The Independence of Manasseh

[tim_from_pa]

Early this week my wife and I had a short three-day get-away to historic Williamsburg, Jamestown (they still do archaeological digs there) and Yorktown, VA where the victory happened 2520 years after Manasseh was taken into captivity and was the deciding factor of the independence of the United States (in spite of the declaration 5 years earlier). I was thankful to God that I understood the significance of these places and was often moved to tears realizing that God kept His promises to Israel and was shaping history to work out exactly as He planned. To most people, including mainline Christians, it's just another battle that happened out of the blue. What a shame being dead to a whole world of understanding.It's about a 7 hour drive south of where I live. If anyone lives in that area or is planning to travel there, I would recommend it highly.

 

[Christina]

It was one of the places we did not get to when I was back there timI regret not having the time then but will not miss it next time. What a great way to see it with that mind set. Praise be to God you had knowledge to realize what you were experencing. How truly wonderful for both of you.

 

[Christina]

This seems a good opening to present this study.....................The Birthright Blessings Go To Ephraim & Manasseh Jacob officially received the Covenant Promise from God, the same Promise given to his father Isaac, and his grandfather Abraham. This blessing to Jacob from God came after he had made the 'pillar' of stone his pillow, and had anointed it because of the dream he had while asleep upon it, and had wrestled with the angel, overcoming, and now Jacob was on the way to live with Laban, his mother's brother, in the land Haran (Mesopotamia) (Gen.29:1). When Jacob came to the land Padan-aram, he worked for his uncle Laban under contract for to wed Rachel, Laban's daughter. Jacob had to take Leah, Laban's elder daughter to wife first, and then Rachel later. By these daughters of Laban, and their handmaids, Jacob begat twelve sons. Reuben was the oldest and the rightful heir to the birthright Promise (Gen.29). However, Reuben 'defiled his father's bed with one of Jacob's wives, Bilhah, the handmaid of Rachel. This diverted the 'birthright blessing':Gen 35:22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: Naturally then, the next in line should have been Simeon, the second son of Jacob, and then Levi, ...Judah, and so on, but it was not to be. Jacob then dwells in Canaan with his twelve sons, the twelve tribes of Israel, being from eldest to youngest: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and the youngest, Benjamin (Gen.30). Israel (Jacob) favored Joseph more than his other sons, and his brethren hated him for this. Then Joseph had a dream and told to his brothers and to his father Jacob (Israel):Gen 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.6 And he said unto them, "Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf." This was a prophetic dream showing that Joseph and his offspring would receive the 'birthright' blessings of God's Covenant Promise to Israel. Joseph had yet another dream which his father Jacob even wondered at:Gen 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, "Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me."10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, "What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?" What Jacob has said about Joseph being over all the other tribes is a fact, concerning the 'Birthright Blessings' of God's Covenant Promise. This will be further revealed as we go along. The original Covenant Promise included the 'Sceptre' of Rulership also, but that Royal Sceptre went to Judah:Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.Ps 60:6 God hath spoken in His holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the strength of Mine head; Judah is My lawgiver; This is Jacob blessing his sons in Gen.49. That the Royal 'Sceptre' will always stay with Judah is fixed. It cannot change outside the tribe of Judah. Only with the coming of The True King Jesus Christ (Shiloh), will the Sceptre be handed over from the tribe of Judah. This is very important to keep in mind during this study. With the tribe of Judah is the care of The Law, meaning God's Law, not man's. God through Moses gave Judah The Law. Much of this Law still stands today; It is not done away with as many would think. Our United States Constitution is based upon this same God's Law handed down to His People. Naturally then, some foreigners (not all), within America who are not of God's People wish to change this Law for their own reasons. This would be equal to someone from a foreign nation going to Jerusalem and wishing to change God's Law there also (I'm not saying it hasn't happened already in some degrees though, the importance of the matter is that God set up certain chosen Peoples to guard and protect It.)1 Chr 5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's