Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Category: Through the Bible Page 26 of 46

Promise to make the improbable/impossible possible

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On June 26, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

God promises to the Abraham was that God would make his seed as innumerable as the dust of the earth. Man was made from the dust of the earth in the image of God (Genesis 1) and here we see the same expression “dust of the earth”. So the seed mentioned here could refer to the earthly descendants of Abraham in contrast to the Seed, promised through Abraham, conceived by the Spirit of God, through whom all peoples (nations) of the earth shall be blessed, referring to Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:16), the Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). We shall delve into the identity of the Seed of Abraham in relation to God’s covenant with him in more detail another time, but what is important to note here, is that God is the business of making what would seem improbable or even impossible, to be possible. Notice, Abram was over seventy five years old (Genesis 12:4) and was childless at this age. All he had to do was believe, which isn’t very easy.

Points to ponder:
God’s promise(s) to us may at times seem improbable and sometimes even impossible. But what God wants us to do is trust him and believe in him, despite our current circumstances and chances. Do you believe that God would come through at his word? You should (if you don’t) for he always comes through. Do you believe?

Genesis 13:16
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

More than leftovers

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On June 25, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Abram tells Lot to look at the whole land before them, when he offered Lot his nephew the first pick of the land to settle the dispute that had arisen between his herdmen and Lot’s. Lot lifted up his eyes and picked (chose) for himself the land in the East, which was the well watered plain of Jordan and pitched his tent toward Sodom, whose people were wicked and exceedingly sinful. So Lot got to pick one part of the expanse of the land – just the East.

Then after Lot separated from Abram, God tells Abram to lift up his eyes and promises to give to Abram and his seed, all the land that he saw – the north, the south, the east, and the west. In other words, when Abram offered to take what was left over, God makes thing right for him forever by giving him all that he saw, not just one side of the land.

Points to ponder:
When we pick with the eyes of sight, we tend to get just a portion of what God has planned and promised to give us. But when we let God pick, seeing through eyes of faith, that God, like a Father, is a giver of good gifts (Matthew 7:11), we get not just one portion of what God has in store for us, but all of it. Do you still want to pick the things in and for your life, or are you willing to let God pick for you?

Genesis 13:14-15 (KJV)
14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

WYSI NOT WYG

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On June 23, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible, To obey or not to obey

People in the technology industry are likely to be familiar with the acronym WYSIWYG (pronounced wiz-ee-wig) which stands for What You See Is What You Get. This is used in computing to describe, that the content displayed (what you see) pre-production is the final output (is what you get) as well. However, in the Bible we see an account of this, not necessarily being true. It is given  in the book of Genesis chapter 13.

Abram offers Lot his nephew the first pick of the land to settle the dispute that had arisen between his herdmen and Lot’s. And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the well watered plains of Jordan, which included the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and chose it for himself. But then the Scripture continues to record (in this account) that the men of Sodom where exceedingly wicked and sinful. While Lot saw the external well watered plain, he did not see the wicked people of the land in it, and in that sense, what he saw was not what he got.

Points to ponder:
Many a times, we like Lot, go after what we see, externally, without taking time to look at the core of what we seek and see. By choosing for ourselves the things that please our eyes, we deprive God of his right of choosing for us. Are you taking time to ensure that with the well-watered things we seek and see, we don’t also end up in a place that is wicked and sinful in the sight of God, for What you See is NOT always What you Get. Let God choose for you!

Genesis 13:10-13 (KJV)
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.

See, Separate and Select – to address Strife

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On June 20, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Abram was reasoning with Lot to settle the strife between his herdmen and Lot’s, Abram not only takes the initiative to reconcile but interestingly, he also lets Lot have the first pick.

