa 55:15 for his betrayers, people who turn against God and His godly ones, he will cry out to God (Psa 55:16). His adversaries go down to Sheol. For himself he expresses the assurance that “the LORD”, Yahweh, will save him.
He goes to God “evening and morning and at noon” to complain and murmur (Psa 55:17; cf. Dan 6:11). It indicates that he is constantly calling upon to God (1Th 5:17). He prays, so to speak, ‘around the clock’. That he mentions the evening first is because in Israel the day usually begins on the evening of the previous day (Lev 23:32). He is confident that God will hear his voice.
In confidence of faith, David expresses that God will redeem his “soul in peace from the battle” which is against him (Psa 55:18). To his mind, redemption has already taken place. The battle is over. The many who were against him are no longer fighting against him. The peace that he has lost because of his friend’s betrayal and the opposition of many has returned to his soul now that he has entrusted everything to God.
He knows that “God will hear and answer them” (Psa 55:19). After all, God is the One “who sits enthroned from of old”. David’s enemies can drive him from his throne, but it is impossible to drive God from the throne. God sits on the throne and governs everything. His government is for the benefit of His own and means judgment for the wicked.
The wicked are judged because with them “there is no change” and they “do not fear God”. God speaks to man several times to turn him from his path of error (Job 33:14-17). But if they remain unchanging in their way of life and go their own way, He will humble them. Their reliance on their own strength and ability proves that they do not fear God, that they do not have any respect for Him.
That they do not change and do not fear God, they show by putting their hands forth “against those who were at peace with him” (Psa 55:20). Once again David refers to the faithless actions of his companion and familiar friend. That one had taken advantage of him by seeking his misfortune, while David was at peace with him. By that treacherous action he violated the covenant of friendship.
The betrayal is the betrayal of the mouth (Psa 55:21). His speech was “smoother than butter” (cf. Pro 16:28; Jer 9:4-5). He is a slippery hypocrite, someone you cannot depend on at all, whose words have no value. The buttery smoothness of his mouth camouflages his heart that is out for battle (Jer 9:8). His heart is brimming with plans to fight his friend.
The words that come out of his mouth “are softer than oil” (cf. Pro 5:3). Oil is meant to relief pain (Isa 1:6). His words, however, do not relief pain, but cause pain, for “they were drawn swords”. His sweet talk is life-threatening, for he is out to cause death and destruction.

from pulpit commentary;

Psa 55:20
He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him. Some explain "he" as "the wicked collectively,’’ and maintain that in this verse and the next no particular person is pointed at; but it seems better to regard the psalmist as "suddenly reverting to the fixed and deepest thought in his heart—the treachery of his friend" (Canon Cook). Ahithophel had put forth his hand against such as were at peace with him." He hath broken his covenant. The covenant of friendship with David (Psa 55:14), not, perhaps, a formal one, but involved in the terms on which they stood one towards the other.
Psa 55:21
The words of his mouth wore smoother than butter; literally, smooth were the butters of his mouth—i.e; his flattering utterances. But war was in his heart; literally, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords; i.e. keen, cutting—according to our own idiom, "like daggers."


Cheers.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,879
5,623
113
#47
I am someone who ponders everything, have a problem with taking something at face value.
While searching for answers, “That’s just the way it is” and, “I don’t know” never sat well within me.

So I wonder with many on this site, what questions have you pondered while reading?
What verse or story do you find that is left unanswered ?

For instance, In Genesis, where did that piece of flesh come from that the Lord God patched up from the removed rib?

I am not asking this question to imply that I have any answers, just doing it for the sake of discussion and maybe some of us have wondered about the same thing.
yes I think what happens is when we read the Bible it creates questions in us which causes us to seek for answers which in turn we run across more questions during that process as we learn the information expands as we grasp it it causes us to wonder about it because we don’t fully understand there’s always another question and it’s good because it causes us to seek for answers from God and his word who cm edifies our soul
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,822
845
113
#48
There are many, but the mystery of God is by far the most perplexing, that dwarfs everything else including the universe which is simply one of his creations.
Far beyond our comprehension.

We cannot adequately describe God, other than, God is unconditional and eternal love.
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,190
113
#49
Some propose that Melchizedek was actually a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, or a Christophany. This is a possible theory, given that Abraham had received such a visit before. Consider Genesis 17 where Abraham saw and spoke with the Lord (El Shaddai) in the form of a man. (gotquestions.org)
I've wondered that as well.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,730
29,081
113
#51
:unsure:
“He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant. His speech was smoother
than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.” (Psalm 55:20–21, NASB95)

Who is this?

