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An Analysis
of the Biblical Prophecies in their Chronological Order of Appearance
Part
Three. Jacob-Israel
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To Hear a Talk based on the Text below: My Biblical Fathers. Jacob http://britam.org/Broadcasts/newBAMBI/patriarch3.mp3 (ca. 37 minutes) Talk may include points not mentioned in the text. |
Jacob
Background
(1) Birth of the Twins
Jacob was twin brother to Esau also known as Edom (Genesis 25:24). Before
Esau and Jacob were born their mother Rebecca had been told that the two would
always struggle with each other and that one would serve the other (Genesis
25:23).
See (1) Below.
(2) The Boys Grow
When the boys grew Jacob revealed himself as a plain man (ish tam) and
dweller of tents connoting introspection and learning whereas Esau was a man of
the field i.e. of the hunt and of this world. Isaac preferred Esau to Jacob but
Jacob was the one who ultimately received the blessing and Isaac himself
confirmed Jacob in this matter. Esau sold his firstborn rights to Jacob (Genesis
25:33).
See (2) Below.
(3) Jacob Steals the Blessing
When Isaac was about to die he instructed Esau to prepare him a kid deer
from the hunt so that he may bless him. Rebecca the mother of Esau and Jacob
dressed Jacob up as Esau and told him to present himself to Isaac (who at this
stage was blind) as Esau. Jacob did so and received the blessing. Isaac blessed
Jacob (Genesis 27:18-19).
Isaac blessed Jacob that he should receive Agricultural plenty and great
blessings [Genesis 27:28]. Peoples and nations would serve him and recognize his
suzerainty over them. This includes descendants of Esau who would bow down to
him. Whoever blesses him (seeks his welfare and is in good faith with him) would
be blessed and whosoever curses him would be cursed [Genesis 27:29]. After
receiving the blessing Jacob went out and Esau came in and told Isaac that Jacob
had taken the blessing by subterfuge. Isaac however confirmed the validity of
the blessings to Jacob as coming from God, HE SHALL BE BLESSED [Genesis 27:33].
Isaac affirmed that Jacob would be blessed, that his brethren (Esau, Ishmael)
would be subject to him and agricultural bounty accrue to him on a permanent
basis [Genesis 27:37].
See (3) Below.
(4) The Blessings to Esau-Edom
Esau also received a blessing. He would dwell in rich, fertile areas
[Genesis 27:39], live by his sword i.e. become a foremost military power
throughout most of his national existence [Genesis 27:40]. At times he would be
dominated by Jacob but at other times assert his independence and even gain some
degree of control over Jacob [Genesis 27:40]. Esau intermarried with Canaanites
and with the Arabs -Ishmael [Genesis 28:9].
See (4) Below.
(5) Isaac Once More Confirms the
Blessings to Jacob
Esau hated Jacob because Isaac had blessed him. Esau planned to kill him
[Genesis 27:41] so Jacob had to flee. Before Jacob left, Isaac again blessed
him. Jacob should be blessed by God Almighty and make him fruitful and multiply
him that he should become a multitude of peoples [Genesis 28:3]. Jacob was to
receive the blessing of Abraham, to inherit the land [Genesis 28:4].
See (5) Below.
(6) The Blessings MUST Come to Pass
On his way into Exile Jacob had a dream in which angels were ascending
and descending on a ladder. God appeared unto him and told him that HE was the
God of Abraham and Isaac and that the Land would be given unto him. His
descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth and would spread to
the west, to the east, to the north and to the south. All families of the earth
would be blessed through him [Genesis 28:13-14]. Ultimately he will return to
the Land but before then everything that had been prophesied about him must come
to pass: I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE, UNTIL I HAVE DONE THAT WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN TO
THEE OF [Genesis 28:15]. Jacob departed promising to offer up tithes of all that
he would receive [Genesis 28:22].
See (6) Below.
(7) The Twelve Tribes of Israel
Jacob married Rachel and Leah with their maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah.
Twelve sons were born unto him. These sons became the founding forefathers of
the Tribes of Israel. We will deal later with each one separately.
(8) Jacob Becomes Israel
Jacob together with his wives and children left the house of his
father-in-law Laban (the White One) to return to the land of Canaan. As he was
returning Esau with 400 men came to meet him. Jacob divided his entourage into
two separate camps [Genesis 32:7]. At night Jacob wrestled with an angel
[Genesis 32:7]. The angel blessed Jacob that his name should be changed to
Yisrael (Yisroel) that he should have power with God and man and be able to
overcome [Genesis 32:28]. Esau and Jacob met together and were reconciled. Esau
requested that Jacob accompany him to his homeland in Seir. Jacob said he would
arrive later and will do so in the End Times [Genesis 33:14].
See (8) Below.
(9) Several Nations, Community of
Nations, Rulers, and Kings
Later God appeared again to Jacob and confirmed that his name would be
changed to Israel [Genesis 35:10]. God blessed him that he should be fruitful
and multiply, a nation and a community (Kahal) of nations would emerge from him
and kings descend from him [Genesis 35:11].
The blessings of Jacob were to devolve onto his children with a special portion
going to Joseph.
These will be discussed later.
See:
Geneaology of the Blessings to Israel
http://www.britam.org/GeneaologyofBlessings.html
See (9) Below.
