Different Tasks Need Different Blessings
Contents:
1. Abraham.
2. Isaac.
3. Esau and Jacob.
4. Jacob becomes Israel.
5. The Twelve Sons of Israel and the Birthright.
6. Joseph.
Ephraim and Manasseh.
7. NATIONAL GOALS.
8. JOSEPH AND THE TASK OF LOST ISRAEL.
9. OTHER SONS OF JOSEPH?
10. Prevalence of Ephraim.
11. The Blessings were Unconditional!
12. Britain and Western Europe and North America Promised to Abraham!
13. The Different Covenants of Abraham.
14. Ten Tribes to Inherit Bashan, Gilead, Lebanon!
15. Manasseh to Predominate in Some Ways!
16. JOSEPH RULES OVER OTHER PEOPLES.
THE REST OF THE WORLD CANNOT DO WITHOUT JOSEPH!
"THE FULLNESS OF THE NATIONS"
17. "A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES."
18. The Blessings Are IRREVERSIBLE.
1. Abraham.
The Promised Blessings began with Abraham. He was the first Patriarch and to him was it promised to become, "A GREAT NATION, AND IN YOU WILL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED" (Genesis 12:2-3). "AND I WILL MAKE MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THEE, AND WILL MULTIPLY THEE EXCEEDINGLY" (Genesis 17:2). "I WILL MAKE NATIONS OF THEE AND KINGS SHALL COME OUT OF THEE; AND I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THEE AND THY SEED AFTER THEE IN THEIR GENERATIONS FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, TO BE A GOD UNTO THEE, AND TO THY SEED AFTER THEE" (Genesis 17:6-7).
2. Isaac.
Abraham begat Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael traditionally was the forefather of many of the Arabs. Isaac received the covenant promise and to him devolved the promised blessings: "MY COVENANT WILL I ESTABLISH WITH ISAAC" (Genesis 17:21); "I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH HIM FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, AND WITH HIS SEED AFTER HIM" (Genesis 17:19). God informed Abraham, "IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED" (Genesis 21:21).
3. Esau and Jacob.
Isaac begat the twins Esau and Jacob. Of Esau it was foretold, "BY THY SWORD SHALT THOU LIVE, AND SHALT SERVE THY BROTHER" (Genesis 27:40). Esau became ancestor to the founder settlers of early Rome and to part of the German people (Megilla 6), as well as to part of the ruling elite in Continental Europe, and possibly also to the founders of the China and Japan..
"AND ESAU HATED JACOB BECAUSE OF THE BLESSING WHERE WITH HIS FATHER BLESSED HIM" (Genesis 27:41).
Some of the anti-Semitic so-called "Identity" reprobates and their ilk are descended from Esau and from Canaanites. If it was not for these treacherous elements and their wicked agenda the truth of what we are saying in this work would have been more widely accepted and at the least seriously considered in many circles some time ago. What they accuse the Jews of being is what they are. They themselves are the servants of Satan and the seed of Darkness and Perdition.
4. Jacob becomes Israel.
Jacob received the Blessings promised to Abraham and to Isaac. The Children of Jacob were to become the Chosen People. Isaac blessed Jacob, "GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS THEE, AND MAKE THEE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY THEE, THAT THOU MAYEST BE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE; AND GIVE THEE THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM, TO THEE AND TO THY SEED WITH THEE" (Genesis 28:2-3).
Jacob was given the additional name ISRAEL, "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" (Genesis 32:8). "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" (Genesis 35:10). Jacob (Israel) had Twelve Sons, "NOW THE SONS OF JACOB WERE TWELVE" (Genesis 36:22).
5. The Twelve Sons of Israel and the Birthright.
The TWELVE SONS OF ISRAEL were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. All the sons of Israel received a Blessing from their father, "EVERYONE ACCORDING TO HIS BLESSING HE BLESSED THEM" (Genesis 49:28). In addition to the individual blessing given to each one there existed the Natural Right of Leadership and the Birthright. The Natural Right of Leadership was to involve Judah who provided the House of David and was to receive the task of Lawgiver. The Birthright, in effect, meant the reception of those same blessings given to all the Tribes but in greater quantity and intensity. It also indicated a natural right to a certain predominance -and a two-fold portion in the inheritance.
1-Chronicles (NKJV) 5:
1 NOW THE SONS OF REUBEN THE FIRSTBORN OF ISRAEL. HE WAS INDEED THE FIRSTBORN, BUT BECAUSE HE DEFILED HIS FATHER'S BED, HIS BIRTHRIGHT WAS GIVEN TO THE SONS OF JOSEPH, THE SON OF ISRAEL, SO THAT THE GENEALOGY IS NOT LISTED ACCORDING TO THE BIRTHRIGHT; 2 YET JUDAH PREVAILED OVER HIS BROTHERS, AND FROM HIM CAME A RULER, ALTHOUGH THE BIRTHRIGHT WAS JOSEPH'S.
6. Joseph.
Jacob blessed Joseph, "THE BLESSINGS OF THY FATHER HAVE PREVAILED ABOVE THE BLESSINGS OF MY PROGENITORS UNTO THE UTMOST BOUND OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS: THEY SHALL BE ON THE HEAD OF JOSEPH, AND ON THE CROWN OF HIM THAT WAS SEPARATED FROM HIS BRETHREN" (Genesis 49:6).
