ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
Tsunamis in the Bible?
I have always wondered how the Red Sea parted as described in the Exodus story of Moses. The recent Tsunamis that happened in West Sumatra and the tremendous destruction that came with it got me thinking - was this what really happened to the Egyptian army when they were pursuing the Hebrew people while they were led out of Egypt by Moses? On the internet, many eyewitness accounts can be obtained very fast. Pictures taken by amateurs appeared on the news channels within hours of the event. Many people were able to witness the destructive effects of gigantic waves through these movies. Death just happens in an instance with the pounding of 700 kph waves that destroyed everything in its path. Ironically, just a few hundred meters away, people were busy with their shopping, eating, laughing, as if nothing happens. Nobody had expected such fury and destruction. It was just like a monster coming in and swallowing its victims. On that eventful Sunday of 26th December 2004, I was attending Mass at our local church. At approximately 0900 hrs, I could feel a very slight tremor while I was listening to the homily delivered by our Parish priest. The tremor was so slight that at first I thought I was not feeling well and felt a bit dizzy. Then I noticed that many other people were looking around them as if they also felt something. My neighbor sitting next to me could not even feel anything. Everybody went home without even suspecting anything amiss. My family and I even went over to a shopping complex very near to the seaside where the tsunami hit. That was at about 1300 hrs. Back to the event of the Exodus. About 4 thousand years ago, there was a report in the bible that the Red Sea parted, and the Hebrew people led by Moses were able to walk through the sea as if it were dry land. After they had cross over the seabed, the pursuing armies of the Egyptian pharaoh followed in their trails. The wheels of their chariots got stuck in the mud, and the water came back, swept and destroyed them. None of them survived. I was wondering. The waters must have come in very fast! How come none of the soldiers were able to escape? The recent Tsunami, triggered by an undersea earth tremor seems to provide a living example of what can cause the water to rise so high and so suddenly that none of them could survive. The recent tsunami was caused by an earth tremor. Was it likely to occur at the Red Sea? Sure enough, some areas in the Mediterranean were well known for volcanic activity. Was it possible that 4 thousand years ago, something like this happened? I have never seen such destructive forces at work before. Houses, people and buildings were swept out of the way like match sticks. It's so swift and sudden. It brought to mind the words Jesus Christ spoke, "On that night, I tell you, there will be two people sleeping in the same bed: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. Two women will be grinding meal together: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind" (Luke 17:34-35). This sobering passage was referring to the final days of the coming of the Kingdom. But it does dawn on me that nothing is impossible with God. It's only we who do not believe such a thing can happen. This tsunami event left a lasting impression on me to never underestimate the power of God. The bible is so full of such events, God bringing in locust, bees, flies, plaque and many other natural phenomenons to show His power. The story of how Gideon with his 300 men defeating 120,000 enemies, and many other stories tell us that seemingly unimportant people led by the power of God was able to conquer impossible odds. Actually it does not matter to me anymore whether a tsunami really parted the Red Sea or not although I wonder how it happened. It does not matter to me anymore how the sun is able to shine, how the weather behaves, how the many different species of plants and animals come to inhabit the earth. How the minute cells of living things are able to grow... The wonders of God are really too much to comprehend. It's simply awesome! But there is something I do know. The bible is God's chosen medium of communication with humans. In every situation of our lives, God is able to communicate with us if only we allow Him to. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult or boring to read the bible. They are missing a lot in their lives. How can we encourage them? The book of Proverbs provides wisdom on right living. Perhaps our compilation of "50 Secrets of Truth and Life" might help. Done in pictorial form it is a lighthearted way of looking at the Bible Proverbs. Perhaps that might just open up their hearts... The author stays in Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia. Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities, Construction has given the author material for writing e-books and articles related to engineering, and management. Subscribe to facworld ezine More information at Marine Engineer World and M & E Engineer
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Shattered Identity I. Exposition Get Your Guidance and Get to Know Your True Self Many people feel they have everything they need in life, yet happiness remains elusive. What is the key, the missing element when everything seems satisfactory externally? The answer: look within. Purpose filled Lives --The Big Picture! "Can't see the forest because of the trees," heard it all my life, didn't really understand it until I jumped out of a plane though. War, Disasters and All is Well It is not very often that I have an issue with writing an article or even a book for that matter. There are so many things to write about, the world is a goldmine of information and stories. Opening the Heart and Exploring Beneath the Surface Exploring beneath the surface of a reoccurring relationship issue can be tedious and scary. Seeing beyond a nagging health challenge to the 'deeper issue' requires courage, faith and trust. Dare To Dream The rewards of life come to those who do, not to those whomerely read, talk or day dream. Action is the key. How to Conquer Fears and Worries "More than any other time in history, mankind face a crossroad. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, and the other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly." - Woody Allen (Side Effect) Changing Course Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 17, 2003 Arranging Stepping-Stones The greatest achievements were obtained by those who took one step after the next. They resolved to succeed, and moved little by little toward a worthwhile goal. America, A Depository Of The Gifts Of The World Wow, it's a new year and a new millennium! What a privilege it has been to come into your homes and offices around the world. Being able to share with you has been one of my great joys! Wisdom of the Worlds Proverbs You don't have to excavate diamond mines or oil fields to find one of the world's greatest treasures. All you need to do is look at the world's proverbs--the "people's wisdom." Legendary Spanish writer Miguel De Cervantes described proverbs as "short sentences drawn from long experiences," and Scottish Historian Thomas Carlyle once wrote, "There is often more spiritual force in a proverb than in whole philosophical systems." Delay Can Reveal Doubts Confident Expectation! The feeling of 'confidence' is the assurance that your desire IS on its way. And getting to that place where we have no doubt is one reason why there is often a delay in receiving what we know is coming. We need time to work through our doubt. Tim McGraw had it Right - Live Like You Are Dying! Chorus: An' he said: "I went ski diving, I went rocky mountain climbing, "I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu" "And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter, "And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying." An he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance, "To live like you were dyin'." Realistic Living " The fountain of content must spring up in the mind, and he who hath so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts and multiply the grief he purposes to remove." ? Samuel Johnson Adversity, What Is It Good For? As I sat down to write this article, I was reflecting back over the last week ? a week filled with adversity. We all go through it and it is during those times that we may often wonder what is it all for anyway? What is the point? What is it good for? Each Moment Is To Be Treasured Let us grasp and treasure each precious moment of our lives. The previous moment is gone and the next is on its way. In truth, all we ever really have is this exact, precise moment in time. Letting Go Of Perfection "The power of discovery enables us to achieve excellence without having to be "perfect.'" Practice Being Like a Child Remember the master teacher once said 2000 years ago, "Unless you can become like little children, your chances are zero, you haven't got a prayer." A major consideration for adults. Trusting Your Genius Within Comments about New Theories in the Professions and Business! Everybody is Somebody I wrote about my life and all that I have had to go through. I also ended that story with a little bit about how my life has since changed, but I want to take it further. I want you to see me how I was then and how I am now. Am I changed much? Yes, I am no longer the person who went through all those things.
|
|
|
|
|