With the above verses can be seen that the Covenant Promise originally given to Abraham, was divided into two parts, the heritage of 'Sceptre Rulership' to Judah, and secondly the 'Birthright Blessing' to Joseph. What were some of the events which may have led to this? Let's continue the story of Joseph. Going back to Joseph and his brothers being envious of his dreams, they plotted against him (Joseph) to slay him, but Reuben and Judah talked the other brothers out of it, and it was decided to sell him into slavery. As his brothers had cast Joseph into an empty pit, while talking it over what to do with him, some Medianite merchants came by, pulled Joseph out of the pit, and the merchants sold Joseph, not his brothers. This put the cap on their crime so to speak; there was no turning around now. Joseph's brothers then had to smear lamb's blood on Joseph's multi-colored coat which his father Jacob had made for him, and then say to their father that Joseph was dead (Gen.37). As Joseph was sold into Egypt, he progressed by his God given ability to interpret Pharoah's dream, and was set up as second in rule over all Egypt. In that land Joseph took Asenath for wife, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On (Gen.41:45). Asenath bear Joseph two sons, Manasseh the eldest, and Ephraim. The story of Jospeh's trials in Egypt, and the reconciliation with his family is a wonderful study, and I strongly suggest you read the account in Genesis starting around Chapter 37.Gen 41:50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God", said he, "hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house."52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: "For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." Jacob and all his offspring move to the land of Goshen in Egypt with Joseph, and Jacob (Israel) is near death and Joseph brings his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim unto Jacob.Gen 48:3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, "GOD ALMIGHTY appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,4 And said unto me, 'Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.'The Birthright Blessing Goes To Joseph's Sons Jacob (Israel) is preparing to carry over the Birthright blessing which God gave him at 'Luz'. Notice the phrase 'everlasting possession'? This means even unto the eternity. There is nothing here about divine rule, as that belongs to the tribe of Judah.Gen 48:5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. In these verses, Jacob is bringing the sons of Joseph born to him in Egypt, into the National Name Israel. Manasseh and Ephraim are to be figured among the twelve tribes of Israel. Since Israel is the Covenant Birthright Name, this same name is delivered over from Jacob (also named 'Israel' by God), to Manasseh and Ephraim. God is giving us many hints at the conditions of 'names' dealing with heritage with this idea of Joseph carrying over the Name Israel.Gen 48:13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. Now Israel (Jacob) had bad eyesight, but his right hand which is for the elder firstborn blessing was on Ephraim, the younger. Then came the blessing Promise from God given through Abraham and Isaac and Israel:Gen 48:15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, "God, before Whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God Which fed me all my life long unto this day,16 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." With this blessing the National Name of Israel is transferred to Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, with Ephraim the younger receiving the direct transfer of the 'Birthright Blessing', and will later also be called 'Israel', being the larger of all the other tribes. In many places later in The Old Testament, one will discover the names 'house of Israel', 'Ephraim', 'Joseph', and 'Samaria'. This word 'Samaria' was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, with the other tribes included, except Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, which made up the Southern Kingdom of Israel, referred to in Scripture as the 'house of Judah', or 'Judah'. This will be brought out more as we continue.Gen 48:18 And Joseph said unto his father, "Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head."19 And his father refused, and said, "I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations." Joseph is trying to correct his father's placement of his hands in the blessing, but divine providence overruled here. Ephraim the younger would become 'a multitude of nations'. Now it's time to stop and think for a moment. If Ephraim was to become 'a multitude of nations', which definitely means more than the Nation State of Israel today, then which nations are they? Likewise, if Manasseh was to become 'a great people' and nation, then they must also be excluded from today's land of Israel in the middleast. This word 'nations' in v.19 is 'gowy' in the Hebrew meaning 