Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: July 2013 Page 2 of 3

Nahum (Overview)

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On July 15, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

Who was Nahum?
The Biblical book of Nahum was recorded by the prophet Nahum, whom the book refers to as an Elkoshite (1:1).

Where was Nahum from?
No one is certain as to the whereabouts of Elkosh. One theory suggests that this city, where Nahum was from, during the times of Jesus, came to be known as Capernaum, alongside the sea of Galilee for Capernaum means the village of Nahum.

When was the book of Nahum written?
It is a hypothesis that the book of Nahum was written sometime between 663 B.C. and 612 B.C. for Nahum refers to the fall of No Amon (or Thebes) in ancient Egypt (3:8) which happened in 663 B.C. while at the same time predicted the fall of Nineveh (Capital city of Assyria), which happened in 612 B.C., when the Babylonians overthrew Assyria.

Why was the book of Nahum written?
In 722 B.C., the Assyrians had taken the Northern kingdom of Israel captive and were pursuing to take over the land of Judah during the reign of king Hezekiah (701 B.C.). Once when the Assyrians had attempted to take Judah captive, God intervened miraculously and 185 thousand Assyrians in their camp were defeated by the angel of the Lord (Isaiah 37:36) and the evil king of Assyria, Sennacherib, returned to Nineveh. Now Assyria continued to pursue and oppress Judah. Not only did they afflict Judah, the Assyrians afflicted several other nations  and countries, as the book ends with the question as to “over whom has not the wickedness of the Assyrians passed over continually?” (3:19; Isaiah 37:18).

One one hand, while the book of Nahum may seem like it was written as a warning to the evil Assyrian kingdom, this book is more of a message of comfort of the Lord to the people of Judah. Jonah, the prophet had already brought the message of warning to the people of Nineveh, which they heeded and repented, a little over a century before Nahum. But the people of Assyria had returned to their violent, idolatrous, and evil ways and were oppressors of the people of God, when Nahum sees the vision of their utter destruction, a message that would bring comfort and solace to those who were being oppressed (such as Judah).  Nahum means “comfort (of Yahweh)” or “compassion” and the main theme in this book is that God is compassionate (slow to anger – 1:3) who will not afflict his people anymore for their own sins (1:12) by subjecting them longer under the hands of the oppressors (Assyria), but God will be the comfort of his people, as he takes revenge on those who have oppressed them (1:2).

What can we learn from it?
Chapter 1 portrays a JEALOUS God, while
chapter 2 and 3 portrays a JUDGING and JUST God.

There are a few key verses in this book and two of note are “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.” (Nahum 1:15) and “For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.” (Nahum 1:13).

The first (Nahum 1:15) is a messianic prophecy that was fulfilled in Jesus, who brought good news to the earth, for the angels sang at his birth, “Peace on earth and goodwill to all men.” (Luke 2:14) and his feet walked the way to calvary’s mountain, who by his death on the Cross published a peace (Luke 1:17) that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), completely destroying the wicked one (the devil) and utterly cutting him off i.e., destroying the devil and his works (1 John 3;8). Jesus brings freedom to all those who are spiritually in bondage in sin, by breaking the yoke from them and bursting their bonds in sunder. The Holy Spirit of Jesus is the comfort of God who is now sent unto us, when we believe in Jesus (John 14;16).

Points to ponder:
Do you have peace, that only Jesus can bring? Are you in comfort i.e., do you have the Comforter in you? Trust in the Lord and believe in Jesus Christ so that you may be comforted by his Holy Spirit and have the peace that passeth all understanding.

Nahum 1:13, 15 (KJV)
13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
…
15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

She saw, she took, she gave … so must we

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On July 12, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 3 records the account of the fall of man from the glory of God, for Adam and Eve, willfully sinned by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and of evil, which God has specifically commanded them not to. The Bible states that when Satan, the serpent, beguiled Eve, and when she saw the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, she took and ate it and gave it to her husband who was with her and he ate it as well. Through this act of seeing, taking, and giving, man (and woman) disobeyed God and brought death into the world (1 Corinthians 15:21).

