To: 35,225 Subscribers to Original Jerusalem Church of God Teaching, God’s 13^th Mo, Adar II, 1^st day, 7,782. 3/2/2022

   Joseph had his brothers come back a third time before revealing himself. See Gen 42:6-19)

   Consider believing the truthfulness of this account and the reality of God’s working things out according to plan. Joseph’s whole life was preplanned. The Patriarchs belonged to God by promise, as do each called out Believing in person. The Patriarchs all died not having inherited the promises. In Christ they will all be made alive as Jesus had Paul teach.

  (1Cor 15:20-23; But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, “Adam” the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. “Jesus” For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the first fruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to Him.) As always, study the whole text.

   All made alive and be judged by Jesus’ Word. (John 12:44-50; But Jesus shouted out, “The one who believes IN Me does not believe in Me, but in the one who sent Me, and the one who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes IN Me should not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My words and does not obey them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not accept My words has a judge; the Word I have spoken will judge him at the last day. For I have not spoken from My own authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has commanded Me what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life. Thus the things I say, I say just as the Father has told Me.)

   Not only did Jesus speak; He stilll speaks through His prophets and apostles; ‘still speaking through studies such as this.’

   God does work in the minds of unbelievers as He chooses. He caused unbelievers Abraham to believe, respect and yield to Him when He was rescuing Lot. He intervened in the minds rulers who took Abraham and Isaac’s wives to their homes, and caused adversaries such as Laban and Esau to act favorably toward Jacob. God caused the Pharaoh to believe in Joseph. Jesus’ apostles knew the scriptural history of the Patriarchs and that the Pharaohs were tools in God’s hand. Jesus had Paul teach the parallels.

  (Romans 9:12-20; It was said to Rachel , “The older will serve the younger,” (See Gen 25:23) just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.) (God gives answers through Malachi 1:2-3) What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. For the scripture says to Pharaoh: “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may demonstrate My power in you, and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.) (See and review Exodus 9

   So then, God has mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy, and He hardens whom He chooses to harden. You will say to me then, “Why does God still find fault? For who has ever resisted His will?” But who indeed are you – a mere human being – to talk back to God?)

   We shouldn’t even question why some people are hardened and some compassionate. The Patriarchs’ and our names were written in the Lamb’s book of life before the foundation of the world. (If clergy type individuals taught people to study God‘s Word, seek God’s Way, know they are the clay and wait on God’s revelation, rather than choosing a fitting religion; perhaps more people would persevere with spiritual understanding.) PAUL CONTINUES.

   (Rom 9:20-33; Does what is molded say to the molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the Potter no right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special use and another for ordinary use? But what if God, willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make known His power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath prepared for destruction? And what if He is willing to make known the wealth of His glory on the objects of mercy that He has prepared beforehand for glory – even us, “we followers of Jesus” whom He has called, not only from the Jews “Israelites” but also from the Gentiles? As He also says in Hosea: “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ and I will call her who was unloved, ‘My beloved.’” “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God. (See and study Hosea 1:10)

    And Isaiah cries out on behalf of Israel, “Though the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved, for the Lord will execute His sentence on the earth completely and quickly.” Just as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of armies had not left us (His chosen) descendants, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have resembled Gomorrah.” What shall we say then? – that the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness obtained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith, but Israel even though pursuing a law of righteousness did not attain it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but (as if possible) by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, just as it is written, “Look, I am laying in Zion a stone that will cause people to stumble and a rock that will make them fall, yet the one who BELIEVES IN Him will not be put to shame.)

    The result of our inherited from Adam nature is, “an evolution toward the ways of Sodom and Gomorrah.” We see it now in this present age. The practicing and condoning of detestable to God life styles, inspired by Satan, are now getting to the point that except God shorten the time, “no flesh would be saved alive.” (See Matt 24:22)   But for the Elect sake, time will be shortened. (The Patriarchs and Joseph were elected to be examples to us who live in these latter days.)

   JEALOUSLY; Joseph’s brothers acting out of jealously as did Cain. They played into God’s plan and purpose in Joseph’s preplanned life. When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt for food, they were treated harshly by Joseph and jailed, only then did they began to ponder their past.

   (Genesis 42:21-28; They said to one other, “Surely we’re being punished because of our brother, because we saw how distressed he was when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress has come on us!” Reuben said to them, “Didn’t I say to you, ‘Don’t sin against the boy’ but you wouldn’t listen? So now we must pay for shedding his blood!” (Now they did not know that Joseph could understand them, for he was speaking through an interpreter.) Joseph turned away from them and wept. When he turned around and spoke to them again, he had Simeon taken from them and tied up before their eyes. Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. His orders were carried out.