We have here an indication that Joseph beyond merely receiving an extra portion as if he were the firstborn also has an ADDITIONAL TASK AND MERIT and as if in some way he will also represent all of Israel.
This idea is mentioned by Rabbi Yeshayahu ben Avraham Ha-Levi Horowitz (c. 1555 - 1630, student of Rabbi Moses Isserles, precursor of Hasidic thought, ancestor of Rabbi Tsadok of Lublin), in "Shnei Lukot HaBrit" 2;22;a:
"JOSEPH HAS THE ASPECT OF JACOB ABOVE THE OTHER TRIBES, HE IS JOSEPH AND HIS TWO SONS EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH".
Ephraim and Manasseh.
Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Menasseh. Both Ephraim and Menasseh received the status of full Tribes in their own right. Jacob said:
# THY TWO SONS, EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH, ARE MINE; AS REUBEN AND SIMEON, THEY SHALL BE MINE## (Genesis 48:5). This meant that they should be counted as Tribes amongst the brothers of Joseph. Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, "THE ANGEL WHICH REDEEMED ME FROM ALL EVIL, BLESS THE LADS; AND LET MY NAME BE NAMED ON THEM, AND THE NAME OF MY FATHERS ABRAHAM AND ISAAC; AND LET THEM GROW INTO A MULTITUDE IN THE MIDST OF THE EARTH" (Genesis 48:16). "AND HE BLESSED THEM THAT DAY, SAYING, IN THEE SHALL ISRAEL BLESS SAYING, GOD MAKE THEE AS EPHRAIM AND AS MENASSEH: AND HE SET EPHRAIM BEFORE MENASSEH" (Genesis 48:20).
The prevalence of Ephraim is repeated in Jeremiah (31:9), "I AM A FATHER TO ISRAEL, AND EPHRAIM IS MY FIRSTBORN". Nonetheless towards the End Times (perhaps in our days) there was to be a stage in which Manasseh would be preeminent.
7. NATIONAL GOALS.
The blessings were concomitant with a Divine Purpose. Of Abraham it was said, "ABRAHAM SHALL SURELY BECOME A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION, AND ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIM. FOR I KNOW HIM THAT HE WILL COMMAND HIS CHILDREN AND HIS HOUSE AFTER HIM, AND THEY SHALL KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGEMENT; THAT THE LORD MAY BRING UPON ABRAHAM THAT WHICH HE HATH SPOKEN OF HIM" (Genesis 18:18-19).
The task of performing "JUSTICE AND JUDGEMENT" after becoming "A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION" through which all the nations of the earth would be blessed devolved upon Joseph. Tens of millions (if not hundreds of millions) of people throughout the world have not starved to death or massacred each other only because the "Anglo-Saxon" nations saved them. The only real restraint on tyranny anywhere today is that exercised by these countries.
The quality of Empathic Consideration (Chesed) was associated with the Northern Kingdom in which the Tribe of Joseph was paramount. "WE HAVE HEARD THAT THE KINGS OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL ARE MERCIFUL KINGS", said servants of the King of Syria (1-Kings 20:31).
The Prophet Amos condemned Judah for not keeping the Law. He also condemned "Israel", meaning the Ten Tribes, "BECAUSE THEY SOLD THE RIGHTEOUS FOR SILVER" (Amos 1:4-6).
Amos (NKJV) 2:
4 THUS SAYS THE LORD:
FOR THREE TRANSGRESSIONS OF JUDAH, AND FOR FOUR,
I WILL NOT TURN AWAY ITS PUNISHMENT,
BECAUSE THEY HAVE DESPISED THE LAW OF THE LORD,
AND HAVE NOT KEPT HIS COMMANDMENTS.
THEIR LIES LEAD THEM ASTRAY,
LIES WHICH THEIR FATHERS FOLLOWED.
5 BUT I WILL SEND A FIRE UPON JUDAH,
AND IT SHALL DEVOUR THE PALACES OF JERUSALEM.
6 THUS SAYS THE LORD:
FOR THREE TRANSGRESSIONS OF ISRAEL, AND FOR FOUR,
I WILL NOT TURN AWAY ITS PUNISHMENT,
BECAUSE THEY SELL THE RIGHTEOUS FOR SILVER,
AND THE POOR FOR A PAIR OF SANDALS.
7 THEY PANT AFTER THE DUST OF THE EARTH WHICH IS ON THE HEAD OF THE POOR,
AND PERVERT THE WAY OF THE HUMBLE.
A great Rabbinical Authority (the "Natziv," Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin, 1816 - 1893) explained that keeping the Law was the special forte of Judah and therefore it was expected of him. When he failed to fulfill the expectation he became liable. The Ten Tribes on the other hand, had never been noted as scripturally observant but they had been known for empathic consideration of others (Chesed). When, through selling the righteous for silver, their level of Social Justice fell and they too became liable.
In their Places of exile and re-settlement it would seem that Social Justice is still expected from the Ten Tribes. "HATE THE EVIL AND LOVE THE GOOD, AND ESTABLISH JUDGEMENT IN THE GATE: IT MAY BE THAT THE LORD GOD OF HOSTS WILL BE GRACIOUS UNTO THE REMNANT OF JOSEPH" (Amos 6:15).
