Formative Factors and the Bible
Contents:
1. Introduction. Ephraim and Britain.
2. The Quora Query.
3. Chosen Answers.
(1) Andre Teissier du Cros. Geography, Laws, and Culture.
(2) Jon Bourgetti. Sound Administration and Human Resources.
(3) Ashutosh Mehndiratta. The Tudor Dynasty began it all!
(4) Brit-Am Note on John Dee and "British Israel."
(5) Marcus Gibson. Geography and Social Enabling.
(6) Ralph Berger. Science.
(7) Pat McCormack. Imitation, Innovation, and Aggression.
(8) Pat McCormack. Financial Adroitness.
(9) Hannah Madden. Geography and the Trade Winds.
(10) William Stewart. Human Factors, Geography but "Nobody Really knows."
4. The Ten Tribes in Prophecy.
5. Ephraim as an Intellectual Researcher?
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1. Introduction. Ephraim and Britain.
The British Empire once ruled over a quarter of the globe and one-fifth of its population. The British also influenced every other people. Out of all the countries of the world only a very few, such as possiby Mongolia, Lichtenstein, etc., have not been invaded at some stage or other by the British. The British also gave rise to the USA and to other nations of importance including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This all accords with Biblical Prophecy concerning the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel!
Brit-Am researches the whereabouts of the Lost Ten Tribes among Western Peoples. Biblical, Rabbinic, and Secular Historical sources all show that the Lost Ten Tribes settled in the West. Among the Hebrews who came to the British Isles we may distinguish different groups pertaining to specific Israelite Tribes or Tribal Clans within the Tribes. The British Isles were populated by descendants from the two Tribes of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. Many from Joseph, especially Manasseh, were also to be found on the Continent. These mainly came to comprise a good portion of the European Migrants to the USA. For this and other reaons, we identify the USA as dominated by Manasseh whereas Ephraim was predominant in Britain. Ephraim helped determine the national characteristics of Britain. Prophecies concerning the Ten Tribes in general, and within them especially Joseph, and within Joseph particualrly Ephraim, are seen to have been fulfilled in British History.
Different explanations explaining why Britain became great are to be found in answers to a question concerning England "punching above its weight" on the Quora Forum. ["England" was taken as synonymous with Britain in this context]. We have summarized below those answers that seemed to us as most pertinent. Following the summarizations we show how some of the points made reflect Biblical Prophecy.
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The Quora Forum posed a question:
Quora Question:
Why has England and the UK punched above its weight for so much of history?
https://www.quora.com/Why-has-England-and-the-UK-punched-above-its-weight-for-so-much-of-history
Answers to this query give us an insight as to what Britain became and how it got to where it did.
[Below are parphrased summaries of the opinions given. More direct verbatim quotations from these same sources may be seen at: Reasons for Greatness. What Made Britain Great?
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(1) Andre Teissier du Cros. Geography, Laws, and Culture.
Andre Teissier du Cros gave three basic reasons for the greatness of Britain: The geographical environment, laws and culture that enabled and encouraged free enterprise, and the psychological disposition of the people.
Geographically, the island had the right size, the right climate and fertile soil. It could support a significant population. It had colossal reserves of coal, shale and pit, plus iron ore. This offered the possibility of a massive industrial development built on low cost energy and on cast iron and steel. "The steam engine was first designed as a pump in coal mines. Railways first were used in these mines to carry ore."
Constitutional laws encouraged "free thought, free speech, free enterprise, free trade, and private property, including patent laws meaning intellectual property."
The National Psychology gave rise to establishing the most powerful navy on earth, to the principles of free trade that benefited other peoples as well and that helped create the British Empire.
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(2) Jon Bourgetti. Sound Administration and Human Resources.
Jon Bourgetti attributes British greatness to sound administration and the reaction of the British People to it, the relative greater payment for labor and skilled craftsmen and "a well-fed and well-armed military." This enabled prosperity that enabled an intelligentsia that returned remarkable benefits of science, medicine, art, cultural diversity, and industry back to the common labor force.
Of the one hundred most influential people who ever lived he lists TWENTY who were from the UK, five of them from "tiny Scotland." The listed British notables included scientists such as Sir Isaac Newton; James Wat who developed the first steam engine; Michael Faraday who gave us the use of electricity ; and others. Adam Smith, "The Wealth of Nations," laid down the theoretical framework of free-market economics. Elizabeth-1 (reigned 1558-1603) "presided over an era of economic and political expansion, which lay the framework for Britain's later dominance as a world power. It was Queen Elizabeth who also established the supremacy of Protestantism in England." There were others including the regicide, Oliver Cromwell, whose example helped put a restraint on future tyranny.