The Bible counsels us to taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8) and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). When we see the God of the world manifested fully in his Son Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:9), through his inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16) and his Word (John 1:1), do we desire him and take him and commune (eat) with him (Revelation 3:20). Jesus said that we must remember his death and resurrection, in communion (1 Corinthians 11:24), but we must not just stop there. We must give (share) him with the others who dont know him, so that they may have life – life abundant (John 10:10) and eternal (John 3:16).

Points to ponder:
She saw, she took, she gave … and death came into the world.
Do we see, take and give … the Light of the world (John 8:12) to those who are dying?

Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Psalm 34:8 (KJV)
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Driven from God by God

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On July 11, 2013

In Christian

Genesis 3:24 reads “So he [the Lord God] drove out the man; and he [the Lord God] placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” God had to drive man out which implies that man did not want to go on his own. Furthermore, God had to place Cherubims and a flaming sword to prevent man from re-entering into the garden of Eden.

Why would the Lord God drive out the man? After all God is merciful, isn’t he? Absolutely, his mercies are new every morning and great is his faithfulness and because his compassions fail not, sinful man is not consumed (Lamentations 3:22-23), but while the Lord God is merciful, he is also the just God. He cannot condone sin for he is a Holy God and in him there can exist no darkness [unrighteousness] (1 John 1:5). It was the man’s (and woman’s) sin (unrighteousness) that had them driven from God, by God, because he is Holy and expects us to be holy as well (1 Peter 1:16).

Points to ponder:
It is not God who wants to drive us away from his presence, but it is our sins that warrant him to drive us from his presence. Do you feel driven from God, by God?

Genesis 3:24 (KJV)
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV)
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Kept from the way of the Tree of life – why?

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On July 10, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

To prevent sinful man from taking of the tree of life and eating to live forever, God had to drive the man out and sent him forth from the garden of Garden. God then placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Why would God stop man from the access to the tree of life – from eternal life? To understand this, we need to understand the reason as to why God  drove man out and kept him away from the tree of life.

The Bible states that God drove man out and sent him from the garden of Eden, so that he would not put forth his hand and take from the tree of life and eat and live forever. This is to establish the Salvation plan of God. Eternal life is a gift of God (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8) which one receives when they believe in Jesus Christ, the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:14). It is by grace through faith (believing) that man  is saved and not by his own actions (works) (Ephesians 2:8) – not by man reaching out (putting forth his hand) and taking from God, but by God reaching forth for man. Man (and woman) put forth their hands and took from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and brought death with their action. Now if man (and woman) put forth their hands and take also from the tree of life and bring life with their action, then man would find no need for God, his creator, for whom man was created (Colossians 1:16).

Points to ponder:
We cannot earn our salvation. We are saved by grace through faith and not by our own works. Eternal life is the gift of God. Have you received this gift? In other words, have you believed in Jesus Christ? If you have not, tarry no further, but simply believe.

Genesis 3:22-24 (KJV)
22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

man as God which led to God as man

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On July 9, 2013

In Christian

The first part Genesis 3:22 states that the Lord God said, “Behold, the man is become one of us, to know good and evil: …”

Now first and foremost it is important to recognize that God did not say, “Man is God”, but God said that “the man is become one of us” The reference to the One God here as “us” refers to the trinity of God in three persons, who is still One God, much like in the same manner, God said, “Let us make man in our own image.” Second, it is important for us to know, the context in which man had become as God, as well. Man had become as God, in the context of knowing good and evil. When God created man (and for that matter all of creation), God declared that it was all good. Man was created in God’s own image, innocent without blemish as a living soul (Genesis 2:7). Even though he was naked, he felt no shame, because of his uprightness. Now man did not know what evil was or its wages until after he sinned – when he felt the shame of his nakedness, that made him want to hide from God.

God knew both good and evil. He knew what was good for he declared his creation as good. God knew what was evil and its effect of being separated from God, for one of his own created angels, Lucifer rebelled against him with iniquity (sin/evil) in his heart, that led to his downfall from the presence of God (Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14). Lucifer becomes the adversary (Satan) of God and he knew what it meant to be evil for he personified it.