8. JOSEPH AND THE TASK OF LOST ISRAEL.
The blessing to Abraham involved becoming "A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION" IN WHICH ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH WOULD BE BLESSED AND WHICH WOULD DO "JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT" (Genesis 18:18-19). Becoming mighty was a prerequisite to becoming a blessing to other nations and doing justice. The use of force and the possession of means enabling its use (if needed) were necessary to become a civilizing influence. Since the quality of Social Justice and mercy was special to Northern Israel so too does it follow that the necessary MIGHT and Greatness be theirs and these qualities were also promised to them.
The Ten Tribes are often referred to collectively as "Joseph" or "Ephraim". Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt. He rose to become an effective ruler of the land and second only to Pharaoh (Genesis chapters 39-41, 41:41-44). As ruler of Egypt, Joseph saved much of the world from famine (Genesis 41:57) and changed the Egyptian economic and social order (Gen. 47:19-26). Joseph was unknown to his brothers at first and not identified by them (Gen. 42:8). They referred to him as "THE MAN, THE LORD OF THE COUNTRY" (Gen. 42:33). This situation had been necessary in order for Joseph to fulfill that task allocated him by Divine Providence, "GOD MEANT IT UNTO GOOD, TO BRING TO PASS AS IT IS THIS DAY, TO SAVE MUCH PEOPLE ALIVE" (Genesis 50:20). Similarly, the goal required of the Lost Tribes needed that their membership in Spiritual Israel (and therefore their obligations under the Mosaic Law) be temporarily suspended - as it were.
According to the Talmud the Lost Ten Tribes were legally classified as "GENTILES TO ALL EXTENTS AND PURPOSES" (Yebamot 17a). This determination of status by Rabbinic Authority was preceded by Biblical indications:-
"BACKSLIDING ISRAEL HAD COMMITTED ADULTERY, I HAD PUT HER AWAY AND GIVEN HER A BILL OF DIVORCE" (Jeremiah 3:8). Likewise the Prophet Hosea, referring to the Lost Tribes of the Kingdom of Israel, echoed, "YE ARE NOT MY PEOPLE AND I WILL NOT BE YOUR GOD" (Hosea 1:9).
At some time in the future this situation is destined to be changed and "IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID UNTO THEM, YE ARE NOT MY PEOPLE, THERE IT SHALL BE SAID UNTO THEM, YE ARE THE SONS OF THE LIVING GOD" (Hosea 1:10).
9. OTHER SONS OF JOSEPH?
When Jacob blessed Joseph he said, "YOUR TWO SONS EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH ARE MINE, AS REUBEN AND SIMEON, THEY SHALL BE MINE. AND YOUR OFFSPRING, WHICH YOU BEGET AFTER THEM, SHALL BE YOURS AND SHALL BE CALLED AFTER THE NAME OF THEIR BROTHERS IN THEIR INHERITANCE" (Genesis 48:5-6).
In other words Jacob said that Ephraim and Manasseh would be the forefathers of separate Tribes each in his own right. Other sons that would be born later to Joseph were to be attached to either Ephraim or Manasseh. It follows from this that Joseph had other sons who were absorbed amongst Ephraim and Manasseh. This was also the opinion of such commentators as Nachmanides and Iben Ezra. [Rashi however disagrees and says that Joseph only had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.] Some of the people listed in the Bible (in the Book of Chronicles) as belonging to Ephraim and Manasseh may actually have been other sons of Joseph whom the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh later absorbed. [This would explain apparent anomalies between different sources.] It appears that most of the other sons of Joseph were absorbed amongst Manasseh and counted to Manasseh. Portions of Ephraim and of other tribes (such as Asher) were also apparently later assimilated amongst Manasseh.
10. Prevalence of Ephraim.
Ephraim was younger than Manasseh yet he received a greater blessing than Manasseh.
Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, "THE ANGEL WHICH REDEEMED ME FROM ALL EVIL, BLESS THE LADS; AND LET MY NAME BE NAMED ON THEM, AND THE NAME OF MY FATHERS ABRAHAM AND ISAAC; AND LET THEM GROW INTO A MULTITUDE IN THE MIDST OF THE EARTH," (Genesis 48:16). "AND HE BLESSED THEM THAT DAY, SAYING, IN THEE SHALL ISRAEL BLESS SAYING, GOD MAKE THEE AS EPHRAIM AND AS MANASSEH: AND HE SET EPHRAIM BEFORE MANASSEH" (Genesis 48:20).
The prevalence of Ephraim is repeated in Jeremiah (31:9),
"I AM A FATHER TO ISRAEL, AND EPHRAIM IS MY FIRSTBORN".
11. The Blessings were Unconditional.
The Promised Blessings were unconditional, "BY MYSELF HATH I SWORN, SAITH THE LORD...THAT IN BLESSING I WILL BLESS THEE AND IN MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY THY SEED..." (Genesis 28:15). "GOD IS NOT A MAN NEITHER THE SON OF MAN THAT HE SHOULD REPENT. HE HATH BLESSED AND I CANNOT REVERSE IT" (Numbers 23:19-20).
An analysis of the blessing to Abraham indicate a division between the types of blessings received, at least at the interim level. Abraham was promised that he would become a great and mighty nation and an exceedingly populous one. Kings of peoples would come out of him. All peoples of the earth would be blessed in him. Receiving the blessings was both a reward and a prerequisite. Abraham would need to become a great and might nation IN ORDER TO be a blessing other peoples. As a reward for doing what he had to he would then receive further blessings of the same kind.
Ultimately these blessings were given unconditionally.
Abraham had also been promised that he would receive the Land of Canaan. This however was conditioned on belief in God, circumcision, and Keeping the Law.
