Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Author: Mano Paul Page 4 of 171

When we fear (men)

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On April 3, 2019

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The Bible informs us that when Jacob found out from his messengers that his brother Esau, whom he had wronged, was coming to meet him along with four hundred men, he became greatly afraid and distressed. Uncertain of how his brother felt about him, and fearing that his brother would be coming with his men to avenge himself, Jacob divided his people, and the cattle (flocks, herds, and camels) into two bands, thinking that if Esau was to come and attack one band, then the other could escape (Genesis 32:6-8).

Interesting, isn’t it, that not too long ago, Jacob had witnessed two camps of God’s angelic army, and now all of his people and property had been divided into two bands. Did God in his omniscience know that Jacob would divide his people and property into two bands and so sent two hosts of angels in advance to protect him? I would like to think so, but the Bible does not affirm that and so we should leave speculation to be speculation.

Jacob acts of deception had given him a genuine reason to fear his brother, but God’s promise of being with him should have allayed that fear. In other words, if Jacob had faith – faith to trust God at his word, he would not have had to fear his brother – a mere man.

Points to ponder:
We fear when we fail to take God at his word and trust him, by placing our complete faith in him. The opposite of fear for a follower of Jesus Christ is not courage, but instead faith. When the disciples were afraid in the boat that was caught in a storm, Jesus did not ask them “Why they did not have courage?”, but instead asked them “How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:35-41)

When we have no faith in Jesus, we have everything to fear. When we have all our faith in Jesus, we have nothing or no one to fear! When the storms of life buffet you and threaten to drown you, there is nothing to fear, if Jesus Christ is with you. Even first death is no longer something to be afraid off for it has no power over those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Are you afraid and distressed?

Genesis 32:6-8 (KJV)
6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
8 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

Mark 4:35-41 (KJV)
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Lord, Servant and Grace

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On April 2, 2019

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

As Jacob is on his way to the land of his birth, following the command of God, he comes to the land of Seir, in the country of Edom, where his brother Esau, whom he had wronged, lived. In an attempt to reconcile with his brother, Jacob sends messengers with gifts of cattle (oxen, asses, flocks) and people (men and women servants) to Esau (Genesis 32:4-6).

He had subtly tricked Esau into selling his birthday and deceived their father, Isaac, to rob Esau’s blessings (Genesis 27:36) making him lord (master) and Esau his servant (Genesis 27:37). Now notice that in his attempt to reconcile, he recognized his place and refers to Esau as lord (or master) and himself as Esau’s servant (Genesis 32:4) and requested that he finds grace in Esau’s sight.

Points to ponder:
From this account, first, we can learn a lesson on seeking forgiveness from other men and women whom we have wronged. We ought to recognize our position and place and seek to find grace in their sight. And second, the key words used in this situation are lord, servant and grace. In order to be reconciled with God, we need to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ and accept and allow him to be our Master for he is Lord and Master (John 13:14) and just as he came to serve, we ought to serve (Matthew 28:20). Before accepting Jesus as Lord and Master, sin reigns over all people unto death (Romans 5:21), but when sin abounded the grace (of God) became more abundant (Romans 5:20) so grace might reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:21).

Have you accepted Jesus to be your Lord?
Have you allowed him to be your Master?
Jesus’ grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9)!

Genesis 32:3-5 (KJV)
3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

Romans 5:19-21 (KJV)
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s Army – Mahanaim

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On April 1, 2019

In Genesis, Through the Bible

The Bible accounts in Genesis 32:1&2 that when Laban, Jacob’s uncle, left Jacob to return home, Jacob went on his journey toward where God had asked him to – the land of his father, his grandfather and his relatives (Genesis 31:3), the land of his birth (Genesis 31:13). And just as Jacob had started his journey, we are informed that angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s host (army)” and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Mahanaim in Hebrew means two camps. Two camps? What two camps?

Biblical scholars speculate a few possibilities as to what these two camps were. Some hypothesize that one was Jacob’s camp and the other was the camp of the angelic army. Others posit that there were two camps of angels. Since the Bible states that Jacob had just started his journey (Genesis 32:1), and that he divided his people that were with him into two bands, in fear and distress, after he came to learn that his brother Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men (Genesis 32:1), the conjecture that it was two camps of angels is more plausible.  

