Welcome to BibleBum where we are exploring the entire Bible in one year to better learn how to follow God’s instructions and discover the purpose for our lives.  The BibleBum blog uses The One Year Chronological Bible, the New Living Translation version.  At the end of each day’s reading, Rob, a cultural history aficionado and seminary graduate, answers questions from Leigh An, the blogger host, about the daily scripture.  To start from the beginning, click on “Index” and select Day 1.

Acts 27

Questions & Observations

Q.  I have always envisioned that small boats were used in Bible times.  But here, with 276 passengers, it had to be a sizable boat.  And what crazy weather they had.  Why do they choose to throw things overboard to lighten the ship?  I would think that the weight would steady the boat.  Maybe the heavier, the faster it sinks?

A. In the Gospels, the boats that they were using were fishing vessels that were used on lakes, not the Mediterranean.  There were many sea-going vessels that were large as this one was, for transporting cargo, including human cargo.  Throwing the weight overboard prevents the ship from taking on water as quickly and getting the ship stuck.  That’s the idea — a very similar story to what took place in Jonah 2, except there, God spared the sailors when they tossed Jonah overboard.