Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: May 2016

Sensible Guidance or Spiritual Guidance

By

On May 10, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 27:14-27 lists the account of how Isaac was deceived by his wife, Rebekah, and his secondborn son, Jacob, who usurped the blessings of Esau, the firstborn of Isaac.
Upon the command of Rebekah, Jacob fetches two young goats which she uses to prepare the favorite dish that Isaac loved. Interestingly she was so adept as a cook that she cooks the goats as it it was venison which was Isaac’s favorite dish. She put on Jacob the good garments belonging to Esau and then she put the skins of the young goats on Jacob’s hands and neck to make him hirsute as Esau. She gives the savory meat and the bread to Jacob, who brings it to his father Isaac. When Jacob comes to his father, he addresses Isaac as “My father” but Isaac recognizing that he did not sound like Esau, questions him as to who he is. Jacob lies that he is Esau and that he did what Isaac had asked him to do, which was to hunt game and bring him venison. When Isaac questions again as to how he had returned so quickly from his hunt, Jacob even lies by bringing the Lord God in the picture, saying that the Lord God brought the game (deer) to him. Still not convinced, Isaac, asks Jacob to come close so that he could feel him and determine if he was being deceived. Upon feeling Jacob, Isaac exclaimed that the voice is that of Jacob, but the hands are that of Esau. Then Isaac questions Jacob, one more time if Jacob was indeed his firstborn son Esau and Jacob lies again. Isaac then summons Jacob to bring him his venison and after he had eaten and drunk the wine presented, he asks Jacob to come close to him and kiss him and when Jacob gives him the kiss (of betrayal), Isaac smells the smell of the Esau garment on Jacob and is now convinced (completely fooled and tricked) into thinking that Jacob was Esau and blesses him.

Isaac’s eyesight (sense of sight) was failing and he was turning blind, so much so he could not see (27:1).
Isaac’s ears (sense of hearing) was not quite as bad for he discern the difference between the voices of his sons (27:22).
Isaac’s hands (sense of touch) was unable to discern between goat hair and a his son Esau’s hair (27:23).
Isaac’s tongue (sense of taste) was unable to discern between goat meat and venison (27:14, 25).
Isaac’s nose (sense of smell) was unable to discern the smell of Jacob masked under the smell of Esau’s garments (27:27).

First of all Isaac should not have attempted to change God’s plan and bless Esau instead of Jacob for the Lord God had promised Rebekah that the elder shall serve the younger. In the deception of Isaac, all of his five senses failed him and he was deceived. Isaac should have instead depended on God and trusted in the inner sense, the prompting of the Holy Spirit of God to guide him.

Points to ponder:
Many of the times, we rely so much on our five God given senses and they are subject to fail in doing what they are supposed to do. What we ought to rely on is on the Holy Spirit of God, who indwells in all who believe in Jesus and who will guide us into all truth (John 16:13) and not let us be tricked by the ancient deceiver, the devil (Revelation 12:9). Are you being guided by your senses or by the Holy Spirit of God?

Genesis 27:14-27 (KJV)
14 And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
17 And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
18 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?
19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
20 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.
21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.
24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.
25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine and he drank.
26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which theLord hath blessed:

Upon me be thy curse

By

On May 9, 2016

In Christian

As Rebekah deceitfully schemed to trick her husband, Isaac into blessing her favorite son, Jacob, her son realized that what his mother was asking him to do, could land him in a lot of trouble, should Isaac figure out their deceitfulness. He expresses to Rebekah that if his father detects that he is not Esau and is robbing Esau of his blessings as the firstborn son of Isaac, Isaac would curse him instead of blessing him. To this Rebecca responds by saying foolishly, “Upon me be thy curse, my son” urging him to play along in her scheme.

This mother-son scheme leads to discord and separation of Jacob and Esau, for Esau in his anger of being robbed of his blessings expresses that he would kill Jacob. Overhearing this, Rebekah sends Jacob away to her brother’s place and we learn that this was the last time she sees her favorite son, Jacob. She dies when Jacob is away and we can extrapolate that upon her was the curse laid, of being separated from her son for the rest of her life.

