Precious Things

"And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren." (Deuteronomy 33: 13-16 KJV)

These words of Moses speak of various precious things. That which is "precious" is valuable, and rare, dear, and greatly desired. In the above verses there is mention of the precious things of the earth, sun, and moon, and of the "precious fruit of the earth" (See also James 5: 7 KJV)

Rain and dew are precious things. The "fruit" of the earth is also precious, like the sunshine and the light of the moon and stars. The earth also has its "precious stones" and precious things of the mountains and hills.

"And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." (I Samuel 3: 1 KJV)

This was not said as describing how people felt about the word of God, but rather to call attention to the scarcity of it. People had so neglected the word of God, or Holy Scriptures, that a copy of it, or knowledge of it, was rare. This was a sad word. The word of God is likewise "precious" today, for very few regard it for what it is, for most regard the words of scripture as the mere "words of MEN," and not as the "words of God." (See I Thessalonians 2: 13)

"And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not." (II Kings 20: 13 KJV)

Included in "precious things" are scarce metals, such as silver and gold, and of costly ointments and rare treasures.

"He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing." (Job 28: 10 KJV)

Men hunt for these "precious" things of earth, but Lord God knows the secret place of every precious thing. In a higher, spiritual sense, people should be able to recognize and find the "precious" things of God in a spiritual sense, to come to know Christ, and the divine plan to rescue sinners, and the things of the Spirit and Kingdom of God.

"They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption." (Psalm 49: 6-9 KJV)

Here are higher and more precious things. Yes, gold and silver and the light of the sun and moon, and the dew of earth, are precious things, but they are but types of the greater antitypes of the superior life of the redeemed and glorified. The "redemption" and recovery of a man who is lost and condemned is truly more precious that these precious things of mortal existence.

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." (Psalm 116: 15 KJV)

What a cheering word! A saint is one who is "sanctified in Christ Jesus" (I Corinthians 1: 2), who is "sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus" (Acts 26: 18), who is "perfect in Christ" (Colossians 1: 28), albeit not yet fully in actual practice. When the believer in Jesus dies (in body only), he immediately goes (in spirit) to "Paradise" and is "with the Lord," a state which is "far better" than the present. (See Luke 23: 43; Philippians 1: 23; II Corinthians 5: 8)

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126: 6 KJV)

The word of God is precious in itself, for it is lovely and of great benefit to a man, to his complete well being. Those who take God's word to others, especially the "good news" about redemption in Christ, carry "precious seed," life germinating seed.

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139: 17 KJV)

God's word is "God's thoughts" towards sinful man, and include thoughts about man's redemption (or non-redemption, as the case may be) that "precious" thing. People are hardened by sin, hardened against God, and blinded to recognize these beautiful and precious things. Oh that they would cry out to God to open their eyes so that they can see precious things that they had never seen before!

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof (better) than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies..." (Proverbs 3: 13-15 KJV)

Earth's silver and gold are but types of the superior gold and silver of divine saving knowledge. To know God and to have God as one's spiritual Father, and to walk and talk with him, and to behold him, is truly to be rich beyond compare. God is Wisdom. Christ is the Wisdom of God.

"There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel." (Proverbs 20: 15 KJV)

God measures "wealth" in a different way than sinful and carnal man. Jesus knew this and so spoke these words - "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12: 15) A "rich" man is one who is "rich in knowledge of God," and "rich in good works," and "rich in faith," and rich in Christ, and rich in the Holy Spirit.

"A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth." (Ecclesiastes 7: 1 KJV)

This is a good lesson for all to learn very early in life. A "good name" is one which when heard, make people think of what is positive about a person. If one played the "word association" game, what would be the words that people would say first when they heard our names? Would they say honest? Kind? Hardworking? Etc.?

Every believer in Jesus has a "good name," a "new name," one that is given to him in Christ, and one he will wear proudly, yet humbly, forever. (See Rev. chpt. 2 & 3)

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste." (Isaiah 28: 16 KJV)

"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner." (I Peter 2: 4-7 KJV)

A prophecy of the Messiah, of Jesus Christ. He is the preordained "precious corner stone," one who is chiefly the "elect" or "chosen" of God, and every other stone or elect one is only so in lieu of him. Oh how "precious" is Jesus, the redeemer and the source of all precious things, of earth or heaven, carnal or spiritual!

"For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life." (Isaiah 43: 3, 4 KJV)

"Precious in God' sight"! What a deep and profound thought! Who can describe the experience and the thrill of it? The everlasting effects of it?

"How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!" (Lamentations 4: 1, 2 KJV)

"Precious sons of Zion"! Who are these? Are they not believers and followers of Jehovah and of his Son Jesus? They who have received the gospel and Spirit of Father and Son?

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory..." (I Peter 1: 6-8 KJV)

"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (II Peter 1: 1 KJV

Oh how "precious" is the God given faith of Christians? It is that which makes them to persevere in their allegiance to King Jesus and to overcome the world! (See also I John 5: 4)

"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (II Peter 1: 4 KJV)

The precious faith is based upon the precious promises. Oh how great, marvelous and precious are the promises in God's precious word! These precious promises, and precious faith in them, are the means of becoming a "precious child of Zion," and "child of God," and a "partaker of the divine nature."

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you..." (I Peter 1: 18-20 KJV)