The Bible is the most incredible book. I believe it is the living word of God. It is filled with wisdom, comfort, challenge, and words that change our lives. It’s pages are life to me, and every time I read it I see more of God than I did before. I take this book seriously.

One of the other things I love about this book are the moments that make me smile. I’m talking about those phrases, comments, situations, that capture the humanity of following Jesus. Often these are things that I am surprised are even in there. Below I’ve included the references of some of my favourites (not in chronological order)

1 – Brilliant descriptions

There is a section in 2 Kings where there is a word used a couple of times that I don’t see elsewhere in the English translation of scripture. It makes me smile every time I read it!

When Jehu went out to his fellow officers, one of them asked him, “Is everything all right? Why did this maniac come to you?” 2 Kings 9:11

The lookout reported, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac.” 2 Kings 9:20

2 – Steely Gaze

I have such a picture of vivid picture of what this next moment might have look like.

He stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael was embarrassed…… 2 Kings 8:11a.

3 – Crome Dome

This is one I remember reading years ago. I couldn’t believe the Bible recorded this moment so specifically!

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy! 2 Kings 2:23

4 – Opposite of Chrome Dome

Earlier on in the reign of King David there comes this incredible moment. A great verse if you want to teach about keeping your hair short!

Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going. 2 Samuel 18:9

5 – When you need to go…..

Even before this we read about the moment King Saul was caught in a compromising moment. This could have been about sleep but many scholars think it is what it suggests!

He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 1 Samuel 24:3

6 – Great Description

In Genesis we have this description from an angel of Ishmael. This is such a brilliant descriptive phrase.

He will be a wild donkey of a man;………Genesis 16:12a

7 – More Donkeys

The donkey appearances of course don’t stop there. We can’t leave out this incredible moment.

Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times? ” Numbers 22:28

8 – Competition

I love how in Johns gospel at the point where they discover Jesus has risen that he takes him to highlight who is the fastest runner.

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first John 20:3-4

9 – Time to count?

Later in John is the incredible moment where Jesus cooks breakfast for them. In the midst of this beautiful moment I love it that someone took time to count the fish and record it for us!

So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. John 21:11

That’s all I have for now but I’m sure I’ll add more as I read more of this incredible book over the years.