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Category: Through the Bible Page 12 of 46

Mission before Meat

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On September 3, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Abraham’s eldest servant is welcomed into the house of Rebekah’s father, Bethuel, he is offered meat (food) for him to eat, but the servant refuses to eat until he has told them the purpose of his Master that had sent him on the mission to find a bride for the master’s son. (Genesis 24:33) In other words, the servant refused to satisfy his personal appetite unless his master’s purpose and mission was satisfied. The servant put his Master’s mission before meat.

Jesus said, that his meat (food) was to do the will of God the Father, who sent him and to finish his work (John 4:34).

Points to ponder:
Are we as servants of God, our Master and Lord (John 13:13), are we willing to put God’s mission of reconciling mankind (bride) with Jesus (the bridegroom) before satisfying our appetite? Just as the unnamed servant put mission before meat and just as Jesus expressed that his meat is to do the will of God the Father and finish his work, can we also put mission before meat until the work of God, in and through us, is finished.

Genesis 24:33 (KJV)
33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.

John 4:34 (KJV)
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Come in, thou blessed of the LORD

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On August 27, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Laban, Rebekah’s brother runs to meet the eldest servant of Abraham, he invites the servant into his father’s house, using the words, “Come in, thou blessed of the LORD.” (Genesis 24:31) The servant agrees and goes into their house and tells them of God’s goodness to him and how God was merciful and truthful to his master Abraham (Genesis 24:27) Although, it is likely that Laban could have equated the jewelry that was given to his sister by this servant as a sign of God’s blessings on the servant, it is not explicitly stated as to the why Laban felt that this servant was blessed of the LORD. However, the fact of the matter is that this servant was recognized as on blessed of the LORD.

Points to ponder:
The Bible says that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ – chosen to be holy and blameless in love; predestinated for adoption into God’s family; and accepted in the beloved (Son of God, with whom God is well pleased) in whom we are redeemed by his blood; forgiven of our sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:3). Now then, the question that remains is, “Do we conduct ourselves in a manner befitting those who are blessed of the Lord. In other words, if someone sees us, will they notice that we are indeed “blessed of the LORD” and invite us into their lives, so that we can tell them of God’s mercy and truth, goodness and grace.

Genesis 24:31 (KJV)
31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.

Ephesians 1: 3-7 (KJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

What’s the reason for (your) running?

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On August 20, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

People run – they run toward or from something or some goal, they run for a cause like to be fit, they run by opportunities…

My good brother and believer in the Lord, Patrick Pitchappa, was a member of the Goldman Sachs Mixed running team that won the gold medal in the prestigious Puma Urban stampede event in August 2015. He was also named the running Ambassador in the 2012 Hyderabad Marathon. I asked him the question, “Why do you run?” and his response was in addition to the obvious physical health benefits, when he runs, he feels that it connects him closer to our Creator God. He quotes one verse after all his runs from Psalm 139:14 which states, “I praise you (God) because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” In other words, Patrick was expressing that not only was he running to be physically fit, but more importantly to be spiritually fit, as well. Eric Liddell, Scottish missionary to China and winner of the 400 meters event in the 1924 Olympics in Paris, refused to run his more favored event of 100 meters because it was going to be on a Sabbath, choosing God over gold. As an heptathlon athlete, I ran during my high school years in several intra- and inter-school events, sprinting in individual events, winning the gold medal or in relay races with a team, enduring to win. I now run to be physically fit and for conditioning the body to be fit to do Shaolin Do Kung Fu with our beloved firstborn son, Reuben. So while there may be many reasons as to why people run, the fact of the matter is people run.

In the Bible, we see accounts of people running as well. The Father of the prodigal son ran toward his returning son (Luke 15:20). Elijah, God’s true prophet ran faster than king Ahab’s chariot (1 Kings 18:44-46) when God’s power came upon him. David ran toward the giant Goliath before winning the battle for Israel in the Name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:48,51). Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the high priest ran irrespective of what the outcome could be (2 Kings 18:19-28).

In the account of the eldest servant of Abraham, seeking a wife for Isaac, his the master’s son, we see that the servant ran to fulfill the master’s mission (Genesis 24:17), while Rebekah the wife-to-be ran to serve the servant (Genesis 24:18-20) and her brother Laban ran to invite the servant into their household (Genesis 24:29-30).

Cursorily it may seem that Laban the brother of Rebekah was an extremely hospitable man as was the custom of that day and age, however, with the Bible completely canonized by the Holy Spirit of God, with deeper scrutiny, we have more insights into Laban’s character. Laban beguiled his nephew Jacob by giving Leah his first daughter in marriage instead of Rachel the second daughter as promised (Genesis 29). Laban agreed quickly to Jacob’s proposal when he felt that it would be more favorable for him in the distribution of the sheeps and goats (Genesis 30-31). These accounts, in addition to the record that Laban ran after he saw the jewelry (earrings and bracelet) that the servant of Abraham had given to his sister Rebekah indicates that he was likely driven to run for selfish gain instead of a sense of serving or hospitality.