While the Bible does not explicitly state what these two camps were, reading through the verses carefully and sequentially, and cross referencing other Biblical scripture portions surface a hidden treasure that is edifying.  

God had promised to be with Jacob after he had commanded him to return to his family (Genesis 31:3,13). God’s army of angels was an indication of God’s presence going with his promise.

I would like to believe, that the two camps of angels were for the protection of Jacob, from threats that could come to him and his family from the front or behind.

Behind Jacob was Laban who had wronged him (Genesis 31:55) and in front of him (before him) was his brother Esau whom he had wronged (Genesis 32:3).

Another evidence of angelic protection all around (front and behind) can be found in the account of Elisha, the prophet of God, who supernaturally sees (just as Jacob did), God’s armies of angels surrounding him at Dothan (2 Kings 6:17).

Points to ponder:

God’s presence and protection goes with his promises and we can trust him and take him at his word. Jesus said, Go ye therefore into the world (the land of our birth) and be my followers, and Lo, I am with you always (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus, the Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him (Psalm 34:7) and he has armies of angels at his command, that will camp around you to protect you and guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11). So if God says “Go, and I will be with you” – just do it. Go and you will experience God’s presence and may supernaturally see mahanaim of God’s army encamping around you, to guard you in all your ways.

Genesis 32:1-2 (KJV)
1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Proverbs 34:7 (KJV)
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Eloi Abba … for thy Holy Name sake

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On January 1, 2019

In Christian, New Year, New Year's Resolution

The Pauls - 2019 Promise CardsEloi Abba, with grateful hearts, we praise thee
for your providence, protection and preservation perpetually
and above all, for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, on Salvation’s tree
solely by whom, mankind can reunite with thee, Almighty.

Oft, as wayward sheep, from your flock, I strayed
beguiled by the ancient snake, I waved
Yet my soul, ye restore & lead me in righteous path, ye paved
not for my name, but for thy Holy Name sake

My beloved, ye reminded to be humble
putting on the mind of Christ, lest she stumble
for humility and the fear of the Lord is the ensemble
lest riches, honor and life, she fumble

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding come from above
reminded this thee, to our first-born, who ye greatly love
May your Holy Spirit hover over him as a baptismal dove
consecrating and covering him, when the world its temptations on him shove.

May our second-born fear ye Lord, so ye encamp
around him, O angel of the Lord, Salvation’s Lamp
delivering him from the fowler snare – the thief’s clamp
Be to him Lord, his one and only champ

Eloi Abba, with grateful hearts, we praise thee
for your providence, protection and preservation perpetually
and above all, for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, on Salvation’s tree
solely by whom, mankind can reunite with thee, Almighty.

From the Author’s/Poet’s Desk:

As we arrived at the beginning of a new year, thinking about the year gone past and looking forward to the year ahead, this poem is an expressions of our hearts, that in the coming year, my family (Sangeetha, Reuben, Ittai and me), remember Our God’s (Eloi) goodness, grace and love as our Father (Abba).

During the watchnight service on December 31st, at the Austin Christian Fellowship of India (ACFI), we picked promise cards for each one in the family. The poem is written by compiling the verses from our promise cards, as a personal reminder to us, but we pray that you personalize this for yourself by replaced the pronouns and words like “our” with “me” or “my” and any personal pronoun with your name or “I”.

The promise  cards picked for 2019.
For Reuben (our firstborn): 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)
For Ittai (our secondborn): 7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psalm 34:7)
For Sangeetha (my beloved): 4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

For Mano: 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

——-

A line-by-line exegesis of the poem [in square brackets] is given below:

Eloi Abba, with grateful hearts, we praise thee
[We praise God (Eloi) – who being God, adopts us into his family so we can call him Father (Abba) – Mark 15:34; Romans 8:15]
for your providence, protection and preservation perpetually
[God our Father, not only provides, but he protects and preserves our life, perpetually – Genesis 22:14; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 41:2]
and above all, for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, on Salvation’s tree
[but our highest praise is for Jesus Christ, God’s Only begotten Son who died for us on the Cross – John 3:16; Galatians 3:13]
solely by whom, mankind can reunite with thee, Almighty.
[and there is no other name given under heaven or earth, by which man can be saved – Acts 4:12]