See: 100 most influential people in the world, https://www.biographyonline.net/people/100-most-influential.html.
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(3) Ashutosh Mehndiratta. The Tudor Dynasty began it all! Ashutosh Mehndiratta traces the greatness of England (that evolved into Great Britain) to Queen Elizabeth-1 though he acknowledges a debt to Henry-7 and Henry-8 the Tudor forefathers of Elizabeth. Under Elizabeth aggressive officially sanctioned "Pirates/Sea Dogs" attacked the Spanish Empire and brought back new ideas and strategies. "Her meritocratic court saw the rise of men like John Dee, one of the most well-read persons in Europe who envisioned an English Empire, and Sir Francis Drake, the man who circumnavigated the world, raising the morale of his nation". The fact that Britian was an Island acted as a natural barrier, protecting her from Continental powers. British scholars created an intellectual climate encouraging inquiry and innovation.
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(4) Brit-Am Note on John Dee and "British Israel." Incidentally, John Dee (1570s) allegedly believed the English were descended from Israelites. Sir Francis Drake referred to the British Realm as Israel or “The New Jerusalem.” Dee had met in Prague with the leading Jewish Rabbi (Rabbi Judah Lowe, the "Maharal") who was one of the greatest Jewish philosophers of all time. Francis Drake also had close contacts with the descendants of Jewish refugees from Spain.
(5) Marcus Gibson. Geography and Social Enabling.
Marcus Gibson also stresses the importance of being an island, and not being invaded for the past 1,000 years. Relative freedom to think for oneself encouraged the expression of individual talent and tolerance. He points out that "most ground-breaking innovations are created by one or two individuals." This led to Britain becoming "a world leader in literature, military engineering, industry, finance and so much more."
Britain had natural advantages: "The Romans invaded England because it was rich - rich in sheep - even today the UK has half of all Europe's sheep - and by far the richest source of metals, above all in Cornwall and Wales."
Protected by the Royal Navy, Britain in the 1700s became the wealthiest nation in the world. "Napoleon was eventually defeated due to the enormous payments made [by Britain] to his opponents' armies - Prussia, Austria and Russia - to keep fighting, even after numerous defeats over 30 years." A surplus of wealth was created utilized by financiers and merchants in the City of London as well as wealthy aristocrats willing to take risks. This in the 1700s led to the first "manufacturing and engineering industries based on canals and then coal, and then railways." An appreciation for Research into new processes and possibilitiersw was also a factor.
In this too, geography was important. "The gigantic reserves, of steam coal and iron ore located close together, copper, slate (Wales roofed the world), good farmland, half decent rainfall (London only gets 25 inches pa), and Portland stone gave the UK huge advantages."
The influence of the British overseas included that of Diplomacy. "Most of the world's borders were set by the British."
Even as late as WW2, "Britain outproduced both Germany and Soviet Russia in every category of war material, eg aircraft, ships, tracked vehicles, steel, ammunition, except tanks. Along the way it invented pencillin, which has saved more lives than any other drug), radar ('radar won the war; the atom bomb ended it'), modern cryptography, electronic warfare, and the riskiest-ever war campaign: D-Day."
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(6) Ralph Berger. Science.
Ralph Berger attributes much of ther greatness of Britain to science. This led to "steam power and the industrial revolution, which in turn led to greater wealth, and wealth always leads to greater power." Relative freedom of opportunity was also an influence.
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(7) Pat McCormack. Imitation, Innovation, and Aggression.
Pat McCormack attributes some aspects of British Greatness to staying out of the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) that affected much of Europe; borrowing cannon forging techniques from the Ottoman Turks; an innovative credit system/ stock exchange; the use of science; and an aggressive foriegn policy, "There are only some twenty two polities on Earth that the British did not attack. "
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(8) Alexander Lovatte. Financial Adroitness.
Alexander Lovatte emphasizes the adroit use of financial services, exemplified by the Rothchild Banking family and goverment policies.
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(9) Hannah Madden. Geography and the Trade Winds.
Hannah Madden stresses the importance of the British location, and being an island: This lent natural protection to be enhanced by the creation of a navy.
"Then, there was the proximity to the Americas, and the trade-winds."
Britain primary access to the “New World” colonies in North America, while France and Spain were stuck more with the longer routes to to the South.
Accordingly, Britain was able to excel by putting most of its industry into naval endeavors, and capitalize on this new opportunity, as well as the military advantage that its location.
