Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: February 2015

Are you being blinded (like the men of Sodom)?

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On February 13, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:11 records that when the wicked men of the city of Sodom threatened and pushed hard to break the door of the house of Lot, so that they could get in and satisfy their lustful sexual desires, the angelic visitors in Lot’s house, smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. From this instance, we must learn that while the men of Sodom were smitten to be physically blind, what is of more importance is that they were already spiritually blind i.e., they were now doubly blinded.

Points to ponder:
The Bible says that the god of this world i.e., the devil, has blinded the minds of those who believe not in Jesus, lest they see the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the image of God, shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:4). These are those who weary to find Jesus Christ – the door (John 10:7, 9). Are you being blinded – and I am not asking physically, but spiritually? If so, pray that the Lord God, opens your eyes of your heart (Ephesians 1:18; Acts 16:14) so that you are enlightened with the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

Genesis 19:11 (KJV)
11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Lot offered a lot, offering his own

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On February 12, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Lot’s offer of his two daughters to the evil men of Sodom to be possibly stripped naked, shamed and killed, in exchange for the protection of the angelic (not of this world) visitors, who had come under the protection of his house, could certainly be deemed odd, baffling, and ridiculous, especially to a parent. Contextually though, Lot’s offer was an expression of his hospitality, which was regarded in high esteem, in his day and age. This may be very difficult for many to fathom and/or even accept in this day and age which is characterized by people being a lot more individualistic over being hospitable.Lot offered a lot for an offer such as this today would be be perceived as “over-the-top” and brand the offeror as a bad and possibly evil Father. Yet we see from the Scripture that Lot was declared as righteous and saved (2 Peter 2:8) from the impending wrath of being burned when the Lord rained down brimstone and fire (Genesis 19:24), consuming the iniquity of the city (Genesis 19:15).

Now if you would allow me to show you that Lot’s offer of his own is akin to what God did for each one of us. We are like the wicked and evil people of this world (the current city of Sodom) doing what we deem is good in our own eyes. Naturally by our physical birth, we are conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5) which makes us foreigners (visitors) in the house (roof) of God (Ephesians 2:19). In order to protect us from the impending wrath of brimstone and fire in hell, God did not just offer but acted and gave his own – his Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16), who was stripped naked, shamed and crucified (killed).

Points to ponder:
God offered (Genesis 3:15) and gave his own Son, Jesus Christ, in exchange for our protection from brimstone and fire in hell (John 3:16). If you deeply think of this – it would certainly seem odd, baffling and ridiculous that the God of all creation would offer him only Son in exchange for us, mere dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7). You know what that shows us. That demonstrates to us, the great extent of God’s love for us and in other words gives us proof that God offered a lot (all of himself), by offering his own (for us).

Have you believed in God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent for whosoever (any person of this world, no matter how wicked they have been) believes in Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life? God offered a lot, offering his own – Are you willing to offer a lot, offering your all? (Don’t let this question go unanswered!)

Genesis 19:8 (KJV)
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

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.

John 1:12 (KJV)
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Ephesians 2:19 (KJV)
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Brotherhood with the sinful does not pay off

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On February 11, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When the evil men of the city of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house and demanded that he bring out the two angelic visitors, so that they could have sex with them, Lot steps out of his house and put’s himself in harms way. He then addresses the men as “brothers” pleading that they don’t do such an evil thing. He goes so far as to offer his own daughters to be violated, so that his visitors who had come under the protection of his roof be spared of such evil. But the people respond to him and state that he is a foreigner (implying he was not one of their own i.e., not a brother) and now he had come to judge them, turning judgment to bitterness and casting down righteousness (Amos 5:7), threatening to deal worse with Lot himself, as they pushed forward to break the door of Lot’s house. The angels put their hand out and pull Lot back in, out of harms way, and shut the door.

Lot putting himself in harms way is certainly commendable but the way he deemed the wicked evil men as his own brothers is not. In fact, such recognition (or acceptance) is not reciprocated as the wicked evil men deemed him to be no more than a foreigner. From this account, we can learn that brotherhood with the sinful does not pay off. Reasoning with the wicked (ungodly) is futile.

Points to ponder:
The righteous can have no fellowship with the wicked. A yoke of brotherhood between the righteous i.e., those who have believed in Jesus and accepted him (Romans 3:22) walking in the Light (John 8:12; 1 John 1:6-8) and the unrighteous i.e., those who have rejected Jesus and who continue to walk in darkness, after the flesh, is not only improbable but impossible, for what communion can the righteous have with the unrighteous or light have with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14) for darkness is dispelled at the very onset of light. Are you calling the sinful your brother? Remember there can be no such relationship, if you and I are in Christ, for if we say that we have fellowship with Jesus and yet not follow him (John 8:12) but instead walk in darkness, we lie and the Truth (John 14:6) is not in us (1 John 1:6).