At first Abraham was called Abram.
Genesis 12:
1 NOW THE LORD SAID TO ABRAM,
GO FORTH FROM YOUR COUNTRY,
AND FROM YOUR RELATIVES
AND FROM YOUR FATHER'S HOUSE,
TO THE LAND WHICH I WILL SHOW YOU;
2 AND I WILL MAKE YOU A GREAT NATION,
AND I WILL BLESS YOU,
AND MAKE YOUR NAME GREAT;
AND SO YOU SHALL BE A BLESSING;
3 AND I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU,
AND THE ONE WHO CURSES YOU I WILL CURSE.
AND IN YOU ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED.
We see here Abraham being promised to become a great nation, and a source of blessing to others.
The Land of Canaan through which Abraham was passing was also promised to him.
Genesis 12:
7 THE LORD APPEARED TO ABRAM AND SAID, TO YOUR DESCENDANTS I WILL GIVE THIS LAND. SO HE BUILT AN ALTAR THERE TO THE LORD WHO HAD APPEARED TO HIM.
This promise was repeated and added to an enormous number of physical descendants.
Genesis 13:
14 THE LORD SAID TO ABRAM, AFTER LOT HAD SEPARATED FROM HIM, NOW LIFT UP YOUR EYES AND LOOK FROM THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE, NORTHWARD AND SOUTHWARD AND EASTWARD AND WESTWARD; 15 FOR ALL THE LAND WHICH YOU SEE, I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU AND TO YOUR DESCENDANTS FOREVER. 16 I WILL MAKE YOUR DESCENDANTS AS THE DUST OF THE EARTH, SO THAT IF ANYONE CAN NUMBER THE DUST OF THE EARTH, THEN YOUR DESCENDANTS CAN ALSO BE NUMBERED. 17 ARISE, WALK ABOUT THE LAND THROUGH ITS LENGTH AND BREADTH; FOR I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU.
The Promise of an exceedingly great number of descendants was again repeated.
Genesis 15:
5 AND HE TOOK HIM OUTSIDE AND SAID, NOW LOOK TOWARD THE HEAVENS, AND COUNT THE STARS, IF YOU ARE ABLE TO COUNT THEM. AND HE SAID TO HIM, SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.
There follows dialogue, Abraham falls asleep and has a vision concerning the subjugation of Israelites in Egypot followed by other Exiles, and then again the Land is mentioned.
The Promise of inheriting the Land was too repeated but separately from that concerning an exceedingly great number of descendants.
Genesis 15:
18 ON THAT DAY THE LORD MADE A COVENANT WITH ABRAM, SAYING,
TO YOUR DESCENDANTS I HAVE GIVEN THIS LAND,
FROM THE RIVER OF EGYPT AS FAR AS THE GREAT RIVER, THE RIVER EUPHRATES:
19 THE KENITE AND THE KENIZZITE AND THE KADMONITE
20 AND THE HITTITE AND THE PERIZZITE AND THE REPHAIM
21 AND THE AMORITE AND THE CANAANITE AND THE GIRGASHITE AND THE JEBUSITE.
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12. Britain and Western Europe and North America Promised to Abraham!
Ten Canaanite nations are listed here whose lands are promised to Abraham.
When the Israelites actually inherited the Land they received the Lands of ONLY seven Canaanite Nations.
The peoples whose lands they did not inherit were the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite (Genesis 15:19, cf. Deuteronomy 7: 1).
Deuteronomy (NASB) 7:
1 WHEN THE LORD YOUR GOD BRINGS YOU INTO THE LAND WHERE YOU ARE ENTERING TO TAKE POSSESSION OF IT, AND HE DRIVES AWAY MANY NATIONS FROM BEFORE YOU, THE HITTITES, THE GIRGASHITES, THE AMORITES, THE CANAANITES, THE PERIZZITES, THE HIVITES, AND THE JEBUSITES, SEVEN NATIONS GREATER AND MIGHTIER THAN YOU.
The areas of the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite will be added on to the Land of Israel and given to Israelites in the End Times.
A very great and renowned Rabbi, the "Hatam Sofer" (Rabbi Moses Schreiber, 1762-1839), said that the Lands of the Three Nations that will belong to Israel in the End Times are those of Western Europe:
# IT SEEMS TO ME, MAY HASHEM EXPAND OUR BORDER QUICKLY IN OUR DAYS, FOR THEN ALL THE ISLES AND ISLANDS THAT ARE IN THE GREAT SEA OPPOSITE THE LAND OF ISRAEL TO THE WESTERN LIMIT OF THE OKEANOS [ATLANTIC OCEAN] ALL OF IT SHALL BELONG TO THE LAND OF ISRAEL, AND STUDY THE SOURCE [IN THE TALMUD], GITTIN 8A, AND IN TOSAFOT WHERE IT BEGINS SAID RABBI YEHUDAH. INDISPUTABLY ALL THIS IS PART OF THE [LANDS GIVEN TO] TEN PEOPLES... # Commentary to the Talmud, Baitsa 4b.
