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Category: Through the Bible Page 16 of 46

The real treaty is …

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On March 18, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

After Abraham agreed to the treaty between him and Abimelech, the Bible records that Abraham planted a grove (tamarisk trees) at Beersheba, and there he worshiped (called on) the Lord, the everlasting God. (Genesis 21:33). A treaty with an earthly king had been agreed upon, but Abraham knew that there was to be more that needed to be done. And what was that? He planted a grove (of Tamarisk trees) and called on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. Planting a tree is something that is permanent with roots that secure the tree to the ground. In other words, Abraham worshipped God at the end of the treaty he made with man (the king of Gerar).

Points to ponder:
When agreements with men are ratified, take a moment to thank God and worship him, calling out his name. We should be like fruitful trees planted by rivers of water (Psalm 1:3), yielding the fruit of the spirit in and through our lives (Galatians 5:22-23), rooted in Christ abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7), worshipping God.  The real treaty is the treaty of worshipping the Lord and that of what we make with man.

Genesis 21:33-34 (KJV)
33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.
34 And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days.

Colossians 2:7 (KJV)
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Lessons of life from the Treaty at Beersheba

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On March 17, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 21:22-32 gives the account of the treaty made between Abraham and Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Abimelech makes Abraham swear by God that Abraham will not deal falsely with him. Abraham obliges but raises a concern that a well of his was taken away by Abimelech’s servants violently which needed to be addressed. Abimelech informs Abraham that he was not aware of how Abraham was wronged, until that day. Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech and they both made a covenant. Then Abraham took seven ewe lambs from the flock and set them free. Abimelech who did not understand this gesture questions Abraham of the meaning, which Abraham explains that it was sign to indicate rightful ownership of the well as that of Abraham’s. That place was called Beersheba meaning the “well of the oath” or “well of seven” and this is where Abraham and Abimelech made their covenant.

From this account we can glean a few life lessons –
1. Start any treaty or contract with a requirement to not be dealt falsely. This request by Abimelech (Genesis 21:23) was necessary as Abraham had once dealt falsely with king Abimelech, misrepresenting his wife, Sarah as his sister to Abimelech.
2. Address any issues of concern, mainly about ownership, before establishing a covenant (treaty). Abraham brought up the matter of what he owned, a well that he had dug, which was violently taken away from him, by Abimelech’s servants (Genesis 21:25).
3. Establish a timeline as necessary when discussing issues of concern. Abimelech mentioned that he was ignorant of the wrong done to Abraham until that day/moment when Abraham told him. (Genesis 21:26)
4. Lead by offering from what you have, as gesture of setting things right. Abraham offered sheep and oxen to Abimelech and both of them made a covenant (Genesis 21:27)
5. Ratify the covenant by an outward expression, not merely internal thoughts. Abraham ratified the covenant he made with Abimelech, by taking seven ewe lambs and setting them free, as a sign of his rightful ownership of the well (Genesis 21:28-30).

Points to ponder:
1. When God wants us to establish a peace treaty with him, he expects us to not deal falsely with him.
2. We belong to God. He is the rightful owner of our life.
3. Remember the time and more importantly the maker and creator, God.
4. Offer your life up to God for he offered up his for us (on the Cross).
5. God ratified his covenant with us by an external demonstration of his love for us, by sending forth his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Are you willing to express your covenant of love for God by your life (action) and not just by your thoughts (or words) for you are rightfully owned by God.

Genesis 21:22-32 (KJV)
22 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
23 Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
24 And Abraham said, I will swear.
25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
26 And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing; neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
30 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.
32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

God opened her eyes …

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On March 13, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The Bible states that when the water in the bottle, that Abraham had sent Hagar and Ishmael away with, was over, Hagar could not bear the thought of her son dying in front of her eyes in the wilderness and so left him under a shrub and  went a distance and sat there. The Lord God heard her cry and the cry of Ishmael and an angel of the Lord called to Hagar out of heaven and said “What aileth thee? Fear not for God has heard the voice of your child. Arise lift up the child and hold him in your hand for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the bottle with water and give it to the boy. God was with Ishmael as he grew and he became an archer.

Points to ponder:
God opened Hagar’s eyes and she could see water in the wilderness – water that brought life to Ishmael. The god of this world, i.e., the devil has blinded the minds of many, lest they see the glorious truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ ( 2 Corinthians 4:4). We must pray that God opens their eyes, as he did of Hagar, and all see Jesus, the source of living water who brings life – life eternal.

Genesis 21:15-21 (KJV)
15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
19 And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

God has made me to laugh

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On March 11, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The words of Sarah when Isaac was born is “God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.” as she wondered as to how impractical and impossible, the miracle of child birth was for her and her husband, because of their old age (Genesis 21:6-7). God takes her barrenness away and replaces it with blessedness (laughter) – but if you notice Sarah’s declaration, it is not only she who is the recipient of such joy and laughter, but all who hear of God’s goodness and greatness in her life, will also be able to join with her and rejoice, glorifying God.

Points to ponder:
God can take away the barrenness from our lives and make us to laugh, but when he does, let us recognize that God gives us laughter so that others who hear of God’s goodness and greatness in our lives, can also rejoice with us and give him the glory.

Genesis 21:6-7 (KJV)
6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.

Uniquely Set Apart

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On March 10, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Imagine for a moment, if everyone around you had your name as their own. There is no uniqueness in such a situation and one would have to resort to a numbering scheme to avoid the confusion and identify individuals that bear the same name. In that sense, to name someone is to set an unique identity on that person.

Genesis 21:3-5 records the account of Abraham naming the son whom Sarah bore to him as Isaac and the circumcision of Isaac when he was eight days old as God had commanded him to. Abraham was a hundred years old at this time.

As you can see, although Abraham set a unique identity of the son borne to him by Sarah as Isaac, he recognizes that his son is not to be set up for his own self, but instead his son is to be set apart for the Lord, which he expresses by fulfilling God commandment of circumcising Isaac.

Points to ponder:
When God who calls us by name (Isaiah 43:1) gives us a new name in Christ (Isaiah 62:2), making us unique as his sons (and daughters), he sets us up not for ourselves but instead sets us apart from this world, for him (Isaiah 43:1) and his glory. Are the allegiances of this world circumcised from our lives? Are you and I uniquely set apart?

Genesis 21:3-5 (KJV)
3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

Fruitful at God’s set time

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On March 9, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 21:2 reads “For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” This verse not only speak about the miracle working nature of God but also gives us insight into his timely nature. He took Sarah, someone who was barren and miraculously made her fruitful, at a time that he set for Abraham and Sarah.

Points to ponder:
As men and women, we may toil extremely hard to be fruitful – in our personal and our professional lives. Yet, it is only God who can make us fruitful and when he does it is in his set time, not ours – which makes it the best time that it can be. Look to the Lord with eyes of faith, for even out of the barrenness of our lives, he can make things fruitful, when he deems it is time.

Genesis 21:2 (KJV)
2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Far above rubies

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On March 6, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Sangeetha, Through the Bible

SangeethaIt is my beloved wife, Sangeetha’s birthday and as I was searching the Scripture on what it had to say about wives, when I came across Proverbs 31:10. Proverbs 31:10 reads “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” The question of “who” can find a virtuous (noble) woman is not answered in this verse, but a “value” of a virtuous woman is mentioned.

The phrase “her price is far above rubies” made me research on what could be the worth of rubies and to my surprise I found out that rubies are extremely valuable and can command the highest prices of any colored gemstone, according to the Gemological Institute of America, Inc. reports. In the Poetical Works of Thomas Moore, Mr. Moore rhythmically pens the following words, As if that jewel, large and rare, The ruby, for which Kublai-Khan
Offer’d a city’s wealth, was blushing eluding to the writings of Marco Polo, the Italian merchant of the account of the Mongolian ruler, Kublai Khan, offering to the the king of Zeilan the value of a city for a very fine ruby that the king had. The king answered to Kublai Khan that he would not give it for the treasures of the world. If man, can put such worth, to a gemstone, how much more God puts worth in a woman of virtue, far more than rubies.

This too me a personal reminder that the best birthday gift that I can give Sangeetha, my beloved virtuous wife, is that I treat and view her, as God does her – far above rubies.