(10) Summations of the blessing to
Jacob-Israel.
In addition to the blessings given to Abraham and Isaac that Jacob
received more details were added.
To identify any group of nations as descendants of Jacob we need to find:
Peoples who enjoy Agricultural plenty and great blessings [Genesis 27:28];
Who rule over and strongly influence other nations and have done so in the past
at an international level so that is what they have been noted for. This
includes European Powers (sons of Esau) [Genesis 27:29]. They must have been
distinguished by the goodness they were blessed with. Whoever was allied or
associated with them must have benefited from it and the opposite applied to
they who opposed them [Genesis 27:29]. Many (or at least several) different
peoples must have emerged from them [Genesis 28:3]. They must number an immense
multitude. Offshoots from this group of nations must be found in the north,
south, west, and east and where they are found they must be identifiable as
national entities enjoying that which they have been blessed with. All families
of the earth must have been blessed through them [Genesis 28:13-14]. They must
be very numerous and include the rulers of several nations parallel to each
other with a preference for the monarchical system of government [Genesis
35:10]. They must have a history of conflict with Esau-Edom who is a
militaristic powerful entity in his own right always jealous of Jacob and
seeking to replace him [Genesis 25:23, 27:40].
Only Peoples whom Brit-Am identifies as descended from the Lost Ten Tribes fit
all of the above points.
Poem: Jacob
Jacob was to get many
fields
Plenty of corn and wine
Good farm yields
Everything just fine.
His bounty was to exceed
That of all the others
His surplus was to feed
Many nations, not just brothers.
Other Peoples was he to over-rule
Nations to him would bow down
For the Almighty, a willing tool
Israel was the sheriff of the town.
All nations of the earth
By him would have it good
They would seek his berth
As much as they could.
Several countries each alone
Must be found
With space of their own
Some east and southbound.
Australia and New Zealand
Most in the West and North
The Northwest band
That from Europe spring forth.
Canada and the USA
Britain and France
Where freedom has its say
With each other in Alli-ance.
Against Japan, and Russia
Who are the Powers of Edom
Like Germany and Prussia
Esau, do their rulers come from.
Now all this may seem strange
But it is what the Bible shows
Not someone in derange
He who learns, knows.
(1) Birth of the Twins
[Genesis 25:23] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO HER, TWO NATIONS ARE IN THY WOMB, AND
TWO MANNER OF PEOPLE SHALL BE SEPARATED FROM THY BOWELS; AND THE ONE PEOPLE
SHALL BE STRONGER THAN THE OTHER PEOPLE; AND THE ELDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER.
One would be stronger than the other;
one would serve the other.
The two were Jacob and Esau.
THE ELDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER: In
Hebrew "Rav
[the elder] ya-avod
[shall serve] Tsair
[the younger]" BUT (as pointed out by numerous Commentators quoted by
Yehudah
Kiel) it could ALSO be understood to say "Rav
[the elder] ya-avod
[shall be served by] Tsair
[the younger]".
Anyway the Commentators said that both
interpretations are correct and refer to different periods and different
situations. If Israel merits and fulfills its destined tasks Israel will rule
over others. If Israel does not do as it should it is liable to be ruled over.
This is not necessarily morality but rather reality.
[Genesis 25:26] AND AFTER THAT CAME HIS BROTHER OUT, AND HIS HAND TOOK HOLD ON
ESAU'S HEEL; AND HIS NAME WAS CALLED JACOB: AND ISAAC WAS THREESCORE YEARS OLD
WHEN SHE BARE THEM.
JACOB: Connected to the root "akeb"
meaning heel also connoting overtaking and trickery. In American slang a "heel"
is "a worthless or dishonest man". Jacob did have a trickery side to his
character despite being described as a "plain man". England is referred to as
"Perfidious Albion". "Perfidious" means "breaking trust, treacherous". The name
Jacob is often shorted to Jack. The French are sometimes nicknamed "Jacques".
The Scots are nicknamed "Jocks" (Jacks), and the Americans are called "Yanks" (a
form of Jack) while the flag of Britain is known as the "Union Jack". Another
connotation of the name Jacob is Humility and Consequence.
TOOK HOLD ON ESAU'S HEEL: He was holding him up; preventing him from taking
over.
[Genesis 25:27] AND THE BOYS GREW: AND ESAU WAS A CUNNING HUNTER, A MAN OF THE
FIELD; AND JACOB WAS A PLAIN MAN, DWELLING IN TENTS.
A PLAIN MAN: In Hebrew "Ish
Tam". "Tam" translated "plain" connotes someone who is simple, straightforward,
and not devious. In other words his basic nature was in direct contrast with the
way in which Providence forced him to act when he used deception and trickery
against Esau his brother and after that against
Laban
his uncle. The Hebrew word "tam" may have given rise to the English word "Tame".
DWELLING IN TENTS suggests introspection and study.
(2) The Boys Grow
Esau was technically the
firstborn since he had been the first to emerge from the womb. Esau however sold
his birthright to Jacob.
[Genesis 25:33] AND JACOB SAID, SWEAR TO ME THIS DAY; AND HE SWARE UNTO HIM:
AND HE SOLD HIS BIRTHRIGHT UNTO JACOB.