He was the effective Jewish religious Authority in his time:
Sofer, Rabbi Moshe (The Chasam Sofer)
by OU Staff
https://www.ou.org/judaism-101/bios/leaders-in-the-diaspora/rabbi-moshe-sofer-the-chasam-sofer/
# WHAT WAS THE POWER OF THE CHASAM SOFER? IT WAS HIS SENSE THAT HE REPRESENTED THE JEWISH PEOPLE OF HIS GENERATION. THIS HISTORIC SENSE MANIFESTED ITSELF IN MANY WAYS. FOR EXAMPLE, HIS SON, RABBI SHIMON SOFER ONCE ASKED HIM HOW HE COULD RESPOND TO COMPLEX HALACHIC QUESTIONS SO RAPIDLY? TO WHICH THE CHASAM SOFER REPLIED THAT IN EACH GENERATION G-D SENDS AN INDIVIDUAL TO GUIDE HIS PEOPLE. SINCE MOST QUESTIONS COME TO HIM HE MUST BE THAT PERSON IN THIS GENERATION. THEREFORE, EVEN IF THE RATIONALE HE GAVE FOR A RULING COULD BE REFUTED, THE RULING ITSELF WAS CORRECT SINCE IT WAS DIVINELY DIRECTED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION HE WROTE THAT IN 40 YEARS OF DECIDING HALACHIC QUESTIONS HE CHANGED HIS MIND ONLY TWICE AND EVEN IN THOSE TWO INSTANCES HE SHOULD NOT HAVE REVERSED HIMSELF. #
One source expressly includes England in this equation.
Levushi Mordecai (by Rabbi Mordechai Leib Winkler, 1845-1932).
Part Three, Yorei Daeah, 49.
# I HEARD FROM MY RABBI AND TEACHER... WHO HEARD FROM THE HOLY MOUTH OF OUR TEACHER, THE HATAM SOFER, CONCERNING THE BORDERS OF THE LAND [OF ISRAEL IN THE FUTURE]: THE COUNTRY OF "ENGLAND" BELONGS TO THE ISLANDS OF THE HOLY LAND.... IT IS KNOWN WHAT IS SAID IN MIDRASHIM THAT JERUSALEM IS DESTINED TO EXPAND LIKE THE WHOLE OF LAND OF ISRAEL [IS NOW] WHILE THE LAND OF ISRAEL SHALL INCREASE [IN SIZE] GREATLY... #
See:
Predicted Hebrew Islands.
Were the British Isles and North America Promised to Become Israelite?
https://hebrewnations.com/articles/rabbi/sofer.html
Atlantic Britain.
The British Isles are Considered Israelite!
https://hebrewnations.com/articles/rabbi/atlantic.html
This identification also includes North America, France, and other areas.
See:
Lost Israel Revealed!
https://hebrewnations.com/articles/rabbi/ttsrevealed.html
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13. The Different Covenants of Abraham.
Meanwhile Abraham had begat Ishmael from Hagar a handmaiden of Sarah.
THE ALMIGHTY SAYS THAT ISHMAEL WILL BECOME A GREAT NATIONS BUT THE cOVENANT IS WITH ISAAC.
The Almighty later appeared to Abraham.
He changes his name from Abram to Abraham;
He speaks of a covenant;
A great number of people will come from Abraham.
A multitude of nations.
Nations and kings will come from him.
The Land of Canaan will be given to Abraham.
Every male needs to be circumcised.
Sarai the wife of Abraham will have her name changed to Sarah.
Nations and Kings of peoples will come from her.
Ishmael the son of Hagar will also become a great nation but the covenant is to be with the son of Sarah who when he is born is to be named Isaac.
In Genesis 17:1-19 He is told MY COVENANT IS WITH YOU,
AND YOU WILL BE THE FATHER OF A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS.
his name is changed from Abram to Abraham. He is promised
to become THE FATHER OF A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS.
6 I WILL MAKE YOU EXCEEDINGLY FRUITFUL, AND I WILL MAKE NATIONS OF YOU, AND KINGS WILL COME FORTH FROM YOU. He is also promised to inherit the Land of Canaan and required to circumcise his flesh.
Genesis 17:
1 NOW WHEN ABRAM WAS NINETY-NINE YEARS OLD, THE LORD APPEARED TO ABRAM AND SAID TO HIM,
I AM GOD ALMIGHTY;
WALK BEFORE ME, AND BE BLAMELESS.
2 I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND YOU,
AND I WILL MULTIPLY YOU EXCEEDINGLY.
3 ABRAM FELL ON HIS FACE, AND GOD TALKED WITH HIM, SAYING,
4 AS FOR ME, BEHOLD, MY COVENANT IS WITH YOU,
AND YOU WILL BE THE FATHER OF A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS.
5 NO LONGER SHALL YOUR NAME BE CALLED ABRAM,
BUT YOUR NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM;
FOR I HAVE MADE YOU THE FATHER OF A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS.
6 I WILL MAKE YOU EXCEEDINGLY FRUITFUL, AND I WILL MAKE NATIONS OF YOU, AND KINGS WILL COME FORTH FROM YOU.
7 I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.
8 I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
9 God said further to Abraham, Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.
10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised.
11 And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.
13 A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.
15 Then God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
16 I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?
18 And Abraham said to God, Oh that Ishmael might live before You!
19 But God said, No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.
22 When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
It is worth noting that the Covenant of Circumcision follows the promise to inherit the land.
Later we will see that inheriting the Land, Circumcision, and Keeping the Law are bound up with each other.
The other promises are not necessarily contingent on keeping the Law.
In Genesis 17 the Almighty has repeated his promises.
A Covenant is to be made with Abraham.
He shall be numerous and bring forth nations and kings.
