Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: October 2011 Page 2 of 3

Lesser known characters :: Sergius Paulus

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On October 17, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

When Barnabas and Saul (who also is called Paul) come to the island of Paphos, there are confronted by a sorcerer and false prophet whose name was Barjesus, also known as Elymas. This false prophet was with Sergius Paulus, the deputy of that country, but the Bible says that Sergius Paulus was a prudent man and he called for Barnabas and Saul, from whom he could hear the word of God. Elymas the sorcerer however withstood them and sought to turn away the deputy from faith that comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Paul tells Elymas that for his opposition to righteousness and his perversion of God’s right ways, he will be blind for a season and Elymas turns blind. Upon seeing this Sergius Paulus, is astonished and believes.

What can we learn from Sergius Paulus?
Even though Sergius Paulus had Elymas the sorcerer with him, he was wise to call for Barnabas and Saul and when he saw the sovereignty of God in blinding the sorcerer that wanted to blind Sergius Paulus from the faith,  Sergius Paulus believed. Like Sergius Paulus, we must be prudent as well and seek to hear the word of God.

Acts 13: 6-12 (KJV)
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Lesser known characters :: Rhoda

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On October 14, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

Peter was imprisoned by Herod but miraculously an angel of the Lord came to him and rescued him from prison. Upon his rescue, Peter comes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many had gathered to pray. As Peter knocked at the door, the one who answered him was a girl named Rhoda and when she heard Peter’s voice, she recognized that it was him and with gladness, she ran and told how Peter was standing outside. In her gladness, she did not open the door. Those praying inside said unto her that she was mad, but she insisted that it was Peter. Peter continued to knock and when they opened the door, they were astonished to see that what Rhoda was telling them was indeed true.

What can we learn from Rhoda?
Rhoda heard Peter’s voice and recognized him. She did not have to see that it was Peter but believed without seeing that their prayers was miraculously answered. Jesus said, blessed are they that believe without seeing (John 20:29) and behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, let him open the door and I will come in and dine with him and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Let us also be like Rhoda, believing without seeing for in doing so, we are counted as blessed, and if we hear Jesus knock at the door of our heart, let us harden not our hearts but let us open it, so that he can come in and commune with us.

Acts 12:12-16 (KJV)
12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

Lesser known characters :: Phebe

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On October 13, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

When Apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Romans, he starts out by referring to Phebe as a sister and commends her as a servant of the church. Phebe supposedly is one of the first female deacons in the Church that was at Cenchrea. Apostle Paul then requests that the Romans receive her as they do saints, and assist her in whatever means, because she was a succourer of many, including Paul himself. To be succourer is to help someone in times of distress and need (Romans 16:1-2).

What can we learn from Phebe?

Phebe was a sister, a servant (of the Church), a saint, and a succourer.
Like Phebe, can we treat others as our own (brothers and sisters), treat ourselves as servants of the Church of God, be sanctified by believing in Jesus Christ to be his saints and an aide by sharing our faith with those who are in distress under the bondage of the devil and in need of a Savior.

Romans 16:1-2 (KJV)
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

Lesser known characters :: Phinehas (son of Eleazar)

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On October 12, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

Numbers 25 in the Bible records the story of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the high Priest who was the son of Aaron, Moses’ brother. Phinehas is known to be a man who was zealous for the Lord. When the Israelites dwelt in the land of Shittim, they start to indulge in sexual immoralities with the Moabite women, who lured and deceived the Israelites to draw away from God and turn to the worship of Baal. For this, a plague broke out among the Israelites as the Lord asked Moses to have all the men who were adulterous in following Baal, to be put to death. Amidst the grief for the loss, in the presence of the congregation of Israel, one of the Israelites, Zimri, the son of Salu, who was a leader (prince) of the chief house of Simeon, openly and blatantly brought into his tent, Cozbi a Midianite women. Phinehas, could take this atrocity no longer and he took a javelin in his hand, entered the tent of Zimri and killed both Zimri and Cozbi, by impaling them. The plague of death of the Israelites was stopped. The number of people who died that day was twenty four thousand. Because of Phinehas’ act, the Lord told Moses, that the zealous act of Phinehas turned away the jealousy of God and stopped his wrath on the Israelites (Numbers 25:11). The Lord also promises a covenant of peace and everlasting priesthood, stating that there will be always someone from the house of Phinehas, to serve him, because Phinehas was zealous for his God and made an atonement for the children of Israel (Numbers 25:13). The Psalmist reiterates the act of Phinehas in Psalm 106:28-31 and states that the act of Phinehas was credited to him as righteousness.

What can we learn from Phinehas?

