Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Category: Through the Bible Page 14 of 46

From his own kindred

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On June 25, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The last five verses in the book of Genesis chapter 22 lists the children (sons) of Abraham’s brother Nahor by his wife Milcah and his concubine Reumah. Oddly enough, you find that one of Nahor’s grand daughter, Rebekah is mentioned by name (Genesis 22:23) as the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son. While this may seem to be insignificant, deeper analysis of the Scripture reveals hidden treasures.

Rebekah is identified as belonging to the kindred of Abraham (Genesis 22:23). While this may not seems so important at this juncture of time, soon, we will learn that after Abraham’s wife, Sarah, died, Isaac his son grieved and was comforted by Rebekah (Genesis 24:67) when he married her. Abraham had made his eldest servant promise that he would find a wife for Isaac from his own kindred (Genesis 24:1-4).

Points to ponder:
Abraham recognized the importance of familial relationships and was determined to find a wife for his son from his own family line. In like manner, God was purposed to find a wife for his son, Jesus Christ and found that wife, in the Church (Revelation 19:7) being adopted into his family when we believe in Jesus (Ephesians 1:5). In other words, God finds a wife for his bridegroom Son, Jesus, in you and me, who believe and are part of his family – from his own kindred. Revelation 19:7 states that the wife has made herself ready. Are you ready for Jesus, the Bridegroom?

Genesis 22:20-24 (KJV)
20 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;
21 Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,
22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
23 And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.
24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

Return to Beersheba

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On June 23, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The account of God blessing Abraham and establishing the Abrahamic covenant, prophesying the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the Seed of Abraham, end with Abraham returning with his servants to Beersheba.

Although the reason as to why Abraham returned to Beersheba is unknown, from the Scripture, we learn that Beersheba was the place where Abraham had made a treaty with Abimelech and his commander Phicol and it means the well of seven or well of the oath. At the end of the treaty we learn that Abraham planted a grove where he called the name of the Lord, Eternal God. (Genesis 21:22-34).

With the Lord intervening and preventing Abraham from sacrificing his own son, Isaac, it is not unlikely that Abraham returned to the place where he had previously called on the name of the Lord God.

Points to ponder:
In light of this account of Abraham returning to Beersheba, the question that needs to be answered is Do we return to Beersheba? i.e., Do we return to where we call on the name of the Lord God – the place of worship? If not, we ought to.

Genesis 22:19 (KJV)
19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Genesis 21:33 (KJV)
33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.

In thy Seed – all the nations of the earth be blessed

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On June 18, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

In the covenant that the Lord God makes with Abraham for his obedience, God promises to not only bless him but also lets him know that he will be a blessing and through him will come The Seed by whom all nations of the earth shall be blessed.

Though Isaac was the immediate child of Abraham, Apostle Paul identifies that the Seed refers to none other than Jesus Christ himself (Galatians 3:16). The Bible also teaches us that Jesus Christ in the hope of all nations (Matthew 12:21) and Jesus Christ IN us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We also learn from the Holy Scripture that those who have trusted IN Christ Jesus as their Savior, Master, King, and LORD are a new creation – no longer cursed and under the penalty, but blessed with life eternal (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Points to ponder:
Is Jesus Christ, ‘The Seed’ sowed in your life or in other words is Christ Jesus, the hope of glory, by and through whom, all of the nations of the earth is blessed, in you, germinating to make your life fruitful for God’s purpose. And equally important it is for you to answer – Are you in Christ Jesus? Have you trusted in Him – The Seed of Abraham.

Genesis 22:18 (KJV)
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Possessing the gate

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On June 17, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When the Lord God blessed Abraham for his obedience, he ended his blessing by stating “and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.” (Genesis 22:17). This may seem odd in our current generation but during the Biblical times, cities were fortified and the gate was the only way in and out of the city. Additionally it was at the gate where the people from outside the city would engage in trade, commerce and exchange, making the gate a marketplace (2 Kings 7:1) and a storeroom (Nehemiah 12:25). When disputes of trade arose, the gate also became a place where these disputes were settled and thus a place of justice (Amos 5:15). At times, the king would come and sit at the gate to settle disputes and listen to the people (2 Samuel 19:8; 1 Kings 22:10).

Thus to possess the gate of one’s enemies means to not only be in a position that controlled trade, commerce, and exchange, but also indicated that the person who possessed the gate was one who could deliver justice and had authority as a king.

Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ the Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16) traded his own righteousness for our unrighteousness by settling the dispute of sin and death with his salvation, so that we can enter through the one gate (him) into God’s Holy presence. As the King of kings, he sits at the right hand of God, possessing the keys of the gate of hades and death (Revelation 1:18), his enemies. The promise given to Abraham of his seed (note singular) possessing the gate of his enemies, comes true in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 22:17 (KJV)
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

As the stars of the heaven, as the sand upon the seashore

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On June 15, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 22:17 records the blessing that God assured Abraham, for he had obeyed the voice of God and acted on God’s command to sacrifice his own son, Isaac, whom he loved. God says that he will have multiplied blessings and that his seed will be multiplied as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore.

Note first that the heaven mentioned here is singular. ‘The heaven’ is from where God reigns (Isaiah 66:1) and the stars in the bible not only refers to the angelic beings (Job 38:7) celestial sons of God (Job 1:6) but also those who are wise who turn many to righteousness (witnesses of God) (Daniel 12:3) – the heaven born sons of God i.e., believers. In this sense, the stars refer to spiritual children of Abraham, those born from above (John 3:3; 3:7), who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and who are adopted into God’s family, through The Seed of Abraham (referring to Jesus – Galatians 3:16). Additionally, this blessing speaks of the innumerability of Abraham’s children through Isaac and Jacob, through whom the nation of Israel (physical children of Abraham) comes into being. From dust (sand) was man made and the physical children of Abraham will be like the sand upon the sea shore (land).