Saadia
Gaon
says that by this deed Jacob earned the right to claim later that he was the
firstborn in place of Esau: "AND JACOB SAID UNTO HIS FATHER, I AM THY FIRST
BORN, ESAU" (Genesis 27:19).
Isaac the father of Esau and Jacob had
been promised that he would receive the blessings promised to Abraham (Genesis
26:3) and to be multiplied as the stars of
the
sky and that in his seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed (Genesis
26:4). He was told that the blessings would devolve "in thy seed" (Genesis 26:4)
meaning that only one of his sons would receive these blessings.
(3) Jacob Steals the Blessing
[Genesis 27:1] AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT WHEN ISAAC WAS OLD, AND HIS
EYES WERE DIM, SO THAT HE COULD NOT SEE, HE CALLED ESAU HIS ELDEST SON, AND
SAID UNTO HIM, MY SON: AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, BEHOLD, HERE AM I.
God made Isaac blind so that Jacob would
receive the blessings. God wanted Jacob to receive these blessings in this way.
Why?
Note that Jacob was to receive the blessings (as we will see) through trickery
yet he was by nature a simple uncomplicated person a dweller in tents. He was
required to act in away diametrically opposed to his whole nature and
upbringing. In effect he was risking his whole spiritual existence.
Another reason why the blessing had to be stolen may have been so that we may
always be aware that we have nothing of our own and that all that we have and
are is by grace of the Almighty and on HIS sufferance.
[Genesis 27:2] AND HE SAID, BEHOLD NOW, I AM OLD, I KNOW NOT THE DAY OF MY
DEATH:
[Genesis 27:3] NOW THEREFORE TAKE, I PRAY THEE, THY WEAPONS, THY QUIVER AND THY
BOW, AND GO OUT TO THE FIELD, AND TAKE ME SOME VENISON;
[Genesis 27:4] AND MAKE ME SAVOURY MEAT, SUCH AS I LOVE, AND BRING IT TO ME,
THAT I MAY EAT; THAT MY SOUL MAY BLESS THEE BEFORE I DIE.
Isaac wanted to satisfy his body and
feel good in order to reach the necessary spiritual level he needed to.
[Genesis 27:18] AND HE CAME UNTO HIS FATHER, AND SAID, MY FATHER: AND HE SAID,
HERE AM I; WHO ART THOU, MY SON?
[Genesis 27:19] AND JACOB SAID UNTO HIS FATHER, I AM ESAU THY FIRST BORN; I HAVE
DONE ACCORDING AS THOU BADEST ME: ARISE, I PRAY THEE, SIT AND EAT OF MY VENISON,
THAT THY SOUL MAY BLESS ME.
#I AM ESAU THY FIRST BORN#. In the
Hebrew original the order of the words is: "I AM THY FIRST BORN ESAU". The
stress of the words according to the sages was: "I AM, THY FIRST BORN, -ESAU".
Jacob really was the firstborn since unbeknown to Isaac he had acquired the
right to be considered the firstborn as we saw above (Genesis 25:33). Isaac
apparently knew that it was either Esau or Jacob. He did not think it was
anybody else. Strictly speaking Isaac was lying but he was also telling Isaac
that he was he (Jacob) himself and that he had the right of the firstborn, Esau.
This whole affair may yet seem a little
problematic but read the account through to the end for we find that the
blessing of Isaac was given with the knowledge that he receiving the blessing
was the one upon whom it should come and did come (Genesis 27:33). After the
event Isaac consciously confirmed the blessing twice over (Genesis 27:33, 35
Genesis 28:3-4) .
First Isaac decided to eat and drink
that he feel physically correct and then he would give the blessing. He was
eating freshly prepared meat.
I PRAY: Hebrew "NA" meaning "please", i.e. please sit up. "Na" can also mean
"Now" which is how Onkelos
translates it, i.e. "Sit Up Now".
The English word "now" is probably derived from the Hebrew "na".
[Genesis 27:20] AND ISAAC SAID UNTO HIS SON, HOW IS IT THAT THOU HAST FOUND IT
SO QUICKLY, MY SON? AND HE SAID, BECAUSE THE LORD THY GOD BROUGHT IT TO
ME.
[Genesis 27:21] AND ISAAC SAID UNTO JACOB, COME NEAR, I PRAY THEE, THAT I MAY
FEEL THEE, MY SON, WHETHER THOU BE MY VERY SON ESAU OR NOT.
[Genesis 27:22] AND JACOB WENT NEAR UNTO ISAAC HIS FATHER; AND HE FELT HIM, AND
SAID, THE VOICE IS JACOB'S VOICE, BUT THE HANDS ARE THE HANDS OF ESAU.
The voice was that of Jacob: voice can
represent spiritual content.
The hands were those of Esau: that can mean the actual physical means put into
action.
Symbolically it could be taken to suggest that in order to receive the blessing
it may be necessary for Jacob (spiritual man) to take on some of the attributes
(i.e. the hands) of Esau meaning of physical force and outgoing activity.
[Genesis 27:23] AND HE DISCERNED HIM NOT, BECAUSE HIS HANDS WERE HAIRY, AS HIS
BROTHER ESAU'S HANDS: SO HE BLESSED HIM.
[Genesis 27:24] AND HE SAID, ART THOU MY VERY SON ESAU? AND HE SAID, I AM.
He said I am. He did not say I am Esau.
