Matthew 2:4-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

⁶ “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

It bothers me when the bible is misquoted. It leaves the impression that either the bible lies or the speaker doesn’t know what they are talking about. I tend to believe the later and it should not matter but it does if the hearer is curious about the word of God. Trying to find misquotes can be very difficult.

Micah 5:2 English Standard Version (ESV) But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

This is the prophet that is misquoted. Was the misquote intentional? These learned men were quoting Old Testament to a Roman Tetrarch who was not brought up studying the Old Testament. He would not have known the difference. Israel was under Roman rule and the last thing they wanted this ruler to know was more of Micah’s prophecy.

Micah 5:5-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.

Herod, being unable to interpret the word properly might have killed them for not answering his question to his satisfaction. These men might have misquoted the Old Testament for self-preservation.

The bible remains accurate because this is what they told Herod.

Mark 9:50 English Standard Version (ESV) “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

It is the season for the use of salt. Everything tastes better if salted properly. Too much salt is over seasoning and the food is ruined.

Forgive the play on words here but it should be obvious that not everyone celebrates Christmas in the same manner or for the same reasons. Some do not even use the word Christmas. More and more we see the world trying to take Christ out of Christmas. Law suits have been filed.

Law suits do not make for peace. In our opening verse it is important to note that the use of salt is meant to bring peace and harmony.

Happy holidays, season greetings, and a handful of standard greetings will be heard more and more as that day approaches. Correcting the greeting as if we are insulted for a slight does not make for peace. How we conduct ourselves in those moments should be seasoned with grace. Being gracious is not being weak. The enemy of Christ wants us to react badly. Don’t give him the satisfaction.

Romans 14:5 English Standard Version (ESV) One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

Nor is it right to flaunt those opinions as an accusation at another person. Do those things which make for peace. Romans 5 warns us not to become a stumbling block or a hindrance. We make peace so that the way to acceptance of our Lord is not blocked by our own judgments, actions, or words.

May the God of mercy bless us all.