'a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile' (Strong's no.1471). A good question here might be, 'How can a people be figured as Gentilic and be called 'Israel' at the same time?" Well, we don't have a good trace on the lineage of Joseph's wife Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of the Egyptian city of On. So Ephraim and Manasseh are half Israelite (Joseph) and half Gentile (Egyptian). They are 'adopted' sons so to speak. So it was, and is, God's Plan, to scatter His People among the Gentiles, so they who believe on Christ Jesus as Savior, might become also, the adopted 'sons of God' in 'one', of both Israelite and Gentile (see John 1; Rom.8-9). It is important to understand about names for Judah also. The word 'Jew' wasn't used until the split between the northern part of Israel and the southern part, and it can apply to someone of the bloodline tribe of Judah, or to someone of foreign birth who happens to live in Judea, and take the name 'Jew' (see Esther 8:17). Those Israelites born from the other tribes are not Jewish. So one born of the tribe of Judah can be called both 'Jew', and also an Israelite from their heritage in Jacob (Israel). Mainly then, the word 'Jew' purely applies to the tribe of Judah only. For example, someone born of the Israelite tribes of Dan or Zebulun are not Jews, but they are Israelites, having Jacob also as their lineage. When one comes to realize this matter, and that those in Israel today claiming to be direct descendents from Isaac call themselves Jews, then where are the rest of the other tribes. It can easily be seen from Scripture that the number of the other tribes way outnumbered Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, with Ephraim being the largest before the split. So where are they? Some try to teach that all the other tribes mixed in with Judah, Benjamin, and Levi all in Judea (around Jerusalem), but the Book of Ezra gives us which tribes of Israel actually returned to Jerusalem after the captivities and how many: a mere aprox. 44,000. The majority returning to Jerusalem along with Judah, Benjamin, and Levi were Nethinims, foreigners from other nations, i.e., Gentiles, as recorded in Ezra. It is not written in The Word that the other tribes of Israel returned from the Assyrian captivity.Gen 48:20 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.21 And Israel said unto Joseph, "Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow." Through this 'Birthright Blessing', Joseph received a double portion, which is the meaning of 'one portion above thy brethren'. As Ephraim and Manasseh are counted with the twelve tribes of Israel, with the double portion given through Joseph, we now have 'thirteen tribes', Ephraim taking the place of Joseph in carrying the largest portion of the Birthright, and Manasseh being the 'thirteenth', the second portion of the Birthright. Remember this number 'thirteen', it is a very important symbol for part of the 'house of Israel'. This is why we find the interchange of those names such as 'Joseph', 'Ephraim', 'Samaria', and 'house of Israel', swaped back and forth in Old Testament prophecy. They all refer to the 'Birthright' Blessing of God's Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is the reason for so much confusion when studying the Books of the prophets. If one didn't understand God's Covenant Promises, then you would think that the 'house of Judah', the 'house of Israel', 'Joseph', 'Ephraim', 'Samaria', and 'Jerusalem' all meant the complete whole twelve tribes of Israel. Remember back to God's original Covenant Blessing to Abraham, that 'in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Gen.12:3); and to Jacob "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."Gen.28:14. You should realize that this can not mean just the little land over in the middleast today called Israel. If God's Word and Covenant Promise to Abraham be true, then many other peoples are involved. And as we have seen with the 'Birthright' blessings to Joseph's two sons, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh are no longer found in the Israel state in the middleast. In this Study we have covered mainly one part of God's Covenant Promise to Abraham, that of the Birthright Blessing of wealth, resources, etc. The other part of Divine Rule was and is to stay with Judah until Shiloh (Jesus Christ) returns to set up His Kingdom upon this earth (Rev.20). The Covenant portion dealing with the Seed bloodline also stayed with Judah, that is, the lineage from 'the man Adam' down to Christ (I Chr.5). After the Exodus from Egypt of all 'thirteen tribes' back to Canaan, the first Nation state called Israel was set up, eventually with the first earthy king by the name of Saul. David was crowned king of Israel after Saul's departure, and Ephraim was the largest populated tribe of Israel which lived in the northern geographical section of Israel. Judah's 'stay' was in Jerusalem, the capital of all Israel. .Peace be with you in Christ Jesus,Dave Ramey

