Below are three passages that through many years of reading, I never really saw what was written … in recent years the Lord has opened my eyes to see things that repeatedly I had read but not seen. Have you ever experienced that? Do you have a few examples you would like to share? Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank. Ex 24:9-11 (NASB) You might want to go back and read the beginning of Exodus 24 to see how they were prepared to see the God of Israel. Or how about this one? For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 1 Cor 10:1-4 (NASB) Expands upon your understanding of why Moses did not enter the Promised Land doesn’t it? And my eyes were opened somewhat to this one in the last 24 hours By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. Heb 11:24-26 (NASB) ‘The passing pleasures of sin’ … that is quite a phrase to consider when personally dealing with sin, don’t you think? Did you know this is the only passage in the great faith chapter (Hebrews 11) where Christ is mentioned? On the one hand, it seems somewhat logical to equate the passing pleasures of sin with the treasures of Egypt. On the other, it seems also somewhat logical to equate enduring ill treatment with the people of God with the reproach of Christ. I’m still struggling with this one because I have yet to determine if the meaning of reproach here is intended to be criticism or disgrace/shame. Right now based on Hebrews 13:13, I am leaning toward the latter believing that this disgrace/shame is from the world’s perspective not God’s. Any thoughts on Hebrews 11:24-26 you’d be willing to offer and share? For me personally, in those times when I suddenly do see, I realize that I have been blind and Jesus has suddenly given me the ability to see. From Jesus’ perspective, I would still probably be considered legally blind (no pun intended), but my sight is improving and I long for the day it is 20-20. For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind. John 9:39 (NASB) In my lifetime, I have also been one who thought he could see but was made blind … as a Pharisee Saul thought he could see clearly, but was made blind and then had his eyes opened by the Lord. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank … So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened. Acts 9:8-9,17-19 (NASB) Consider … At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." Luke 10:21-22 (NASB) And note this particular role of the Holy Spirit … These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you ALL things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:25-26 (NASB) God emphasized this point thru the apostle John again … As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about ALL things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 1 John 2:27 (NASB) Paul’s testimony seems to confirm that He was initially taught by this anointing (for three years) … rather than a flesh and blood teacher. For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. Gal 1:13-19 (NASB) Obviously, as revealed throughout the Scripture, God does indeed also use flesh and blood teachers. But what is important for Christians to remember is that the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer and one of His promised roles is to teach us ALL things … have you met this Teacher? Enough for today. Thoughts and insights? | 