Points to ponder:
It is important to recognize that our actions, especially those of deceit, have serious consequences. We may be able to trick men and women, but we cannot trick the omniscient God over all. Though it was God’s plan for the elder Esau to serve the younger Jacob, Rebekah’s actions are not justifiable.

Taking a different perspective – Jesus willingly laid down his life for all of mankind (John 10:18). Jesus was a made a curse for us so that we could become the righteousness of God and not be separated from him (Galatians 3:13). Taking these facts into account, in a sense, you could say that when man was cursed (for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God), Jesus stepped in and said “Upon me be thy curse.”  Jesus Christ became a curse for you and me so that we will not be separated from the love of God, for the rest of this life and the life to come.

Genesis 27:11-13 (KJV)
11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

Directing God, really?

By

On May 6, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 27:5-10 gives the account of how Rebekah sought to have her younger son Jacob, blessed by her husband Isaac. When Isaac sought to bless Esau, his firstborn, instead of allowing God’s plan to work in the life of his family, for God had said that the younger, Jacob, would rule over the elder (Genesis 25:23), Rebekah eavesdrops on that conversation. When Esau goes out to hunt for venison as his father desired, Rebekah goes her younger son, Jacob and hatches out a plan to deceive Isaac into giving his blessings to Jacob. She in fact commands her son Jacob to obey her (verse 8) into deceiving his father, Isaac.

While on the surface it may seem like Rebekah was in fact working in accordance with God’s plan of how the elder would serve the younger, we must be careful to note from this account, certain minefields that we ought to avoid.
First, Rebekah has to resort to eavesdropping into Isaac and Esau’s conversation (verse 6). When families (especially parents), don’t communicate with one another and show not out of good conversation, with meekness of wisdom, their works, they resort to earthly, sensual and devilish wisdom (James 3:13, 15).
Second, while on the onset it may seem like Rebekah was trying to help God in his plan, the end does not justify the means, for it brings discord between her sons, and not peace (James 3:18). Instead of directing God’s plan, she should have been dependent on God for him to bring to pass his word. She obviously should have known of the consequences of hurrying God’s matters up as her father-in-law, Abraham, tried to take charge of God’s plan and that results in the birth of Ishmael and not the promised child, Isaac, her husband, leading again to discord between the children of Abraham.

Points to ponder:
Let us be careful to learn from this account that we must first communicate with meekness of wisdom, God’s plan in our lives, especially  with our loved ones (family) and not resort to worldly wisdom that is sensual and devilish. We must also be extra careful to not take charge of doing God’s work, our way, but instead depend on God to fulfill his word, according to his word. In other words, we must stop trying to direct God of his work, whether it is at church or it is at home.

Are you directing God or are you dependent on him?

Genesis 27:5-10 (KJV)
5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
6 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.
8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

James 3:13-16 (KJV)
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Isaac was (truly) blind

By

On May 5, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 27 gives us the account of the tale of two brothers – Jacob and Esau and how Jacob the supplanter, aided by his mother Rebekah, steals away not only the birthright of Esau, the firstborn son of Isaac and Rebekah, but also his blessings. This account starts out by stating that when Isaac was old and his eyes were dim, he could not see and at that time he called Esau his eldest son and told Esau “I am old and don’t know the day I would died, so make me my favorite dish of venison that you hunt and when I am satisfied after eating it, I will bless you before I die.”

First this account shows that Isaac was playing favorites between his children (Genesis 25:28) and despite his physical blindness, he was turning a blind eye to the fact that Esau his firstborn who had rights as his firstborn, had despised that birthright that entitled him to a double portion of his father’s blessings. Second, Isaac, turned a blind eye to the fact that Esau had married two Hittite women and that the blessings of God if given to Esau would not stay with God’s people as was covenanted with Abraham. Third, we also notice that Isaac took matters his his own hands and did not see that the God of his ancestors, who breathed life in man formed from dust, could keep him alive as long as God intended and instead of relying on God, predicted that he was going to die. Fourth, we can see that instead of hungering for the spiritual issues of life for his children as did his father for him by making sure that he did not take a worldly ungodly wife, Isaac focuses on meager venison to satisfy his physical hunger, in his old age. Fifth and most importantly, Isaac willfully chose to go against God’s plan, and turn a blind eye to God’s word given to Rebekah, that it would be the elder (Esau) who would serve the younger (Jacob) (Genesis 25:23). So in five instances, we can clearly see that though Isaac was blind physically, he was truly blind spiritually.