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(10) William Stewart. Human Factors, Geography, but "Nobody Really knows."
William Stewart sees the British advantage leading to Greatness in relative greater human economic development from the very beginning.
"Britain was the first to industrialize, which gave it an advantage. ... By the middle of the 19th century Britain accounted for 23% of global industrial production." Other factors include "an educated population and lots of coal. "
The bottom line however is that "nobody really knows, there are lots of theories but few stand up to scrutiny."
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4. The Ten Tribes in Prophecy.
It was prophesied that the Lost Ten Tribes and especially Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) would be immensely populous (Genesis 15:5, 22:17, 24:60, 32:12, Numbers 23:10, Isaiah 10:22, 26:15 Hosea 1:10), wealthy with both agricultural advantages (Genesis 27:28, 49:25, Deuteronomy 33:13-16 Hoshea 2:8), and mineral resources (Genesis 49:25, Deuteronomy 33:13, 15), as well as being powerful (Numbers : 24:7-9, Micah 5:7-9, Deuteronomy 33:27, 33:29, Jeremiah 51:20-21, Zechariah 10:7) on a world scale. Relatively speaking they would do justice and establish principles of righteousness throughout the world (Genesis 18:18-19, Isaiah 42:1, 6, Amos 5:15). These blessings along with others came to fruition in Western Nations of Israelite descent. Great Britain and the USA were especially blessed in this regard.
As noted, Divine Providence works through nature and the right combination of circumstance. Prosaic reasons for the greatness of Britain listed in the above opinions included:
Geography:
Britain being an island and thus relatively free from invasion and foreign interference.
Being placed in the Atlantic Ocean close to the major Trade Winds.
This led to:
Taking advantage of the above and developing a powerful Navy and using it.
Having a fertile soil suitable for grain, agriculture in general, and sheep.
Mineral reserves: coal, shale, iron ore, etc. [In Ancient Times copper and tin with gold in Ireland].
This led to:
At first they benefited from the wool and linen industries, then to Innovations such as the steam engine and railways to take advantage of the mineral reserves, then to the cotton mills, etc.
It had been prophesied that the Lost Ten Tribes would be centered in Islands.
Isaiah 24:15, 49:6, 60:9, Jeremiah 31: 9-10.
Isaiah 24:
15 Therefore glorify the LORD in the dawning light [Hebrew: "ba-urim", literally fires].
The name of the LORD God of Israel in the Isles [Hebrew" Ee-ay" i.e. Isles] of the sea.
Isaiah 60:
9 Surely the islands [Hebrew: eyim i.e. Isles] shall wait for Me;
And the ships of Tarshish will come first,
To bring your sons from afar,
Their silver and their gold with them,
To the name of the LORD your God,
And to the Holy One of Israel,
Because He has glorified you [Isaiah 60:9].
Jeremiah 31:
...For I am a Father to Israel,
And Ephraim is My firstborn.
10 Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,
He who scattered Israel will gather him,
And keep him as a shepherd does his flock (Jeremiah 31: 9-10).
It had also been foretold that they should come back from the region of Tarshish meaning via the Atlantic Ocean.
Tarshish (Atlantic Ocean Area):
Isaiah 60:
9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me;
And the ships of Tarshish will come first,
To bring your sons from afar,
Their silver and their gold with them,
To the name of the LORD your God,
And to the Holy One of Israel,
Because He has glorified you [Isaiah 60:9].
It had also been prophesied that they should be at the End(s) of the Earth meaning at the geographical extremities and in the best (most salubrious) part of them. Rabbi Manasseh ben Yisrael in the 1600s pointed out that in French England is referred to as "Angleterre" meaning "End of the Earth."
Isaiah 41:
8 But you, Israel, are My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
The descendants of Abraham My friend.
9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its farthest regions [Hebrew: "Atsilayah" i.e. most noble portions],
And said to you,
You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away.
Agricultural Plenty:
Genesis 27:28 49:25, Deuteronomy 33:13-16, Hosea 2:8.
Genesis 27:
28 Therefore may God give you
Of the dew of heaven,
Of the fatness of the earth,
And plenty of grain and wine.
They would benefit from a fertile environment with mineral resources:
Genesis 49:
25 By the God of your father who will help you,
And by the Almighty who will bless you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
.
Deuteronomy 33:
13 And of Joseph he said:
Blessed of the LORD is his land,
With the precious things of heaven, with the dew,
And the deep lying beneath,
14 With the precious fruits of the sun,
With the precious produce of the months.