   So they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left. When one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey at their resting place, he saw his money in the mouth of his sack. He said to his brothers, “My money was returned! Here it is in my sack!” They were dismayed; they turned trembling one to another and said, “What in the world has God done to us?)

   Though weak in the flesh, these son’s of Israel had been taught the Ways of God. Consider; at the time Jacob’s family was probably the only people on earth, who were taught the Ways of God. Thus their words, “what has God done to us?” (So, what percentage of today’s populations; know the Ways of God?) How many are mentally and spiritually led to practice them?

   (Gen 42:29-38; “They returned to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan and told him all the things that had happened to them, saying, “The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly to us and treated us as if we were spying on the land. But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies! We are from a family of twelve brothers; we are the sons of one father. One is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father at this time in the land of Canaan.’ “Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘This is how I will find out if you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for your hungry households and go. But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are honest men and not spies. Then I will give your brother back to you and you may move about freely in the land.

   When they were emptying their sacks, there was each man’s bag of money in his sack! When they and their father saw the bags of money, they were afraid. Their father Jacob said to them, “You are making me childless! Joseph is gone. Simeon is gone. And now you want to take Benjamin! Everything is against me.” Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my care and I will bring him back to you.” But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. If an accident happens to him on the journey you have to make, then you will bring down my gray hair in sorrow to the grave.)

   (See Gen 43:1-6; about the famine being severe and Jacob’s feelings.) Israel is displaying a little fleshly nature as we all do at times. Having God’s spirit imputed to the mind doesn’t shut out all fleshly thoughts. The spirit may not make us recognize fleshly thoughts for what they are, perhaps later rather than soon, but God’s spirit leads His people to overcome to the end.

   Others: Enoch, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph were gifted with knowledge of God, “chosen by grace for God’s purpose.” Their believing IN faith “became their guardian - teacher.” (Joseph didn’t need a written law, “don’t commit adultery” when he refused the advances of his master’s wife.) (Is it not the same with “born from above people” in this age? “People fathered by God?) (All are under God’s law “as guardian until God calls, reveals Himself and gifts, by grace, His spirit, “making each at one with Himself.)

   Joseph gradually understood, “he was God’s instrument.” His brothers respected Israel’s God and felt guilt for having wronged him. They weren’t spiritually gifted by grace as was Joseph. Now their dilemma was to sell Israel on letting Benjamin go to Egypt with them to purchase food.         

   Seemingly Israel may have forgotten God’s promises; we all seem to forget His promises in time of trouble. At the time, Israel was not faithfully remembering God’s promise at Bethel. (So;, lets review Gen 25:11-12)

  (Joseph’s dreams as recorded in chapter 37, are unfolding according to God’s plan. The called are His workmanship, for His purpose. We’re witnessing how God molds the clay. Our Creator God is a predestining God. His prophesies are timed and no human nor Satan’s efforts are able to alter them. (Isaiah writes that conclusion at 29:15-16)

   This is what believing IN God is about! Knowing, He knows each of us individually. Abraham believed God and that belief IN was counted to him for righteousness. If God has revealed Himself and we are led to believe IN, “an obedience to His will be imputed to our nature. (With His nature in us, “we can’t knowingly practice ways He considers lawless, “sin.) Only then does Jesus become our Lord. It’s the difference in believing IN and believing that.

   Believers IN know  our Lord Jesus inspired Isaiah’s words. (Review John 1:1-5, Colossians 1”15:20 & Hebrews 1: for proof.) We know “NO image has substance and to look to them is idolatry.

   (There is hope, Matt 24:22; But for the Elect’s sake, time will be shortened.)

To: 35,125 subscribers to original Jerusalem Church of God teaching. God’s 13th Mo, Adar 1, 27^th day, 5,782, 2/28/2022.

    It’s worth our attention to consider God’s callings; Joseph was Israel’s only called to serve God’s purpose of twelve in Jacob’s life. As the Lord God ‘Jesus’ revealed Himself to Joseph. Joseph was set apart for God’s purpose before the foundation of the world. We know in part because the twelve gates of ‘Our coming New Jerusalem” are named for the 12 tribes of Israel and the twelve foundation are pre-named for Jesus’ apostles. God the Father and God the Son’ ways, ‘characteristics and attributes don’t change.’ The Hebrews writer ‘likely Paul’ shares.