The Land of Canaan will be given him for an everlasting possession BUT it appears to be linked to the covenant of circumcision which again is mentioned before it in a preconditional sense.
Sarah will be "a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."
This means several nations existing at one and the same time will come from Sarah. Kings will rule over them (or most of them). IN addition kings of other nations may also be descended from her even though their subjects (in some cases) are not.
In Chapter 18 God makes a statement concerning the blessings he shall bestow on Abraham and their purpose.
GENESIS 18:
17 THE LORD SAID, SHALL I HIDE FROM ABRAHAM WHAT I AM ABOUT TO DO, 18 SINCE ABRAHAM WILL SURELY BECOME A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION, AND IN HIM ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED?
19 FOR I HAVE CHOSEN HIM, SO THAT HE MAY COMMAND HIS CHILDREN AND HIS HOUSEHOLD AFTER HIM TO KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD BY DOING RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE, SO THAT THE LORD MAY BRING UPON ABRAHAM WHAT HE HAS SPOKEN ABOUT HIM.
Here it is emphasized that:
Abraham will become a great and might nation.
All the nations of the earth will be blessed in him.
They will "keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice."
Both Following this and as a Prerequisite to do this they shall receive the blessings.
In other words he shall
"BECOME A GREAT AND MIGHT NATION"
in order that
"ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED IN HIM."
After which he will be further rewarded.
Genesis ch.22 describes how Abraham is commanded to take his son Isaac and offer him up as a sacrifice.
Abraham prepares himself to fulfill the commandment but at the last minute is prevented by an angel.
Abraham then receives another blessing.
Genesis 22:
15 THEN THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CALLED TO ABRAHAM A SECOND TIME FROM HEAVEN, 16 AND SAID, BY MYSELF I HAVE SWORN, DECLARES THE LORD, BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE THIS THING AND HAVE NOT WITHHELD YOUR SON, YOUR ONLY SON,
17 INDEED I WILL GREATLY BLESS YOU, AND I WILL GREATLY MULTIPLY YOUR SEED AS THE STARS OF THE HEAVENS AND AS THE SAND WHICH IS ON THE SEASHORE; AND YOUR SEED SHALL POSSESS THE GATE OF THEIR ENEMIES.
18 IN YOUR SEED ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED, BECAUSE YOU HAVE OBEYED MY VOICE.
The blessing concerning becoming exceedingly populous, possessing strategic seagates and thoroughfares, and bringing a blessing to all the peoples of the earth is NOW given unconditionally.
"BY MYSELF I HAVE SWORN," i.e. without condition.
The Land is NOT mentioned since the Land is still conditional on worshipping God, the Covenant of Circumcision and Keeping the Law.
The Ten Tribes were to receive one aspect of the Blessings and its concomitant tasks and rewards whereas Judah was to receive the other. In the End Times the two parts of the Covenant of Abraham will come together.
Our understanding is that those descendants of Abraham who received the promises were the Twelve Tribes of Israel. These were to divided into the Ten Tribes (headed by Joseph) on the one hand; and on the other, Judah i.e. the Jews. The Ten Tribes were initially to receive those blessings that were not conditional whereas Judah was charged with Belief in God, Circumcision, and Keeping the Law. These were linked with inheriting the Land. This is why Judah for the time being has a greater claim on the Land than the other Tribes. In the End the two halves will re-unite and both aspects of the blessings will be fulfilled by BOTH halves of the nation.
14. Ten Tribes to Inherit Bashan, Gilead, Lebanon!
Even when the Ten Tribes do return at first they will receive those areas of the Holy Land the were primarily east of the Jordan: These were consdiered at a lower level from a religious Point of View (cf. Joshua 22:19).
Zechariah (NKJV) 10:
7 THOSE OF EPHRAIM SHALL BE LIKE A MIGHTY MAN,
AND THEIR HEART SHALL REJOICE AS IF WITH WINE.
YES, THEIR CHILDREN SHALL SEE IT AND BE GLAD;
THEIR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN THE LORD.
8 I WILL WHISTLE FOR THEM AND GATHER THEM,
FOR I WILL REDEEM THEM;
AND THEY SHALL INCREASE AS THEY ONCE INCREASED.
9 I WILL SOW THEM AMONG THE PEOPLES,
AND THEY SHALL REMEMBER ME IN FAR COUNTRIES;
THEY SHALL LIVE, TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN,
AND THEY SHALL RETURN.
10 I WILL ALSO BRING THEM BACK FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT,
AND GATHER THEM FROM ASSYRIA.
I WILL BRING THEM INTO THE LAND OF GILEAD AND LEBANON,
UNTIL NO MORE ROOM IS FOUND FOR THEM.
Micah (NKJV) 7:
12 IN THAT DAY THEY SHALL COME TO YOU
FROM ASSYRIA AND THE FORTIFIED CITIES,
FROM THE FORTRESS TO THE RIVER,
FROM SEA TO SEA,
AND MOUNTAIN TO MOUNTAIN.
13 YET THE LAND SHALL BE DESOLATE
BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO DWELL IN IT,
AND FOR THE FRUIT OF THEIR DEEDS.
14 SHEPHERD YOUR PEOPLE WITH YOUR STAFF,
THE FLOCK OF YOUR HERITAGE,
WHO DWELL SOLITARILY IN A WOODLAND,
IN THE MIDST OF CARMEL;
LET THEM FEED IN BASHAN AND GILEAD,
AS IN DAYS OF OLD.