Holiness and wickedness cannot commune and when sin is openly tolerated and indulged with, we must be zealous like Phinehas and act. Our actions to stand up for God can turn his wrath away from his people. Phinehas impaled those who were sinful and made atonement, but our sin had Jesus impaled on the Cross, who made the atonement for all sin. The covenant of peace and everlasting priesthood was promised to Phinehas by God and God made that possible though his Son Jesus Christ, who like Phinehas was zealous to do the will of God the Father, and turn God’s jealously and wrath, away from us sinners. Phinehas emulated the atoning work of Jesus to stay God’s wrath from his people. Can we be like Phinehas?

Numbers 25:1-18 (KJV)
1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
17 Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor’s sake.

Psalm 106:28-31 (KJV)
28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.

Lesser known characters :: Peninnah

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On October 11, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

Peninnah was one of the wives of Elkanah. Elkanah’s other wife was Hannah. The Bible says that Peninnah was a mother of many children, but the Lord had shut the womb of Hannah and so Hannah remained childless (1 Samuel 1:2,4-5). Instead of treating Hannah with kindness for her emptiness, Peninnah regarded Hannah, her rival, and provoked her about her barrenness (1 Samuel 1:6). Not only did she do this once, but she did this year after year, so much so that Hannah sorely grieved in her soul to the point that she did not eat (1 Samuel 1:7).

What can we learn from Peninnah?

Many times, we act like Peninnah as well, when God blesses us. We scorn those in need and those who are empty and pridefully provoke them through our thoughts, words and deeds. Let us remember, that besides this mention of Peninnah in a negative light, there is nothing mentioned about Peninnah or of her sons and daughters, but when Hannah cried out to the Lord and the Lord heard her plea, Hannah the childless, turns out to be the mother of Samuel, who is one of the greatest prophets in Israel. Let us not be like Peninnah.

1 Samuel 1:1-7 (KJV)
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

Lesser known characters :: Orpah

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On October 10, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

If I was to ask you, if you have heard about the Biblical Ruth, it is likely that you would say yes. In fact, an entire book in the Bible is named Ruth after this character. But if I was to ask you, if you have heard about the Orpah, mentioned in the Bible, it is likely that most of us would not answer that question affirmatively. Who was Orpah?

Orpah is from the land of Moab, and the daughter in law of Naomi and sister in law of Ruth (Ruth 1:15). When the sons of Naomi, and the husbands of Orpah and Ruth died, Naomi tells each of her daughters in law to return to their mother’s house and prays that the LORD’s blessings be on them (Ruth 1:8). To this both Orpah and Ruth respond that they will stay with Naomi and return to Judah, to Naomi’s people (Ruth 1:10). Naomi insists that her daughters in law go back to their own families, and unlike Ruth, who remained loyal to her kin and her word, Orpah, kisses her mother in law and returns to her own people (Ruth 1:14-15). Orpah did not only return back to her own people, but sadly she returns back to her Moabites gods (Ruth 1:15).

What can we learn from Orpah?

Orpah, the sister in law of Ruth, in her words, vowed to stay with Naomi and to return to the land of her husband, the son of Naomi. But later she decides to leave Naomi and backslides to her kin and gods. Jesus asked, which of the two sons did the will of the father, the first who refused to go to his father’s vineyard to work but later repented and went or the one who promised to go and work in the father’s vineyard and went not? It was the first (Matthew 21:28-31). Orpah promised to go with her mother in law but went not like the second son who did not do what his father willed. Imagine for a moment, if Orpah had had the same response as that of Ruth, that she would go where Naomi would go, and stay where Naomi stayed, and that Naomi’s people will be her people and that Naomi’s God would be her God as well and that only death may separate them. If Orpah had done so, I wonder if the book of Ruth would be named Orpah and Ruth.

Many a times, we act like Orpah as well, promising to do what God the Father wills for us, but then failing to do so. We backslide to our sin and to the false gods in our lives. Let us be more like Ruth and not like Orpah, true to our word and never failing to do what God the Father has willed for us.

Ruth 1:3-17 (KJV)
3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Lesser known characters :: Nathanael

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On October 7, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

Ask any one to name some of the twelve disciples, chosen by Jesus, and it is likely that you were hear of Matthew, Luke, John, Peter (also called Simon), Andrew, James, Philip, and even Judas. Seldom would you hear Bartholomew or Nathanael. In fact, scholars assume that Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person, because Matthew, Mark and Luke refer to Bartholomew and makes no mention of Nathanael, while John lists Nathanael and not Bartholomew in the disciples list. In stead of getting caught up with, “WHO Nathanael was”, it is more important for us to understand “WHAT Nathanael was?”