Oft, as wayward sheep, from your flock, I strayed
[Many a times, I heeded not to the voice of the Shepherd’s Spirit, and yielded to fleshly lusts]
beguiled by the ancient snake, I waved
[tricked by the devil, the snake – Revelation 12:9]
Yet my penitent soul, ye restore & lead me in righteous path, ye paved
[and when I repented, he restored the joy of Salvation and continued to lead me – Psalm 51; Psalm 23:3]
not for my name, but for thy Holy Name sake
[for he is a merciful and loving God, true to his word that will fail not – Psalm 23:3]

My beloved, ye reminded to be humble
[Humility is key is what my beloved wife (Sangeetha) was reminded – Proverbs 22:4]
putting on the mind of Christ, lest she stumble
[For Christ was humble despite being God, leaving his glory to save us – Philippians 2:5-7]
for humility and the fear of the Lord is the ensemble
[Humility and the Fear of the Lord are like two sides of the same coin- Proverbs 22:4]
lest riches, honor and life, she fumble
[and its wages is riches, honor and life – Proverbs 22:4]

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding come from above
[The source of wisdom, knowledge and understanding is God himself – Proverbs 2:6]
reminded this thee, to our first-born, who, ye greatly love
[Reuben, our first-born who loves God dearly was reminded of this through his promise card]
May your Holy Spirit hover over him as a baptismal dove
[Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit of God is always above him as he appeared at Jesus’ baptism – Matthew 3:16]
consecrating and covering him, when the world its temptations on him shove.
[setting him aside and covering him so that he does not yield to worldly temptations – Psalm 91:4]

May our second-born fear ye Lord, so ye encamp
[The promise card for our second-born son, Ittai]
around him, O angel of the Lord, Salvation’s Lamp
[was that the angel of the Lord surround those who fear him; Christ is the angel of the Lord and he is the light (lamp) of our Salvation – Psalm 34:7]
delivering him from the fowler snare – the thief’s clamp
[God delivers those who fear him from the devil’s snare and clutches – Psalm 91:3]
Let him always keep you Lord, his one and only champ
[Our prayer is that Ittai keep the Lord to be the champion in his life]

Eloi Abba, with grateful hearts, we praise thee
[We praise God (Eloi) – who being God, adopts us into his family so we can call him Father (Abba) – Mark 15:34; Romans 8:15]
for your providence, protection and preservation perpetually
[God our Father, not only provides, but he protects and preserves our life, perpetually – Genesis 22:14; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 41:2]
and above all, for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, on Salvation’s tree
[but our highest praise is for Jesus Christ, God’s Only begotten Son who died for us on the Cross – John 3:16; Galatians 3:13]
solely by whom, mankind can reunite with thee, Almighty.
[and there is no other name given under heaven or earth, by which man can be saved – Acts 4:12]

Witness and Watchtower

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On November 13, 2018

In Christian

Genesis 31:42-55 gives the account of the truce between Jacob and his father-in-law, Laban. As signs of the truce made between Jacob and Laban, Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar and asked his brothers to gather stones and make a heap. Laban called the heap Jegarsahadutha which means “heap of witness” in Syriac (Gentile) tongue, but Jacob called it Galeed, which meant the same in Hebrew (Jew). Then in agreement, Laban referred to the witness heap as Mizpah, meaning watchtower in Hebrew, with God as their watching witness.

For peace between a Gentile and a Jew, a heap of witness / watchtower was assembled. A witness testifies of a person’s innocence or guilt. A watchtower is built to keep watch and guard of impeding invaders.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5) – who made a truce (peace) between by God and man by his willing sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12-18). For all who believe in him, he testifies our victory over the evil one by his blood (Revelation 12:11) and declares us innocent, not remembering our sins and iniquities any more (Hebrews 10:17). His name, the name of the Lord, the name above all names, the sole name by which man can be saved is a strong tower, and the those made righteous (by believing in Jesus) who run into it are safe – safe from the invading forces of evil. 

In other words, Jesus Christ is our Jegarsahadutha, our Galeed, our Mizpah. He is our witness – the faithful witness and our watchtower. 

