The Birthright: Part 1

THE BIRTHRIGHT: PART 1

Starting with Abraham, the Hebrew people were given a God ordained birthright title.  From Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob, and then to Joseph.  It was supposed to go to the oldest son but it rarely did.  Joseph had two sons named Ephraim and Manasseh by an Egyptian wife.  Jacob adopted the two sons of Joseph and split the birthright title between his own son, Judah, and Ephraim, the son of Joseph.  The Messianic kingship line referred to as the scepter, went to Judah and the birthright title went to Joseph and then to Ephraim and secondarily Manasseh.

1 Chronicles 5:2 KJV For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's.

After the death of Solomon, his successor, Rohoboam, errantly decided to increase the tax rate even more than that of Solomon, who was taxing to build the temple.  Many of his northern subjects, under the leadership of the Ephraimite, Jeroboam, decided to rebel, which they did, and founded a separate kingdom in the north called Israel in c. 930 BC (historical documents vary on this date).  The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were the birthright holders and were entitled to employ the name, Israel.  Jacob was given the name of Israel by God after his repentance and acceptance of God as Lord. Therefore, the name of Israel, along with the birthright title was inherited by Joseph and then by Ephraim.

The split of the Davidic nation of Israel placed 10 tribes into the northern kingdom entitled Israel leaving Judah, Benjamin, and the majority of the Levites into the southern kingdom entitled Judah.  It must be understood that a few scattered individuals of the various tribes may have been in the opposing kingdom mostly due to the significance of the temple in the south, however the birthright title follows the leaders of the tribes not individual members.  This placed the linage of the kingship or scepter, ultimately Jesus, in the southern kingdom and the birthright inheritance tribes, in the north.

Around 126 BC the Hasmonean dynasty under the leadership of Hyrcanus of the Maccabees conquered the Edomites (descendants of Esau).  The Edomites were given the option to remain in Judea only if they agreed to be circumcised and follow the laws of the Jews which they accepted and thus became Jews.

Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews, XIII, ix, 1

Hyrcanus also took Dora, and Marissa, cities of Idumea, and subdued ALL the Idumeans, and permitted them to stay in that country if they would adopt the rite of circumcision, and make use of the laws of the Jews. And they were so desirous of living in the country of their forefathers, that they submitted. At which time therefore this befell them, that they were hereafter no other than Jews.

Malachi 1:1-4 KJV  The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.  (2)  I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,  (3)  And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.  (4)  Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

Regardless of the verbiage of the Jews and various internet self-styled exegetes and preachers, there are few if any true blood Edomites today and the Palestinians are not Edomites either.  They were conquered and grafted into the Judahites and Benjamites of the Babylonian returnees.  Today’s exegetes unwilling to discard the prophecies concerning Edom, will employ another near East group as the Edomites but they are all in modern Israel as Jews.  The prophecies concerning Edom must still be fulfilled but by necessity they must be fulfilled concerning modern Israel which may shed new light on the Zionist movement as written by Malachi 1:4, “but we will return and build the desolate places”.  It could be that modern Israel is fulfilling two different sets of prophecies 1) pertaining to the remnant of Judah and 2) the descendants of Esau.

Some may be silently arguing:  He’s got it all wrong.  The Jews are Khazars.  I considered that argument as a fact for many years and there may be some truth in it, but let’s look at some of the evidence.  The main premise for this theory was made popular by Arthur Koestler in his book, The Thirteenth Tribe, and he is oddly, Jewish.  The Edomite conversion is also discussed in 1^st Maccabbees which was once in the KJV but was taken out.  Very few people read Josephus and usually only to search for a reference.  The Edomite conversion is historically documented and the Khazarian Jewish migration to Europe as Jews is not historically documented to my knowledge.  If it is please let me know.  The modern Jews are fully aware of their ancestry and the Old Testament prophecies associated with them.  I have recently read that some Jewish scientists claim their DNA ancestry is linked to the Khazars.  They would surely want the world, especially USA Christians, to think they may be related to Khazars than to Esau and the Edomites.

A quote from the Chuck Smith Commentary, “The Edomites of course have since passed off of the scene. The last Edomite that we know is Herod, king Herod of Idumaea and his family. And there ended the Edomite race. But of course, God has preserved Israel to the present time.”  I included this quote as evidence that most past and present commentators and expositors have a totally faulty view of the Edomites during the times of Jesus.  He claims that Herod was the last Edomite and when he and his family died it marked the end of the Edomites.  Mr. Smith is merely a convenient source but he is not the only commentator and expositor with this mistaken and faulty viewpoint.