15. Manasseh to Predominate in Some Ways!
The Land Will Be Healed
In Biblical times Manasseh received an inheritance on both the east and west sides of the Jordan. Machir and Gilead dominated the eastern side. Economically it is considered to have possibly been as important as the whole of the West Side of the Jordan.
At that time the climate was different. There were forests and immense grasslands. The Land has changed due to climatic change and ecological despoliation perpetrated by foreigners including the Romans, Turks, and Arabs. Destroy trees and vegetation coverage and you will heat up the earth, decrease precipitation, and create a desert. With enough will and effort this process could be reversed and the region could be made to flourish and support a great many people in more congenial conditions. It is hinted that indeed that this is what will happen (Ezekiel 16:55, 2-Chronicles 7:14):
cf.
[Leviticus 26:42] THEN WILL I REMEMBER MY COVENANT WITH JACOB, AND ALSO MY COVENANT WITH ISAAC, AND ALSO MY COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM WILL I REMEMBER; AND I WILL REMEMBER THE LAND.
The Northern Kingdom is often referred to as "Ephraim" since the Jeroboam the first king was from Ephraim and Ephraim was the most important tribe. In Prophecy "Ephraim" is often used as a general term for all the Ten Lost Tribes of Northern Israel.
Even so, the first capital of the Northern Kingdom was Samaria which is in the portion of Manasseh on the eastern side of the Jordan.
In the time of the judge Gideon (Judges ch.8) Ephraim fought a portion of Manasseh over the question of Tribal predominance. Ephraim lost. In the Biblical Pentateuch (i.e. the written "Torah" or Five Books of Moses) Manasseh is occasionally listed before Ephraim.
Jacob prophesied that (Genesis 48:19) Ephraim would be greater than Manasseh. The Commentary of the "NATZIV" ("Ha Emek Davar" on Genesis 48:14) analysed the subject of Ephraim and Manasseh and after noting that in their camping orders Manasseh always preceded Ephraim and in tribal listings is always counted first he concluded that the relative greatness of Ephraim was primarily spiritual and that in the Natural order of Things Manasseh would have precedence. This description to some extent is applicable to the relative situations of Britain and the USA.
The "NATZIV" Berlin ("Ha Emek Davar" Numbers 2:20:
# EVEN THOUGH EPHRAIM WAS THE CHIEF STANDARD [WHEN THE ISRAELITES WANDERED IN THE WILDERNESS] THIS WAS BECAUSE THE NATURE OF PROVIDENCE IN THE WILDERNESS WAS MIRACULOUS. THE POWER OF EPHRAIM IS GREATER REGARDING THE MIRACULOUS ASPECT OF EXISTENCE. CONCERNING THE REGULAR WAY OF THE WORLD HOWEVER MANASSEH IS GREATER.
Numbers 13:11: "OF THE TRIBE OF JOSEPH, OF THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH, GADDI THE SON OF SUSI."
The "NATZIV"on Numbers 13:11:
# SINCE THEY NOW NEEDED TO ACT ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF NATURE THE MAIN EMPHASIS WAS NOW ON MANASSEH ##.;
Genesis 48:20 "AND HE PLACED EPHRAIM BEFORE MANASSEH."
The "NATZIV"on Gnesis 48:20:
## IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS EPHRAIM HAD PRECEDENCE, BUT IN THE WAYS OF THE WORLD MANASSEH WAS PRE-EMINENT ##.16. JOSEPH RULES OVER OTHER PEOPLES.
16. THE REST OF THE WORLD CANNOT DO WITHOUT JOSEPH!
"THE FULLNESS OF THE NATIONS"
In Genesis 48:19 it says about Ephraim, "HIS SEED SHALL BECOME A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS" or in Hebrew "Maloe [= fullness] HaGoyim [= the nations]." The King James version translates Genesis 48:19: "HIS [i.e. Ephraim's] SEED SHALL BECOME A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS". In this case the translation accords with the opinion of at least one major Rabbinical Commentator, i.e. with Abraham Iben Ezra (1084-1164). The Hebrew words translated as "A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS" are "Malo-HaGoiim", "Malo" means "fullness" and "HaGoiim" means nations, i.e. "HIS SEED WILL BE THE FULLNESS OF NATIONS". What does this mean? Iben Ezra who combined a rational-spiritual and literal approach said it meant: "MANY PEOPLES WILL COME OUT OF HIM", i.e. "A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS" just like the King James later rendered it. Onkelos (1st century CE) translated the words into Aramaic as "Banohi yihon Shalitin beAmmaia", i.e. "HIS SONS SHALL BE RULERS OVER PEOPLES", or "RULERS OVER THE PEOPLES". Remember literally the verse says "his seed will be fullness of nations": The Midrash Rabah (97;7) takes an illustrative approach. The Midrash which is quoted by Rashi says that the fame or renown of his seed will be all over the world, fill up the world, as it was in the time of Joshua who caused the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:13). The rationalistic Rav Saadia Gaon said it means his seed will be full-fledged nations. Rabbi David Kinchi said the meaning is "world-filling nations". The Aramaic Paraphrase of Yehonathan ben Uzziel which stresses legendary sources says it means his seed will be famous or great among the nations. Taking all the above into cognizance we have a tendency to emphasize an interaction with the nations.
The Hebrew can actually also be translated as:
"HIS SEED WILL BE INVOLVED WITH THE FULLNESS OF THE NATIONS.
