Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Category: Through the Bible Page 13 of 46

Unto thy seed will I give this land

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On July 24, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

As Abraham responds to his servant’s question as to whether he should take Abraham’s son, Isaac from the land where he was dwelling, should the woman whom he sought as the bride of Isaac, refuse to come back with him to their land, Abraham, tells his servant that the LORD God who took him out of his father’s house, from the land of his family (kindred) had promised to give unto him the land and that the LORD God would send his angel before his servant so that the servant will be successful in his mission.

The Seed of Abraham is identified to be non other than Jesus Christ himself (Galatians 3:16) and the Bible records that the LORD God made Jesus ruler over all (the lands – not only in this world but in the world to come) and put all things under his feet (Ephesians 1:22). The promise to Abraham comes true in Jesus.

Points to ponder:
Unto the Son of God, the Seed of Abraham, is given all the land and his commission to each one of us who believe is, “Go ye therefore, into ALL THE Land (for it is his), and preach the good news of the gospel of Salvation, found in no other name, except in his name – the Name above all names, the Name Jesus Christ.”

Genesis 24:7-8 (KJV)
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.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

Hand under my thigh

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On July 22, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

As the well aged Abraham sought the assistance of his eldest servant to find a wife from his own kindred, for his son, Issac, he made him swear, by what would seem odd in this day an age. He requested his servant to place his hand under his thigh and take the oath. (Genesis 24:2). The same gesture is requested of Joseph by Jacob, to place his hand under his thigh and swear that he would bury Jacob in the promised land of Canaan and not Egypt (Genesis 47:29-31).

According to studies of ancient customs, to place one’s hand under the thigh is a very euphemistic way to describe the gesture, as it literally meant to place one’s hand under the loins or testicles. In fact, such customs were observed even to the day of the Romans and has been observed in the animal world amongst primates (Baboons in particular), as more of a social than sexual gesture, as well. In fact, the etymology of the word “testify” which means “to witness” can be traced to the word “testicles”. So what’s it with what we would deem such a weird custom?

The two most plausible reasons for Abraham’s request are: 1. Abraham was making his servant swear by the “seed of Abraham” that was promised, so Abraham in a sense was trusting his servant, with his very life (lineage) i.e., to ensure the continuity of his seed. 2. Today before we testify, we are asked to place our hand over the Bible that shows God’s covenant with man. In the days of Abraham, before the Bible was canonized, the sign of God’s covenant with man was the circumcision, so to place one’s hands under the thigh, could have similar meaning. I believe, the latter to be more plausible due to the request of Jacob of Joseph. Secular and traditional explanations of this custom tell us that this was a sign of submission and obedience to authority, which is not implausible.

Points to ponder:
Irrespective of whether, one’s gesture is as a swearing by the covenant or as an indicator of submission to authority, what is of importance to recognize is that “Truth” is held up in our testimonies (witness). The Apostle Paul writes of the full armor of God and starts out by asking us to gird our loins (under the thigh) with the belt of Truth  (Ephesians 6:10-18). Jesus is the very personification of Truth himself (John 14:6) and we ought to be girded by him. The Bible teaches us that we ought not to swear by anyone, anything or anyplace, but let our ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ be ‘no’ (James 5:12). In other words, the words we speak and testify with, should be as good as an oath which precludes the need for any customs or gestures, odd or not. In other words, symbolically to place one’s hand under the thigh is to bear witness of the truth and to hold it high for God, our Master (as was Abraham to his servant), our Father (as was Jacob to Joseph).

Genesis 24:2-3 (KJV)
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
3 And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

Not again

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On July 20, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 24:6-8 records the response that Abraham gave his eldest servant who had questioned, if the bride-to-be for Abraham’s son, Isaac, was unwilling to follow him into their land, should he bring Abraham’s son into the land from where he had come? Abraham’s response was an emphatic ‘No’. He bookends his response by starting out saying “Beware that you bring not my son there again” and assures his servant that the LORD God of heaven would ensure success in the servant’s mission but if the woman is not willing to follow him, then the servant would be cleared of his oath, but reasserts his response “Do not bring my son there again.”

The Bible does not explicitly state the reason for Abraham’s response as to why he did not want Isaac to be taken into the land where he came from (a pagan land called the Ur of the Chaldees), and we can only speculate on the plausible reasons. The one most plausible reason is that Abraham did not want his son to be exposed the pagan customs of the Chaldeans (Joshua 24:2), which in latter times is referenced along with Babylon and Assyria and its vices (Isaiah 13:19; Ezekiel 16:29; Ezekiel 23:14).