 

[tim_from_pa]

Yes.... great study! And may I add that in Egypt Joseph's brethren did not recognize him. Joseph became as Gentile as Gentile could get (well, at least in mannerisms). Joseph's life was a type of unrecognizability that Israel would one day possess. It's true---- that's why they are called the "lost tribes".But alas..... one can present this bible lesson a thousand times over and many people still do not get it. They can't seem to transcend the Jew=Israel mindset and are thusly blinded.On another forum, I use the same avatar with its appropriate verse. I had one fellow innocently ask me why I did not include the Israeli flag with the star of David. The reason is simple---- the verse has nothing to do with the Jews, but with the birthright tribe. But to them, they think that if Joseph has the birthright, that means it belongs to the Jew as well since we all know that Joseph is a "Jewish" tribe.

(BTW, when we say that Ephraim and Manasseh migrated to Britain, NW Europe and the United States, I discovered the hard way that they thought I was talking about Jews in those countries..a twenty pound swinging sandbag hitting them on the side of the head would not be enough for them to 'get it'

)

 

[Christina]

For anyone that doesnt get this its not replacement theroy the church has not replaced the Jews nor does it mean Jews of today do not have a place in prophecy.Jews (Judah ) still own the Royal Sceptre It simply means the so called ten lost tribes are us and we are spread out among the nations. But often in prophecy when God says Israel and Judah he is separating the ten lost tribes (us Brittion and America)from the Jews (Israeli's of today)

 

[Jordan]

Read the whole thing, and the replying posts...to be honest, I still don't get it. Oh well...One day, I will know.Lovest thou in Christ Jesus (Yahshua) our Lord and Saviour.

 

[Christina]

I'll try to explain this Jag, Not feeling to well today mind isn't working to well but will tryThis is basically the dividing (not replacement)of the Christian(gentiles) and the JewsIts the spiritual division (birthright) as well as the physical division (Northern tribes went over Caucasus Mt. into Scottland,Britton)Notice the promise made in Gen. 48 19 But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations." 20 He blessed them that day and said,

 

[Christina]

