Treasure Hunting
One of the things I have found as I read through and study the Bible is that there is treasure there - IF you look closely. This can be and is often applied to the world and even to our jobs. In my work I must look closely at details, or I can easily miss something important that can make a big difference between success or frustration. When meeting someone new we should look past the first impressions to see the real character of the person.
In the book of Micah there is some treasure that if you simply read quickly over it you may miss the meaning.
Micah 5:2
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”
In life we need to teach our children about searching for gold which is found through diligence and attention to the details. Often, we get distracted or don’t take the time to really seek the deeper details of what is happening around us. We can miss the treasure that God has for us in the people around us, what is happening in the moment, or through what we are reading in the Bible.
Looking at this verse in Micah, it may be easy to think Micah is talking about a future king of Israel, perhaps another prophet or priest. But he isn’t - he’s talking about Jesus. He is foretelling the coming of the Messiah. What a treasure! If we don’t look closely or if we become distracted, we miss the treasure placed there for us. We might even miss the Messiah.
Take opportunities to go treasure hunting with your kids. Teach them to be in the moment and thoughtfully engaged in their activities to look for treasure. Finally, read to them the Bible and use verses like in Micah that can be easily passed over but reveal the treasure that is there.