He was deceiving but not strictly speaking lying. A person should not lie. He
should tell the truth. In exceptional circumstances a person can say things that
are not correct or give an incorrect impression. You do not have to
unnecessarily embarrass yourself or others or put yourself in danger of harm.
Even in such cases direct lies should be avoided if possible.
Saxo
Grammaticus
relates that the ancient heroes of Scandinavia tried always to tell the truth
BUT if in an emergency they could not tell the truth but had to give a contrary
impression then they attempt to formulate what they said in an ambiguous manner
rather than say something that was
outrightly
false. This is the same method used by Jacob.
Incidentally even though Jacob by nature was a simple straightforward person one
of the connotations of his name is trickery. Names are significant.
By nature Jacob was a simple straightforward person now in what was the most
important test of his life he had to adopt an attribute that the diametric
opposite of simple directness.
[Genesis 27:25] AND HE SAID, BRING IT NEAR TO ME, AND I WILL EAT OF MY SON'S
VENISON, THAT MY SOUL MAY BLESS THEE. AND HE BROUGHT IT NEAR TO HIM, AND HE DID
EAT: AND HE BROUGHT HIM WINE AND HE DRANK.
[Genesis 27:26] AND HIS FATHER ISAAC SAID UNTO HIM, COME NEAR NOW, AND KISS ME,
MY SON.
[Genesis 27:27] AND HE CAME NEAR, AND KISSED HIM: AND HE SMELLED THE SMELL OF
HIS RAIMENT, AND BLESSED HIM, AND SAID, SEE, THE SMELL OF MY SON IS AS THE SMELL
OF A FIELD WHICH THE LORD HATH BLESSED:
Here we have field associated with the
blessing of God. Esau was also called man of the field.
[Genesis 27:28] THEREFORE GOD GIVE THEE OF THE DEW OF HEAVEN, AND THE FATNESS OF
THE EARTH, AND PLENTY OF CORN AND WINE:
Agricultural plenty and great
blessings.
[Genesis 27:29] LET PEOPLES SERVE THEE, AND NATIONS BOW DOWN TO THEE: BE LORD
OVER THY BRETHREN, AND LET THY MOTHER'S SONS BOW DOWN TO THEE: CURSED BE EVERY
ONE THAT CURSETH THEE, AND BLESSED BE HE THAT BLESSETH THEE.
#BE LORD OVER THY BRETHREN# i.e. Ishmael
and Esau
[Genesis 27:30] AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS SOON AS ISAAC HAD MADE AN END OF
BLESSING JACOB, AND JACOB WAS YET SCARCE GONE OUT FROM THE PRESENCE OF ISAAC HIS
FATHER, THAT ESAU HIS BROTHER CAME IN FROM HIS HUNTING.
This was Divine Providence. Jacob just
managed to get out when Esau arrived.
[Genesis 27:31] AND HE ALSO HAD MADE SAVOURY MEAT, AND BROUGHT IT UNTO HIS
FATHER, AND SAID UNTO HIS FATHER, LET MY FATHER ARISE, AND EAT OF HIS SON'S
VENISON, THAT THY SOUL MAY BLESS ME.
[Genesis 27:32] AND ISAAC HIS FATHER SAID UNTO HIM, WHO ART THOU? AND HE SAID, I
AM THY SON, THY FIRSTBORN ESAU.
[Genesis 27:33] AND ISAAC TREMBLED VERY EXCEEDINGLY, AND SAID, WHO? WHERE IS HE
THAT HATH TAKEN VENISON, AND BROUGHT IT ME, AND I HAVE EATEN OF ALL BEFORE THOU
CAMEST, AND HAVE BLESSED HIM? YEA, AND HE SHALL BE BLESSED.
YEA, AND HE SHALL BE BLESSED: I
sometimes give talks and explanations of ideas I have to groups of people or
individuals. Sometimes it comes out well and at other times something seems
lacking. I find the differences are as much due to the audience as to myself.
Similarly Isaac gave the blessing to the person he believed to be Esau
NEVERTHELESS in giving the blessing he realized he was only a conduit.
The blessing he was giving over was according to the will of God.
The blessing was being received by he to whom God wanted it to
come.
[Genesis 27:34] AND WHEN ESAU HEARD THE WORDS OF HIS FATHER, HE CRIED WITH A
GREAT AND EXCEEDING BITTER CRY, AND SAID UNTO HIS FATHER, BLESS ME, EVEN ME
ALSO, O MY FATHER.
[Genesis 27:35] AND HE SAID, THY BROTHER CAME WITH SUBTILTY, AND HATH TAKEN AWAY
THY BLESSING.
[Genesis 27:36] AND HE SAID, IS NOT HE RIGHTLY NAMED JACOB? FOR HE HATH
SUPPLANTED ME THESE TWO TIMES: HE TOOK AWAY MY BIRTHRIGHT; AND, BEHOLD, NOW HE
HATH TAKEN AWAY MY BLESSING. AND HE SAID, HAST THOU NOT RESERVED A BLESSING FOR
ME?
#JACOB? FOR HE HATH SUPPLANTED ME#:
Jacob can connote supplant as well as trickery.
[Genesis 27:37] AND ISAAC ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO ESAU, BEHOLD, I HAVE MADE HIM
THY LORD, AND ALL HIS BRETHREN HAVE I GIVEN TO HIM FOR SERVANTS; AND WITH CORN
AND WINE HAVE I SUSTAINED HIM: AND WHAT SHALL I DO NOW UNTO THEE, MY SON?