Points to ponder:
You and I may be running toward, or from, or for, something or someone. What are we running for? Are we running to fulfill our Master’s mission (John 13:13) i.e., God’s mission? Are we running to serve as people of God? or Are we running for personal gain? What is the reason for (your) running?

Genesis 24: 29-30 (KJV)
29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Offering Rest & Refreshment

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On August 13, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 24 records the encounter of Abraham’s eldest servant with Rebekah, the future bride of Abraham’s son, Isaac. Herein, after adorning Rebekah with precious gold jewelry (a earring and bracelets), the servant confirmed that she was of his master’s household (which was a requirement of Abraham) and asked if there was room for him to stay in her father’s house. Rebekah’s response was that they had “both straw and provender (food for the animals) and room to lodge in.” Did you notice, the servant asked for a place to stay and rest, while Rebekah response offered not mere rest, but refreshment as well.

Points to ponder:
Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus also said, that he is the bread of life and whoever comes to him shall not hunger nor thirst anymore (John 6:35). In other words, in him alone is offered, both rest and refreshment. Now we the Church, i.e., the believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the bride of Christ, are we offering to those who seek, the refreshment of Jesus and the rest that is found solely in him? Not only is this a gesture of hospitality as the Bible commands us to (Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9), but it is a matter of heaven or hell, to those who are not of the faith. Think about it … Are you and I offering refreshment and rest (in Christ Jesus)? (as did Rebekah)

Genesis 24:22-25 (KJV)
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.

Waiting for confirmation (from the Lord)

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On August 12, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Abraham’s eldest servant sought out a bride for his master’s son, Isaac, from among the kindred of Abraham, as he had vowed, he had prayed and asked God to show his master kindness. In order to identify the correct girl, he reasoned with God in supplication, that the girl who not is willing to give him some water to drink but also she must be willing to quench the thirst of his camels as well, would be the girl, God ordains for his master’s son, Isaac. The fair virgin damsel Rebekah does just as the servant had reasoned with the Lord. Yet, we see from that account in the Bible, that this servant held his peace, to find out whether the Lord has made his journey a success or not (Genesis 24:21). Though Rebekah did just as the servant had requested of the Lord, there was one more requirement for Rebekah to meet – and that was whether she belong to the kindred of Abraham, which she was. But not knowing of Rebekah’s heritage, the servant continues to wait on the Lord God for confirmation.

Points to ponder: 
Many a decisions are made either emotionally or hastily without confirmation from the Lord and these have in the end been rendered futile or as ones that don’t glorify the Lord God. Are you and I willing to wait for confirmation from the Lord, even if the sign posts of our life’s requests are fulfilled as we have so reasoned. Let us not jump into conclusions, but let us wait for the Lord and his confirmation (in all matters of our life).

Genesis 24:21 (KJV)
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.

Willingly, Hastily and Completely Serving

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On August 10, 2015

In Genesis, Through the Bible

Rebekah - ServingWhen the eldest servant of Abraham asked Rebekah, just a little water to drink from her pitcher, the Bible records that she said, “Drink, my lord:” and she hasted and let down her pitcher and gave him drink. She however did not stop there. The Bible records that when she had done giving him drink, she offered to draw water for his camels as well, until they have done drinking and she hasted, pouring the remaining water from her pitcher into the trough there and she ran again to the well to draw water, and drew water for all of his camels.

From this account, we can learn that Rebekah was a woman with a serving heart, but not only was she willing to serve, she hurried (for she hasted and ran) to serve.

National Geographic reports that a thirsty camel can drink as many as 30 gallons (135 liters) of water in about 13 minutes. And for all the camels to have drunk not only was an time-consuming task but an ardous one as well. And from this account, we can also learn that Rebekah was someone who serve not only willingly and in haste, but she served completely – for she did not stop until all of the camels had done drinking.

Points to ponder:
As the Church; the woman to wedded to Christ Jesus (Revelation 19), are we willing to serve not only willingly, but hastily as well and not only willingly and hastily, but completely as well? Will you and I be commended by the Lord, who can say of us, “well done, my good and faithful servant”? Think about it!

Genesis 24:17-20 (KJV)
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Running for the Master’s mission

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On August 4, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When the eldest servant of Abraham, who was on a mission to find a wife for his master’s son, Isaac, saw Rebekah, the Bible says that he ran to meet her and asked for a little water to drink. What is of note, is the hastiness in which the servant reacts, to fulfill his master’s mission. He did not wait or walk, but instead ran.

Points to ponder:
The Holy Spirit of God, who is on God’s mission to convict the world of sin (our sin), God’s righteousness (which is imputed on us when we believe in Jesus Christ his son as the only means of Salvation), and judgment (of the devil and his followers) (John 16:8-11) runs to meet with the Church (the woman betrothed to Jesus Christ) (Revelation 19). So the questions to the Church are: First, do we quench the Holy Spirit of God, not his convicting fire, but his thirst? and second, in like manner, are we, the Church running for God, our Master’s mission? Think about it.

