Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Category: Through the Bible Page 10 of 46

Doubly Blessed

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On February 1, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 25:21-24 records the discovery of the birth of the twins of Isaac and Rebekah. If you read carefully, you would learn that Rebekah was barren and Isaac prayed to the Lord God for her to be fruitful and she conceived (Genesis 25:21), but she was not blessed once, but doubly. When Rebekah conceived, she enquired of the Lord God who informed her that she had two nations in her womb and that there were twins in her womb. God did not bless her with one, but two.

Points to ponder:
When we seek the Lord God, be not surprised if out of our barrenness, he chooses to bless us not once, but doubly. Seek God and his kingdom first, and all things will be added unto you (maybe even doubly – if it is in the permissive will of the Lord).

Genesis 25:21-24 (KJV)
21 And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of theLord.
23 And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

When you are barren …

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On January 29, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 25:19-21 records of the generations of Isaac, through his wife Rebekah, who was blessed to be the mother of millions by her family when she left them to join Isaac (Genesis 24:60). Except there was one problem – Rebekah was barren. So Isaac pleaded (intreated) to the Lord for his wife and the Lord heeded to his prayer and Rebekah conceived.

There are two vital lessons that we can learn from this account. First, when we are barren, we need to seek the Lord and pray / plead to him. Second, our prayers (requests) must be in line with God’s will. God’s will and blessing was to continue the line of Abraham, not through Ishmael, the son of a bondwoman (Hagar), but through Isaac, the son of the free woman (Sarah). If Rebekah had remained barren, God’s word would not come true (at least in a logical physical sense). God’s word always comes true and as Isaac prays to God, he was in essence praying for God’s will to come true, which is what happens.

Points to ponder:
Though we should be hard working, when we are barren, we need to seeking God first and plead to him to bless up. Work hard, but only after prayer. Seek God’s Kingdom first and all things shall be added unto us (Matthew 6:33), according to God’s permissive will and pleasure. In other words, seek God first and see him turn your barrenness into blessings. Second, when we pray, let us pray so that the Lord’s will is done in our lives and not just give him a wishlist of our own heart’s desires. Are you barren? (in life). If so, you know what to do. Tarry no further.

Genesis 25:19-21
19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac:
20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
21 And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Prophesy of God always comes true

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On January 28, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 25:12-18 lists the names of the sons of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bore unto him. Ishmael had twelve sons, Nebajoth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah, who were princess with nations (Genesis 12:16). Ishmael lived 137 years, and died in the presence of his brethren. While this account may seem as a listing of the names of the sons of Ishmael, it is important to note two phrases in these verses – phrase one, ‘twelve princes according to their nations’ and phrase two ‘in the presence of all his brethren’, because both these are a direct fulfillment of God’s prophesy to Abraham about Ishmael (Genesis 17:20 & Genesis 16:12).

Points to ponder:
God’s prophesy will always come true – to the letter – and that is something we can count on.

Genesis 25:12-18 (KJV)
12 Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham:
13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
14 And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
15 Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:
16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.
17 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.
18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.

Genesis 17:20 (KJV)
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

Genesis 16:12 (KJV)
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.

Blessed by not where you are but Who is with you

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On January 27, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 25:11 records that after the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac, who dwelt by the well Laharoi – which means well of the Living One who sees me – named when Hagar, the Egyptian maid servant of Sarah, encountered the Lord whom she describes as the Lord who sees her in the midst of her despair. What is important to note is not where Isaac was, but who was with Isaac – it was God. It was not Abraham’s riches and all that Isaac had been given (which was everything Abraham had – Genesis 25:5) that is counted as blessings on Isaac, but it was God who blessed Isaac. This demonstrates that God is a Father to the fatherless, caretaker of orphans, whose unfailing love/mercy extends to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands (Exodus 20:6).

Abraham loved God, and God, though not obligated, true to his nature and word, returns the favor.