#ALL HIS BRETHREN HAVE I GIVEN TO HIM
FOR SERVANTS#: Jacob was to be the master of all peoples of the earth. This is
not a fashionable thing to say but that is the impression received from
scripture.
#WITH CORN AND WINE HAVE I SUSTAINED HIM#: Great material prosperity.
(4) The Blessings to Esau-Edom
[Genesis 27:38] AND ESAU SAID UNTO HIS FATHER, HAST THOU BUT ONE
BLESSING, MY FATHER? BLESS ME, EVEN ME ALSO, O MY FATHER. AND ESAU LIFTED UP HIS
VOICE, AND WEPT.
[Genesis 27:39] AND ISAAC HIS FATHER ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, BEHOLD, THY
DWELLING SHALL BE THE FATNESS OF THE EARTH, AND OF THE DEW OF HEAVEN FROM ABOVE;
Esau is here promised a fertile place to
dwell in. The Talmud says that at one stage this was Magna
Graecia
or Southern Italy which was once very fertile. From there the sons of Esau moved
on. Some Christian commentaries say the verse should be read: THY DWELLING SHALL
BE [far away from] THE FATNESS OF THE EARTH: I do not know the source of this
explanation and it does not fit the Hebrew as I understand it. It appears in
some translations and is accepted by several Christian exegetes. It may be that
the land southeast of Israel that is known as Edom is not regarded as being
terribly fertile and the translators were trying to rationalize their
translation and adapt the translated meaning according to their own
understanding of reality as it was in the past. Against this it can be said that
the Land of Edom was once much more fertile than it now is. Also Edom was
scattered to several areas. A passage in an inscription from the ancient city of
Ugarit
on the north Syrian coast speaks of the well-watered land of Edom. There was a
region belonging to Edom in the north. A region (usually ruled from Assyria) by
the Habor
River in Northern Syria was once known as "Idam
Araz"
meaning "Land of Edom".
Our impression is that
Edomites
were prominent in the hierarchies of Babylon,
Ugarit,
Assyria, and Phoenician Tyre.
[Genesis 27:40] AND BY THY SWORD SHALT THOU LIVE, AND SHALT SERVE THY BROTHER;
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS WHEN THOU SHALT HAVE THE DOMINION, THAT THOU SHALT
BREAK HIS YOKE FROM OFF THY NECK.
#BY THY SWORD
SHALT
THOU LIVE, AND SHALT
SERVE THY BROTHER#: Esau was a military man. The Talmud says that every war
requires the presence of Esau in order to achieve victory.
#THAT THOU SHALT
BREAK HIS YOKE FROM OFF THY NECK#:
Onkelos
translates this to say that when Jacob sins then Esau is asserting his
independence or even acquiring domination.
[Genesis 28:9] THEN WENT ESAU UNTO ISHMAEL, AND TOOK UNTO THE WIVES WHICH HE
HAD MAHALATH THE DAUGHTER OF ISHMAEL ABRAHAM'S SON, THE SISTER OF NEBAJOTH, TO
BE HIS WIFE.
He took a daughter of Ishmael in
addition to his other wives, not instead of them.
This is said to hint at a future union between Ishmael (Arabs & Islam) and Esau
(Europe & conventional Christianity) versus Israel and Judah.
(5) Isaac Once More Confirms the
Blessings to Jacob
[Genesis 27:41] AND ESAU HATED JACOB BECAUSE OF THE BLESSING WHEREWITH
HIS FATHER BLESSED HIM: AND ESAU SAID IN HIS HEART, THE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR MY
FATHER ARE AT HAND; THEN WILL I SLAY MY BROTHER JACOB.
#ESAU HATED JACOB BECAUSE OF THE
BLESSING WHEREWITH HIS FATHER BLESSED HIM#: Esau was the first anti-Semite. He
cannot help hating Jacob. This explains the anti-Semites in the Identity
movement and Replacement Theology. Replacement Theology says that Israel
(meaning in their terms the Jews) were originally the Chosen People but now the
Christians have replaced them. The anti-Jewish identity people say that the Jews
are not true Israelites but rather they themselves are. In both cases you have
the jealousy of Esau trying to regain the rights of primogeniture.
[Genesis 27:42] AND THESE WORDS OF ESAU HER ELDER SON WERE TOLD TO REBEKAH: AND
SHE SENT AND CALLED JACOB HER YOUNGER SON, AND SAID UNTO HIM, BEHOLD, THY
BROTHER ESAU, AS TOUCHING THEE, DOTH COMFORT HIMSELF, PURPOSING TO KILL THEE.
#REBEKAH#
had directed Jacob as how to obtain the blessing.
Rebekah
did this because God had told her that her younger son (Jacob) should receive
the predominance. Isaac apparently was never aware of this Prophetic Revelation
that Rebecca had received. Women often really do have intuition as to the true
nature of people, of their children, of guests, etc.