However, deeper scrutiny of the text, brings to light a hidden treasure of significance. Notice the word “again”. Isaac had never left the promised land and so this text, I believe symbolically reference Jesus Christ, the Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16). Unlike Isaac, who had never left the promised land, Jesus Christ, The Son of God left heaven, the land promised to all of us who believe, and came into this pagan land on earth, where he gave himself for the redemption and salvation of each one of us. He is never again to be brought back by the Holy Spirit of God as a son, but when he returns he will return as a mighty King – the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Points to ponder:
The response of God to the Holy Spirit as to whether Jesus should be brought into this sinful world, to marry his woman – the Church – should the Church be unwilling to follow the Holy Spirit into the promised land is an emphatic ‘No’ – Not again.

Genesis 24:6-8 (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.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

What if? – Unwilling to Follow

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On July 17, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When the eldest servant in the household of Abraham was asked to promise him that he would go to Abraham’s country and kindred and find a wife for his son, Isaac, the servant questioned reasonably – “But, what if the woman is not willing to follow him into this land (the land of Canaan), should I take your son to the land where you came from?” (Genesis 24:5). Unknown to us are the reasons for this question and we can only speculate on some plausibilities – some of which could be “The parents of Isaac’s bride-to-be would not want her to be far away from their home or The parents of or the bride-to-be herself would not want to move to Canaanite land, that was known for its sinfulness, which was accursed from the time of Noah (Genesis 9:18-25) or for any other reason” The question in essence was what if – what if the woman is unwilling to follow the servant into the land? However, it is important to note that this land wherein iniquity was found was also the promised land to Abraham. This may seem insignificant until we recognize how applicable this question is to our times analogically.

The world we live in today is just as sinful as the land of Canaan or even more. The unnamed servant (Genesis 24:2) on the mission to bring the bride to the Son can be likened to the Holy Spirit (the only person of the Trinity who is unnamed for God the Father is Yahweh or I AM THAT I AM and God the Son is named Jesus). Jesus is the Son of God as was Isaac the son of Abraham. Believers who believe in Jesus and who have trusted him as their Lord, Savior and King are the ekklesia or the Church which is likened to be the woman, the bride-to-be of The only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ himself (Revelation 19:7-9). Now the question posed becomes, What if? – What if the Church is unwilling to follow the Holy Spirit of God into this sinful land to be married to the Son (Jesus Christ)? What if the Church is unwilling to follow the Holy Spirit of God into the promised land for the marriage supper of the Lamb of God, who took away the sins of this world? What if?

Points to ponder:
If you and I are the Church, are we willing to follow the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit of God to follow him into the sinful land we live in as a bride, chaste (as a virgin) due to the adorning of the clean and white garments of righteousness (Revelation 19:8) imputed on us (2 Corinthians 5:21), and willing, making ourselves ready (Revelation 19:7) for the marraige supper of the Son of God, Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:9)?

Genesis 24:5 (KJV)
5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?

Wife from my kindred

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On July 15, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 24:4 reads “But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.” This was the vow that Abraham made his servant promise lest his son marry a woman from the pagan land of Canaan. While this may seem to be of some significance from a cultural perspective, the real hidden treasure lies in recognizing that a similar conversation could have materialized between God the Father and his own Son Jesus Christ. Jesus came into the world so that he could win back the woman (the Church). He is the bridegroom who heeded and submitted to the will of God the Father, seeking us, who are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and who are of God’s kindred (family) being adopted into his family (Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:5), when we believe in Jesus and receive his Holy Spirit (Romans 8:15).

Points to ponder:
The Church is Christ’s and Christ is God’s (1 Corinthians 3:23). The Church is thus the wife from God’s kindred. Jesus is the bridegroom (John 3:29; Revelation 19:6-9). Are you a wife from God’s kindred?

Genesis 24:4 (KJV)
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

The LORD, God of heaven, AND God of the earth

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On July 10, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Abraham asks his eldest servant to swear that he would find a wife for his son, Isaac, from his own kindred and not from the pagan Canaanites, he makes his servant swear by the LORD, God of heaven and God of the earth. Notice, how the expression of the LORD (Jehovah or Yahweh) explicitly calls out the LORD as God of heaven AND God of the earth. The Bible teaches us that heaven is God’s throne and earth his footstool (Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:49), assuring not only of the magnanimity of God but his Sovereignty as well. God is God of heaven and of the earth.

