In a conversation with my Daughter last week, she asked if I heard about Stonehenge. I said “No, what?” She said “they found that the stones were quarried about 100 miles away from Stonehenge.” I laughed, “that’s not new I read about that a year ago.” “But it was just on Yahoo news this week”, she stated. At least our knowledge is more up to date than some people’s knowledge. Some people may still think a bunch of slaves dug up 25 ton rocks with their bare hands, hoisted them on to logs and rolled them one hundred to two hundred miles, and then they lifted them upright. We humans couldn’t do that today, what makes us think that was even feasible so many years ago. There has to be another explanation. The Stonehenge builders had to have had better, more modern and sophisticated machinery then we have today, since engineers say we can’t duplicate that today.
Isaac had two sons, one was a hunter and one was interested in learning. They were at war with each other from the womb. In the end the one who was interested in the knowledge of God was the one who became one of the fathers of our faith. Abraham, ever the teacher, taught Jacob about God, as we will see next week.
Jasher 26:1And in the fifty-ninth year of the life of Isaac the son of Abraham, Rebecca his wife was still barren in those days.2And Rebecca said unto Isaac, Truly I have heard, my lord, that thy mother Sarah was barren in her days until my Lord Abraham, thy father, prayed for her and she conceived by him.3Now therefore stand up, pray thou also to God and he will hear thy prayer and remember us through his mercies.4And Isaac answered his wife Rebecca, saying, Abraham has already prayed for me to God to multiply his seed, now therefore this barrenness must proceed to us from thee.5And Rebecca said unto him, But arise now thou also and pray, that the Lord may hear thy prayer and grant me children, and Isaac hearkened to the words of his wife, and Isaac and his wife rose up and went to the land of Moriah to pray there and to seek the Lord, and when they had reached that place Isaac stood up and prayed to the Lord on account of his wife because she was barren.6And Isaac said, O Lord God of heaven and earth, whose goodness and mercies fill the earth, thou who didst take my father from his father's house and from his birthplace, and didst bring him unto this land, and didst say unto him, To thy seed will I give the land, and thou didst promise him and didst declare unto him, I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven and as the sand of the sea, now may thy words be verified which thou didst speak unto my father.7For thou art the Lord our God, our eyes are toward thee to give us seed of men, as thou didst promise us, for thou art the Lord our God and our eyes are directed toward thee only.8And the Lord heard the prayer of Isaac the son of Abraham, and the Lord was entreated of him and Rebecca his wife conceived.
Isaac tells Rebecca that Abraham already prayed for him so the reason they don’t have children is her fault. Rebecca asks him to pray for her, so they journey to Moriah to pray. There is significance for praying at Moriah, the very place Isaac himself was offered, they may have used the altar that Abraham built for Isaac as they prayed. Moriah has a lot of historical importance as the place Abraham called Jehovah-jireh. Let’s review.
MORIAH [moh RYE uh] (Jehovah provides) - the name of two sites in the Old Testament:1. A land to which God commanded Abraham to take his only son Isaac and to offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains. The mountains of this land were a three-day journey from Beersheba and were visible from a great distance (Gen 22:2,4).2. The hill at Jerusalem where Solomon built "the house of the Lord," the Temple. Originally this was the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite (2 Chron 3:1), also called Araunah the Jebusite (2 Sam 24:16-24), where God appeared to David. David purchased the threshing floor from Ornan (1 Chron 21:15-22:1), and built an altar on the site. It was left to David's son (Solomon) to build the Temple. The Jews believe the altar of burnt offering in the Temple at Jerusalem was situated on the exact site of the altar on which Abraham intended to sacrifice Isaac. To them the two Mount Moriahs mentioned in the Bible are identical. The Muslim mosque, the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, presently is situated on this site.(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Gen 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.KJV
Moriah was known as the place Jehovah sees, or the place Jehovah provides, this is why Isaac and Rebecca would go there to pray. It is also why others found significance in that place. Today the Muslims control that area and there are no churches or Christian prayers allowed, as a few of my fellow tourists found out in 1999. The rock itself is large, and the dome built around it is ornate, and the large, tall wooden fence around the rock keeps people from touching it, except in one spot where they built the fencing to accommodate touching the rock. You can tour underneath the rock as well, where tourists are filed through around the area in a circle, and Muslim men put out their prayer rugs to pray.
Jasher 26:9And in about seven months after the children struggled together within her, and it pained her greatly that she was wearied on account of them, and she said to all the women who were then in the land, Did such a thing happen to you as it has to me? and they said unto her, No.10And she said unto them, Why am I alone in this amongst all the women that were upon earth? and she went to the land of Moriah to seek the Lord on account of this; and she went to Shem and Eber his son to make inquiries of them in this matter, and that they should seek the Lord in this thing respecting her.11And she also asked Abraham to seek and inquire of the Lord about all that had befallen her.12And they all inquired of the Lord concerning this matter, and they brought her word from the Lord and told her, Two children are in thy womb, and two nations shall rise from them; and one nation shall be stronger than the other, and the greater shall serve the younger.