Points to ponder:
Have you made your truce with God? Have you believed in Jesus Christ? In other words, would his witness (testimony) of you be that you are innocent – that God is at peace with you. Believe in Jesus Christ. He is the Faithful Witness.
Are you safe? In other words, have you believed in Jesus, which imputes on you his righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:22) and as one who is righteous, do you run to him for your safety – safety from spiritual death and eternal enmity with God. He is the strong watchtower, watching out for you. Believe in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 31:42-55 (KJV)
42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
43 And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?
44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
47 And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
48 And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;
49 And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee:
52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.
53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.
54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
55 And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Revelation 1:5 (KJV)
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Proverbs 18:10 (KJV)
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

The fear of Isaac

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On November 12, 2018

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Isaac’s son, Jacob left his father-in-law, Laban’s house, for whom he had worked twenty years, to return to the land of his father, Laban pursued and stopped him. Jacob told Laban that if it had not been for the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac, he would been sent to return empty by Laban (Genesis 31:42).

The phrase “fear of Isaac” is intriguing. Why did Jacob not just refer to the God of Abraham as the God of Isaac as well? It is believed that the phrase fear of Isaac is to say, the God whom Isaac feared or dreaded. Some suggest that it was to instill fear in Laban that Jacob used that expression. However, from the statement that “if the fear of Isaac had not been with me”, we can infer that Jacob was referring to a person and not an emotion.

Many centuries later, the prophet Isaiah would write a call to trust in the Lord – the Lord of hosts (heaven’s armies) and sanctify him (set him holy). The prophet would warn that the Lord of hosts must be your fear, and let him be your dread (Isaiah 8:13), who will keep you safe as your sanctuary (Isaiah 8:14). God’s people were not to fear or dread the arising Assyrian army that would invade them.

Who is the Lord of hosts? Who is the commander and chief of heaven’s armies? Revelation 19:11-21 reveals to us that the Lord of hosts is Jesus Christ, the rider on the white horse.

In other words, the fear of Isaac, mentioned only in the first book of the Bible (Genesis),  who is to be feared and dreaded is revealed to be the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in the last book of the Bible (Revelation).

Points to ponder:
Just like Isaac, the father of Jacob, who feared the Lord of hosts, so also must we set Jesus Christ, the Lord of hosts to be holy in our lives and only him must we fear and dread, for only he can keep us safe – safe from death – spiritual death. After all, to fear God and keep his commandments is the sole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Is the fear of Isaac (Jesus Christ) your God?

Genesis 31:42 (KJV)
42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

Isaiah 8:13 (KJV)
13 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary;

Except the God …

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On November 8, 2018

In Christian

When Laban, Jacob’s father-in-law, accused Jacob of having stolen his gods (idols) and did not find them, for Rachel, Jacob’s wife, who had, unbeknownst to Jacob, stolen her father’s idols and hid them, Jacob was angry. He questioned Laban as to why Laban had pursued him?

Jacob had served Laban for twenty years, fourteen years for Laban’s two daughters (Leah and Rachel) and six years for the cattle (Genesis 31:38, 41). He had tended to the flock of Laban, in the drought of the day and the frost of the night, sometimes sleeplessly (Genesis 31:40). When a wild animal had stolen away one of Laban’s cattle, Jacob assumed responsibility and bore the loss of it (Genesis 31:39). In other words, whatever Jacob had left with, from Laban’s house, was rightfully earned because of his diligent service to Laban, by the labor of his hands (Genesis 31:42). Yet Laban felt that he owned it all (Genesis 31:43).

After Jacob had expressed his work (labor) and his wages (lot), he made a powerful statement, one that could easily be missed. Jacob said, “Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou (Laban) hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.” (Genesis 31:42).

What Jacob was saying was that if God had not been with him, he would have had nothing (even though what he had it was rightfully his). If God had not seen his affliction and intervened, he would have lost what he had earned.

Points to ponder:
God is always with those who believe in him, who trust him and who fear him reverently out of their love for him. The Most High God, the God of Abraham rules over all (Daniel 4:17) and watches over them that love him, both their going out and their coming forth, so no harm shall befall them. (Psalm 121:5-8). He sees our afflictions and intervenes for us, even if we dont know it.

Except the God of Abraham, the Most High God is with you and me, we will be empty and we will lose it all.

You can gain the whole world (rightfully so by the labour of your hands), but if you do not believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High ruling God, you will lose your soul and that would mean you lose it all (Mark 8:36).

Have you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, Lord and King? In other words, can you say, “Except the God of Abraham is with me …”?