Points to ponder:
And all those who are of the elect, who have believed in the Lord Jesus – we the wife of the bridegroom Jesus – we have been bought by the blood of Jesus (the color of high quality ruby is often referred to as blood red) and our price is far above rubies for that is how God sees us.

Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The LORD’s visitation

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On March 5, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 21 starts out by saying that the Lord visited Sarah as he said he would and did unto Sarah as he had spoken. This establishes the fact that you can take the Lord at his word. He shows up (visits) as he promises and does what he says he would do.

Jesus showed up at the appointed time (Galatians 4:4) as God had promised (prophesied) in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15) and did the will of God the Father (John 6:38). However the people did not know the time of the Lord’s visitation which grieved the heart of Jesus, so much so, that he wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44). Jesus has also promised to return again and visit mankind just as he had done in the past (John 14:3).

Points to ponder:
God shows up as he promises and does what he says he will do. He said that he will come back to take those who believe in him to where he is (John 14:1-3) and you can take him at his word. The LORD’s visitation is a surety. The question is whether we will be ready or not to know of his vistation? Failure to recognize his visitation grieves the very heart of God. Would you have Jesus cry again? Watch and be on guard for the Lord’s visitation, for he has promised it.

Genesis 21:1 (KJV)
1 And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

Luke 19:41-44 (KJV)
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Integrity of heart and Innocency of hands

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On March 4, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 20 records the account of Abimelech, king of Gerar, Abraham, Sarah and the Lord.

After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham moved South and came to dwell in Gerar, which was ruled by king Abimelech. With the misconception that there was no fear of the Lord in that place, Abraham for fear of his own life, resorts to lying again about his relationship with Sarah, calling her his sister instead of calling her his wife. Although Sarah was technically his half-sister from his father Terah, but from a different mother, the half-truth was no better than a lie, for God himself refers to Sarah as Abraham’s wife and not his sister.

Abimelech believes Abraham’s lie and takes Sarah in to be his wife. But the Lord appears to Abimelech in a dream and warns him that if he does not return Abraham’s wife, then he is as good as dead. The Lord had stopped the wombs of the women in the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. The lineage of Abimelech could not continue anymore if he did not listen to the warning of the Lord and that meant he was as good as dead.

Abimelech reasons with the Lord and states his case that it was with integrity of his heart and innocency of his hands that he took Sarah, and that his nation was indeed a righteous nation (implying that they trusted in the Lord and that the fear of the Lord was with them). The Bible also records that because of the integrity of Abimelech’s heart, the Lord had prevented Abimelech from sinning against the Lord by preventing him from touching Sarah.

Abimelech returns Sarah after questioning Abraham of how he could do such a thing and gives him many sheep and oxen, servants and silver (a thousand pieces), besides offering his land for Abraham to choose and dwell. Abraham prays for the house of Abimelech and they are healed of their barrenness.

Points to ponder:
God looks at the matters of the heart. The Psalmist declares, that God’s word has he hidden in his heart so that he may not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). When the heart is of integrity, the hands are innocent. Our actions follow our attitude and if our attitude is of allegiance to the Lord God, then he himself prevents us from sinning against him, by the presence of his Holy Spirit. Failure to have a heart after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), one that is perfect before him (2 Chronicles 16:9) can lead to sinful hands and barren lives. Is your heart one of integrity?

Genesis 20:1-18 (KJV)
1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.
4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.
12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife. 

The consequences of the carnal …

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On March 3, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:30-38 records the account of how Lot’s daughters who got Lot drunk and lay with him, in order to preserve the seed of their father. Although at that time, there was not a legal precedent that condemned Lot’s daughters for their act, the consequences of this carnal act was that each of the daughters birthed a son. The first daughter gave birth to Moab who became the father of the Moabites and the second daughter give birth to Benammi, who became the father of the Ammonites – both nations who became enemies of the children of Abraham (the Jewish nation) for many years to come.

The existence of whether a law exists or not does not preclude the fact that carnal (fleshly) acts will have consequences.

Points to ponder:
Remember, there are consequences to the things we do in our carnal state of mind. Are you walking by the Spirit of God or by your carnal nature?

Genesis 19:30-38 (KJV)  
30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
31 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:|
32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
33 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
35 And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
37 And the first born bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.
38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

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