One of the primary reasons as to why we quarrel is because we feel deprived of something that we feel we are entitled to. Secondly, we want to get what we feel is the best for ourselves and end up wanting to take more than wanting to give. And then sometimes, when others have something, we would like to have for ourselves, we continue to pursue our interests, often coveting what we should not. All these leads invariably to conflict. From the way Abram dealt with strife, we can see some valuable lessons in conflict (strife) resolution.
1. Abram saw the provisions of God in the whole land that was before him and Lot for he said “Is not the whole land before thee?”
2. Abram asks Lot to separate himself from the but in essence if you notice, it is he, who is willing to be separated for he says, if you take what is in your left, I will go to the right and if you take what is in your right, I will go to the left.
3. Abram lets Lot take the first pick.

Points to ponder:
Many a times we quarrel and fight over ephemeral things of this world, not seeing the provisions of God in all the whole earth before us. We continue in our quarrel unwilling to separate ourselves from the things of the world. Finally, we greedily select for ourselves what we feel is best, failing to let God pick the best for us. Are you/I willing to see the hand of God, providing and protecting us? Are you/I willing to separate ourselves from the world for the Lord God? Are you/I willing to let others take the first pick and allow God to pick the best for us?

Genesis 13:9 (KJV)
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Taking the initiative

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On June 19, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The early verses of Genesis 13 gives the account of a strife that ensues between the herdmen of Abram cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle, but what is important to note, is that Abram takes the initiative to settle the dispute. He tells Lot, that there be no strife between them or his herdemen and Lot’s. Not only does Abram take the initiative to address the disagreement but if you notice carefully, interestingly Abram addresses Lot, the son of his brother, Haran, not as his nephew, but as his brother. In other words, he treats Lot as his own brother.

Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ took the initiative to love us (1 John 4:19) and reconcile us with God, the Father. Just as Abram addresses Lot as his brother, Jesus Christ, after his resurrection addressed his disciples as his brethren (Matthew 28:10). As followers of Jesus Christ, we are expected to do the same, to take the initiative to reconcile and restore relationships. Are you/I taking the initiative?

Genesis 13:6-8 (KJV)
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

Substance can bring Strife

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On June 18, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Unfortunately, in the world we live in, where materialism is a prime motif, it is not uncommon to see families divided on account of property issues and disagreements.

According to Merriam-Webster’s, ‘substance’ is defined as material possessions and ‘strife’ is defined as a bitter and sometimes violent conflict. In the book of Genesis, we see that the Lord had blessed Abram to be very rich and he had blessed Lot, his nephew, who went with him, as well, with a lot of substance, so much so that the land was unable to support them being together, as their substance was great. Sadly, we see that such material blessings brings about a bitter conflict between Lot’s herdsmen and Abram’s. In other words, substance brought strife in Abram’s family. Abram has to take the initiative to settle the disputes and disagreements.

Points to ponder:
From this account, we can learn that substance can bring about strife and that excess can bring about estrangement, even amongst family members. This usually happens when the focus is on the materialistic things of this world, instead of our focus on the spiritual things of the world, that is to come. If you have any property disputes or disagreements with any other family member, take the initiative to reconcile, even if you have been the victim. It is not worth bickering and quarreling over some mere earthly materialistic possessions. Instead, let us focus on our laying up, of our possessions, actually treasures, in heaven, where there will be no strife (Matthew 6:20).

Genesis 13:6-7 (KJV)
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

Blessed to be a blessing

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On June 17, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 13:2 states that Abram was not just rich, but he was very rich, in cattle, in silver and in gold. Genesis 13:5 states, and Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents, so much so that the land was not able to support them together, as their possessions were great. But before we delve into the strife that ensues between the herdsmen of Lot and of Abram, let us first look at a hidden treasure that is not quite as explicitly evident. That treasure is that, “in blessing there is blessing”. Notice how the Bible does not say, And Lot also had flocks, and herds, and tents, but qualifies Lot as the one who went with Abram. Lot’s fellowship with Abram had an effect on Lot, for the Lord had promised to Abram, that through Abram, all families of the earth would be blessed, and that he would be a blessing (Genesis 12:2-3). From these verses, we can learn that Abram was blessed by the Lord to be a blessing and Lot was blessed in turn, for the Lord is true to his word.