Genesis 31:36-42 (KJV)
36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

Hidden Idols

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On November 7, 2018

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Jacob flees from his father-in-law, Laban’s home with his wives and possessions, unbeknownst to him, his wife Rachel, stole some of her father’s idols (images) and took them with her. When Laban confronted Jacob of this thievery, Jacob impulsively responds that whoever is found to have stolen Laban’s gods would be punishable by death. In other words, he had unknowingly declared the death sentence on his wife. When Laban’s started to search the tents for his gods, before Laban entered Rachel’s tent, she took the idols and hid them in her camels furniture and sat on top of them. She avoided getting caught by using her monthly period as to reason to not have to get up. 

The Bible does not tell us the reason as to why Rachel had stolen her father’s idols and hidden them and trying to come up with reasons would be nothing more than conjecture. 

However, what is important to recognize is that the hidden idols could have led to death – Rachel’s death. 

Points to Ponder:
The Bible is very clear that we should have no other gods before the Lord God and that we should not make any idols and those who do will face the judgment of God for he will not tolerate our affection to any other god or idol (Exodus 20:3-5) He will blot them out of his book (Exodus 32:33).

Idols are anything that take the place of God – they are those that take priority and preeminence in our lives. In today’s context, an idol could be anything – power, position, popularity, prestige, pleasure, possessions.

Hiding idols in our lives is akin to declaring a (spiritual) death sentence on ourselves. What are the idols that we hide and sit on? 

Genesis 31:19-20, 30, 32-35 (KJV)
19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.
20 And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
…
30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
…
32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.
34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched but found not the images.

Fear of men vs.

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On November 6, 2018

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis chapter 31 verses 17 and 18,  verses from 21 to 29 and verse 31 gives the account of Jacob fleeing from the house of Laban, his father-in-law with his family (wives and children) and possessions (camels, cattle, and all his goods) to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan. The Bible says that Jacob fled with all that he had.

When Laban his father-in-law found out about Jacob’s fleeing, he pursued him for seven days and caught up with Jacob. But God divinely intervened in a dream and came to Laban in the night and warned him to be even keel with Jacob. When Laban confronted Jacob, he expressed that he had the power to hurt Jacob but because the God of Isaac (God of Jacob’s father) had appeared to Laban and warned him, he restrained himself from hurting Jacob. Laban questioned Jacob as to why he had fled in secret and told Jacob that he had acted foolishly.

To this Jacob responded that he was afraid – afraid that Laban would take his wives (Laban’s daughters) away from him by force.

Jacob fear is evident because he feared man instead of fully trusting in the Lord God who had promised him that he would be with him (Genesis 31:3). Had Jacob trusted completely that God was with him as he said he would, he would not have had to flee in secret.

Points to ponder:
Before we go about passing judgment on Jacob, let us realize that many a times, we also fear men, because we fail to take and trust God at his word.

The opposite of fear is not courage but instead it is faith in God. When the disciples feared for their lives in the storm, Jesus did not question them by asking them “Where is your courage?”. Instead, he asked, “Why they were so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? (Mark 4:40) Faith that is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). By faith, we can see the protecting and providing invisible hand of God in all of life situations and that is all that is needed to dispel fear – the fear of man and not act foolishly.  Fear of men vs. Faith in God.

Jesus said, to all who are in his flock, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20) and we can take him at his word. This is what will make us bold to be able to say, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4) for God (Jesus) is with me, (as he promised he would), always.

Genesis 31:17-18, (KJV)
17 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
…
21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.
22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?
27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
…
31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

Genesis 31:3 (KJV)
3 And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

Family Consultation (for Confirmation)

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On November 5, 2018

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Jacob told his wives, Rachel and Leah, that God had asked him to return to the land of his fathers and his kindred – meaning that they would need to leave theirs father’s place. He consults with his family.

Rachel and Leah, both in unison, expressed their grievances against their father, Laban, in whose home, they felt that they were treated as strangers, as a commodity who had been sold. They then told Jacob to do whatever God has asked him to.

From this account, we can see that through family consultation, Jacob gets confirmation of God’s word to him – to do whatever God has instructed him to do.

Points to ponder:
When it comes to divine matters, one resource that the Lord God has given to us is our families. Families can confirm what God wants us to do and reaffirm what God’s will is for our lives.

Genesis 31:14-16 (KJV)

14. And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
15. Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.
16. For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do

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