Psalm 55:12-14~ It is not an enemy who insults me...
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,879
5,623
113
#52
Far beyond our comprehension.

We cannot adequately describe God, other than, God is unconditional and eternal love.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we can acknolwedge that God has made himself known To us in Jesus Christ through the gospel. What your saying is true before the son of God was born but now we’re here in this place since he came preaching the gospel and giving us his spirit

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The gospel is God saying this is who I am come to me and believe Know me and live



“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. …And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17:3-5

Christ came to reveal the un knowable invisible God to mankind to make himself knowable and approachable to make himself a teacher of men about himself

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬

My point is this the Old Testament was a cloak and the New Testament has made God known in truth. When we talk about receiving the Holy Spirit there’s an effect that applies the Old Testament says this

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

( the New Testament reveals those things to us freely so we can know them )

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:9-12, 16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s why hearing what Jesus said is so important it’s Gods own words being spoken clearly man to man to believers the only requirement

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

That’s what God is telling believers the things Jesus told believers
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,175
1,573
113
68
Brighton, MI
#53
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Adam was made from the dust of the earth, so Eve was made from the dust of the earth plus Adam's rib.
Was it BBQ?
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,175
1,573
113
68
Brighton, MI
#54
John 14:12
I've always wondered how it is that those of us that believe are unable to do the "greater things" that Jesus promised.
Do we just not have enough faith?
John 14

Contemporary English Version



Jesus Is the Way to the Father
14 Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.[a] 2 There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. 4 You know the way to where I am going.”
5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?”
6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. 7 If you had really known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.”
9 Jesus replied:
Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don't you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father? 10 Don't you believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? What I say isn't said on my own. The Father who lives in me does these things.
11 Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. 12 I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. 13 Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. 14 I will do whatever you ask me to do.
The Holy Spirit Is Promised
15 Jesus said to his disciples:
If you love me, you will do as I command. 16 Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help[b] you and always be with you. 17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don't see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.
18 I won't leave you like orphans. I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the people of this world won't be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live. 20 Then you will know I am one with the Father. You will know you are one with me, and I am one with you. 21 If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like.
22 The other Judas, not Judas Iscariot,[c] then spoke up and asked, “Lord, what do you mean by saying that you will show us what you are like, but you will not show the people of this world?”
23 Jesus replied:
If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. 24 But anyone who doesn't love me, won't obey me. What they have heard me say doesn't really come from me, but from the Father who sent me.
25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Holy Spirit will come and help[d] you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.
27 I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn't like the peace this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.
28 You have already heard me say I am going and I will also come back to you. If you really love me, you should be glad I am going back to the Father, because he is greater than I am.
29 I am telling you this before I leave, so when it does happen, you will have faith in me. 30 I cannot speak with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. But he has no power over me. 31 I obey my Father, so everyone in the world might know that I love him.
It is time for us to go now.

From the context Jesus is speaking to the 12 Disciples who became the Apostles, not to all Christians of all time.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,175
1,573
113
68
Brighton, MI
#55
“He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant. His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.” (Psalm 55:20–21, NASB95)

Who is this?
The answer is Ahithophel.

Here is how:

2 Samuel 15:10-12
He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him, but they had no idea what he was going to do. Absalom offered sacrifices in Hebron and sent someone to Gilo to tell David's advisor Ahithophel to come. More and more people were joining Absalom and supporting his plot. Meanwhile, Absalom had secretly sent some messengers to the northern tribes of Israel. The messengers told everyone, “When you hear the sound of the trumpets, you must shout, ‘Absalom now rules as king in Hebron!’ ”

2 Samuel 15:31
Someone told David, “Ahithophel is helping Absalom plot against you!” David said, “Please, Lord, keep Ahithophel's plans from working!”


Go back into the city and tell Absalom, “Your Majesty, I am your servant. I will serve you now, just as I served your father in the past.” Hushai, if you do that, you can help me ruin Ahithophel's plans.

2 Samuel 16:15
Hushai Meets Absalom
By this time, Absalom, Ahithophel, and the others had reached Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 16:20
Ahithophel's Advice
Absalom turned to Ahithophel and said, “Give us your advice! What should we do?”

2 Samuel 16:21
Ahithophel answered, “Some of your father's wives were left here to take care of the palace. You should have sex with them. Then everyone will find out that you have publicly disgraced your father. This will make you and your followers even more powerful.”