    (Heb 13:7-9; Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. For, it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals, which have never benefited those who participated in them.) NOW BACK TO GENESIS.

   (Gen 41:25-32; Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Both dreams of Pharaoh have the same meaning. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows represent seven years, and the seven good heads of grain represent seven years. Both dreams have the same meaning. The seven lean, bad-looking cows that came up after them represent seven years, as do the seven empty heads of grain burned with the east wind. They represent seven years of famine. This is just what I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the whole land of Egypt. But seven years of famine will occur after them, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will devastate the land. The previous abundance of the land will not be remembered because of the famine that follows, for the famine will be very severe. The dream was repeated to Pharaoh because the matter has been decreed by God, and God will make it happen soon.”)

    Many things are about to occur on this and future generations that are “decreed by God.” Study Matthew 24: & corresponding scriptures, such as Daniel 12. May we each be gifted with the perseverance to stay true to Jesus, overcome our sin nature and Satan’s deceptions to the end.” 

   Know this, ‘the called believers IN Jesus people are gifted to understand the hold Satan has on unbelieving people. (Believers are blessed with knowing faith regarding God’s promises and love times holy to Him.) When presented with truth God gifts the called with understanding, while hostile unbelievers scoff and ignore. Through gifted knowing faith, followers of Jesus believe IN His return, the resurrections, Satan’s fate, peace on earth, judgment, a second death to hostile people and New Jerusalem’s coming down with God the Father, Jesus followers’ prayers focus is on His kingdom’s soon coming, His will being done and that followers are led from evil and the false way.) It’s indicated that before Jesus’ return, supernatural miracles will be done through some of His followers. (See Revelations 11)

   Understand too, God allows Satan to do miracles for confusion purposes. Jesus revealed to John that Satan is on the ready to give power to demonic rulers with deceiving miracles. All allowed for God’s ultimate purpose. (Forty two months are set aside.)

  (Rev 13:1-9; Then I ‘John’ saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns were ten diadem crowns, and on its heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast (one in whom Satan gives power to) that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The dragon (Satan) gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority to rule. One of the beast’s heads appeared to have been killed, but the lethal wound had been healed. And the whole world followed the beast in amazement; they worshiped the dragon because he had given ruling authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast too, saying: “Who is like the beast?” and “Who is able to make war against him?” The beast was given a mouth speaking proud words and blasphemies, and he was permitted to exercise ruling authority for forty-two months. So the beast opened his mouth to blaspheme against God – to blaspheme both His name and His dwelling place, that is, those who dwell in heaven. The beast was permitted to go to war against the Saints and conquer them. He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation, and all those who live on the earth will worship the beast, everyone whose name has NOT been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed. If anyone has an ear, he had better listen!)

   Those to whom God reveals Himself and Jesus will be able to persevere. Remember; healings Jesus did and those through His apostles were instantaneous, and God created our bodies with natural healing mechanisms. (Healing mechanisms by use of drugs, chemical and surgery aren’t what’s considered here.) Such do aid the body in healing itself. (When Jesus personally did miracles & those through His apostles, they were usually with advance knowing faith.)

   When The Lord God Jesus revealed Himself to Joseph, he was given to understand that he was an instrument of God. After God revealed Pharaoh’s dreams Joseph gave Pharaoh advice and God gave Pharaoh the mind to trust Joseph.

  Joseph’s God gifted advise: (Genesis 41:33-39; So now Pharaoh should look for a wise and discerning man and give him authority over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh should do this – he should appoint officials throughout the land to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming. By Pharaoh’s authority they should store up grain so the cities will have food, and they should preserve it. This food should be held in storage for the land in preparation for the seven years of famine that will occur throughout the land of Egypt. In this way the land will survive the famine.” This advice made sense to Pharaoh and all his officials. So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find a man like Joseph, one in whom the Spirit of God is present?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has enabled you to know all this, there is no one as wise and discerning as you are!”) (Had God not been intervening, officials of Pharaoh’s would have been jealous and would have accused Joseph of looking out for himself, because none of them were believers IN Joseph’s God.) (Now review Joseph’s assignment at Gen 41:40-44.)

   Authority with loving concern is needed to rule fleshly minded people for their own good. Same with rearing children! In this latter age parents are hindered by erroneous concepts and government interference. Fleshly nature yields to what’s appealing and self serving. It’s why democracies left to themselves always fail. God may sustain some beyond what would be their natural fall as are some being sustained now.

