Little details can be important

The details can be important!

This is the world's smallest skyscraper. You can use a search engine to find more pictures.

It is 12.192 meters tall (480 inches). The story can be found here and here. Interior pictures.

J. D. McMahon was the builder and owner. He was in the business of building oil rigs. Office space was scant in Wichita Falls in the 1910s after oil was found nearby in 1912. McMahon's business was located in a small, one story building. He saw a way to have people invest in a tall office building, which was presented as being 480 feet tall. Over $200,000 (about $2,700,000 today) was raised from investors to have it built.

After the blue prints had been approved and signed by the investors, McMahon's construction crews built it. The investors quickly saw that they were being swindled and sued McMahon. The case was decided in favor of McMahon who pointed that the blue prints had 480 inches not feet. The investors did not pay attention to the details. The difference being ' for feet and " for inches. The investors reading the blueprints assumed the building to be 480 feet but did not pay attention to the symbols used. They felt they saw ' when it reality it was ".

When studying the Bible, the little details can make a difference.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be prepared with a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (1 Peter 3:15, EMTV). Did you notice?

• The word always


• The word everyone


• The word ask

But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Matthew 19:30, EMTV). Did you notice the word many?

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28, EMTV). Did you notice the word many? Why isn't the word all used? Here the word many is used, because Jesus did not give His life as a ransom for Himself.

Has not Moses given you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why are you seeking to kill Me?" (John 7:19, EMTV). Did you notice the word none? It is important.

He (Peter, the Apostle) is staying as a guest with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is beside the sea." (Acts 10:6, EMTV). This Simon is a tanner, and he lives by the seaside. Note this small detail seaside.

From The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia under the topic of tanner--

The Jews looked upon tanning as an undesirable occupation and well they might, for at best it was accompanied with unpleasant odors and unattractive sights, if not even ceremonially unclean. We can imagine that Simon the tanner found among the disciples of Jesus a fellowship which had been denied him before. Peter made the way still easier for Simon by choosing his house as his abode while staying in Joppa. Simon's house was by the seashore, as is true of the tanneries along the Syrian coast today, so that the foul-smelling liquors from the vats can be drawn off with the least nuisance, and so that the salt water may be easily accessible for washing the skins during the tanning process.

Little details can add much to the understanding of the passage.