Points to ponder:
We, who believe, in the Lord Jesus Christ are blessed. The question is are we a blessing to others, who are around us? Just as Abram was blessed, to be a blessing, we are blessed to be a blessing. If you are blessed, are you a blessing to others around you?

Genesis 13:2,5-6 (KJV)
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
…
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

Return to call on the name of the Lord

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On June 11, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The first four verses of Genesis chapter 13 starts out by telling us that Abram left Egypt with his wife and Lot and returned to the place between Bethel and Hai where he had pitched his tent and built the altar for the Lord. There he called on the name of the Lord. Abram had left this place to go to Egypt, on account of famine in the land, and there fearing for his life, he lied to the Pharaoh about his relationship with Sarai his wife, jeopardizing God’s plan of the promise Seed through him. He however, returns to the altar and calls on (worships) the name of the Lord.

Points to ponder:
We may have gone seeking things that can sustain us in places that are pagan like Abram went from his tent in between Bethel and Hai to Egypt, but true sustenance is in worshiping the Lord God and doing his will alone. We must therefore return and call on the name of the Lord! Are you on your way back to calling on the name of the Lord?

Genesis 13:1-6 (KJV)
1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.

Someone pays …

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On June 10, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 12:17 reads “And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.” Abram had asked Sarai to lie to the Egyptians that she was his sister and not his wife, since he feared that his life would have been in danger, if the Egyptians knew that she was his wife. Though Abram sinned (by lying), the Lord plagued Sarai’s house so that she would not be defiled and the promised seed (Galatians 3:16) corrupted by any means. Abram sinned and Pharaoh paid for it.

Points to ponder: When we sin, particularly when there is falsehood (lies) in us, we pay for it or someone always pays. Let us be careful to not consider any sin as if it was trivial, for if it is not you, someone will always pay.

For all the sins of the world, Jesus had to pay with his life, on the Cross of Calvary and he paid it in full (John 19:30).

Genesis 12:17 (KJV) 17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.

Abram’s fear of death

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On June 9, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 12:11-20 is a interesting account that reveals to us, how even Abram, who is deemed the father of Faith, succumbed to the fear of death, leading him to losing his witness amongst the pagans (Egyptians). The account goes on as follows:

Abram moves South from the place between Bethel and Hai and is on his way to Egypt, on account of the famine, but just before he reaches Egypt, he realizes that, since his wife, Sarai, was a very fair woman, the Egyptians shall want her and so kill him, sparing her. So he asks Sarai to say that she is his sister (and not wife), so that he will be spared. In a sense, Abram wants Sarai to partake in his lie. And just as he had thought, when he arrived in the land of Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very fair woman and the princes commended here before Pharaoh. Sarai is taken to the Pharaoh’s house and the Pharaoh treats Abram very well with sheep and oxen and asses and menservants and maidservants and she-asses and camels. In a sense, Abram sells his wife. Sarai, a fair woman is put in an unfair situation which almost ends up in an extra-marital affair, jeopardizing the plan of the promised seed coming from Abram. God intervenes and plagues the house of Pharaoh, which leads the Pharaoh to realize that Sarai was Abram’s wife and not his sister. Then Pharaoh commanded his men concerning Abram and his wife and all that they had.

Hidden in this account are some vital life lessons, as follows:
Abram’s fear of death had him
1. not trust in the Lord God that God would protect his family and preserve his life.
2. lie and have his wife agree to falsity.
3. jeopardize the plan of God in his life.

Points to ponder:
When we are afraid of losing our life, the fear of death, can make us:
1. not believe and trust in the Lord God for the protection of our loved ones or the preservation of our life.
2. lead a life of falsity (of lies).
3. jeopardize God’s plan and purpose in our life.

The opposite of fear is not bravery or courage, but it is faith. When Jesus calmed the raging storm, he looked at his disciples who were scared and expressed “Oh ye of little FAITH” not “Oh ye of little courage.” Are you a person of faith or are you scared of dying?

Genesis 12:10-20 (KJV)
10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.
18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

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