Abraham has passed God’s ultimate test by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. From this point on his relationship with the Almighty will be different. This change is recorded in Genesis 22:16-18 where we find God saying to Abraham: “By Myself I have sworn …, BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE THIS THING …, in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed (descendants) as the stars of heaven and as the sand of the sea shore ….” He then made two more promises: that One of his seeds (Jesus) would be a blessing to the entire world and that two of his descendants (Ephraim and Manasseh–the British Empire and the United States respectively) would dominate their enemies. Then in Genesis 26:1-5; 25:26-29/ 28:13,14 He confirmed the Abrahamic covenant with his son Isaac and later with his grandson Jacob, adding that Jacob’s descendants would rule over many heathen people and would possess the resources of their lands. Note that since Abraham’s offering to sacrifice Isaac the Lord’s promises to him have become UNCONDITIONAL. Abraham had proven his faith in the Almighty. The Lord’s unconditional promises to Abraham would be granted when the birthright nations (Great Britain and the United States) came into possession of approximately 70% of the world’s natural production during the 19th and 20th centuries.

That the seed of Jacob’s grandsons–Ephraim and Manasseh–would wield such power and possess such material wealth would be prophesied by Jacob on his deathbed generations later while the House of Israel was living in Egypt. However, between Jacob’s prophesies and the manifestation of those prophesies the House of Israel (Jacob) would undergo many and various experiences, some positive, some negative. Let us go back into Israel’s history to examine some of those nation-shaping events that are being repeated today by modern day Israelites–the world’s self-proclaimed “Christian nations” and the Middle Eastern nation that calls itself Israel. Let us view the Lord’s dealings with ancient Israel as a harbinger of His dealings with her modern day descendants.

Recall that 10 of the sons of Jacob did not share Joseph’s love of the Lord. Remember also that they sold him to a nomadic tribe that then sold him to an Egyptian. Recall that Joseph later became the second most powerful man in Egypt by foretelling the future, thereby saving the nation from starvation. Every church child knows the story of Joseph calling his family to Egypt in order to save them from the famine that took place during the 1400’s B.C. Once they had settled in Egypt the children of Israel remained in the land for some 400 years where they eventually became slaves to the Egyptians. Then God raised up Moses to lead them out of Egypt and into the land He had promised Israel’s progenitor–Abraham. Today this land is called Palestine, the Promised Land and the Holy Land. Following Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea Moses led the people to Mt. Sinai where God made them a nation while renewing the covenant He had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. From that time forward He would be Israel’s God and Israel would be His people. L.J.