Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Lesser known characters :: Elhanan

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On August 22, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

If I was to ask you, can you name some of the slayers of giants mentioned in the Bible, chances are that one would recount of David (who killed Goliath; 1 Samuel 17), the Israelites under the leadership of Moses and later Joshua (who killed the kings Sihon and Og; Deuteronomy 3:11, Numbers 21:21-35, Joshua 2:10) and Caleb (who killed the gigantic descendants of Anak that lived on a mountain; Joshua 14). It is unlikely that one of the names in that list would be of Elhanan. But Elhanan, like David, Moses & Joshua and Caleb was a giant slayer as well. Elhanan is mentioned once in the Bible (in two verse) and what makes him stand out is that in his introduction (in both verses), he is identified as the killer of Lahmi, a giant, who was the brother of the giant Goliath and who carried a spear very similar to that of Goliath (1 Chronicles 20:5; 2 Samuel 21:19).

What can we learn from Elhanan?
Though Elhanan killed a giant as did David, he is mentioned only once. It is not how much is known of us, but what is known of us that matters. Sometimes our feats and accomplishments, though it may be similar in magnitude, may not be very well known by others as that of some others, but nonetheless,  the important thing is that we must be diligent in our duties to do what is required of us.  Elhanan is recorded as a giant slayer and will forever hold that accolade, irrespective of the extent of how much people known of him; and everytime someone talks of Elhanan, he will be known as a giant killer, placed in the same echelon of David, Moses & Joshua and Caleb.

1 Chronicles 20:5 (KJV)
5 And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.

2 Samuel 21:19 (KJV)
19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

Lesser known characters :: Ehud

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On August 19, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

When Israel’s first Judge, Othniel, the son of Kenaz died, the Israelites reverted to their evil ways and so God strengthened Eglon, the king of Moab to smite Israel and rule over Israel for eighteen years. When the Israelites repented, God raised up a deliverer. This deliverer was Ehud, the son of Gera, who was left-handed. Ehud made a two edged dagger and strapped it to his right thigh, under his garment. He went to meet with Eglon and when he was found alone with Eglon, Ehud reached out with his left hand and took the dagger from his right thigh and thrust it into Eglon’s belly. Eglon was a fat man; He was so fat that even the handle of the dagger sank into Eglon’s belly and the fat closed in over the dagger. Eglon is killed with his bowels falling out. Ehud escapes and goes to the children of Israel. He mobilizes Israel to fight against the Moabites and ten thousand, lusty Moabite men of valor are killed and Israel sees peace for a period of eighty years.

What can we learn from Ehud?
We are in the business of delivering people from being subjects in the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s son Jesus Christ. God made Ehud left-handed which meant that he had to hide the two edged dagger on his right side, which is not the usual side, where a sword is sheathed, and this could have been advantageous for Ehud to take his dagger into the presence of king Eglon. God has made each one of us different and can use each of us just as we are. We must hide the word of God (a two edged sword; Hebrews 4:12) and unleash it in full against the evil one (Ephesians 6:17) to restore the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7) in the hearts of men.

Judges 3:11-30 (KJV)
11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.
14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.
17 And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.
18 And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.
19 But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.
20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:
22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.
23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.
24 When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.
25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.
26 And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.
27 And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.
28 And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.
29 And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.
30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

Lesser known characters :: Dorcas (Tabitha)

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On August 18, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Dorcas in Greek also known as Tabitha in Hebrew was the name of a disciple of Jesus, who was raised to life after her death by the apostle Peter. Peter kneeled down and prayed for her resurrection and God miraculously raised her to life. Dorcas was known to be full of good works and a giver of alms to those in need (Acts 9:36-42).

What can we learn from Dorcas?
Dorcas was a disciple, meaning she had faith and was a follower of Jesus Christ.
Dorcas was full of good works and helper of the poor, meaning that her faith was followed by action.
From Dorcas, we can learn that faith and action must go hand in hand; for faith without action is dead (James 2:17).