Genesis 19:6-10 (KJV)
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

Sin does not discriminate by age

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On February 10, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:4-5 states that before Lot’s family and the the angelic visitors who had come to the house of Lot retired to bed, the men of Sodom, both old and young and all the people from every quarter surrounded Lot’s house and demanded that he brings out the angelic men so that they could indulge in their carnal wickedness against God’s messengers. These verses indicate all men, irrespective of age were wicked, bringing to light a very important fact – that sin or sinfulness does not discriminate by age. From the mother’s womb to the grave, all of mankind is sinful and all need a Savior.

Points to ponder:
Let us be careful not to exclusively treat an age group (say teenagers) as being prone to a more sinful lifestyle than any other age group. The devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom (irrespective of age) he may devour (1 Peter 5:8) and so we ought to be alert and of a sober mind, no matter how old or how young we are. Be on guard … sin does not discriminate by age!

Genesis 19:4-5 (KJV)
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

(Are you and I like) The righteous Lot

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On February 9, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:2-3 gives us a glimpse into the character of Lot. Lot certainly saw the physical things of this world and chose it, which made him move toward Sodom (Genesis 13:10-11). He seemed to have been elevated in status as well among the ungodly, with authority to be able to sit at the gates of the city of Sodom (Genesis 19:1). Taking all this into account, one can easily deduce that Lot was a worldly man. Yet, he sought out the well being of the angelic visitors, for the people in the city he dwelt in were wicked – something that vexed his soul daily (2 Peter 2:8). In fact, you can see with the persistence of Lot, the angels change their mind to stay at his house instead of in the street. We also see here that Lot refers to himself as a ‘servant’ (Genesis 19:2) and hospitably opens his house for these angelic visitor. He even prepares a feast for them. The Apostle Peter calls Lot to be a righteous man with a righteous soul (2 Peter 2:7-8) who was vexed by what he saw (in seeing) and heard (in hearing) of the wicked’s lifestyle and unlawful deeds.

Points to ponder:
We may have made some choice in life that make us be in allegiance with the world, but if the world in which we dwell start to become wicked, it needs to vex our souls. We cannot turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to the wickedness around us. The soul of the righteous vexes when it sees and hears of the unlawful deeds and wicked lifestyles of men. Just as Lot was deemed righteous, would you and I be? In other words, do the wickedness around you vex you?

Genesis 19:2-3 (KJV)
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

2 Peter 2:7-8 (KJV)
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds😉

When and Where Lot was

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On February 6, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:1 reads “And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;” Did you notice that the time of the day was evening, when it was going to get dark. Also the expression sat in the gate of Sodom implied that Lot had some authority in Sodom for kings (2 Samuel 19:8) and ruler sat at the gate (Ruth 4:1).

It was in the heat of the day (Genesis 18:1), the Lord appears to Abraham. It is in the evening as darkness engulfs the setting is when the two angels come to the city where Lot is. Abraham sat at the entrance to his tent while Lot sat in a prominent place (at the gate) of a wicked city. Abraham is blessed while Lot is warned.

Points to ponder:
Many a times, like Lot, we also sit in the darkness, in prominent places of wickedness. If we are found at such a time and in such a place, we can expect from God – not a blessing – but a warning. When and where Lot was is one thing; When and where you and I are is quite another? Answer that!

Genesis 19:1 (KJV)
12 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

The Lord does not show up

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On February 5, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 18 gives the account of three heavenly visitors who visited Abraham by the tents of Mamre. Biblical texts and deductions support the fact that one of them was Jesus Christ, pre-incarnate in the flesh (a theophany to Abraham) who remained standing and communing with Abraham as the other two angels made their way toward the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which they were going to destroy (Genesis 18:22). Then after the Lord had finished speaking (communing) with Abraham, the Bible records that the  Lord went his way (Genesis 18:33), but the Scripture records that only two angels came to Sodom in the evening (Genesis 19:1). The Lord does not show up in Sodom, a place that was grievously sinful (Genesis 18:20).

What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? The most common answer is homosexuality and that is not incorrect as we shall see from the way, how all (not some but all) of the men of Sodom, both young and old, come to satisfy their carnal perverted appetites. But we must be careful to not write off that the sins of these wicked cities was exclusively homosexuality, which God does not condone and which he detests (Leviticus 18:22). Ezekiel 16:48-50 lists that the sins of Sodom was also pride, gluttony (fullness of bread) and laziness (abundance in idleness) while the poor and needy suffered around it. The people were haughty and committed abominations. Jude also adds to this list fornication and a going after strange flesh (sexual perversion sins again).