Man did not know evil, for he was created upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29) but the serpent deceived the woman and through her the man into knowing what evil is. Like God, now man knew both good (fellowship with God) and evil (separated from God for unrighteousness can have no communion with Holiness).

Points to ponder:
Because of man’s disobedience/sin, God had to say, “Behold, the man is become one of us, to know good and evil: …” Because of man’s disobedience/sin, God had to also say, “Behold, I have to become as one of man, to undo the evil and its wages (which is the need to hide from God, and be eternally separated to him by second death), with good.” (Philippians 2:7-8). For when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son (Jesus Christ) to be made of a woman (God made as man), to redeem man, so that man can be made upright again as children of God (Galatians 4:4). Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, the Only begotten Son of God, made of a woman, so that you could receive the adoptions as a child of God, innocent without blemish?

Genesis 3:22 (KJV)
22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Ecclesiastes 7:29 (KJV)
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Galatians 4:4-5 (KJV)
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Philippians 2:5-9 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

The first sacrifice – God sheds blood

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On July 8, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 3:21 states that the Lord God made coats of skins and clothed Adam and his wife. After Adam and his wife, Eve, sinned, they became aware of their nakedness. They attempted to cover their nakedness with aprons of figs, but still found themselves to be naked before God (Genesis 3:7). While their physical shame may have been covered by the aprons of fig, their spiritual nakedness that resulted from their sin could not be covered by their own efforts. God had to personally make them clothing – coats of skins. This means that God had to shed blood to cover their sin. The Lord God had to make the first sacrifice. Since animals were not given unto man for food until after the flood (Genesis 9:3,4), this shedding of the blood was for sacrifice, and not sustenance.

Furthermore, this act of God demonstrates his loving and thus giving nature. The Bible states in Leviticus 7:8 that the skin of the animal that is given as a burnt offering belongs to the priest. And so the Son God, the Highest of all high priests (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 5:10), gave what belonged to him – his own life (John 10:17-18) and his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) – to purge the sin of man and cover man’s shame. God so loved the world (and at this time, it was just Adam and Eve as humans who were in the world) that he gave himself.

Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22). Our righteousness (aprons of figs) are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), insufficient to cover our spiritual nakedness that results from sin. We need to put on the righteousness of God which is imputed unto all who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 4:24). We need to be clothed with the clothing (white robes of righteousness) that God has given to us in his Son – the first sacrifice from the foundation of the world. Are you clothed with the righteousness of God in Jesus? If not, believe in him and be imputed his righteousness.

Genesis 3:21 (KJV)
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Hebrews 9:22 (KJV)
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Leviticus 7:8 (KJV)
8 And the priest that offereth any man’s burnt offering, even the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath offered.

John 3:16-17 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Mother of all Living

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On July 5, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

After Adam and the woman whom God had made for him, were tricked by Satan, the adversary, to disobey God, God cursed the serpent (Satan) and the ground and told the woman and Adam the consequences of their disobedience. To the woman and Adam, sorrow from labor/toil was a consequence of their disobedience and then God told Adam, that dust he was and to dust he shall return, implying that man (both male and female) shall die. Then the Bible records that “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” (Genesis 3:20).

This saying of Adam may seem absurd at first for there is no mention of Adam or Eve to have borne children until then and yet Adam names his woman, Eve, as if she was the mother of all living. How is Eve the mother of all living? We can dissect this, in two viewpoints – physical and spiritual. Physically, Eve is the first mother of all of creation and it is through her progeny that the entire world has come into being. Spiritually,  the promised Messiah of all creation, Jesus Christ, who would bring about the gift of God, which is eternal life, shall come (John 3:16) as the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4) .

From this we can exposit that Adam understood not only the Just and Holy nature of God, who had to give the verdict, that the wages of sin is death (and to dust they shall return), but also the merciful nature of God, who would bring about life through the seed of the woman, meaning that life will continue, despite of death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life and if any one believes in me, even though he is dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).

Points to ponder:
Only in Jesus, the seed of the woman, is life, life eternal? Do you know him as your Lord and Savior for only in believing in him is eternal life (John 17:3)?