Points to ponder:
You may be in a point of despair in your life. You may be next to a well seeking waters of hope, but unless the Lord is with you, there shall be no blessings. It is not where you are that is as important, as much as Who is with you. Is God with you? He is the One and only true source of blessings. God wishes to be with you, but only if you let him. Is God with you?

Genesis 25:11 (KJV)
11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.

Full of years

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On January 26, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 25:7-10 records that Abraham lived one hundred and seventy years and then died in a good old age, and old man, full of years. His sons, Isaac and Ishmael, buried him in the cave of Macpelah, in the same field which Abraham had purchased from the sons of Heth, to bury Sarah his wife. While it is interesting to note that thou chronological Isaac was the second-born of Abraham, he is listed first before Ishmael in this account, to establish the fact that he is indeed the promised son, it is even more interesting to note that Abraham’s life is describe as “full of years”.

Oxford dictionary lists the phrase “full of years” as archaic and meaning “having lived to a considerable age”, but I believe that this extra qualification of “full of years”, besides good old age and old man, is given to help us recognize that only when our lives are full of faith and obedience to God, in offering all that we love, demonstrating our love for him, despite our shortcomings, only then can the testament of our lives being full of years be given to us, at lives end.

Points to ponder:
Abraham lived a life of faith, believing in God,offering whom he loved most, which was credited to him as righteousness and was counted as having a life full of years. Should the Lord tarry in his coming and we are at the end of our life, will it be said of us, that our life was full of years (because it was a life of faith, believing in him and obeying him, no matter what.

Genesis 25:7-10 (KJV)
7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.
8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
10 The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

Sending Conflict away

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On January 25, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 25:5 & 6 records that to Isaac, his promised son, Abraham gave all that he had, but unto the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts and sent them away from Isaac his son. Abraham’s son, knew that there was a likelihood of conflicts to ensue between Isaac and his other step-brothers, probably because of his experience with Ishmael, the son he had through the Egyptian maid servant, Hagar. Ishmael mocked Isaac (Genesis 21:9) which was noticed by Sarah. Now, Abraham does not want to repeat that and so he sends his other children away to protect his son, Isaac, because he loved him. If only his grandson, Jacob had followed suit, the conflict between the brothers of Joseph and Joseph may have been curtailed, though we learn later that it was God’s sovereign design for that conflict between Joseph and his brothers to happen.

Points to ponder:
We see that because Abraham loved his son, he sent potential conflict away. While we can learn this concept of avoiding conflict for our personal and professional lives, we must not fail to recognize how great God’s love was and is for us. For we learn from the scripture, that because God our Father, loved us so much, he sent his only begotten Son, whom he loved and with whom he was well pleased, not away from conflict, but right into conflict – to redeem our souls from the devil. Greater love, God had for us than anyone else, even while we were sinners and enemies of God.

God loved you and me so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, into conflict for us. Are you and I willing to love God in return and submit to the Spirit of God that is in conflict with the flesh?

Genesis 25:5-6 (KJV)
5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.
6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

All that he had, he gave

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On January 22, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 25:1-4 records that after the death of Sarah, Abraham married for the second time and this time he marries Keturah, and lists out the six children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, through Keturah. Immediately following this genealogical account, the Bible records that “And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.” In other words, the promised son, who was offered up to be sacrificed, gets everything from the father.

Though cursorily, it may seem like just a gesture that a father would do for his son, this account, I believe, illustrates an ever greater hidden truth – the account of Jesus, the promised Son – God’s promised Seed through the line Abraham (Genesis 3:16; Galatians 3:16), who willingly submitted himself (John 10:18) and was offered as the only acceptable sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-8), getting everything from God the Father (Hebrews 2:8; Matthew 28:18).

Points to ponder:
All that God the Father had, including his Only begotten Son, Jesus, he gave for us, for he loved us and did not want us to perish (John 3:16). Jesus willingly submitted to God the Father’s will, and became the only acceptable sacrifice to God the Father, for us, which appeased and pleased God (Isaiah 53:10).
All that God the Father had, he gave to his Son, Jesus. In other words, everything belongs to Jesus. The questions that cannot go unanswered then is – Do you? Do you belong to Jesus? Have you believed in him and accepted him as your Lord and Savior and King? Do you belong to Jesus?

