Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: September 2014

Blessings impartial and extrapolated …

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On September 22, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

God had promised Abram that he shall have a seed and that a nation that cannot be numbered (as many as the dust of the earth and as the stars of heaven) shall arise from him, speaking of the promised son, Isaac and ultimately referring to Jesus Christ, the Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 3:16). But Abram, taking matters in his own hands, listens to his wife Sarai, and lies with her servant maid, Hagar, an Egyptian. She conceives and encounters the angel of the Lord, while Hagar is running away from her mistress Sarai for Sarai dealt harshly with her, as Hagar had started to despise her mistress upon conception. The angel of the Lord. interesting promises a similar blessing on Hagar, telling her that “He will multiply her (Hagar’s) seed exceedingly, so much so that they cannot be numbered.”

From this account, first, we can see the impartial and generous nature of God. Jew or Gentile or anyone else, they are all the same in God’s eyes for he does not show favoritism (Romans 2:9-11). Second, the blessing of God to his Hebrew servant Abram is seen extrapolated even to the Egyptian, who was associated with Abram.

Points to ponder:
God does not show favorites and while he is Sovereign and chooses to do what he wills, as he wills, we can all be assured of his impartial and generous nature. What is equally important is whether others around us get to see God’s blessings extrapolated to them through us, who belong to God? If you are a servant of God who belongs to him for having believed in his Son, Jesus Christ, then, are you a channel of God’s innumerable blessings, sharing God’s love story with mankind, wherein his only Son (Jesus Christ) is sacrificed to take man’s rightful place, through whom all nations are blessed (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16)? Don’t let this question go unanswered!

Genesis 16:10 (KJV)
10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Return and Submit to Authority

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On September 19, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 16:9 states that the angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Christ) told Hagar, who was running away from her mistress, Sarai, to return and submit to the authority of Sarai (under her hands). Interestingly, just before the angel of the Lord commanded Hagar to return and submit, he had asked Hagar, where she was going? Hagar had not responded to this question and irrespective of where she was set out to go, the angel of the Lord, answered this question for her.

Herein is a lesson, we all ought to learn, which is about returning and submitting to authority – authority that God has ordained over us, on one hand, but more importantly, to the ultimate authority over all – the authority of God (2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalm 47:8).

Points to ponder:
Jesus is the ultimate authority over all (1 Corinthians 15:27) for God has put everything under Jesus’ feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church (Ephesians 1:22). While it is important and necessary for us to submit to governing authorities that God has allowed over us (Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13), it is even more important for us to return and submit to the authority of God, of Jesus Christ, the ruler over all. Jesus laid the best example for us to follow, for he submitted to the authority of God by declaring that “Into (or you can say under) God’s hands, he commended his Spirit” (Luke 23:46). Let us return and submit to the authority – the Ultimate Authority – Jesus Christ.

If God was to ask us today, where are you going? Let our answer and action be, “Returning to Submit to God’s authority.” Let us be able to truly say, “Lord God, Into your hands, I commend my all – heart, soul, strength, and mind”

Genesis 16:9 (KJV)
9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

God’s two questions – Where from and to?

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On September 18, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 16:8-9 speaks of the conversation that transpired between the angel of the Lord and Hagar, the Egyptian servant girl who was running away from her mistress, Sarai, whom she had despised.

The angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Christ) said “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go?” which in other words were two questions, posed by God – i.e, where from and where to?

Points to ponder:
These two questions of God (where from and where to) are extremely crucial and important in our understanding God’s interests in our whereabouts. Even though he is omniscient, God wants us to acknowledge our place – both from and to. We must be running from the things that displease him and be running to him. God is asking you today as he did Hagar – where from and to?

Genesis 16:8 -9 (KJV)
8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

Hagar – Person, Position, Place

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On September 17, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 16:8 tells us of the way in which the angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Christ) addresses and questions Hagar. It states the angel of the Lord said “Hagar, Sarai maid, Where are you coming from and where will you go?” Notice how, the angel of the Lord, knew not only who Hagar was (as in her position – Sarai’s maid) but also her name personally for he addresses her by name (her person personally). Then he wants her to acknowledge that her running away from her mistress was not to be and asks her, her position (i.e., where she came from and where will she be going?).

Points to ponder:
Many a times, we like Hagar, tend to run – run from authority and life’s unfair situations, only to be called and reminded by God, who not only calls us personally by name, but also reminds us of our position and place. Are you hearing God calling you by name, today? Do you know your position as God has willfully ordained for you and do you know where you are coming from and where you are going?

Genesis 16:8 (KJV)
8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

A Fountain in the wilderness

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On September 16, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 16:7 states that the angel of the Lord found Hagar, who was fleeing from her mistress, Sarai, by a fountain of water in the wilderness. Notice, how the Bible not only describes a singular fountain of water, but it is also specific about the location of the fountain, which is in the wilderness.