When Philip finds Nathanael, Philip tells Nathanael that Jesus is the person of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write. This means that Nathanael must be a person who would have studied the law and familiarized himself with the writings of the coming Messiah. Philip asks Nathanael to “Come and See” the Christ.  We then learn, that Nathanael is coming to Jesus, when Jesus looks at him and says of him, Behold an Israelite, in whom is no guile (deception) (John 1:47). Nathanael questions Jesus, “since when do you know me” to which Jesus responded by saying that “even before Philip called you, when you sat under the fig tree, I saw you.” (John 1:48). Nathanael responds by addressing Jesus as Rabbi and then believes and expresses that Jesus indeed was the Son of God and the king of Israel.

What can we learn from Nathanael?
Can Jesus say of you and me, that we are without any guile (deception); that we don’t live a double standard or a hypocritical lifestyle? WHO we are is not important, but WHAT (kind of person) we are is what matters to Jesus. Like Nathanael, do we read about Jesus in his word/law and when asked to come and see, are we going to come forward to see Jesus as Nathanael did. The fig tree figuratively represents human efforts for righteousness.  Adam and Eve had sown themselves coverings of fig leaves to hid their shame, that resulted from their disobedience in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:7). Jesus cursed the fig tree that was fruitless (Mark 11:20), implying that those who are not grafted and remain in the vine (in Christ) cannot bear fruit and subject to the curse of being eternally separated from God, fit for nothing, but withered and dried up to be cut and thrown into the fire (John 15:4; Mark 11:21). Jesus saw Nathanael under the cloak of human righteousness and when Jesus reveals this to him, Nathanael believes and responds that Jesus is indeed the Son of God (Spiritual King of kings) and the King of Israel (earthly king) (John 1:49). Can we be like Nathanael, believing in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God in deed and not rely on our human efforts to assure Salvation, for we can be saved, only by grace through faith alone and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

John 1:43-51 (KJV)
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Lesser known characters :: Malchus

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On October 6, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

When the band of men and officers of the chief priest and Pharisees, led by Judas Iscariot, came to arrest Jesus, Peter reaches out for his sword and cuts off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. The servant’s name was Malchus (John 18:10). Jesus responded to Peter’s act of violence, by stating that there should be no more of this. Jesus then touches Malchus’ ear and heals it (Luke 22:51).

What can we learn from Malchus?
The healing of the ear of Malchus is indicative more about the nature, character and work of Jesus. Though physically, Jesus restored and healed the ear of Malchus, it becomes evident, when reading about what Jesus said, that Jesus was interested in Malchus, hearing the voice of the Spirit of God. Many times, in the Bible, Jesus advises, “He who has an ear, let him hear, what the Spirit tells to the Churches (Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:7; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:17). Malchus was the servant of the high priest, implying that he would be held responsible for hearing what his earthly master told him, but in healing the ear of Malchus, Jesus shows us that the restoration of the ability to hear the voice of God, which His Holy Spirit speaks, is for us to hear what the Spirit of God, the heavenly Master’s commands.

Points to ponder:
Whose voice are you and I listening to? If you hear God’s voice today, asking you to believe in Jesus, harden not your hearts (Hebrews 3:7-11).

John 18:10 (KJV)
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Luke 22:49-51 (KJV)
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Revelation 2:7 (KJV)
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Hebrews 3:7-11 (KJV)
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

Lesser known characters :: Justus

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On October 5, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

When the Jews in Corinth opposed the gospel of Jesus Christ, that Paul was preaching in the synagogue, Paul informs them that he would go now to the Gentiles and he leaves and goes to man named Justus. From this account we can learn that Justus was hospitable and he allowed Paul to stay with him. Not much is said of Justus, but what is said has voluminous significance. As the Bible introduces this character, it qualifies, him as being a worshiper of God (Acts 18:7) .

What can we learn from Justus?
We must be hospitable and willing to host God’s people as needed, for the ministry of God to continue. More importantly, if someone was to describe us, would they describe us a “worshiper of God”?  Think about it.

Acts 18:4-7 (KJV)
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

Lesser known characters :: Junia and Andronicus

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On October 4, 2011

In Christian, Lesser known characters

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans requests to salute Andronicus and Junia, whom he calls fellow-prisoners. Junia and Andronicus were imprisoned along with Paul for their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul, in fact refers to them as noteworthy apostles who were in Christ even before him.

What can we learn from Junia and Andronicus?
Are we willing to be imprisoned with fellow believers for our faith in Christ Jesus? Would you and I be referred to as being noteworthy disciples of Jesus Christ? Think about it.

Romans 16:7 (KJV)
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

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