Isaac did not see that the one who despises their birthright is not entitled to the father’s blessings and that God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11).
Isaac did not see that the one who marries into the world systems (pagan wives) loses the privilege of being blessed as the one who follows God.
Isaac did not see that God is Sovereign and controls one’s lifespan.
Isaac did not see that satisfying his spiritual needs was more important that gratifying the fleshly hunger.
Isaac did not see that God’s word and plan would always come to pass and that he could not change what God intends and wills by hurrying things up.
Isaac was truly blind for he was blind spiritually.

Points to ponder:
What is noteworthy is that Isaac who was willing to be offered as a sacrifice in his younger days, who willingly waited for a godly wife from his own people, who was assured of God’s blessings, in his latter years, shows a decline in his faith. May this be a warning to each one of us, that we just don’t start well, but we end well as well and as Apostle Paul declared, may we be able to say at life’s end – I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Let us not turn a blind eye and :

  • despise our right as children of God that we are granted when we believe and accept Jesus (John 1:12)
  • be married to the worldly views and systems but let us focus on being the bride of Christ, submitting to him alone (James 4:4; Ephesians 5:22,23; 2 Corinthians 11:2)
  • fail to recognize the Sovereignty of God over our lives, and in his hand is the breath of all mankind (Job 12:10)
  • gratifying our fleshly lusts and physical hungers instead of satisfying the Spirit of God
    and
  • take matters into our own hands, trying to circumvent and willfully go against God’s plan for our lives, but like Jesus did, let us willfully accept God’s will be done in our lives (Luke 22:42).

Let us not be truly blind.

Genesis 27:1-4 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
4 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Displeasing Marriages

By

On May 4, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 26 starts out with the
– deception of Isaac that nearly killed the lineage of the then king Abimelech (verses 1-11),
– discord over water rights between Isaac’s servants and the servants of Abimelech (verses 12-22),
– defense and declaration of God’s covenant with Isaac (verses 23-25),
– deal of peace between Isaac and Abimelech (verses 26-33)
and finally ends with the
– displeasing marriages of Esau, Isaac’s firstborn son (verses 34-35).

The Bible accounts that Esau was forty years old when he married not one but two Hittite wives – Judith the daughter of Beeri and Bashemath the daughter of Elon and these pagan women made the life of Isaac and his wife Rebekah, miserable. These daughters-in-law were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau marriages were displeasing.

Points to ponder:
Before we go about condemning Esau for his foolish marriages of worldly (not godly) wives, let us take a moment to introspect ourselves. Many a times, we would find ourselves getting married to the things of this world (be it power, position, prosperity, or pleasure). Our marriages to the worldly things brings displeasure to God and so we ought to divorce ourselves from the things of this ephemeral world and keep ourselves chaste (by the power of the Holy Spirit of God) and look forward to the wedding of the Lamb of God as the bride of Christ (Revelation 19).

What are the things of this world that you are married to that you ought to divorce so that you dont grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and displease God? (2 Samuel 11:27). Answer that question and act on it, today.

Genesis 26:34-35 (KJV)
34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
35 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

Finding (living) Water

By

On May 3, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 26:32-33 records that on the same day that Isaac had made a peace treaty with Abimelech, the king of Gerar, his servants came to him and told him regarding the well they had dug, that they had found water and Isaac called that well Shebah (and hence the name of the city where he had moved to is Beersheba). Shebah means an oath in Hebrew.

What is important to note is that it is to Beersheba that Abraham first brings Isaac after the sacrifice on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:19) and dwelt there. It is in Beersheba that Abraham makes an oath of peace with Abimelech, the then king of Gerar (Genesis 21:22-34). Why is Beersheba important? Because it was a step in the direction of the promised land that God had promised Abraham.