Genesis 25:1-5 (KJV)
1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.
4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

Comforting Christ

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On January 19, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 24:66-67 records that when the servant told his master Isaac (Genesis 24:65) as to how the Lord God had shown him favor in identifying Rebekah to be his bride, Isaac took Rebekah as his wife and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Rebekah was willing to serve above and beyond the call of duty (Genesis 24:17-20) and go, leaving her family (Genesis 24:57-59) to her bridegroom. When Isaac heard of these things from his servant (Genesis 24:65-66), he took her to be his wife and loved her. Rebekah becomes the comforter of Isaac after his mother’s death.

Points to ponder:
As the church of God, who believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are we: willing to Serve beyond our call of duty?; willing to Go, leaving our own, for Jesus the bridegroom (Revelation 19)? Jesus loved and continues to love the church and gave himself for her (Ephesians 5:25). He expressed that anyone who does the will of God his Father in heaven is his brother, sister and mother (Matthew 12:50), and when they are persecuted (and martyred) for the sake of being part of his family (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6), it grieves him (Acts 9:4; Acts 22:7). The question, that we need to ask ourselves then is: Just as Rebekah comforted Isaac, do you and I comfort Christ, the comforter? (John 14:16; John 16:7).

Genesis 24:66-67 (KJV)
66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Meditate in the field (ubiquitously) at eventide (perpetually)

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On November 25, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The Bible records that Isaac, the Son of Abraham, coming from the well Laharoi (which means well of the Living One who sees me) went out to meditate in the field at the eventide/evening (Genesis 16:14; Genesis 24:63).

From this account we can learn a few things – regarding the time and the place for our meditation.
1. Unlike most people’s habits of meditating in the morning,upon waking up, on matters of God, during one’s quiet time, Isaac, here establishes the fact that one can meditate at eventide (evening – as the darkness of the night sets in). In fact, the Psalmist writes, that Blessed in the man/woman, who meditates on the law of the Lord, day and night i.e., perpetually (Psalm 1:2).
2. Isaac, went into the field to meditate. The harvest is plentiful and the field is ready, not only for the harvest but also for our meditation. We ought to be meditating not, only in the security of our homes, but in our workplaces (fields that yield its harvest) as well. In other words, we need to be meditating at home and at work i.e., ubiquitously.

Points to ponder:
As spiritual darkness is fast approaching in the world we live in, if not already her, do we take time to meditate day and night, through dawn and dusk (eventide)? Secondly, are we going in our mission field, i.e., to the people around us, to meditate on God, at the break of day (dawn) and night (dusk)? Blessed is the man/woman who meditates on the law of the Lord, perpetually, ubiquitously.

Genesis 24:62-63 (KJV)
62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

Psalm 1:2 (KJV)
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

The Seed of Rebekah (& Isaac)

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On November 24, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Before sending Rebekah to be married to Isaac, Abraham’s son, Rebekah’s family blessed her by saying that she be the mother of thousands of millions and that her seed possess the gate of those who hate them. Interestingly this blessing about the ‘seed’ is the same blessing that the Lord God directly gives to Abraham concerning his seed, referring to Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16), for his obedience.

The ‘Seed’ of Abraham through Isaac and Rebekah is the promised ‘Seed’ of the woman who would crush the head of his enemy, the ‘hater’ devil, (Genesis 3:15), against whom even the gates of hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:18). And to all, the thousand of millions, who believe in Jesus Christ, and who have received him, he gave them the power to become the sons (children) of God (John 1:12).

Points to ponder:
Are you one of the thousand of millions who are blessed to be the child of the ‘Seed’ of Rebekah and Isaac, the ‘Seed’ who possess the gates of all his enemies? If yes, rejoice. If not, believe in Jesus and receive him as your Savior, King and Lord, today, before it is too late.

Genesis 24:59-61 (KJV)
59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men.
60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

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