Hope this study helps you JagIn order to properly trace the Lost Tribes of Israel today, we must first understand God's Promises He gave that make up His 'Birthright' Blessings to His People, and how that promise 'seed' lineage began. This will start in Genesis, God's First Promise To Abram The first Covenant promise God made was to Abram when he was ninety-nine years old. Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, "I am the Almighty GOD; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.2 And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly."3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. God is telling Abram to be 'perfect'. This means 'having integrity', in other words, 'be mature, stand up like a man of God and be just'. This promise here in the 5th verse God is saying to Abram that he would be the father of 'many nations', not just Israel. This was true, as Ishmael was actually the firstborn of Abram, but not of Abraham and Sarah, which was to be the 'seed of the Promise'. Ishmael, the firstborn son of Abram and Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, was blessed by God though, as He promised Ishmael would be 'a great nation' (Gen.17:20). Let's skip down to the 19th verse of Genesis 17:Gen 17:19 And God said, "Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. At this verse, God is making His Covenant Promise more specific, as to which 'seed' It was to be held in, that of Isaac. Notice the word 'everlasting'? That word is 'owlam' in the Hebrew and is just about as close as you can get to 'forever' (Strong's no.5769). As Paul would say in Romans 9:6, "...but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called", this is the flesh seed Promise of election. I realize it's easy to get mixed up while reading there in Romans 9, but this is essentially what Paul is saying; that there are two elections, one of the chosen seed Promise through Isaac, and the other, the election according to 'grace', which is of the Gentile. As Paul would continue there in Romans 9, many of the seed of Promise stumbled at a 'stumblingblock', 'The Cornerstone' which the builders rejected, that is to say, Jesus Christ, and they refused Him as Savior, while those according to the election of Grace did not stumble. So in summary of this Covenant Promise, the 'seed of the Promise' is in Isaac, and It is an 'everlasting' Promise, which means even to God's Eternity and forward. What will be an amazing discovery to many who grasp this study, is that the 'seed of Promise' does not include only the Nation which we call Israel in the middle east today, nor the Jewish Diaspora (the scattering of Judah after the return from Babylon), for that 'seed of Isaac' is elsewhere in the world today also.The Second Promise To Abraham In Genesis 22, Abraham proves his 'faith' in God's Promises by obeying The LORD in His command to offer up his son Isaac upon the altar. God stopped Abraham, for it was a test of faith only as God does not approve of Molech worship (see Leviticus 18:21). For Abraham's obedience, God gave him another Promise:Gen 22:15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,16 And said, "By Myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice." A seed as numerous 'as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore' covers a lot more of the Promise seed than just those over in the Nation Israel today. There's not enough room in the State of Israel to house a 'seed' this numerous. Wonder where they are today? (Hint: these outside of the Israel state today are not all Jews either). It's recorded in the Book of Ezra that only about 44,000 from the tribe of Judah returned back to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity, and nothing about the other tribes of Israel. The census taken before that time of the captivities accounted for much more than 44,000 between all the twelve tribes (see II Chron.25 for a war census of just Judah, circa 714 B.C.). Another important part of this Promise is in Gen.22:18 with: "...in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed...". Again, don't make the mistake of thinking this is referring to the Jewish Diaspora only, as we'll discover throughout this study. God also promised to Abraham that this particular 'seed through Abraham' would 'possess the gate of his enemies'. Again, this 'seed' is of Isaac, not Ishmael, Medan, Midian, etc. Wonder what nations have that kind of power? Doesn't appear to be happening in the nation state of Israel today with all the land giveaways, does it? The Nation of Israel does pretty well for holding its own today, but we will find out later that this applies to other nations today as well. After Abraham's wife Sarah died, he took another wife by the name of Keturah (Gen.25:1). He bare other sons, Medan and Midian which made up the lands of the Medes and Midianites (Gen.25:2). These were half-brothers with Ishmael (Arab peoples), but not the 'seed of Promise', which was and still is, Isaac. As can possibly be seen today, with the conflicts between the Arab peoples and the Nation state of Israel, since Ishmael was Abraham's 'firstborn', and the 'birthright' is to go to the 'firstborn' by Law, Ishmael feels cheated out of his birthright, and wishes to claim It. These are part of the reasons why the Palestinians have refused to declare Israel as a Nation, and are so vehemently opposed to Israelites, including Christians. It's an 'old wound' that will not be healed until Shiloh returns.The Promise Continues in Jacob At Genesis 25:19, the 'seed of the Promise' continues, as Isaac's wife Rebekah, births twins Jacob and Esau the firstborn. Because of the struggle within Rebekah's womb she asks of God why:Gen 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." These two children of Jacob (supplanter or contender), and Esau (hairy, rough) being the firstborn, represented 'two nations', Jacob becoming re-named 'Israel' and father of the twelve Patriarchs of Israel (God prevails), and Esau would become the nation 'Edom' meaning 'red' in the Hebrew (Gen.25:30). If you haven't read and understood how and why Esau, who was the firstborn of