THE NATIONS WILL NEED HIM TO COMPLETE THEMSELVES.
THEY CANNOT GIVE EXPRESSION TO THEMSELVES WITHOUT HIM.
HE WILL RULE OVER THEM!!"
This agrees with Onkelos. Onkelos translated the Torah (Pentateuch) into Aramaic. Onkelos worked under the guidance of Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Joshua (Megilla 3a). He is considered to have been inspired. The translation of Onkelos at one stage was required weekly reading for every religious Jew and in some communities still is. We have proven from historical sources that many descendants from Ephraim migrated to Britain and some of these later passed over to America. Onkelos translated the expression as meaning that the seed of Ephraim would rule over the peoples, and they did and through America to a degree they still do.
17. "A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES"
An expression leading into other subjects of equal relevance is given in Isaiah 49:5-13:
"THOUGH ISRAEL BE NOT GATHERED, TO RAISE UP THE TRIBES OF JACOB, AND TO RESTORE THE PRESERVED OF ISRAEL: I WILL ALSO GIVE THEE FOR A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, THAT THOU MAYEST BE MY SALVATION UNTO THE END OF THE EARTH".
The phrase "END OF THE EARTH" is associated with The Tribes of Jacob who need to be gathered. It also uses the expression "a light to the Gentiles." This is reminiscent of the fact that despite all the mistakes, corruption, and evil that the BRITISH-DESCENDED nations may have done, they have, nevertheless, on the WHOLE, been a civilizing influence amongst the Gentiles. Modern "Western" concepts of human rights and innate dignity and so on are due to them more than to anybody else. To the extent that the Humanism of modern civilization is attributable to non-Anglo-Saxon elements then these too are usually from nationalities identified in this book as containing a significant proportion of Israelites. French, Scandinavians, Swiss, Dutch, and Jews, with the Anglo-Saxons are responsible for most of what good exists in the world today.
The quoted passage from Isaiah (49:5-13) continues: "..I WILL PRESERVE THEE, AND GIVE THEE FOR A COVENANT OF THE PEOPLE [i.e. a "BRIT-AM" in Hebrew], TO ESTABLISH THE EARTH, TO CAUSE TO INHERIT THE DESOLATE HERITAGES; THAT THOU MAY SAY TO THE PRISONERS, GO FORTH...BEHOLD THESE SHALL COME FROM AFAR: AND LO, THESE FROM THE NORTH AND FROM THE WEST; AND THESE FROM THE LAND OF SINIM. FOR THE LORD HATH COMFORTED HIS PEOPLE.."
The expression "RAISE UP THE TRIBES OF JACOB" reminds us that the nickname "Yank" referring to an American actually means Jacob! Similarly we have the Union Jack (the flag of Britain) i.e. Union (Covenant) of Jacob and the expressions "Jock" (i.e. Jack short for Jacob) meaning a Scotsman. "BRIT-AM" means "Covenant of the People", and is reminiscent of Britain, the Commonwealth, and the UNION-JACK (cf. Jacob) which in Hebrew would be rendered as Covenant of Jacob. The USA in Modern Hebrew is called "Artsot-HaBRIT" meaning literally "LANDS OF THE COVENANT".
18. The Blessings Are IRREVERSIBLE.
The Blessings could not be annulled for reason of the promise given to Abraham, "BY MYSELF HATH I SWORN SAITH THE LORD...THAT IN BLESSING I WILL BLESS THEE AND IN MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY THY SEED AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN, AND AS THE SAND WHICH IS UPON THE SEA SHORE; AND THY SEED SHALL POSSESS THE GATE OF HIS ENEMIES" (Genesis 22:16-17).
Again the irrevocability of the promises was repeated to Jacob.
[Genesis 28:14] 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.
[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.
This aspect of the blessings was confirmed by Bilam, "GOD IS NOT A MAN, THAT HE SHOULD LIE; NEITHER THE SON OF MAN THAT HE SHOULD REPENT; HATH HE SAID, AND SHALL HE NOT DO IT? OR HATH HE SPOKEN AND SHALL HE NOT MAKE IT GOOD?....HE HATH BLESSED AND I CANNOT REVERSE IT. HE HATH NOT BEHELD INIQUITY IN JACOB, NEITHER HATH HE SEEN PERVERSENESS IN ISRAEL: THE LORD HIS GOD IS WITH HIM, AND THE SHOUT OF A KING IS AMONG THEM" (Numbers 23:19-21).
Abraham begat Isaac and Ishmael but the covenant was established only with Isaac (Genesis 17:19). Isaac in turn begat Jacob (Israel) and Esau but only Israel received the Blessings of Abraham (Genesis 28:4). Israel begat twelve sons from whom came the twelve Tribes of Israel and all of them received a portion of the blessings (Genesis 49:28) but the predominant Birthright equivalent of primogeniture went to Joseph. "JUDAH PREVAILED ABOVE HIS BRETHREN, AND OF HIM CAME THE CHIEF RULER BUT THE BIRTHRIGHT WAS JOSEPH'S" (1-Chronicles 5:2).
Joseph had two sons Ephraim and Manasseh, both became individual Tribes in their own right. Ephraim was the preeminent (Genesis 48:19) and sometimes represents all of the Ten Tribes as found in the Book of Jeremiah (31:9):
"FOR I AM A FATHER TO ISRAEL, AND EPHRAIM IS MY FIRSTBORN".