Rebecca returns to Moriah to ask the Lord about what was going on inside of her. Figuring that was a three day trip, she then travels 40 miles to see Shem and Eber to ask them to find out from God what was happening inside her. That was a big commitment to travel that much at seven months pregnant. Then she visits with Abraham asking for his intercession on the matter. They inquired of the Lord for her, and without ultrasound, they found out from God that she was carrying twins.
Jasher 26:13And when her days to be delivered were completed, she knelt down, and behold there were twins in her womb, as the Lord had spoken to her.14And the first came out red all over like a hairy garment, and all the people of the land called his name Esau, saying, That this one was made complete from the womb.15And after that came his brother, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel, therefore they called his name Jacob.16And Isaac, the son of Abraham, was sixty years old when he begat them.17And the boys grew up to their fifteenth year, and they came amongst the society of men. Esau was a designing and deceitful man, and an expert hunter in the field, and Jacob was a man perfect and wise, dwelling in tents, feeding flocks and learning the instructions of the Lord and the commands of his father and mother.18And Isaac and the children of his household dwelt with his father Abraham in the land of Canaan, as God had commanded them.
Isaac was sixty years old when his sons were born, which means he and Rebecca had been married twenty years before having children.
Jubilees 19:13. And in the sixth week, in the second year thereof, Rebecca bare to Isaac two sons, Jacob and Esau, and Jacob was a smooth and upright man, and Esau was fierce, a man of the field, and hairy, and Jacob dwelt in tents. 14. And the youths grew, and Jacob learned to write; but Esau did not learn, for he was a man of the field and a hunter, and he learnt war, and all his deeds were fierce.15. And Abraham loved Jacob, but Isaac loved Esau. 16. And Abraham saw the deeds of Esau, and he knew that in Jacob should his name and seed be called; and he called Rebecca and gave commandment regarding Jacob, for he knew that she (too) loved Jacob much more than Esau. 17. And he said unto her: "My daughter, watch over my son Jacob, For he shall be in my stead on the earth, And for a blessing in the midst of the children of men, And for the glory of the whole seed of Shem.18. For I know that the Lord will choose him to be a people for possession unto Himself, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. 19. And behold, Isaac my son loveth Esau more than Jacob, but I see that thou truly lovest Jacob.20. Add still further to thy kindness to him, And let thine eyes be upon him in love; For he will be a blessing unto us on the earth from henceforth unto all generations of the earth.21. Let thy hands be strong And let thy heart rejoice in thy son Jacob; For I have loved him far beyond all my sons. He will be blessed for ever, And his seed will fill the whole earth.22. If a man can number the sand of the earth, His seed also will be numbered.23. And all the blessings wherewith the Lord hath blessed me and my seed shall belong to Jacob and his seed alway. 24. And in his seed shall my name be blessed, and the name of my fathers, Shem, and Noah, and Enoch, and Mahalalel, and Enos, and Seth, and Adam. 25. And these shall serve To lay the foundations of the heaven, And to strengthen the earth, And to renew all the luminaries which are in the firmament."26. And he called Jacob before the eyes of Rebecca his mother, and kissed him, and blessed him, and said: 27. "Jacob, my beloved son, whom my soul loveth, may God bless thee from above the firmament, and may He give thee all the blessings wherewith He blessed Adam, and Enoch, and Noah, and Shem; and all the things of which He told me, and all the things which He promised to give me, may He cause to cleave to thee and to thy seed for ever, according to the days of heaven above the earth. 28. And the spirits of Mastêmâ shall not rule over thee or over thy seed to turn thee from the Lord, who is thy God from henceforth for ever. 29. And may the Lord God be a father to thee and thou the first-born son, and to the people alway. Go in peace, my son." 30. And they both went forth together from Abraham. 31. And Rebecca loved Jacob, with all her heart and with all her soul, very much more than Esau; but Isaac loved Esau much more than Jacob.
Abraham prophesied that Jacob would be a glory to the whole seed of Shem, who is Melchizedek. Remembering that the Levitical Law had not been given yet, the relationship that people had with God was a personal bonding, rather than religious service. Jacob was to be a blessing on the earth and his seed would be for a possession to the Lord. Jacob along with his forefathers of Shem, Noah, Enoch Mahalalel, Enos, Seth and Adam would serve to lay the foundation of heaven, and to strengthen the earth. They would also renew all the luminaries in the firmament. That is a big prophecy.