Acts 9: 36-42 (KJV)
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

Lesser known characters :: Cornelius

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On August 17, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Acts 10 records the story of Cornelius who was from Caesarea and a centurion of the band called the Italian band. He was a devout man who feared God with all his house and gave much alms to the people. He also prayed to God always. His prayers and his alms were accepted as a memorial offering by God. Once when he was fasting and praying (for nearly 5 hours; from the fourth hour to the ninth hour) God sent one of his holy angels to go warn Cornelius to send for Peter, who lived in Joppa, who would come and tell Cornelius what he ought to do. Cornelius acts immediately and sends two of his servants and one of his devout soldier to go and get Peter. While these men were on their way to get Peter, Peter himself gets a vision of accepting all who have been cleansed by God, irrespective of whether they were Jew or Gentile (whom the Jews considered unclean). Peter goes to the house of Cornelius and preaches that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, the accepter of all who work righteousness, the one who was ordained of God, who was killed and resurrected by the power of God, and whoever believes in Jesus will have remission of their sins and deliverance from the oppression of the devil. And as Peter was still speaking this good news of Salvation, the Holy Spirit of God came on all who heard the words of grace.

Cornelius goes down in history not just as a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, a just man, one that feared God (with all his house), giver of alms, one who prayed to God always, one who had a good report among even the Jews though he was a Gentile in Caesarea, but as the first Gentile in whose household God’s Salvation is experienced.

What can we learn from Cornelius?
Cornelius was a good man who did good things and his offerings of alms and prayers were accepted by God, but it was not sufficient for him to be saved. God miraculously informs him that he will be told of what he ought to do, which was to listen to the provision of Salvation that is obtained by believing in Jesus Christ (for the remission of sins); reaffirming that Salvation is by grace (through faith/belief in Jesus) and not by works (prayer/alms). Upon hearing what he ought to do, the Holy Spirit was poured on him and all with him, which is indicative of his trust and belief in Jesus Christ, for the Holy Spirit was poured out to seal all who believed, until the redemption of the purchased possession, as an earnest of their inheritance (Ephesian 1:13-14). We can also learn from Cornelius, that he acted immediately on what he was asked to do (by the holy angel of God) and that he called all his relatives (kinsmen) and friends to listen to what God was to command him to do, through Peter. We must be likewise, calling our relatives and friends to hear the message of Salvation and act on God’s commandments with tarrying. God works wont cut it; Salvation is only by believing in Jesus Christ – and there is no other way!

Acts 10:1-48 (KJV)
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV)
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Lesser known characters :: Bethuel

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On August 16, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Betheul was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor and the father of Laban and Rebekah, the wife of Isaac (Genesis 22:20-23). When Abraham’s servant approached Betheul to seek the hand of his daughter, Rebekah for Isaac, Betheul and Laban, answered that “this matter came from the LORD and one cannot speak one way or the other regarding this” meaning that what God’s will is, is what must happen. Betheul allows Rebekah to go and marry Isaac as the LORD had intended. On hearing this response, Abraham’s servant bowed down and worshiped the LORD. From Rebekah and Isaac, came the nation of Israel.

What can we learn from Betheul?
Like Betheul, we must not stand in the way of the matters that proceed from the LORD. We must be willing to submit to the will of the LORD for in submitting to it, God is given respect and worshipped.

Genesis 24:50-52 (KJV)
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

Lesser known characters :: Benaiah

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On August 15, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Benaiah which in Hebrew means “Made/built by the Lord” was the son of Jehoiada. He was numbered to be one of king David three mighty warriors and was a loyal and trusted officer in king David’s army (2 Samuel 8:18). Of Benaiah, it is said, that he was the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who performed great (not ordinary) exploits. Two of Moab’s mightiest warriors were struck by Benaiah and on a snowy day, Benaiah went down into the pit of a lion and killed it. He even struck down a huge Egyptian with the Egyptian’s own spear, whom he faced with just a staff in his hand. (2 Samuel 23:20-21)

When king David’s son, Adonijah tried to usurp Israel’s throne, unlike Joab the son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, Benaiah remained faithful to king David along with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and other mighty men of David. When king David comes to know of his son, Adonijah’s treachery, King David sends the priest (Zadok), the prophet (Nathan) and the protector (Benaiah) to crown Solomon as king and protect him from his brother Adonijah. Upon king Solomon’s coronation, we see that Benaiah was loyal to king Solomon as well (1 Kings 1:5-10;  1 Kings 1:36-37). King Solomon, then entrusts the punishment by death edict against his enemies (including his own brother Adonijah), to Benaiah, and Benaiah slays the treasonous Adonijah (1 Kings 2:23-25). Like king David had done, king Solomon makes Benaiah, the commander of the armies of Israel as well, in place of Joab (who had defected) (1 Kings 2:25).

What can we learn from Benaiah?
We are made by the Lord, in his own image. We are mighty warriors in God’s army, fashioned to do great (not ordinary) exploits. We must be loyal and faithful to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We must be willing to go into the pits of darkness, despite how cold the world seems to be, to war against the devil (the roaring lion) in spiritual warfare, by submitting first to God. We must be courageous to face anyone, with whatever resources God has given us (staff), even if they have weapons of warfare (spear) with them.  We must be faithful to whomever God institutes to rule over us and be ready to protect his appointed. As Benaiah expressed allegiance to king David (1 Kings 1:36-37), we must do the same as well to express our allegiance to Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Remember, we are made in God’s image.

Lesser known characters :: Benhail

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On August 12, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Benhail was one of the princes sent by the godly king Jehoshaphat, along with other princes, Levites and priests to teach about the Lord in the cities of Judah. The other princes were Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethaneel, Michaiah (2 Chronicles 17:7). The Levites were Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tobadonijah, and the priests were Elishama and Jehoram (2 Chronicles 17:8) They had the law of the Lord with them as they taught the people in the cities of Judah and great fear came on the kingdoms of the land surrounding Judah and so they did not war against king Jehoshaphat.

What can we learn from Benhail and the other princes, Levites and priests?
Like Benhail (and the others), we must be teachers of the law of the Lord in the cities that the King of kings and the Lord of lords sends us to. The law that was fulfilled by Jesus, the Christ, who came to convert (resurrect) our souls from being under judgment to being under grace; setting us up on himself, the ROCK of our salvation (Psalm 18:2), bringing us up out of the horrible pit and miry clay of sin that had us stuck in the path of death of destruction (Psalm 40:2; Psalm 19:7). This we must teach the people.

Psalm 19:7a (KJV)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: …

Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV)
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Lesser known characters :: Barsabas

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On August 11, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Barsabas, the name hardly rings a bell. But Barsabas (also known as Justus) was the surname of Joseph, the one who was chosen to be one of the two to replace Judas Iscariot and be numbered with the eleven other disciples chosen by Jesus. Joseph Barsabas (son of Sabas) and Matthias were chosen as a potential replacement to fill the gap left by Judas the betrayer of the Lord. The disciples prayed and the Lord selected the lot of Matthias. Though Barsabas was not chosen, is there something we can learn from Barsabas?

What can we learn from Barsabas?
The qualifications that had to be met for someone to replace Judas was as follows: The person had to have been with Jesus since his baptism by John the Baptist and be a witness to Jesus’ resurrection until the day of Jesus’ ascension. Think about this qualification. This means that this individual was there as a disciple of Jesus and followed him, all the time, from the start of his ministry till he ascended into heaven. Barsabas met this qualification and yet was not selected to take the mantle of leadership (bishoprick) (Acts 1:20) by God, since the lot selected was that of Matthias.

Irrespective of the outcome of a position to serve (as a leader), we must be like Barsabas, starting out to be with Jesus in his ministry (that is given to us), all the time, until the very end and have his resurrection realized in our very lives. This is the best position we can hold.

Acts 1:20-26 (KJV)
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Lesser known characters :: Asa

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On August 10, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Asa, whose life story is recorded in 2 Chronicles 14, 15 and 16 and 1 Kings 15, the son of Abijam was a king of Judah . Abijam was an evil king of whom it is said that his heart was not perfect (1 Kings 15:3), but because of God’s promise to David, God gave Abijam, Asa as son, who reigned over Judah as king after the death of Abijam. Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord (1 Kings 15:11). Through the voice of Azariah, the son of Oded, on whom the Spirit of God had come, God promised to be found and to remain with Asa, if Asa sought him but warned him that if he forsook God, God would also forsake him (2 Chronicles 15:1-19). Asa chose to do the right thing and seek the Lord. He took the wicked out of the land and destroyed all the idols that were erected by his father. He even removed his own mother, Maacah, from being queen, because she had erected an idol in a grove. He destroyed that idol and burnt it by the Kidron brook (1 Kings 15:13). He commanded that the people in Judah seek the Lord and do his commandments, and fortified Judah’s cities (2 Chronicles 14:4,6). Once when Zerah, an Ethiopian came against Asa with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, Asa cried out to the LORD his God and said “LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in your name, we go against this multitude. O LORD thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.” and so the LORD smote the Ethiopians and made Asa prevail.  The silver, gold and vessels that he and his father had, he brought into the house of the LORD and had them dedicated (1 Kings 15:15). Of Asa, it is said, that his heart was perfect with the LORD all his days (1 Kings 15:14; 2 Chronicles 16:17). During his reign, there was peace until the thirty fifth year of his reign.

On the thirty sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha, the king of Israel, came up against Judah and closed the borders so none could go out or come to Asa. However, instead of seeking the Lord as he did when the Ethiopian came against him, Asa, instead sought the help of Benhadad, king of Syria and sent him the treasures of the house of the Lord (which he had dedicated to God) as bribes. God sent Hanani the prophet to inform Asa, that he had acted foolishly to rely on man, than on God and the result of his foolish act would lead to the cessation of peace in the land. Hanani informs Asa, that “the eyes of the Lord are searching to and fro the whole earth, to see if there is one who heart is perfect toward God.” Instead of repenting for his mistake, Asa compounds his foolishness and in rage imprisons Hanani the prophet and oppresses others. In the thirty ninth year of his reign, Asa started to suffer with a foot disease, but instead of standing on the promises of the Lord, that if he sought the Lord, the Lord would be found and would remain with him, he did not seek the LORD, but sought doctors/physicians. One year later, Asa died and was buried.

What can we learn from Asa?
Even a person who is said to have a perfect heart can forget the commandment to seek God and do something foolish and when God gives a second chance to return to Him and rely on Him solely, let us not continue to remain in our folly. We cannot compromise on following God and condone the actions of idolatry by anyone, even if it is members of our own family. We must rely on God alone and not put our confidence in men (Psalm 146:3). We must be willing to accept God’s corrections through his people and his word, for the Lord chastises whom he loves (Hebrews 12:6). We can stand on nothing else but on God’s word, for they are true and reliable.

The eyes of the Lord are searching to and fro, the whole earth, to see if there is one, even one, whose heart is perfect toward him and when his eyes sees you/me, would God looks at you/me, would He be able to stop that search and say of you/me, “I have found the one whose heart is perfect toward me”?

2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)
9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Lesser known characters :: Archippus

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On August 9, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters

Archippus was part of the church group that met in Philemon’s household (Philemon 1:2). Paul refers to Archippus as a fellow soldier (Philemon 1:2) and sends word for Archippus to take heed to the ministry that he had received in the Lord to make sure that he fulfills his mission (Colossians 4:17).

What can we learn from Archippus?
We must be fellow soldiers with other believers, supporting them in spiritual warfare, that is rampant in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-18). We must make sure that the ministry (of reconciliation of man to God) that God has given to us (2 Corinthians 5:18), is not only received by us, but that it is fulfilled. The good news is that He who began the good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Colossians 4:17 (KJV)
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

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