Jeremiah 2:13 refers to the Holy Spirit as THE fountain (singular) of living waters. Jesus, when speaking of the Holy Spirit, describes the Holy Spirit, as one who resides within those who believe, and THE One who will flow out of the believer, as rivers of living waters; One could say, like a fountain gushing forth upward toward God and spreading sideways towards his people. Even in the wilderness of life’s situations, no matter how parched, life may seem to you, remember, that Jesus can find you there – by a fountain in your life’s wilderness.

Points to ponder:
Are you in a wilderness? If so, don’t lose hope, for Jesus Christ, the angel of the Lord, will find you there, and even in the wilderness, there will be a fountain – the fountain of living waters – the Holy Spirit – poured into all who believe.

Genesis 16:7 (KJV)
7 And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

The angel of the Lord found …

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On September 5, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Theophany, Through the Bible

Genesis 16:7-13 gives the account of the encounter between the angel of the Lord and Hagar who was running away from her mistress Sarai. In subsequent articles, we will dissect and learn the hidden truths from this encounter, but for now, let us look at who is this angel of the Lord?

Although the identity of this angel of the Lord is not explicitly stated, close scrutiny of this text indicates that this was not just another mere messenger from God. First, this angel of the Lord promises to multiply her seed, which is something only God can do. Second, Hagar, in fact addresses this angel of the Lord who spoke with her, as God (Genesis 16:13). These help us recognize and agree with other Biblical scholars, that this angel of the Lord is none other than the pre-incarnate Christ – God himself (Theophany to Hagar).

Furthermore, what is interesting to note is that Bible says, the angel of the Lord found Hagar, implying that Hagar was being sought after and hence found.

Points to ponder:
Jesus is the messenger of God, the messenger of the covenant (Malachi 3:1) of God i.e., the angel of the Lord. He seeks us and finds us, even if we are in a wilderness. Have you been found by Jesus, the the angel of the Lord.

Genesis 16:7-13 (KJV)
7 And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
13 And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

Depend on the Lord or be despised

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On September 4, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 16:4-6 gives the account of Hagar, the Egyptian servant girl of Sarai, who despised Sarai when she conceived. Sarai had brought this upon herself, for she had asked Abram, her husband, to take Hagar as his wife so that she may obtain children through Hagar, instead of trusting and depending on the Lord God, who had promised Abram, not just a seed, but an entire nation through him. Now Sarai is despised and complains to Abram and what is interesting to note is that she actually blames Abram that it is his fault that she is in the situation she is in – despised by her own servant girl. Furthermore, Sarai, drags the Lord into her situation, and seeks justice for what she rightfully had received. Abram does not get involved and lets Sarai deal with Hagar as Sarai pleased, and Sarai treats Hagar so harshly that Hagar flees from her mistress.

Points to ponder:
What can we learn from this? When we do not depend on the Lord God, we potentially put ourselves in a position where people can despise us. Are you and I depending on the Lord God or are we being despised by people. If it is the latter, it is highly likely that we are not doing the former. Depend on the Lord God.

Genesis 16:4-6 (KJV)
4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.
6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

God, the (first) Laborer

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On September 3, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Labor Day, Through the Bible

On the first Monday of September, people in the United States of America celebrate Labor day, annually, as a national tribute to the contributions and achievements, workers have made toward the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country, even though Labor day is not exclusive to the United States, wherein it is synonymously referred to as International Workers Day. Although the origin of the Labor day can be speculatively traced back to the early 1800’s, close scrutiny of the Bible, which is the Holy Infallible word of God, gives us insight, that the very first Labor day, is first recorded in the beginning chapters of the book of Genesis.

Genesis 1 and 2 gives us the account of God creating the universe and all of creation in it. Then Genesis 2:2-3 states “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

Notice, how the verses read, “God ended his work and rested from all his work which he made and having rested he sanctified the day because of his rest” just as one today would rest from all the work they have done on Labor day. This not only establishes the fact that the very first Labor day was celebrated by God himself, but that God is the first Laborer and that there is no unfinished business with God. It further illustrates that sanctification can come from rest.

Points to ponder:
John 19:30 states that Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “It is finished.” God’s work for the salvation of mankind is finished and there is no unfinished issues in this matter. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invited all, saying “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” All we need to do is to believe in Jesus and rest in him (Hebrews 4:7-9) which brings about the sanctification of our souls (Matthew 11:29).

Many of us (me included) work arduously all year long and seldom take time to rest, often impacting the very ability to complete (end) the work we have at hand. From God, the first Laborer, let us learn to end our work and rest – rest in him, which brings sanctification. The sabbath (rest) was made for man and not man for the sabbath (Mark 2:27) says Jesus Christ, the Lord of the sabbath day (Matthew 12:8). Let us follow the best example of all – God, the Laborer – to finish the work, he has given us and take time to rest in him.

Genesis 2:2-3 (KJV)
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Labor day Ref: http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm

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