2 Samuel 16:23
Ahithophel gave such good advice in those days that both Absalom and David thought it came straight from God.

2 Samuel 17:1
Ahithophel said to Absalom: Let me choose 12,000 men and attack David tonight,

2 Samuel 17:4
Hushai Fools Absalom
Absalom and all the leaders of the tribes of Israel agreed that Ahithophel had a good plan.

2 Samuel 17:6
Hushai came in, and Absalom told him what Ahithophel had planned. Then Absalom said, “Should we do what he says? And if we shouldn't, can you come up with anything better?”

2 Samuel 17:7
Hushai said: This time Ahithophel's advice isn't so good.

2 Samuel 17:14
Absalom and the others liked Hushai's plan better than Ahithophel's plan. This was because the Lord had decided to keep Ahithophel's plan from working and to cause trouble for Absalom.

2 Samuel 17:15
Jonathan and Ahimaaz Tell David the News
At once, Hushai went to Zadok and Abiathar. He told them what advice Ahithophel had given to Absalom and to the leaders of Israel. He also told them about the advice he had given.

2 Samuel 17:21
After the soldiers had gone, Jonathan and Ahimaaz climbed out of the well. They went to David and said, “Hurry! Get ready to cross the river!” Then they told him about Ahithophel's plan.

2 Samuel 17:23
Ahithophel Kills Himself
When Ahithophel saw that Absalom and the leaders of Israel were not going to follow his advice, he saddled his donkey and rode back to his home in Gilo. He told his family and servants what to do. Then he hanged himself, and they buried him in his family's burial place.

2 Samuel 23:24-39
Some of the Thirty Warriors were: Asahel the brother of Joab Elhanan the son of Dodo from Bethlehem Shammah from Harod Elika from Harod Helez the Paltite Ira the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa Abiezer from Anathoth Mebunnai the Hushathite Zalmon the Ahohite Maharai from Netophah Heleb the son of Baanah from Netophah Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the tribe of Benjamin Benaiah from Pirathon Hiddai from the streams on Mount Gaash Abialbon from Beth-Arabah Azmaveth from Bahurim Eliahba from Shaalbon Jashen Jonathan the son of Shammah the Hararite Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai from Maacah Eliam the son of Ahithophel from Gilo Hezro from Carmel Paarai the Arbite Igal the son of Nathan from Zobah Bani the Gadite Zelek from Ammon Naharai from Beeroth, who carried the weapons of Joab the son of Zeruiah Ira the Ithrite Gareb the Ithrite Uriah the Hittite There were 37 in all.

1 Chronicles 27:33
Ahithophel and Hushai the Archite were two of David's advisors.

1 Chronicles 27:34
Jehoiada the son of Benaiah was the king's advisor after Ahithophel, and later, Abiathar was his advisor. Joab was commander of Israel's army.
 

Diakonos

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2019
1,381
434
83
31
Anacortes, WA
#56
The answer is Ahithophel.

Here is how:

2 Samuel 15:10-12
He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him, but they had no idea what he was going to do. Absalom offered sacrifices in Hebron and sent someone to Gilo to tell David's advisor Ahithophel to come. More and more people were joining Absalom and supporting his plot. Meanwhile, Absalom had secretly sent some messengers to the northern tribes of Israel. The messengers told everyone, “When you hear the sound of the trumpets, you must shout, ‘Absalom now rules as king in Hebron!’ ”

2 Samuel 15:31
Someone told David, “Ahithophel is helping Absalom plot against you!” David said, “Please, Lord, keep Ahithophel's plans from working!”


Go back into the city and tell Absalom, “Your Majesty, I am your servant. I will serve you now, just as I served your father in the past.” Hushai, if you do that, you can help me ruin Ahithophel's plans.

2 Samuel 16:15
Hushai Meets Absalom
By this time, Absalom, Ahithophel, and the others had reached Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 16:20
Ahithophel's Advice
Absalom turned to Ahithophel and said, “Give us your advice! What should we do?”

2 Samuel 16:21
Ahithophel answered, “Some of your father's wives were left here to take care of the palace. You should have sex with them. Then everyone will find out that you have publicly disgraced your father. This will make you and your followers even more powerful.”

2 Samuel 16:23
Ahithophel gave such good advice in those days that both Absalom and David thought it came straight from God.

2 Samuel 17:1
Ahithophel said to Absalom: Let me choose 12,000 men and attack David tonight,

2 Samuel 17:4
Hushai Fools Absalom
Absalom and all the leaders of the tribes of Israel agreed that Ahithophel had a good plan.

