Wisdom's Corner
A Stiff Swallowing TubeIn the last issue we discussed the word "stiffnecked" used in Acts 7:51. We saw that in the physical world it may have referred to a stiff breathing tube. It may also refer to a stiff swallowing tube.
The tube that goes from your mouth to your stomach is the esophagus. Sometimes this tube may be too narrow for the individual to swallow food. The esophagus may be like this from birth or it may become scarred. This scarring may be from injury or from a disease.
When the tube becomes scarred, it becomes stiff and narrow. The individual will have a very hard time swallowing food. Unless the tube can be stretched so that the person can eat and swallow, the person may die.
Stephen told the Jews that they were stiffnecked. He was referring to their spiritual life. He may have been saying that they had a stiff swallowing tube. In 1 Corinthians 5:12, the word of God is referred to as "milk" and as "meat". Stephen may have been telling them that their spiritual esophagus was too narrow and stiff to swallow the food of God's word.
Do not be like the Jews to which Stephen was speaking. Willingly eat and swallow the Word of God. Let it nourish your spiritual life.
Until next time, keep studying the Bible. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
Mark McWhorter
Copyright 1999
Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)