When Facts in the Bible Seem to Conflict

John 7:40-43 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, this is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him.

You are studying a subject in scripture and the facts seem to conflict. You ask yourself the question, have I found an error in the Bible? When this happens and it will, here is some good advice. Take a breath and restudy the subject. If you cannot come to a satisfactory conclusion, move on to another subject, and look at this subject afresh some other time. You have missed something.

We all know 1+?=4. You are sure the addend "1" is correct and you believe the other addend is "2". However, when you add the two numbers together the sum is "3' not "4". If you are positive, the number "1" is correct, you are half way home to solving this conundrum. Bottom line is this; either the integer 2 is incorrect or the answer 4 is a false assumption.

In John 7: 40-43, the Pharisees found themselves in this same type of predicament. They knew when the Messiah came he would do great miracles, and they also  knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea These are two Old Testament prophecies which could not be altered. Here is the problem. They knew (thought) Jesus was born in Galilee, and the "facts" just did not add up.

Miracles + Bethlehem = Messiah              Miracles + Galilee = Imposter

So, what was the problem? They had one of the facts wrong. Christ was not born in Galilee; he was born in Bethlehem. What amazes me most is that they did not do a more thorough investigation and determine where he was born. Better yet, did they want to know the truth? So, if you run into a brick wall, stop, take a breath, restudy the facts and ask this: What have I missed, and, am I willing to change an opinion or assumption if the change is based on Biblical fact?

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