Hidden Insights into God’s Word: Cornelius the Gentile

by David Chadwick

Today is our fifth and final hidden insight into God’s Word. Acts 10 recounts the story of a man named Cornelius. In his story, you will find a very special hidden insight into God’s Word.

While not often referenced as a commonly known key biblical figure, Cornelius might be one of the most important biblical characters in Scripture.

Cornelius was a Gentile - a Roman centurion and devout follower of the Jewish God. When Peter was struggling with whether the gospel was for Gentiles, or only for Jews, he visited Cornelius.

Think about the significance of this for a moment. Peter must have trusted Cornelius so much to be willing to enter into such a tender and necessary discussion at that time.

On Cornelius’s rooftop, Peter received a vision. Previously thought of as unclean food, the vision showed Peter he could now break kosher laws! At that moment, he clearly knew that the gospel was both for Jews and Gentiles.

This was the first time that the church officially opened its doors to Gentiles, marking a pivotal moment and a marking time in the church’s life and history.

Here’s the insight. Because Cornelius opened his home to Peter, and was a safe place for Peter to process with, Peter was able to hear from the Lord and receive a vision to open the doors for all Gentiles for all times to receive the gospel of Jesus.

Maybe you, too, will choose to open your door one day for someone that will end up leading to the salvation of many others. There is no greater joy than to play a role in leading others into a relationship with Jesus Christ!

Cornelius is evidence of that truth for us all.

Hidden Insights Into God’s Word: The Book of Wars

by David Chadwick

How many of you have ever played a game of hide and seek? It is one of the most commonly played childhood games. There’s something exhilarating about little kids counting to twenty and then searching around to find their hiding friends.

I believe that God, the Creator of the universe, knows the beauty and wonder of childlike faith and appreciates hiding things for us to search out.

Numbers 21:14 says, “Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord, ‘Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon…’” This verse is where you will find today’s hidden insight.

Book of the Wars? What is that, you might ask? Evidently, it was an extra biblical book written by various different Jewish authors. The way it is mentioned in Numbers 21 seems to suggest that it was a rather well known book among the Jewish people.

Apparently, it was a book that described Israel’s many victories over enemies and how the Lord repeatedly rescued his people from their adversaries. They most assuredly took account of these testimonies to be able to read them again and again.

Perhaps all of us should write a book that lists out God’s victories in our lives. We can then go back and read it repeatedly to remind us of God’s victorious power in the past. And if God did it once, he can do it again!

Revelation 12:11 says, “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives unto death.” Testimony is one of the best ways to keep moving forward in faith in the midst of a broken world. For if God did it once, he can do it again.

Seeing that there were other books outside of what we know to be God’s Word also speaks to the miracle that there were 66 books that were preserved by the Holy Spirit to make it into the canon of Scripture!

Now you know how to answer someone if you are ever asked about the Book of Wars that is mentioned in the Bible. That book did not last. It was not preserved, but God’s Word is.

Another hidden insight for you!

Hidden Insights Into God’s Word: The Book of Jashar

by David Chadwick

Proverbs 25:2 says “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” Those close to the heart of God seek to know him deeply. To understand his heart. To be a student of his ways.

Joshua 10:12,13 is where you will find our hidden insight today. It’s the passage where Joshua spoke to the Lord and God made the sun and the moon stand still. As you keep reading, you will see the book of Jasher referenced in verse 13.

What is the book of Jasher, you might ask? It’s today’s hidden insight.

The book of Jasher is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 1:18-27. Occasionally, the Bible mentions different books that were written during the same time or even before the canonical books of the Bible. While outside the canon of Scripture, these books, such as the book of Jasher, give insights and perspectives into history during the biblical times. These books should be seen as aids to understanding the Bible, but not considered authoritative.

Most likely, the book of Jasher was probably lost before the destruction of the first Temple in 586 B.C.

Always remember, the Bible alone is God’s Word, but there are outside aids from people like Josephus and the Roman historian Tactitus that can give us insights to help us understand the times better.

It is okay to look for hidden insights into God’s Word through some of these outside aids. But as you do, remember only God’s Word is canonized. Only his Word is authoritative, giving us insight into all areas of faith and practice.

Only God’s Word is God’s Word!

However, now if anyone asks you about the book of Jasher, you will know what to say!