   (Gen 41:45-49; Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah. He also gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, “priest of the city of On” to be his wife. “So Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt. (Always read the whole.)

    Nothing is impossible with God. Pharaoh too was being used by God for His purpose. God allows Satan to use rulers and clergy types for His purpose today. They deceive all, “whose names aren’t written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Remember too; “the deceived don’t know they are.”

    Ephraim and Manasseh to be most blessed peoples on earth.      (Gen 41:50-57; Two sons were born to Joseph before the famine came. (Asenath, daughter of Potiphera “priest of On,” was their mother.) Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “Certainly God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s house.  (The name “Manasseh” is a participle, suggesting the meaning (he who brings about forgetfulness. A particular Hebrew verb may have been used to provide a closer sound play with the name. The giving of this Hebrew name to his son shows that Joseph retained his heritage and faith; showing too that a brighter future was in store for him.)

   Joseph named the second child Ephraim, saying, “Certainly God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (The name “Ephraim means “to bear fruit.” The theme of fruitfulness is connected with this line of the family from Rachel. (See Gen 30:2, on through 49:22, Deut 33:13-17, and Hosea 13:15).

   There is some difficulty with the name “Ephraim” itself. It appears to be dual in meaning “double fruitfulness.” Many, however, simply connect the name to the territory of Ephraim and interpret it to be “fertile land” In this account it refers to Joseph’s God-giving fruitfulness. (Later we’ll see that the special blessings given to the Patriarchs are passed to these two sons.)

      People from throughout this part of earth came to Joseph for food, See Gen 41:53-57. God blessed Egypt through Joseph, and was in the process of teaching Joseph, his brothers and Jacob.

  (Genesis 42:1-2; When Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you looking at each other?” He then said, “Look, I hear that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy grain for us so that we may live and not die.) In the interim Jacob give aid, and released his servants as food supplies ran out. Only 70 of Jacob’s immediate family went to Egypt.

T0: 35,121 subscribers to ‘Original Jerusalem Church of God teaching.’ God’s 13th Mo, Adair 1, 25th day, 5,782, 2/26/2022

   In Elijah’s day he concluded that few hadn’t bowed knee to Baal; (Rom 11:4-5; But what was the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand people who have not bent the knee to Baal.” So in the same way at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.) (Today it’s likely that it may be that on the world wide scale, ‘only a few thousand aren’t pagan worshipers.) Christendom denominations, Moslem, Hinduism and the rest are all built on traditions; practices from their particular ancient pagan cultures and some applying that to a mixture of Judaism.

   Like Cain, the many assume, surely God will be pleased with my sacrifice efforts. AND like Eve, who believed Satan’s words; “surely you won’t die, for God knows you’ll be divine.” (Review Gen 3) We conclude, beliefs that don’t fit Jesus’ word; “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” are in Satan’s camp of unbelievers. “Believers in God, know Jesus’ identity, that He’s divine, and has all Supremacy.” (Review again Jesus’ shared teaching through His apostle Paul at Col. 1:15-20.)

   Remember Satan palms himself off as an angel of light; ‘he can give out imaginary revelations.’ Jesus’ apostle Paul reveals the characteristics of Satan and his followers, explaining: (2Cor 11:13-15; “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises Himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.”)

   Christendom doctrine has invaded modern thinking, not specifically defining “belief in.” Seemingly, they accept with the rest, a “belief that a god exist, doctrine.” (Jesus, His apostles, prophets and Christians are on the foundation of, ‘His church is built on His prophets and apostles, Himself chief Cornerstone.) (The history of Jacob “Israel,” and Jesus’ prophetic Words through His prophets and Apostles are God‘s truth for all ages.) Believing Jesus’ teachings through His apostles and their follow ups is true worship. Jesus’ manner of dealing with Abraham, Isaac, Israel, and His Apostles are all for our examples, learning and practice. Speaking to non-Israelites Christians, ‘God the Father put in His church; Paul writes about two being made one.’ (Review Ephesians 2:11-22; for this conclusion.)

   In this age, spiritual and physical Israelites are a scattered people. God’s church is not an organization of men, but God’s called people in whom His spirit dwells. Who’re made Temples of His Spirit.  (1Cor 3:16-17; Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If someone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, which is what you are.) (As such, followers of Jesus are compelled to turn from pagan traditions, “those designed by the deceiver, ‘Satan’ to honor imaginary gods. Such spirit inspired turning is repentance.)