The contention over the wells of Abraham, namely Esek and Sitnah, by the herdsmen of Gerar made Isaac retreat to a place of no contention as he names the well that he dug there Rehoboth (Genesis 26:20-22). To Abraham and Isaac, the wells were a sign of God’s provisions while to the philistines and the men of Gerar, it was a sign of property which made them fill/stop the wells that Abraham had dug (Genesis 26:17) and fight over the one that Isaac had dug (Genesis 26:19). The contention that ensues, can be seen, in hindsight, as God nudging Isaac to move toward the promised land.

However, what is noteworthy is that Isaac does not stay where the well Rehoboth was (even though there was no contention there), but instead moves to Beersheba (possibly because he trusted in God as did his father, looking forward toward a city whose builder and maker was God himself (Hebrews 11:10)), and on that same night, the Lord appears and assures Isaac of his covenant with his father, Abraham. Isaac responds by building an altar first, and worshipping the Lord God before pitching his tent there and digging a well there. (Genesis 26:25). After the peace treaty amongst whom he deemed were his enemies (who hated him), his servants report of finding water (Genesis 26:32).

Points to ponder:
While the digging of the well indicates that one intends to live in that land and use the water to sustain his family and flocks, we see here that Isaac did not dig the well, first to find water, before pitching his tent and building an altar to worship God. In fact, that order was reversed.  He gave God the priority over his and his family and flock’s physical needs. He built the altar first, worshipped God and then pitched his tent and dug the well, and God enables him to find water in that well.

This resonates with the very model Jesus laid out for us – that we ought to seek the spiritual things first (God’s kingdom) and all the things that are needed to sustain us shall be added unto us (Matthew 6:33). In other words, in order to find water that sustains us physically, we ought to seek first the living Water that saves us spiritually, i.e., seek the living water that only Jesus can provide – the water that bring not just sustenance of life, but salvation to life aka eternal life (John 4:10-15). Have you found (living) Water? i.e., have you believed in Jesus’ Lordship and saving grace?

Genesis 26:32-33 (KJV)
32 And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.
33 And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day.

Peace amongst enemies

By

On May 2, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 26:26-31 records to account of the peace treaty that is established between Isaac and Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Isaac had been sent away from the land of Gerar, as the servants of Abimelech quarreled with the servants of Isaac, over the wells that were dug by Abraham. Now after some time, we see Abimelech the king himself, along with one of his friends Ahuzzath,  and the chief captain of his army Phichol come to Isaac, seeking a covenant of peace (verse 26, 28). Isaac who had felt that he was being hated by the king for having been sent away questions the reason as to why Abimelech has come to see him (verse 27). The king’s response is noteworthy. This pagan king recognized that the Lord was with Isaac (verse 28) and that Isaac was blessed of the Lord (verse 29) and sought a covenant of peace with Isaac. Isaac obliges overlooking his feelings and responds with hospitality, making his visitors a feast and letting them rest at his place. The next morning they swore one to another and the prior enemies leave the presence of Isaac in peace (as friends) (verses 29-31).

Points to ponder:
When the Lord is with us and we are blessed of the Lord, even the pagans (enemies) around us, seek to live in peace with us, when they recognize the sovereignty of God over our lives. When they do, despite the hurt that they may have caused us, as followers of Jesus, we ought to forgive and treat them with hospitality, seeking to live in peace amongst enemies. Why, because, this emulates the love of God – for while we were still sinners (i.e., enemies of God), God demonstrated his love for us and gave us his Only begotten Son, who died for our sins (Romans 5:8). For God has turned us, prior enemies of his, into friends of his, by the peace treaty between God and man, signed by the blood of his Son Jesus Christ, that was shed on the Cross, and we must do so likewise.

Let us seek to live in peace with all, even our enemies – and when our enemies seek to live in peace with us, then rejoice for they see how the Lord is with us and how blessed we are. Do your enemies seek to live in peace with you?

Genesis 26:26-31 (KJV)
26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.
27 And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?
28 And they said, We saw certainly that the Lord was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;
29 That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the Lord.
30 And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.
31 And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.

Page 2 of 2

Previous

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén