Every time I go through the entire Bible, I learn something new. I have read different translations of the Bible and seen new insights. I have read the Bible in chronological order. Read the Bible by authors. Even read every book from Revelation to Genesis. Reading the end first, and finally ending at the beginning. Every time, God reveals something new.
It is in the searching for truth that hidden gems become revealed. I am awe struck how I learn, how I discover, how I see things that I didn’t see before. For instance when Lot was taken captive by an invading army which captured Sodom and Gomorra, the Bible says “And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.”Exodus 14:14-16
I have searched various sources to discover why did the Bible clearly state’s 318 trained servants. Some have arrived to the conclusion that it has a theological significance. Others write that it has a symbolic meaning. One writer states that Jupiter is 318 times the mass of earth and try to make a connection. The truth of the matter is that it’s very basic if you see the number in military terms.
For every 100 armed and trained soldiers you had one commander, and for every 20 men within the same rank, you had one junior officer. Thus making the total 318. Abram had within his household a trained company of men who understood military tactics and maneuvers. When the time came to rescue Lot, the Bible says “he divided himself against them.”
During the cold war era, we were reminded of the potential destruction on a global scale. Humanity was on the brink of total annihilation. Even the book of Revelation was quoted to prove their doomsday scenarios. However, those same predictors of end time extinction forgot to read a promised that God made to humanity. “And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lordsaid in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:20-22
God made a promise to humanity. He has the final say on what happens to planet earth. The book of Revelation clearly tells how the events on planet earth will unfold. As we read the bible, we learn more about how our God is not only the Creator of our world, but How He has a plan for our world. As we study the Bible, as we search the Scriptures, as we mediate on His word, we gain more and more biblical insight. Since the Bible is the inspired word, we need to ask God to help us understand His word. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Today, you can gain new insights from the Bible, if you are willing to search and mediate on the word. If you are willing to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, He will direct you, and guide you on an adventure of a lifetime. Here are some additional insights. “A true knowledge of the Bible can be gained only through the aid of that Spirit by whom the Word was given. And in order to gain this knowledge, we must live by it. All that God’s word commands, we are to obey. All that it promises, we may claim. The life which it enjoins is the life that, through its power, we are to live. Only as the Bible is thus held, can it be studied effectively”Gospel Workers p100
May God bless you on this Sabbath as you Journey with God through the Scriptures
Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor
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