Points to ponder:
Many unfortunately write off God as someone far off – in heaven – not present in the matters of men on earth and their lifestyle reflect the inaccurate motif of live for the present and deal with God when we get to him in heaven. This introduction of God by Abraham should be a warning for us to heed by. God is interested in the matters of men now, not sometime in the future. He is in Ruler and King on earth just as much as he is King and Ruler in heaven. In fact, he is Ruler over all things, in heaven, on earth and even under the earth (Philippians 2:10; Ephesians 1:22).

God is so much interested in our personal lives on earth just as he deals with matters in heaven. In fact his yearns that we pray that his KINGdom comes and that his will be done ON earth just as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). The LORD is God of heaven AND of the earth … the question that begs to be answered is – Is he the God of your life? In other words, have you trusted in Jesus and make him Ruler and King over all things in your life?

Genesis 24:3 (KJV)
3 And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

Servant Ruler

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On July 8, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis chapter 24 verse 2 reads “And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:“. Genesis chapter 24 verse 10 reads “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.” Although some Biblical commentaries attempt to prove that this servant was Eliezar of Damascus, interestingly though, this servant is left unnamed as if one of no reputation. Notice how Abraham had made his servant to be ruler over all that he had and all the goods of Abraham were in this servant’s hand. Herein is hidden not only a model expression of Master-Servant relationships but an emulation of good because it is Godly leadership as well.

For those who are masters of men (managers and executives), we ought to delegate authority and responsibility to our subordinates who are trustworthy. Abraham’s servants were trained to be more than servants – they were trained to be soldiers and went to fight for him, risking their very lives in the rescue of his nephew Lot (Genesis 14:14). While this is a very important lesson in relationships, what is even more vitally important is to recognize the pattern of God’s leadership. Here we see the servant is made ruler of the house of Abraham.

The Holy Scripture (Bible) records that God took David a shepherd boy and made him ruler over his people (2 Samuel 7:8). David served his father Jesse in tending his father’s sheep and God noticed that. We also learn from the Bible that  Jesus made himself of no reputation and took on the form of a servant and became obedient unto death, even death on the Cross, wherefore God also has highly exalted him and gave him a name above all names, that at the name of Jesus Christ, every knee (things in heaven, things on earth, and things under the earth) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (ruler) (Philippians 2:7-11). God made Christ Jesus ruler over all (Ephesians 1:22) things to the Church. This teaches us that to be a ruler, one ought to be a servant first, hearing and heeding (obeying) the word of God, becoming subject to his will over ours.

Points to ponder:
There are many who seek to be rulers but fail to recognize that they must be servants first. The path to ruling starts with service – serving God and worshiping him alone for worship and service go hand in hand (Matthew 4:10). Service to God means that we tend to the people (flock) of God leading them to the grow in God’s knowledge (green pastures – John 21:17) and teaching them to have their minds fixed on God (still waters of peace – Isaiah 26:3), and be fighting for them against the roaring lion (1 Peter 2:5) and wild beasts (Jude 1:10).   So you want to be a ruler … well, then, put on the mind of Christ and become a servant (as did Christ Jesus himself) and if it is in God’s permissive will that you should rule, there will be no stopping you.

Genesis 24:2, 10 (KJV)
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
…
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.

Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ephesians 1:22 (KJV)
22 And [God] hath put all things under his [Jesus’] feet, and gave him to be the head [ruler] over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Blessed in ALL things

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On July 7, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis chapter 24 verse 1 reads “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.” Abraham had requested God for one blessing – a child (Genesis 15:3) and when Abraham was willing to give back to the LORD God, the very blessing of a son, that he had been blessed with, God promised to bless and multiply him (Genesis 22:7). Now Abraham is old and well stricken in age and the proof of God’s promise is recorded in the life of Abraham. He was blessed not in one or two things, but in all things. Physically he had a child as he had requested but even more as he was blessed with prosperity (rich in livestock, Gold and silver and people, Genesis 13:2), and power (the sons of Heth recognized him as a mighty Prince, Genesis 23:6).