2 Samuel 17:6
Hushai came in, and Absalom told him what Ahithophel had planned. Then Absalom said, “Should we do what he says? And if we shouldn't, can you come up with anything better?”

2 Samuel 17:7
Hushai said: This time Ahithophel's advice isn't so good.

2 Samuel 17:14
Absalom and the others liked Hushai's plan better than Ahithophel's plan. This was because the Lord had decided to keep Ahithophel's plan from working and to cause trouble for Absalom.

2 Samuel 17:15
Jonathan and Ahimaaz Tell David the News
At once, Hushai went to Zadok and Abiathar. He told them what advice Ahithophel had given to Absalom and to the leaders of Israel. He also told them about the advice he had given.

2 Samuel 17:21
After the soldiers had gone, Jonathan and Ahimaaz climbed out of the well. They went to David and said, “Hurry! Get ready to cross the river!” Then they told him about Ahithophel's plan.

2 Samuel 17:23
Ahithophel Kills Himself
When Ahithophel saw that Absalom and the leaders of Israel were not going to follow his advice, he saddled his donkey and rode back to his home in Gilo. He told his family and servants what to do. Then he hanged himself, and they buried him in his family's burial place.

2 Samuel 23:24-39
Some of the Thirty Warriors were: Asahel the brother of Joab Elhanan the son of Dodo from Bethlehem Shammah from Harod Elika from Harod Helez the Paltite Ira the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa Abiezer from Anathoth Mebunnai the Hushathite Zalmon the Ahohite Maharai from Netophah Heleb the son of Baanah from Netophah Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the tribe of Benjamin Benaiah from Pirathon Hiddai from the streams on Mount Gaash Abialbon from Beth-Arabah Azmaveth from Bahurim Eliahba from Shaalbon Jashen Jonathan the son of Shammah the Hararite Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai from Maacah Eliam the son of Ahithophel from Gilo Hezro from Carmel Paarai the Arbite Igal the son of Nathan from Zobah Bani the Gadite Zelek from Ammon Naharai from Beeroth, who carried the weapons of Joab the son of Zeruiah Ira the Ithrite Gareb the Ithrite Uriah the Hittite There were 37 in all.

1 Chronicles 27:33
Ahithophel and Hushai the Archite were two of David's advisors.

1 Chronicles 27:34
Jehoiada the son of Benaiah was the king's advisor after Ahithophel, and later, Abiathar was his advisor. Joab was commander of Israel's army.
Thank you for the help!

BTW, did you know that Ahithophel is Bathsheba's Grandfather? Maybe that's why he betrayed David.
 
P

pablocito

Guest
#57
I am someone who ponders everything, have a problem with taking something at face value.
While searching for answers, “That’s just the way it is” and, “I don’t know” never sat well within me.

So I wonder with many on this site, what questions have you pondered while reading?
What verse or story do you find that is left unanswered ?

For instance, In Genesis, where did that piece of flesh come from that the Lord God patched up from the removed rib?

I am not asking this question to imply that I have any answers, just doing it for the sake of discussion and maybe some of us have wondered about the same thing.

In the beginning everything was void, empty and darkness and much much worse, things that cannot enter our minds because really our minds are limited to only what we can think and access with our 5 senses.

Therefore God created everything visible and tangible that we can think about, from nothing. (Read John 1:1-5)
The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge.
 
P

pablocito

Guest
#58
I was not there, ask Adam
Adam would not know either. (That is, - the scientific answer that you are searching for)

Everything between God and man is of "faith"

There is no communication between God and man that does not require man's faith.

For example "What is the scientific explanation of Jesus walking on water, and Peter starting to do the same, though later on Peter started to sink"

Without faith it is impossible to please God and also impossible to know God as God desires that man should know him.
 

soberxp

Senior Member
May 3, 2018
2,511
482
83
#59
Honestly, I can't walk on water.Unless I use those very light polymer materials to cushion my feet:ROFL:
 
P

pablocito

Guest
#60
Since he was created not born. He likely did not have one.
Whether Adam had a belly button or not, will not prevent me from burning in hell if I reject God.

Asking questions that do not address our sinful condition and our lack of holiness before God is abhorrent to God and could bring God's wrath down upon us, seeing we prefer to ignore his grace and take it in vain.

Adam's belly button is not instrumental in saving us, and we better come before God with trembling and fear.