Genesis 3:20 (KJV)
20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

John 11:25 (KJV)
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

The Biblical Star-Spangled Banner

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On July 4, 2013

In Christian

For the first time in our life, my wife and I celebrated the 4th of July, with our beloved children, as Americans, for we were granted citizenship earlier this year. During our oath ceremony, we were introduced to the Star-Spangled Banner. The Star-Spangled banner is the national anthem of the United States of America and is based on the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry”, penned in 1814 by an young attorney, Francis Scott Key, after he witnessed the British bombing of the Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

The Star-Spangled Banner is actually four stanzas in length even though only the first stanza is often sung in public events and patriotic celebrations. Interestingly the last two lines of the each of the stanza speak about the star-spangled banner.

The first one questions for it reads:
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The second one wishes for it to wave for it reads:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The third one states that it is waving now (present time) for it reads:
 And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The last one affirms that it will continue to wave triumphantly for it reads:
 And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Points to ponder:
In our life as well, we are faced with a similar situation as well. The banner of love (Solomon 2:4) of God the Father has been lavished over us (1 John 3:1) and the sacrifice of God’s Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the bright and morning STAR (Revelation 22:16) has been shined (spangled) upon us (Matthew 4:16). There are some who are unaware and questioning, if his banner of love waves over them and then there are some who are seeking Salvation that wish that it was. There are then some who have believed in Jesus Christ and know that his banner of love is waving strong over them and they look forward to the true land of the free and the home of the brave, which is heaven, where God’s love shall triumphantly and continually wave over them.

Are you sure and certain of the Christian Star-Spangled Banner that waves triumphantly over you? It beckons those who have not believed in Jesus to trust in him and become independent of their sinful lifestyles for the wages of sin is death, not liberty. Are you on assured of your citizenship in the true land of the free and the home of the brave, i.e., in heaven with God? Only when you trust in the Lord and believe in Jesus, can you be!
Happy Independence Day!

Revelation 22:16 (KJV)
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Solomon 2:4 (KJV)
4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

1 John 3:1 (KJV)
1. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Matthew 4:16-17 (KJV)
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The consequences of Adam’s disobedience

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On July 3, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

After Adam and Eve sinned, God told Adam, ”All the days of your life, you shall eat of the ground (herb of the field) which he cursed,  in sorrow, and by the sweat of you face shall you eat bread and return to the ground as dust that you are and were fashioned out of.” (Genesis 3:17-19), because he heeded more to the voice of the devil through his wife, than of God.

First and foremost, while many regard this to be the curse of Adam, it is important for us to recognize that, upon the disobedience of man and the woman, God did NOT curse the man, Adam, but instead he cursed the ground as he continued to reveal the elements of his masterplan of redemption through Jesus Christ. The consequences of one man’s sin was sorrow from toil, (just as it was of the woman), thorns and thistles, sweat and death.

Adam did not have to toil laboriously before his sinned to eat of the produce of the ground, but now he would have to, for before he sinned, all that was good for food and pleasing to the eyes is what the ground produced (Genesis 2:9). Now thorns and thistles, would it also produce, adding to the sorrow of his travail and he would have to sweat for his sustenance (bread). Apostle Paul remin the church of Thessalonica, Apostle Paul reminds the Church of Thessalonica of this consequence of sin, for he wrote that if one does not work, then that person should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Then God said that he (Adam) who was made a living soul (Genesis 2:7), would return to the dust, meaning that he would die. Death came into the world by one man, Adam and it continues to this day (Romans 5:12).

Points to ponder:
Sorrow, thorns and thistles, sweat, and death are the consequences of sin. Adam sin’s warranted a Savior who could annul the curse on the ground, brought about by Adam. Jesus became the curse for he was crucified on a tree/cross, for it is written that anyone who hangs on the tree is accursed (Galatians 3:13). Jesus was described as a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3). Thorns were used to mock and crown Jesus (John 19:2). His agony for bearing the wrath of God was so intense that he started to sweat blood (Luke 22:44) and Jesus became obedient unto death, even death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). 