They would be in many waters i.e. several oceans.:
Numbers 24:
7 He shall pour water from his buckets,
And his seed shall be in many waters.
His king shall be higher than Agag,
And his kingdom shall be exalted.
They would be seafarers:
Isaiah 42:
10 Sing to the LORD a new song,
And His praise from the ends of the earth,
You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
You Islands [Hebrew "iyim" sometimes translated as "coastlands"] and you inhabitants of them!.
They would Rule Over OTHER Peoples:
Genesis 48:
19 But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.
# shall become a multitude of nations #: In Hebrew "malo hagoim" or literally the fullness of nations" i.e. They will complete the Peoples, i.e. ensure their existence. Onkelos translates this as saying that his seed will rule over the nations.
Ephraim was to become a ruler of other peoples!
cf. Psalms 47:
3 He will subdue the peoples under us,
And the nations under our feet.
4 He will choose our inheritance for us,
The excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah
Numerous other proofs exists al of which can apply only to the British Isles or to Britain together with the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and in some cases other parts of Western Europe.
For example,
Ends of the Earth: Deuteronomy 33:13 on, Isaiah 24:16, 26:15, 41:8-9 43;6 49:6.
Brit-Am: Isaiah 42:6, 49:8, Covenant of the People.
Be the Dominant World Power: (Balak, Ephraim): Numbers 24:7-9, Micah 5:7-9.
Military Power: Deuteronomy 33:27, 33:29, Jeremiah 51:20-21 (battle-ax), Zechariah 10:7.
Defeat Edom (Germany and Europe): Ezekiel 25:14, Obadiah 1:18.
Light for the Gentiles: Genesis 12:2-3, 18:18-19, 22:18 24:4, Isaiah 42:1, 42:6, Amos 6:15
GATE(s) OF YOUR ENEMIES (Major International Strategic Points): Genesis 22:17, 24:60.
John Bull (Bull-Calf): Deuteronomy 33:17, Jeremiah 31:18, "Aegel" pronounced as "Angle."
Nobility - Ephraim: Jeremiah 31:20.
Dolmens deligneating a Pathway of Migration fromthe Holy Land: Jeremiah 31:21.
Kings (Monarchical Government): Genesis 17:6, 16, 35:11.
Gomer: Hosea chapter one.
The name Hebrew: Genesis 14:13 Genesis 14:13 (on Joseph), 39:17, 40:15, 41:12, 43:32, Jonah 1:9.
Jacob: Isaiah 49:6 "Tribes of Jacob": Union Jack, Yankee, King James.
Represented by the Lion and Unicorn: Numbers 24:7-9.
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5. Ephraim as an Intellectual Researcher?
Several of the above answers noted the contribution of individual intellectual inquiries and a climate conducive to it. Taking advantage of what had been given by Geography, etc., needed a people who were open to new ideas or at least did not usually look down upon those who had them. The British on the whole may not be an intellectual race but they appreciate cerebral effort and allow independent thinkers and researchers to function.
This may be hinted at in the verse:
Psalm 60:
7 (9) Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My Lawgiver.
"Ephraim also is the helmet of My head," in Hebrew it says Ephraim "maoz roshi" i.e. literally "the strength, or stronghold, of my head," but according to the modern commentary "Daat Mikra" it means "My Chief Stronghold." Nevertheless the head with its brain-power may also have been intended. In Biblical Exegesis several meanings may be applicable to expressions and verses at one and the same time. In Biblical similitude the seat of thought is the heart or the kidneys. The brain or head is not recalled in this context. Even so, that is where the brain is and that is where thought is felt in reality to come from. Not only that but in later Rabbinical Spiritual writings, often based on Biblical verses, the HEAD is indeed considered the initiator of thought.
It could indicate intellectual endeavor. The British had intellectuals and entrepreneurs. They searched for new processes and opportunities and for new understandings of the world around them. The expression could be translated to say, "Ephraim is my Thinker, who cerebrates and researches on my behalf!"
In addition to this, the trading instincts of the British People were combined with an aggressive foreign policy. The British were fair. They believed in basic human dignity. They offered the opportunity through Free Trade to compete on equal terms. Concerning the British Empire, in many cases British Rule was better for the majority of subjects than untrammeled rule by their own potentates. The British had laws and legal principles and abided by them. Procedures were predictable and not arbitrary. They did not break agreements. They paid allies to fight for them or alongside them.
All this and more helped make Britain a Great Country at one stage ruling directly over a quarter of the world surface and indirectly very influential concerning what happened in much of the rest.
See Also: