Presents
Pamphlet #6320
The blessings of the birthright were then passed on and actually split between Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, represented today by Great Britain and the United States respectively.
The blessings of the birthright were then passed on and actually split between Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, represented today by Great Britain and the United States respectively.
In today's study we are going to read about the restoration and the blessings of the "land" of Israel. If you live the USA and you know the melody to the song "America the Beautiful", you should now play it on your mental jukebox while reading the rest of today's study.
Mountains are symbolic of nations, so this is being addressed to the nations of the house of Israel, even those nations which were scattered abroad. This is in contrast to the mountain (nation) of Esau, Mount Seir of the previous chapter. So while chapter 35 was about Esau and the heathen nations, this chapter concerns Esau's brother Jacob, who received the blessings of the birthright of the firstborn, in Esau's stead.Ezekiel 36:1
Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:
The "ancient high places" are the "everlasting hills" promised to Israel way back in Gen. 49. Though her enemies may speak great boastful words and make their false declarations of ownership, the "everlasting hills" shall NOT become the "everlasting hills" of her enemies.[2] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:
Joseph you may recall was sold into slavery by his brothers (and so separated from his brothers), and taken to the land of Egypt where he became the equivalent of Prime Minister to Pharaoh. The blessings of the birthright were then passed on and actually split between Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, represented today by Great Britain and the United States respectively.Genesis 49:26
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 the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
Israel (true Israel, not Judah), you are mocked and slandered because of your desolation.Even today, because of the blindness of our people (Rom. 11), the residue of the heathen and especially those residue who claim to be God's chosen people but are not (Rev. 2:9 & 3:9), do "take up in the lips" and mock those of the true house of Israel, who in their ignorance believe they are "gentiles". For example, they are sometimes called "goyim" in a mocking, demeaning manner, like their reason for being is that "someone has to pay retail".Ezekiel 36:3
Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people:
All you nations of the house Israel, from the mountains to the hills to the valleys, etc., i.e. from biggest to the smallest Christian nations, HEAR the word of Adonai Yahveh![4] Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about;
"Surely" means "of a truth", "with certainty". The Lord GOD means every word He spoke in chapter 35 concerning Idumea, which means Edom, the "red" nation. And since our Father IS a consuming fire, if He is after someone, rest assured that someone is going to get burned.Ezekiel 36:5
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.
So the "kenites" and even old Esau thought that since Israel was made desolate and scattered that they could just gleefully waltz right in and take possession of his land. I don't think so!Deut. 4:24
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.Hebrews 12:29
For our God is a consuming fire.
Here is what "thus saith the Lord GOD" concerning Israel's land. "Ezekiel, tell them like it is!"
Israel, though you got what was coming to you because of your disobedience, you have suffered mocking and been shamed by those heathen who tried to take advantage of you. God is not too happy about that, to say the least!Ezekiel 36:6
Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:
It is a common practice for witnesses, even for officials and judges, etc. to raise their hand and take an oath to tell the truth. When Adonai Yahveh "lifts up His hand" and says "Surely", you better believe you can count on it! He means business![7] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I have lifted up mine hand, Surely the heathen that are about you, they shall bear their shame.
The "purple mountains majesty" have become the fruitful place of the house of Israel.Ezekiel 36:8
But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.
And the fields of "amber waves of grain" have been tilled and sown and produced fruit beyond measure.[9] For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:
And the house of Israel has been "multiplied" and has become as numerous as the sand which is upon the sea, just exactly as it was written in the covenant.[10] And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:
God promised that He would gather the nations of Israel and they shall be blessed according to His covenant, and so it has come to pass.Genesis 22:17
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;
Has there ever been a nation of so many people who has been so "fruitful" and so blessed with increase as the United States of America? No there has not! It is even more fruitful then the "old estate". However, the time is coming, as is yet future, when "at that day", when all "shall know that He is the LORD", that the full restoration of the land of Israel which God "took to wife" in Ezekiel 16, shall come to pass. And it shall be even better than it was in the beginning, which to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, means even "before the foundation of this world".Ezekiel 36:11
And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Here is Dr. Strong's definition of the word "bereave":[12] Yea, I will cause men to walk upon you, even my people Israel; and they shall possess thee, and thou shalt be their inheritance, and thou shalt no more henceforth bereave them of men.
Though this refers to the idolatrous practice of Molech worship, if the shoe fits wear it. Here's how one translation renders "bereave them of men (adam)":shakol, shaw-kole', Hebrew 7921; a primitive root; properly to miscarry, i.e. suffer abortion; by analogy to bereave (literal or figurative) :- bereave (of children), barren, cast calf (fruit, young), be (make) childless, deprive, destroy, × expect, lose children, miscarry, rob of children, spoil.
And so it shall be at the restoration "at that day" there will no longer be any idolatrous worship or ungodly heathenistic practices."... and you will no longer be a place for burning their children on idol altars." (LB)
Ezekiel 36:13
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they say unto you, Thou land devourest up men, and hast bereaved thy nations;
The nations will be silenced and they shall no longer speak against the house of Israel, neither shall His people bear the reproach of their shame any more.[14] Therefore thou shalt devour men no more, neither bereave thy nations any more, saith the Lord GOD.
Yes, the 7th Trump shall sound and the full restoration of God's people and their land shall take place.Ezekiel 36:15
Neither will I cause men to hear in thee the shame of the heathen any more, neither shalt thou bear the reproach of the people any more, neither shalt thou cause thy nations to fall any more, saith the Lord GOD.
In our next study we will read of that restoration of His people. It is His promise, surely!
This "American Wisdom Series" pamphlet
is
Published by:
Rhine Publishing Co
199 Joseph Drive
Middletown, PA 17057
If you would like to have your essay
published
as part of the American Wisdom
Series
submit your manuscript to Rhine
Publishing Co
at the address above for consideration,
or e-mail us
at the address shown on our home
page.
Click Here to Return to "The American Wisdom Series" home page.