Was Abraham Eating Teriyaki? (A Quick Thought on China and the Bible)
Tonight my wife and I went to Panda Express for dinner—our go-to for quick, tasty takeout. We always get the same thing: teriyaki chicken and fried rice. It’s dependable. It’s delicious. And tonight, it made me start thinking about something random… but maybe not so random: Where was China during the Bible days?
I mean, while Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were roaming around the Middle East talking to angels and digging wells—what was going on in China? Were they herding sheep too? Worshipping idols? Inventing noodles? China and the Bible: Were They Connected?
The Bible focuses on the Middle East—especially Israel, Egypt, Babylon, and surrounding regions. That’s where God’s story with Abraham takes place. But just because the Bible doesn’t talk about a place like China, doesn’t mean China wasn’t important or active at the time. In fact, by the time Abraham was alive (around 2000 BC), ancient Chinese dynasties were already forming. The Xia and Shang Dynasties were developing written language, farming tools, bronze work, and religious practices. They had their own civilizations while the Bible was focusing on the family God had chosen to bring salvation into the world.
So yes—China was doing plenty during Bible times… it just wasn’t the focus of the story yet. Is China Mentioned in the Bible? Kinda! In Isaiah 49:12, there’s a fascinating verse: “See, they will come from afar—some from the north, some from the west, some from the land of Sinim.” A lot of scholars believe “Sinim” refers to China. It shows that even back in Old Testament prophecy, God was already thinking globally. His salvation plan wasn’t just for Israel—it was for the whole earth, including Asia. What This Means for Us (and Our Takeout) So as I dipped another bite of teriyaki in sauce, I realized something:
Even though the Bible zooms in on one part of the world, God was never limited to just one place or one people. From the very beginning, He had a worldwide plan. He saw China. He saw Japan. He saw Africa, Europe, the Americas—even us today, eating fried rice at a table in Florida.
So next time you eat a takeout meal and wonder where your story fits in the big picture of the Bible, remember this: God’s plan is global—and you’re part of it.