[Genesis 27:43] NOW THEREFORE, MY SON, OBEY MY VOICE; ARISE, FLEE THOU TO LABAN
MY BROTHER TO HARAN;
[Genesis 27:44] AND TARRY WITH HIM A FEW DAYS, UNTIL THY BROTHER'S FURY TURN
AWAY;
[Genesis 27:45] UNTIL THY BROTHER'S ANGER TURN AWAY FROM THEE, AND HE FORGET
THAT WHICH THOU HAST DONE TO HIM: THEN I WILL SEND, AND FETCH THEE FROM THENCE:
WHY SHOULD I BE DEPRIVED ALSO OF YOU BOTH IN ONE DAY?
Rebecca was a mother. She still loved
her son Esau.
[Genesis 28:1] AND ISAAC CALLED JACOB, AND BLESSED HIM, AND CHARGED HIM, AND
SAID UNTO HIM, THOU SHALT NOT TAKE A WIFE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF
CANAAN.
[Genesis 28:2] ARISE, GO TO PADANARAM, TO THE HOUSE OF BETHUEL THY MOTHER'S
FATHER; AND TAKE THEE A WIFE FROM THENCE OF THE DAUGHERS OF LABAN THY MOTHER'S
BROTHER.
[Genesis 28:3] AND GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS THEE, AND MAKE THEE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY
THEE, THAT THOU MAYEST BE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE;
Here Isaac confirms the blessing to
Jacob.
[Genesis 28:4] AND GIVE THEE THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM, TO THEE, AND TO THY SEED
WITH THEE; THAT THOU MAYEST INHERIT THE LAND WHEREIN THOU ART A STRANGER, WHICH
GOD GAVE UNTO ABRAHAM.
#THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM#: Isaac was
here consciously announcing that the blessing to Abraham was to pass to Jacob.
This was no longer dependent on subterfuge but an openly declared fact of
existence. Isaac had been tricked at the conscious level but he realized that
such was the will of God and he accepted it.
INHERIT THE LAND WHEREIN THOU ART A STRANGER: Also translatable as the land of
your sojourning: This was applying to the Land of Israel but I would suggest
that it also applies to the Ten Tribes who were to inherit the lands they would
be exiled unto.
[Genesis 28:5] AND ISAAC SENT AWAY JACOB: AND HE WENT TO PADANARAM UNTO LABAN,
SON OF BETHUEL THE SYRIAN, THE BROTHER OF REBEKAH, JACOB'S AND ESAU'S MOTHER.
He was going to his own family. A person
should marry whoever he understands to be best for him, someone destined from
the Almighty. This is easier said than done and the most important thing is to
get married with somebody one can get along with and raise a family, the sooner
the better. As far as human choice has a say it appears to be preferable (all
other things being equal) to marry someone like oneself from the same background
and even from the same area and ethnic origins. The emphasis here is on the
expression "appears to be preferable" since this may not always hold and is not
to be taken as absolutely binding.
(6) The Blessings MUST Come to Pass
[Genesis 28:10] AND JACOB WENT OUT FROM BEERSHEBA, AND WENT TOWARD HARAN.
[Genesis 28:11] AND HE LIGHTED UPON A CERTAIN PLACE, AND TARRIED THERE ALL
NIGHT, BECAUSE THE SUN WAS SET; AND HE TOOK OF THE STONES OF THAT PLACE, AND PUT
THEM FOR HIS PILLOWS, AND LAY DOWN IN THAT PLACE TO SLEEP.
[Genesis 28:12] AND HE DREAMED, AND BEHOLD A LADDER SET UP ON THE EARTH, AND THE
TOP OF IT REACHED TO HEAVEN: AND BEHOLD THE ANGELS OF GOD ASCENDING AND
DESCENDING ON IT.
A lot of explanations have been given as
to what the angels going up and down represent. One explanation is that since
each nation has its own representative (cf. Daniel, Zechariah) guardian angel
then the angels represent the ups and downs of the kingdoms of the earth.
[Genesis 28:13] AND, BEHOLD, THE LORD STOOD ABOVE IT, AND SAID, I AM THE LORD
GOD OF ABRAHAM THY FATHER, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC: THE LAND WHEREON THOU LIEST, TO
THEE WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED;
[Genesis 28:14] AND THY SEED SHALL BE AS THE DUST OF THE EARTH, AND THOU SHALT
SPREAD ABROAD TO THE WEST, AND TO THE EAST, AND TO THE NORTH, AND TO THE SOUTH:
AND IN THEE AND IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE
BLESSED.
All the families in the earth were to be
blessed in the seed of Jacob. This was a repetition of the blessing to Abraham.
At first Jacob took the blessing by deceiving Isaac, then Isaac consciously
repeated and emphasized the blessings. Now God Himself is affirming the
blessings that Jacob is to inherit.
[Genesis 28:15] AND, BEHOLD, I AM WITH THEE, AND WILL KEEP THEE IN ALL PLACES
WHITHER THOU GOEST, AND WILL BRING THEE AGAIN INTO THIS LAND; FOR I WILL NOT
LEAVE THEE, UNTIL I HAVE DONE THAT WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN TO THEE
OF.
#IN ALL PLACES WHITHER THOU
GOEST#:
Midrash
Tanchuma
says that this meant the Exiles to Spain and Gaul and their neighbors. One
section of the Celts before arriving in Britain and Ireland sojourned for
several hundred years in Spain. In "Lost Israelite Identity" and In "Origin"
this was described in detail.