Points to ponder:
Many of us who are not born a Jew, but instead a Gentile, would not be like the sand upon the sea shore, but instead we can be like the stars upon the heaven. In other words. we who are born from above, and who are witnesses for Jesus, proclaiming his life-changing gospel to turn many to righteousness, will be like the stars – the spiritual children of Abraham through Jesus Christ. Are you a star? Are you born again? Are you born from above?

Genesis 22:17 (KJV)
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Multiplied Blessings Indeed

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On May 21, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The first part of Genesis 22:17 reads “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed …” What does this mean? This means, God is expressing with assurance that he will bless Abraham and multiply his seed most certainly. Why? Because Abraham listened and obeyed to the word of God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, whom he loved (Genesis 22:16).

Points to ponder:
God’s assurance of blessing and multiplying you is assured when we listen and heed to his voice of offering our lives as a living sacrifice –  living for him, sacrificing our own – and that assurance is not merely in word, but indeed. You can be certain of multiplied blessings indeed. Simply Obey.

Genesis 22:!5-17 (KJV)
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed

“By myself have I sworn” – what does that mean

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On May 19, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When God assures Abraham of his blessings because of Abraham’s obedience to him, God swears by himself. Genesis 22:16 starts as follows “And (the Lord) said, By myself have I sworn (promised or vowed)” What does this signify? Hebrews 6:13 gives the answer to this. It reads “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,” This phrase signifies not only the greatness of God, but establishes the fact that there is no one greater.

Points to ponder:
Our God is a great God and he does wondrous things (Psalm 86:10) and in blessing you and me, if he had to swear by someone, he would have to swear by himself, for there is no on greater than him.

Genesis 22:16 (KJV)
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

Hebrews 6:13-17 (KJV)
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

Psalm 86:10 (KJV)
10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

 

Out of heaven a second time

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On May 18, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 22:15-18 records the conversation God had with Abraham after God had stopped Abraham from sacrificing his own son, Isaac. The Bible records that the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven a second time. What I want us to focus today is the phrase “out of heaven a second time.” God calls out to his people, not once but twice.

When God called Abraham the second time, he announced that in Abraham’s seed, speaking of Jesus (Galatians 3:16), all of the nations of the earth will be blessed. God however kept silent when his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed, because by the death of Jesus, are all nations of the earth blessed with eternal life. In other words, the first time God called Abraham, he called to save Abraham’s son, Issac, and then the second time God called Abraham, he called to save and announce of the salvation of all mankind (blessing to every nation).

Points to ponder:
Do you and I listen and heed to the calling of God, any time he calls?

Genesis 22:15-18 (KJV)
15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Jesus – The True Ram (Lift up your eyes and look)

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On May 7, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 22:13 reads “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” Isaac’s question of “Where is the lamb for the offering?” to Abraham is answered temporarily here by God providing a ram (not a lamb) that was caught in a thicket, whcih Abraham went and took and offered it as a burnt offering instead of his son.”

In the book of Daniel chapter 8, we see that the kings of Medes and Persia are represented by two horns of a ram on rampage, with nothing standing in its way until it is overthrown by the king of Greece, represented by a he-goat. So the ram  is symbolic of  strength and authority as that of a kings.

Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ, the supreme authority to whom all blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor  and power and strength is given/ascribed (Revelation 7:12) – the ruler over all of creation (Ephesians 1:21-22) – The True Ram – was lifted up on the Cross of Calvary, with his head wrapped in a thicket (thorn) crown (Matthew 27:29). All of his Lordship, Kingship and authority was willfully relinquished by himself. Jesus being God, he made himself of no reputation (Philippians 2:5) as a king caught in the thickets of God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. Instead of us, the sons and daughters of God through Adam, Jesus, the Only begotten Son of God, was the offering provided for the salvation of all mankind. Just as Abraham went and took the offering provided, we must also go to Jesus and take (accept) him, but this begins with us first lifting up the eyes of our heart and looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  Jesus is the True Ram (King) – Do you see – Lift up your eyes and look (believe)?

Genesis 22:13 (KJV)
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

Do you and I fear/love God?

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On May 4, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 22:12 reads “And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” The angel of the Lord tells Abraham that he is now not only aware but also assured that Abraham was a God-fearing man. Why? Because Abraham did not withhold his own son, his only son from God.

Often the word fear of the Lord is downplayed as an “act or attitude of reverence and awe.” and while this is not entirely inaccurate, there is more to fearing God. To fear God is to love him. In other words, Abraham demonstrated that his love for God was greater than his love for his own son – his own flesh and blood. But you may be wondering, the Bible says that Abraham “feared” God and not “loved” God. So how do we get love from fear? I John 4:18 reads “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:” This establishes the fact that if we love God (perfectly i.e., more than anything else), we have nothing to fear for perfect love casts out fear. Additionally, the act of Abraham means that Abraham gave more importance to the spiritual relationship he had with God than the physical relationship he had with his son. The Scripture counsels that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). This means that Abraham was a wise and understanding man.

Points to ponder:
Do you and I fear God? In other words, do you and I love God perfectly – more than anything or anyone else – even our own flesh and blood. If God was to give a testament of you and me, would he be able to say “for I know that you fear God?” i.e., “I am aware and assured that you love me more than anything else?”

Genesis 22:12 (KJV)
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

1 John 4:18 (KJV)
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

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