Genesis 24:17 (KJV)
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

Answers before Asking

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On July 31, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

As Abraham’s eldest servant, who was on the mission to find a wife for his master’s son, Isaac, prayed reasoned with the LORD God on how he was going to identify the girl who was to marry Isaac, the Bible records in Genesis 24:15 that “And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.” While our human attention may shift to the identity and description of Rebekah, let us not miss a very important treasure hidden in this account, which is the phrase, “before he had done speaking”. In other words, even before the servant had completed his request of the LORD God, God sent him the answer, in the person of Rebekah, that he has looking for.

Points to ponder:
When God’s plan and purposes are to be fulfilled in our lives, his answers precede even our asking, yet the gesture of praying and seeking out the Lord’s will and purpose in our life’s missions should not be overlooked for the Bible teaches us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). So let us ask God, our Master, without wavering, seeking to find the bride (Church of Christ) for his Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and let us expect God to answer our prayer, even before we are done speaking for God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think and so if the answer comes before asking, then it is no reason to be surprised. Who are you going to ask God for today?

Genesis 24:15 (KJV)
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

What comes before Success (of your mission)?

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On July 29, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

As the eldest servant of Abraham, who had sworn to Abraham to find a wife for Abraham’s son, Isaac, solely from Abraham’s people (kindred), went about his mission to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor, he sought clear cut signs of how to identify the woman who was to marry Isaac. However, before anything else, the very first thing he does is he “prayed”. He prayed that the LORD God of his master Abraham, would grant him success that very day and show kindness to his master Abraham. In other words, he did not only pray for himself, but he prayed for his master (the one in authority) as all. We later learn from this account that God answered the prayer and gave him success, which accentuates a couple of facts:
1. The source of success is not the servant’s (our) hard work or effort, but it is the LORD God (Genesis 9:12).
2. Submission to God’s ways to show us the result/outcome is a precursor to guaranteed success.
3. In addition to total submission to God, supplication (prayer) comes before success (And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee – Genesis 9:12).
4. When we pray, we ought to pray not only for our personal success (send me good speed this day, O LORD God), but also we ought to pray for those whom we serve, including our rulers and those God has ordained over us (show kindness unto my master) (Genesis 9:12, 14).

Points to ponder:
Do you and I recognize that the success of our missions that God has purposed for our lives comes from the LORD God himself, and is not a product of our hard work or effort?
Do you and I submit totally to God, the mission we are tasked with?
Do you and I seek the LORD God in prayer to send us success?
Do you and I seek the LORD God in prayer to show kindness to the people we serve, including our leaders?

Genesis 24:9-14 (KJV)
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
12 And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

Jesus before us in the Journey

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On July 27, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 24:7 records the response that Abraham gives his eldest servant who is being tasked with the mission of being sent to find a wife for his son Isaac, from the kindred of Abraham. When the servant questions Abraham on the probability of his journey being a successful one, Abraham affirms to the servant, that the LORD God who called him will send his angel before the servant and that he will be able to find a wife for his son Isaac. Abraham’s confidence in the angel of the LORD to provide a wife for Isaac may have been bolstered by the fact that he had heard the angel of the LORD, call out to him and stop him from taking the life of his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:11,15).

But who is this angel of the LORD? What is his identity? Though speculations exist, the Bible does substantiate that the identity of this angel who shall go before Abraham’s servant to ensure success, is the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ himself.

We see that when Hagar encounters the angel of the LORD, she expresses that she has seen God who has seen her (Genesis 16:13). Another clue that identifies the angel of the LORD is recorded later in the Bible in the book of Exodus 3, where Moses encounters a burning bush and when he comes close, he is admonished that he is standing on holy ground (and no one but God alone is Holy). The angel of the LORD also identifies himself to Moses that he is the God of his father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and of Jacob (Genesis 3:6). But the most direct clue from the Bible can be attested from Jesus’ words himself, wherein he said, “Abraham saw my day and rejoiced.” (John 8:56).

One other common explanation of the identity of the angel of the LORD is that it was the LORD God (the Father) himself who had manifested himself to Abraham as the angel of the LORD, but this contradicts the Scripture wherein we learn that “No man can see God and live” (Exodus 33:20) which Apostle Paul reiterates in his letter to Timothy that God dwells in inapproachable light, whom no man can see or has seen (1 Timothy 6:16). So it is not the LORD God the Father but it is Jesus Christ, God the Son, who himself affirmed that whoever has seen him, have seen the Father (John 14:9).

In other words, Abraham was assuring his servant that because Jesus (the angel of the LORD) would go before him, he can be assured of the success of his mission.

Points to ponder:
In our life’s journey, do we let Jesus go before us? Do we let him lead the missions of our life? If Jesus goes before us, we can be assured of one thing for sure – and that is – whatever God’s purpose and mission that we are tasked to do – all of that would come to be a success. Let us let God’s messenger (angel) of the covenant (Malachi 3:1), Jesus Christ go before us!

Genesis 24:6-7 (KJV)
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
7 The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.

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