Firstly the forefathers from Adam would lay the foundation of heaven. What could that mean? Considering that there were no humans in heaven until Abel died, there was probably not a place for the dead who were in service and faithful to God, as well as a place for those humans who died who were not in God. As we explored the book of Nicodemus we saw that there was a place where the faithful in God, from Adam to the time of Jesus visiting hell and bringing all the faithful out to paradise. This was what happened when the graves opened and the dead came out walking around. See Nicodemus Ch 12-ff, and Matt 27:52. Therefore there was a standard that was established in heaven by the faithful in God and the faithful from the line of Adam, Seth, Enos, Mahalalel, Enoch, Noah, Shem and Abraham, and the seed of Jacob.
Secondly they would strengthen the earth. What kind of strengthening could be done in the earth? Possibly, among the people on earth, the forefathers plus the seed of Jacob would teach the world about God. When the Levitical Law was given, it was to teach moral conduct, service to God, and personal cleanliness and hygiene. The Israelites were to teach the world about God. Today we have great technology to track every people group on earth and we know which people groups to evangelize. By teaching the entire world about God, the earth is strengthened. Regardless of whether people reject God or not, the bible has been and is still our standard of morality.
Thirdly the forefathers and Jacob’s seed would renew the luminaries in the firmament. Renew the lights or stars? The word Luminaries is also another name for Angels. To renew the Angels may be in regard to what took place before humanity was created when satan caused a mutiny as well as at the time of Noah when some Angels left their first estate. See the book of Enoch. It may be that the job given to Angels, to serve humans, redeems them. Remember Paul tells us we will judge Angels. If Angels had no job to do, or nothing to be responsible for, they wouldn’t need to be judged. However if they are to minister to us, there would be something for us to judge them for. If they do a good job in what they’ve been assigned by God to do, they can be renewed. Remember Elisha’s words were that there were more with us than those that be with them and when the servants eyes were opened, he saw the armies of Angels. 2 Kings 6:16-17 Comparing that to one third of the Angels being cast down to earth with the devil in the future, it would seem that their assignment is ongoing and at some point some will defect, being cast down to earth. Right now we know that satan has not been cast down to earth, he still has access to accuse us before God, but at some point he will no longer have access to the throne of God and he and one third of the angels will be cast down to earth. So, to renew the luminaries, many people needing to be ministered to gives the angels something to prove themselves before God. Remember, there was a story going on before Adam was created, we are not the center of this story, just a portion of this story.
Abraham then prays for the young Jacob and prays that the spirits of Mastema, the devil, would not rule over them or his seed. We see the resistance in those who follow Judaism to be subject to the devil. But somewhere along the way people forgot there was a devil. When Jesus came, he exposed the devil and his works to everyone. He made a show, triumphing over them. While the Jews became engrossed in doing works, they forgot about the deceptive ways of the devil, yet Jesus spoiled principalities and powers, showing us the spirits hiding in the shadows.
Gen 25:19-24 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.21 And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord.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.24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.KJV
JOSEPHUS CHAPTER 18.CONCERNING THE SONS OF ISAAC, ESAU AND JACOB; OF THEIR NATIVITY AND EDUCATION. 1. NOW Isaac's wife proved with child, after the death of Abraham; and when her belly was greatly burdened, Isaac was very anxious, and inquired of God; who answered, that Rebeka should bear twins; and that two nations should take the names of those sons; and that he who appeared the second should excel the elder. Accordingly she, in a little time, as God had foretold, bare twins; the elder of whom, from his head to his feet, was very rough and hairy; but the younger took hold of his heel as they were in the birth. Now the father loved the elder, who was called Esau, a name agreeable to his roughness, for the Hebrews call such a hairy roughness [Esau, or] Seir; but Jacob the younger was best beloved by his mother.
Josephus puts the death of Abraham before the birth of Esau and Jacob, but we can see that the death of Abraham came after the boys were fifteen years old. Abraham was 175 when he died, 100 when Isaac was born. Abraham was 160 when Esau and Jacob were born, as Isaac was 60 years old, married to Rebecca for 20 years, from 40 to 60. The boys were born when Abraham was 160, and Abraham died at 175, so the boys were 15 when Abraham died. Therefore Josephus is incorrect in his stating Rebecca was pregnant after Abraham died.
Understanding that Jacob was the child chosen by God and Abraham for his seed to be a possession to God, we have a better understanding of the attacks on the lives of the Israelites. If the devil can cloud our understanding of our origin we will not fulfill our destiny. Who are we and why are we here are questions we ask in the quiet hours, but rarely have the answers just fell onto our lap. Pursuing God, His word, history, and studying human history, can give us the answers we are looking for. Jacob was favored because he followed a personal relationship with God, after being instructed by Abraham. Learning and relearning is not bad, we should never be satisfied, and we should never stop learning.
End Notes
The Gospel of Nicodemus
The Book of Enoch
Stonehenge