[Genesis 28:16] AND JACOB AWAKED OUT OF HIS SLEEP, AND HE SAID, SURELY THE LORD
IS IN THIS PLACE; AND I KNEW IT NOT.
[Genesis 28:17] AND HE WAS AFRAID, AND SAID, HOW DREADFUL IS THIS PLACE! THIS IS
NONE OTHER BUT THE HOUSE OF GOD, AND THIS IS THE GATE OF
HEAVEN.
[Genesis 28:18] AND JACOB ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND TOOK THE STONE THAT
HE HAD PUT FOR HIS PILLOWS, AND SET IT UP FOR A PILLAR, AND POURED OIL UPON THE
TOP OF IT.
This stone according to tradition became
the Stone of Scone upon which British monarchs are
coronated.
Whatever one's conclusions about this tradition the fact that it exists is
significant.
[Genesis 28:19] AND HE CALLED THE NAME OF THAT PLACE BETHEL: BUT THE NAME OF
THAT CITY WAS CALLED LUZ AT THE FIRST.
[Genesis 28:20] AND JACOB VOWED A VOW, SAYING, IF GOD WILL BE WITH ME, AND WILL
KEEP ME IN THIS WAY THAT I GO, AND WILL GIVE ME BREAD TO EAT, AND RAIMENT TO PUT
ON,
He worried about the basic necessities.
[Genesis 28:21] SO THAT I COME AGAIN TO MY FATHER'S HOUSE IN PEACE; THEN SHALL
THE LORD BE MY GOD:
Jacob symbolizes Israel. The deeds of
the forefathers symbolize the fate of their descendants. He is going out into
Exile. He was praying for God's protection and that God look after him and his
family and bring him back:
#THEN SHALL THE LORD BE MY GOD#.
[Genesis 28:22] AND THIS STONE, WHICH I HAVE SET FOR A PILLAR, SHALL BE GOD'S
HOUSE: AND OF ALL THAT THOU SHALT GIVE ME I WILL SURELY GIVE THE TENTH UNTO
THEE.
He promised to give a tithe. If one
gives tithes one receives a blessing.
Tithing is usually associated with ensuring the blessing of a livelihood as
mentioned by Malachi.
BRING YE ALL THE TITHES INTO THE STOREHOUSE, THAT THERE MAY BE MEAT IN MINE
HOUSE, AND PROVE ME NOW HEREWITH,
SAITH
THE LORD OF HOSTS, IF I WILL NOT OPEN YOU THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN, AND POUR YOU
OUT A BLESSING, THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT [Malachi
3:10].
Even though the blessing from tithing is associated with physical material
returns Jacob also appears to link tithing with physical safety: I COME AGAIN TO
MY FATHER'S HOUSE IN PEACE.
(8) Jacob Becomes Israel
[Genesis 32:24] AND JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE; AND THERE WRESTLED A MAN WITH
HIM UNTIL THE BREAKING OF THE DAY.
This Man was an angel. According to tradition he was the guardian angel of Esau.
The word for "angel" in Hebrew is Malakh: This literally means "messenger". A "malakh"
is therefore a messenger. It can be a human messenger or a spiritual one. When
Jacob began his struggle with this "man" he may have thought him to be human
being. His Divine Nature became apparent in the course of the struggle.
[Genesis 32:25] AND WHEN HE SAW THAT HE PREVAILED NOT AGAINST HIM, HE TOUCHED
THE HOLLOW OF HIS THIGH; AND THE HOLLOW OF JACOB'S THIGH WAS OUT OF JOINT, AS HE
WRESTLED WITH HIM.
#HOLLOW OF HIS THIGH# was understood to
hint at sexual matters. The adversary did not defeat Israel but he does manage
to weaken him by causing some of his great men to sometimes somehow fall down in
sexual matters.
[Genesis 32:26] AND HE SAID, LET ME GO, FOR THE DAY BREAKETH. AND HE SAID, I
WILL NOT LET THEE GO, EXCEPT THOU BLESS ME.
[Genesis 32:27] AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, WHAT IS THY NAME? AND HE SAID,
JACOB.
[Genesis 32:28] AND HE SAID, THY NAME SHALL BE CALLED NO MORE JACOB, BUT ISRAEL:
FOR AS A PRINCE HAST THOU POWER WITH GOD AND WITH MEN, AND HAST PREVAILED.
Yisrael
is a play on words: It can connote rule with or wrestle with (God) or both
together.
[Genesis 32:29] AND JACOB ASKED HIM, AND SAID, TELL ME, I PRAY THEE, THY NAME.
AND HE SAID, WHEREFORE IS IT THAT THOU DOST ASK AFTER MY NAME? AND HE BLESSED
HIM THERE.
[Genesis 32:30] AND JACOB CALLED THE NAME OF THE PLACE PENIEL: FOR I HAVE SEEN
GOD FACE TO FACE, AND MY LIFE IS PRESERVED.
The "man" was an emissary of God. A
spiritual being, a representative of God Himself.
[Genesis 32:31] AND AS HE PASSED OVER PENUEL THE SUN ROSE UPON HIM, AND HE
HALTED UPON HIS THIGH.
#HIS THIGH# Sexual failings are often
the weak point of the Israelite people. All of us are liable to fall down in
this area.