The Lord does not show up in such a place such as Sodom and Gomorrah.

Points to ponder:
While it is easy to judge if one is guilty of abominable sins such as the sins of the flesh i.e., homosexuality, fornications and their like, we must be careful to recognize that God finds the other sins of pride, gluttony, laziness, haughtiness, and inhospitability of not helping the poor and the needy, equally grievous and detestable.
Let each of us therefore take stock of our personal life and see if we are guilty of one or more of the following:
– sexual sins (matters of the flesh over the Spirit)
– pride (wanting to be like God, not needing him)
– gluttony (an excessive desire to satisfy our fleshly appetites)
– laziness (not working for the Lord)
– haughtiness (putting on the mind of the devil who wanted to elevate himself above God) and
– inhospitability (not doing what we ought to unto the least of God’s brethren).

Now take note, if we are grievously sinful and guilty as charged of any of these detestable (abomination) sins, then don’t be surprised, if the Lord God does not show up.

Do you want the Lord to show up in your life? If that is an affirmative, the remember, repent and redo what the Lord has chosen you to do.

Genesis 19:1-2 (KJV)
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Ezekiel 16:48-50 (KJV)
48 As I live, saith the Lord God, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.
49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

 Jude 7 (KJV)
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Communion with God

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On February 4, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 18:33 reads “And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.”

A few things that we can see from this verse is: First that the Lord went his way. Second, it was as soon as he had finished communing with Abraham. Third Abraham returned to his place.

Abraham is one of the few who you can say bargained with God as a intercessor for not only his loved one (Lot) but also for the righteous among the lost (the people of Sodom and Gomorrah). Such conversation and communion with the Lord is a testament to the closeness and communion (fellowship) that Abraham had with the Lord. When the Lord left, Abraham could have taken matters into his own hands and gone towards Sodom and Gomorrah to warn his nephew Lot and others there, but we see that Abraham simply returned to his place, leaving matters of God for God to deal with.

Points to ponder:
God ways shall always be fulfilled for his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). If we want to have our ways, the best thing to do would be to seek God’s ways and follow his lead – making our ways his – in which case, it shall always come to pass. Just as Jesus said, that his will was to finish the work of God the Father (John 4:34) and fulfill his will (John 6:38) – so should our prayer be.
Are you and I a close friend of God? Are we in his family so that he would take the time to commune with us as he did with Abraham, bargaining for the salvation of the righteous.
Finally, do we take matters into our own hands or do we let God’s sovereign will be – returning to where we belong and not an impediment to his plans? We must commune with God and know our place in his plan (will and way).

Genesis 18:33 (KJV)
33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

The righteous shall not perish as the wicked

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On February 3, 2015

In Christian

Genesis 18:22-32 gives the account of Abraham dialoging and negotiating with the Lord to spare the righteous living in the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. He starts out by asking the Lord, if the Lord will also destroy the righteous with the wicked if there were 50 righteous people in the city. He then moves on to ask if there were only 45, 40, 30, 20 and only 10 in the city who were righteous, would the Lord still destroy the city and the Lord respond by saying no.

Points to ponder:
From this account, we can see a few hidden treasures. First, the Lord God will not destroy the righteous along with the wicked. This unfolds the just and righteous nature of the Lord. While he will not punish the righteous, he will certainly punish the wicked, but not the righteous along with the wicked. Second, it also reveals that if we are the righteous (made right in standing before God for believing in Jesus), because of the Lord’s faithfulness to us, we may be the people whom God looks at and stops himself from punishing the wicked around us. Not only shall the righteous not perish as the wicked but they may be the people by whom the wicked are spared as well. If the Lord God was to look at you and me today, would he see us as righteous and spare us and the city where we live? Think about it!

Genesis 18:22-32 (KJV)
22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto theLord, which am but dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.
30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

The LORD checks in

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On February 2, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 18:20-22 reads “And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.”

What is interesting to glean from this text is that not only did the Lord God pay attention and heed to the cries of people, but he responded with action. Though it may seem at times, that the sinful state, rampancy and grievousness of sin has no hope for the better, we see that God does not check out but instead checks in to verify the real state of affairs. He hears the cries of his people even if they are a minority, even less than ten people in a city (Genesis 18:32).

Points to ponder:
When there was no solution to the grievousness of sin, resulting from its wages i.e. death (Romans 6:23), since the fall of man (Romans 5:12), the Lord (Jesus) willingly came down from God the Father (John 6:38) and checked in with man, becoming man (Philippians 2:5-8). God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us and when the state of world affairs may seem bleak and hopeless, you can expect God to check in (to our lives). Have you allowed the Lord God to check into your life?

Genesis 18:20-22 (KJV)
20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.

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