All of the consequences of man’s sin was poured out on Jesus, God’s only begotten son. He who knew no sin was made sin for us and he was made a man of sorrows to bear our sorrow. He was pierced with a crown of thorns and had to languish so much so that he sweat blood in his agony. And then Jesus died in our place so that we need not die. 

As physical child of the first Adam, we are conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5) and sinful.
As the spiritual children of God, we are imputed the righteousness of God (because Jesus became sin for us) and are saved.
Through the first Adam’s sin – death entered the world. (Romans 5:12)
Through the last Adam’s (Jesus’) sacrifice – life (resurrection from the dead) entered the world.

(1 Corinthians 15:21)

Which Adam are you the child of?

Genesis 3:17-19 (KJV)
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Romans 5:12 (KJV)
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (KJV)
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

The consequences of the woman’s disobedience

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On July 2, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

After Adam and Eve sinned, God told the woman, “I will multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

First and foremost, while many regard this to be the curse of Eve, it is important for us to recognize that, upon the disobedience of man and the woman (who was yet to be named Eve) , God did NOT curse the woman, as he did the serpent and the ground (Genesis 3:14; 3:17), but instead told her the consequences of her selfish lusts. The consequences of her sin was sorrow.

Often the increase in the sorrow of the woman in conception and childbirth is taught to us, as an increase in the pain of labor during childbirth, but the Scripture does not necessarily state an increase in pain, as a consequence of sin, but refers more to the condition of the woman, in conception and childbirth, as one of sorrow (and travail). At this point it is also important to recognize that the pangs of child birth are momentary, only to be replaced with joy upon child birth. Reflectively, God was continuing his revelation of his plan of redemption (Salvation) unto the woman. After he had confirmed the enmity between the serpent (Satan) and the woman (the Church), he was now confirming with the woman (the Church) that the woman (the Church) will be in a state of sorrow and travail, as a woman in labor, when her hour will come, as her bridegroom (Jesus) will be taken away from her, to the Father. The hour of the Church to act for God is here and now, for when we look around, we see that it is not received in a friendly manner by the world. Instead the pangs of the Church to have those who are not part of God’s family to be born (again) into his kingdom is an arduous and travailing task, often combined with sorrow, as many are put into situations such as torture (verbal, mental, physical), separation from their loved ones, beaten, imprisoned, and in some case even death. Jesus himself expressed the very state of sorrow that his disciples will be subject too, but then went on to assure that the present state of suffering (sorrow) will be turned into a state of joy, for just as a woman has sorrow when she is in travail because her hour has come, upon the delivery of her child, she remembers her anguish no more, because of the joy she experiences when a man is born into the world (John 16:21).

Additionally, God told the woman, that her desire will be to her husband, and he will rule over her. Some teach that this means that the woman’s disobedience led to her losing her position of equality with man, for though she was made as a help meet for him, her husband would now rule over her. Though this is certainly plausible, a more thorough scrutiny of the Scripture, reveals a hidden treasure in it, for the text does not read, the woman’s desire will be to rule over her husband, but instead she would be ruled over. Reflectively, this is actually a continuation of God’s revelation of his masterplan of restoration after redemption as to how the desire of the woman (the Church) will be her husband (Jesus Christ who will wed the Church – Revelation 19), and (not but) he (Jesus) shall rule over her.

Points to ponder:
The consequences of sin is sorrow – the sorrow (or anxiety) of being separated from our Savior (the bridegroom) and until he returns in the clouds (Revelation 1:7) and takes us to his Father’s mansion (John 14:2) to be with him (John 14:3), we as the Church have to travail as a woman in child birth. To have people be born again into the family of God, so that they can address God as Abba Father (Romans 8:15), the Church has to toil, but Jesus has promised that in a little while, we shall see him again (John 16:16) and when we do, our sorrows shall be turned into joy and we shall remember our anguish no more (John 16:21). Are you still in a state of sorrow? If yes, repent. If not, let us look forward to the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ, diligently, when he shall turn our sorrows into joy.

Genesis 3:16 (KJV)
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

John 16:1-7; 16-22 (KJV)
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
…
16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

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