Isaac and Rebekah, lost his birthright to the younger Jacob, I suggest you cover it (see Gen.25-28). Esau despised his 'birthright' and sold it as 'wares' to Jacob, for a bowl of 'red pottage' beans. This is not the way to treat a heritage which Jehovah Almighty gives as a blessing. For this reason, the 'birthright' was to go to Jacob, Esau's younger brother. It took a little craftiness on the part of Rebekah and Jacob, but it was God's Plan. In Malachi 1:3, God stated that He 'loved Jacob', but 'hated Esau'. The word 'hate' is 'sane'' in the Hebrew meaning 'to hate (personally)' (Strong's no. 8130), so it did not mean that God just preferred Jacob, no, God literally 'hated' Esau. Paul tells us more of the conditions for this in Romans 9: Rom 9:10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. It may seem like I'm getting a little off track with the Lost Ten Tribes here with this message, but I'm not actually. This statement by our Father gives a much deeper clue to the mystery of the 'election', in others words, God does not 'hate' someone who did not merit it. That would be unjust, and our Father is NEVER unjust. The key is that time of the first earth age, when we were all sons of God in the beginning, in the spiritual body, before this time of the flesh, when Satan himself walked and served God near the 'Stones of Fire' at God's Altar (see Ezek.28 and my Genesis Letters). Who places all souls in the flesh body? Our Father Jehovah in Heaven of course. He places those whom He chose in that first earth age which followed Him to do His Will, in this second earth age of the flesh. Esau must have done something in that time 'of old' that God did not like. This is not an opinion. Many can't grasp the Word when It refers to a first earth age, but no other explanation can be given from The Word why God would hate Esau, as written, even before he was 'not yet born' and "...neither having done any good or evil..." as Paul stated (also see Jeremiah 1). Jacob supplants the 'birthright' blessing from Isaac, making the seed of Jacob for the Promise, not the seed of Esau:Gen 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.2 Arise, go to Padan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.3 And GOD ALMIGHTY bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;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." You should realize the reason for Jacob not taking of the daughters of Canaan, for those were mixed with the 'Rephaim', or the offspring of the 'fallen angels', and of the Kenites (son of Cain; Strong's no. 7014). Not all those of Canaan, but many. (Canaan was the son of Ham through an incestuous affair with his mother; see Leviticus 18 & 20, dealing with 'uncovering thy father's nakedness'. Ham also then, was Adamic). This 'seed of Promise' was to be the chosen Seed of the Woman, of which Jesus Christ would be born of (Gen.3:15). You don't blame our Father for being a little biased in choosing a special 'seed' for His Purpose do you? It would be very immature and obstinate to do so. Notice in these verses that Isaac is passing on the 'birthright' Blessing to his son Jacob, which God gave to Abraham? This is why Jehovah is called 'The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac, and The God of Jacob' (Exodus 3:6; Matt.22:32; Acts 3:13). From Jacob will begin the twelve tribe branch of Israel. It is important to remember that the term 'Israel' and 'Israelite' is not associated with anyone before this Promise God gave to Jacob through his father Isaac. Many times the term Israelite is used even of 'the man Adam' by the unlearned in God's Word. The Israelites began with the offspring of Jacob, i.e., Israel.'Israel shall be thy name' Genesis 32 gives us an account of how Jacob wrestled with an angel and 'prevailed'. The angel blessed Jacob and gave him a new name:Gen 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." This Angel is giving Jacob a bit of information about his new name. It wasn't official yet, for God had not talked to him in the manner of Isaac and Abraham's promise.Gen 35:9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him.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.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;12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land."13 And God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. This makes it official. Here God is giving the same 'birthright' Blessing of the 'seed of Promise' that He gave to Abraham and Isaac, finally to Jacob. Therefore, the new name of the 'Promise' became 'Israel'. As the name Jacob will still be used in The Word later, the new National Name of Israel is the word to look for when dealing with the 'Birthright' blessings of God's original promise to Abraham. Nor does this new 'name' of 'Israel' only refer to the Nation of Israel today, but certain others also, as we will discover throughout this study. Notice especially the verse of Genesis 35:11 above. Who are all these 'company of nations' God is telling Jacob he would be the father of? Jacob had twelve sons which are the twelve tribes of Israel. But Israel was only 'one' nation. So who are the others, as "a company of nations" certainly means more than one. That's what we will eventually discover throughout this study. As Jesus Christ is The True King of all Israel, He also being The High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, so was His 'birthright' lineage of Israel, his mother Mary being a Levite. On his father's side, reckoned by law, was the 'Scepter' Royal lineage of Judah making Jesus Christ the Priest King, LORD of lords and KING of kings. Many have not been taught to follow the lineage from Adam and Eve down to Christ, listening to worldly traditions of the 'one world brotherhood of mankind'. Our Father made this lineage link a very important matter, as He does not like it when we despise our roots and heritage. That a people are chosen out of many other bloodlines upon this earth by God deserves our respect, not jealousy and envy. The 'election of grace' to the Gentile is just as valuable a gift from our LORD as the election of Promise seed.