Yet such materialistic blessings of property and position falls incomplete if we are not blessed spiritually. Ephesians 1:3 states that all who believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Only begotten Son, and who have put their trust in him, are blessed by God the Father with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Jesus, in whose mouth was found no deceit (1 Peter 1:22), the very personification of Truth (John 14:6), said, Abraham saw his day and rejoiced (John 8:56). Those who believe in Jesus are imputed (credited) God’s righteousness  (Romans 3:21-22; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3). In other words, Abraham was spiritually blessed. He was blessed in all things.

Points to ponder:
Often we mistake materialism and riches of this world for blessings of God and while it is absolutely a non-issue to be blessed in such, we are to seek to be spiritually blessed – imputed Christ’s righteousness by being redeemed by his blood, forgiven of our sins and given an inheritance as co-heirs with Christ Jesus himself (Ephesians 1:7-13). Are you blessed in all things? In other words, are you spiritually blessed i.e., have you believed and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus imputed God’s righteousness? Only then can you say that you have been blessed in ALL things.

Genesis 24:1 (KJV)
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.

Ephesians 1:7, 11 (KJV)
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
…
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

 

Blessings SOURCE

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On July 6, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis chapter 24 verse 1 reads “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.“.

Note carefully, as to the source of all the blessings that Abraham had. Many a times we mistakenly give importance to the ephemeral riches of this world as blessings that matter, and forget The One who blesses. This verse clearly identifies that the source of all blessings is the LORD God. It is Jehovah Jireh the provider of not only the mere elements of food and clothing that sustains life on earth, but also the provider of his Only begotten Son to take care of the problem of sin and death i.e., the provider of a Savior for the salvation of all mankind so that they can live with God eternally in heaven.

Points to ponder:
The supplier of all things for life on earth and for the one to come in heaven is the LORD God, our Father. Remember and recognize him with a grateful heart for He is the source of all blessings – physical and spiritual. Do you recognize the source of your blessings?

Genesis 24:1 (KJV)
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.

Lessons from the Burial of Sarah

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On June 30, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis chapter 23 records the death and burial of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Sarah was 127 years old when she died in Kirjatharba (Hebron) in the land of Canaan and Abraham came to mourn and wept for her. Being a stranger and sojourner in that land, and not having a burial place, he stood up before Sarah’s body and negotiated with the people (sons of Heth) for a place to bury Sarah. When the people identified Abraham as a mighty prince amongst them and offered Abraham the choice to pick from the choicest of tombs, Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land and instead of taking advantage of his position and princely power, he offered to purchase the cave of Macpelah, from Ephron, the son of Zohar, for the fair market value of what Ephron would sell it to one of his own people. In the presence of the people of the land (children of Heth), Abraham and Ephron settled at four hundred shekels of silver for the the cave of Macpelah, the field in which the cave was and all the trees in the border of that field. Abraham weighed four hundred shekels of silver in the audience of the people and purchased the property, where he buried Sarah.

Points to ponder:
There are some valuable lessons one can learn from this account that applies aptly to businesses.
First, despite the position and power of Abraham, wherein he is recognized as a mighty prince (even to a people not his own), he does not take advantage of that position or power but remembers to be respectful (bowing to the people) and not exploiting their generosity by accepting their ‘free’ offer. In like manner, we ought not to let position and power, make us forget respect of the people nor should we exploit business offers just because we can.
Second, he offers to pay full price at fair market value to purchase a property that he explicitly identifies. In like manner, our business dealings must not only be fair, but the details of the transactions need to be non-ambiguous.
Third, Abraham conducted his business in front of the people as witnesses, making his business dealings transparent and open. In like manner, our business dealings should all be out in the open in a world that is rife with bribery (under the table transactions).

However, in addition to these business lessons, if we fail to see the spiritual application of this account, we would have completely missed the mark. Abraham was a wealthy man, so much so that the people of the land called him a mighty prince. He had possessions, power and position and yet he did not have a place to bury his own wife. This shows that Abraham was not attached to the land for he recognized that he was merely a sojourner and a stranger in the land. In like manner, we are merely strangers and sojourners in the world here … on a journey to an eternal city whose architect and builder is God himself. While we may have some position and power in this world, we must not be attached to this world … for our citizenship is in heaven. Are you on that journey or are you settled here on earth (which will soon pass away)?

Genesis 23:1-20 (KJV)
1 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
2 And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
3 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
5 And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
7 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
8 And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
13 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
17 And the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure
18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
20 And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.

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