[Genesis 32:32] THEREFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL EAT NOT OF THE SINEW WHICH
SHRANK, WHICH IS UPON THE HOLLOW OF THE THIGH, UNTO THIS DAY: BECAUSE HE TOUCHED
THE HOLLOW OF JACOB'S THIGH IN THE SINEW THAT SHRANK.
[Genesis 33:1] AND JACOB LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND LOOKED, AND, BEHOLD, ESAU CAME,
AND WITH HIM FOUR HUNDRED MEN. AND HE DIVIDED THE CHILDREN UNTO LEAH, AND UNTO
RACHEL, AND UNTO THE TWO HANDMAIDS.
[Genesis 33:2] AND HE PUT THE HANDMAIDS AND THEIR CHILDREN FOREMOST, AND LEAH
AND HER CHILDREN AFTER, AND RACHEL AND JOSEPH HINDERMOST.
#JOSEPH HINDERMOST# The descendants of
Joseph still are the most distanced section of the Israelite people. They are
separated out in "islands" or geographical extremities ("ends of the earth")
such as Britain, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and even to a degree New
Zealand. The other Israelites are closer to Edom assuming that Edom is dominant
in Germany and other parts of Europe in general.
[Genesis 33:3] AND HE PASSED OVER BEFORE THEM, AND BOWED HIMSELF TO THE GROUND
SEVEN TIMES, UNTIL HE CAME NEAR TO HIS BROTHER.
The Rabbis say that because he bowed
down to Esau his descendants were condemned to be exiled.
[Genesis 33:4] AND ESAU RAN TO MEET HIM, AND EMBRACED HIM, AND FELL ON HIS NECK,
AND KISSED HIM: AND THEY WEPT.
"AND FELL ON HIS NECK": Winston
Churchill once said that the German is either at your feet or at your
throat.
#THEY WEPT#. These two were destined to spend a lot of time together for good
and for bad.
[Genesis 33:10] AND JACOB SAID, NAY, I PRAY THEE, IF NOW I HAVE FOUND GRACE IN
THY SIGHT, THEN RECEIVE MY PRESENT AT MY HAND: FOR THEREFORE I HAVE SEEN THY
FACE, AS THOUGH I HAD SEEN THE FACE OF GOD, AND THOU WAST PLEASED WITH
ME.
The Rabbis interpreted this to mean that
Jacob was indicating to Esau that Jacob had met the guardian angel of Esau (THE
FACE OF GOD), face-to-face, and obtained his sanction.
[Genesis 33:14] LET MY LORD, I PRAY THEE, PASS OVER BEFORE HIS SERVANT: AND I
WILL LEAD ON SOFTLY, ACCORDING AS THE CATTLE THAT GOETH BEFORE ME AND THE
CHILDREN BE ABLE TO ENDURE, UNTIL I COME UNTO MY LORD UNTO SEIR.
Rashi
quotes the Sages as saying: WE have gone through the entire Bible and not found
that Jacob fulfilled his promise: UNTIL I COME UNTO MY LORD UNTO
SEIR.
When will he fulfill it and go to Esau?
When the following verse is fulfilled: AND
SAVIOURS
SHALL COME UP ON MOUNT ZION TO JUDGE THE MOUNT OF ESAU; AND THE KINGDOM SHALL BE
THE LORD'S [Obadiah 1:21]. See the Brit-Am Commentary to the Book of Obadiah.
http://britam.org/obadiah.html
See also Isaiah 63 and our Commentary there.
http://britam.org/isaiah/chap-sixty-three.html
(9) Several Nations,
Community of Nations, Rulers, and Kings
[Genesis 35:10] AND GOD SAID UNTO HIM, THY NAME IS JACOB: THY NAME SHALL NOT BE
CALLED ANY MORE JACOB, BUT ISRAEL SHALL BE THY NAME: AND HE CALLED HIS NAME
ISRAEL.
Jacob became Israel. God confirmed the
blessing Jacob had forced the guardian angel of Esau to give
him.
[Genesis 35:11] AND GOD SAID UNTO HIM, I AM GOD ALMIGHTY: BE FRUITFUL AND
MULTIPLY; A NATION AND A COMPANY OF NATIONS SHALL BE OF THEE, AND KINGS SHALL
COME OUT OF THY LOINS
#BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY#: we should
try and have as many children as we can. One should try and make the Blessings
come true. This is what the Almighty wants you to do.
#A NATION: The USA?#
#AND A COMPANY OF NATIONS# The British Commonwealth and other Israelite nations?
AND/OR
A NATION = The Jews.
AND A COMPANY OF NATIONS. The Lost Ten Tribes? This latter explanation is
the most reasonable. The NATION means the Jews and the COMPANY OF NATIONS means
the Lost Ten Tribes.
| The Promises to Jacob.avi Duration: 29.48 minutes |
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The Forefathers of Israel were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Each received their own blessings. These became part of the whole body of Prophecied Promises
destined to be fulfilled in their descendants. Jacob was renamed Israel. Israel (Jacob) was promised that his descendants would be extremely numerous and occupy regions to the north, south, east, and west of the Land of Israel. They would be a world power, possessing vast agricultural and mineral resources and rule over other countries. They would overawe foreign peoples including descendants of Ishmael and Esau. Only West European nations and their offshoots especially those emanating from the British Isles (i.e. English-speaking peoples such as the USA etc) have fulfilled these predictions.
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