The Fig Tree

The Judeans of Jesus’ day and the Jews of modern day represent the fig tree without fruit.  The leaders and the majority of the population were not fruit bearing trees at that time and they are not fruit bearing trees now and they never will be during this age.  To be precise, the twelve tribes of Hebrews (called Israelites) were not fruit bearing trees from the moment they entered the land of Canaan.

Matthew 21:19 KJV  And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

When the cursed fig tree is seen again and bears many leaves but no fruit then you will know the end is near.

Matthew 21:43-44 KJV  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.  (44)  And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Will the present nation of Israel bring forth the fruits of the Kingdom of God?  Regardless of the mindset of deluded Bible teachers of today, this will never occur and it contradicts scripture, particularly Matthew 21- many leaves but no fruit.  What should be done to a tree that bears no fruit?  Cut it down and throw it in the fire.

Matthew 7:19 KJV  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Luke 3:8-9 KJV  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.  (9)  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

In Matthew 7:19 and Luke 3:9 above, “every tree” not bearing (good) fruit does not allow for exceptions.  They will be cast into the fire.  The nature of the fire is another subject.  Some say it is a refining fire that flows from the throne of God.

Esau

The story of Esau trading his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew is well known and won’t be repeated.  Esau was upset that he had been tricked of his birthright although it wasn’t to be given to him regardless, he cried for his loss of property and pleaded with Isaac to give him a blessing as well.

Genesis 27:39-40 KJV  And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;  (40)  And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

Isaac’s blessing to Esau is given in Genesis 27:39-40.  There is a big difference in translation of verse 39 in several versions.  The KJV, LXX, (and others) state that Esau will live in a productive area and the NET, NIV, and a few others translate it as an area away from productivity and rainfall.  Regardless, verse 40b is the important issue which claims that he (his people) will eventually have dominion i.e. be in control similar to the Jews (Edomites) as the bankers, money makers, media owners, movie studio owners, recording studio owners, government appointees, pornography producers, drug lords, and many other elite posts around the world.  It is my opinion the world is closely approaching the last days and this particular prophecy is being fulfilled.  Remember that Jacob gave the birthright blessing to Joseph and then to Ephraim.  Judah does not have the birthright and Esau certainly does not.  These birthright tribes (the so-called 10 lost tribes) represent Jacob (Caucasian:  England, USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Russia, and South Africa) and the Jew/Edomite descendants are gaining more dominion each day mostly through their puppet USA government.  The role Russia and Europe plays in this scenario is unknown.  Notice in Malachi 1:4 the Lord says, “They shall build, but I will throw down”.

Is the current nation of Israel actually a movement to restore Jacob (renamed Israel) to the Promised Land as many evangelical preachers and expositors claim?  Perhaps it is rather a fulfillment of the Malachi prophecy which says that Edom will, “return and build the desolate places”.  Modern Israel is not the birthright Jacob, Joseph, or Ephraim.

Pre-tribulational rapture dispensationalists have boxed themselves into a corner with conclusions, delusions, assumptions, and faulty doctrines that they cannot or will not see the prophecies and scriptures for what they actually state and claim.  They must have read the scriptures and the prophecies but fail to apply them to the actual events of the time.  It is their opinion that the current nation of Israel is all 12 tribes, they are the “apple of God’s eye”, and through them and them only, the total plan of God will be realized.  This will never occur with the Judean/Idumeans of current Israel.  Do they not believe the words of Jesus or do they consider His words as irrelevant in our world of political correctness?

Another Fig Tree Parable

The earthly ministry of Jesus lasted around 3 ½ years (regardless of some opposing opinions).  The fig tree parable found in Luke 13:6-9 is quite prophetic of His ministry.

Luke 13:6-9 NET  Then Jesus told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  (7)  So he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, 'For three years now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue to deplete the soil?'  (8)  But the worker answered him, 'Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it.  (9)  Then if it bears fruit next year, very well, but if not, you can cut it down.' "

A fig tree, symbolizing Judea/Idumea, did not produce fruit for three years.  The vineyard owner (Jesus) told the worker to cut down the worthless tree because it was depleting the soil. The worker implored the owner to leave it for one more year and he would tend it and fertilize it.  Then if it does not bear fruit it will be cut down.  Modern day Israel/Judea/Idumea was given one final opportunity to bear fruit, but it will never produce and it will be cut down and destroyed just as the Revelation states.