  In parable form Jesus  gives the example of a landowner, representing God and His sending tenants, a called people to take care of His property and people. Study and ask for divine understanding of this Matt 21:33-46; parable. Today’s various organized religions represent those tenant’s, along with Zodiac “moon and star worshipers”, that were popular when Joseph got to Egypt. The Pharaohs used many demonic led magicians and star gazers to advise regarding all sorts of things. In our so called advanced societies many leaders and so called educated do the same, “use the horoscope and advice from organized pagan religions. Some even calling themselves Christian.)

   Remember Joseph said to the Pharaoh, “doesn’t interpretations belong to God?” Few realize the degree in which Satan attempts to mimic God and manifest himself as an angel of light in order to cause people to follow his and their own, “seems right ways.” Jesus’ apostles and we today, have to contend with demonic led clergy types. (Review 2Corinthians 11:12-15) God sent Joseph to Egypt for His purpose, and Joseph found himself surrounded by paganism. God interpreted the baker and cupbearer’s dreams through Joseph. Review HOW IT CAME TO BE at Gen 40:-41:16.

   (Then Pharaoh summoned Joseph. So they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; he shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard about you, that you can interpret dreams.”

   Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “It is not within my power, but God will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.) The confident manner in which Joseph seems to have spoken, indicates that God had revealed, “knowing believing in faith to him.” (Knowing faith about such things is, supernatural revealing like to Peter and John.)

    (Acts 2:3-10; Seeing a lame man at the temple court asking for money, Peter and John said to him, “Look at us!” So the lame man paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!” Then Peter took hold of him by the right hand and raised him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. He jumped up, stood and began walking around, and he entered the temple courts with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the man who used to sit and ask for donations at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with astonishment and amazement at what had happened to him.)

  At that moment in time, Peter and John were gifted with, “knowing faith.” God revealed what He would do through them and they acted on His revelation. Likewise with Joseph, (God revealed Pharaoh’s dream; “the interpretation belonging to God was gifted.” Peter and John, like Joseph understood miracles belong to God. (Review John 5:16-30; Jesus telling how the Son is honored by the Father.

   Having these understanding is gifted. When we understand these things, ‘we love God and know that His Ways are for our good.’ Thus we live to please Him because we love Him and can know we’ll be in the first resurrection to eternal life, “the second resurrection is to physical life that can lead to eternal life.” (Many will be gifted with repentance for deeds having done in their previous life.) (Study 1John 5:13-17)

Heavenly Father: thank You for mercy You’ve shown to this undeserving worlds sinful populations. Make each mindful of this worlds problems and give us, “hope faith needed to endure to the end.” We thank You for the privilege of believing and for a yielding spirit that desires practicing Your holy Way. May our kingdom soon come, we ask In the holy name of our coming King of Kings, “Jesus” AMEN

Pentecost was first called “the Festival of First Fruits, matching the spring harvest of fruits and vegetables in Judea. Pentecost represents the time and looks forward to when, “all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Satan is about the business of watering down the spiritual and prophetic meaning of Jesus’ life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Only the few teach the significances of Jesus’ promised return, His binding Satan, bringing His peace to this earth and desire to practices to mimic Jesus’.

God reveals Himself, “as He did to Abraham.” Understanding that our acquaintances are serving god’s of their imagination as was Abraham’s state of being when God revealed Himself and told him to go away from the country of his family and acquaintances. Abraham was obedient to God’s calling and lived as a foreigner in a strange land as he was directed. God blessed Abraham and he became the example of righteousness to the world.

   Abraham had faith in God’s promises, ‘though most weren’t realized in his life time.’ We can learn spiritual lessons by reflecting on Abraham’s life. (His asset was ‘believing IN faith.’ He believed God as God revealed Himself. Demonstrating He was The Life giver and was going to make Abraham the father of many. The miraculous promises began when he and Sarah were past the normal reproductive age and Isaac was born.

T0: 35,116 subscribers to ‘Original Jerusalem Church of God teaching.’ God’s 13th Mo, Adar 1, 21, 5,782, 2/23/2022.

   Two studies back we reviewed why Jesus had His apostle Paul explain why God now allows people to live according what seems right to their animalistic  nature, ‘that is, their senseless hearts were darkened.’ (Rom 1:18-21; For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse. For, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give Him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened.) SO GOD BEGAN TO OPEN INDIVIDUAL MINDS AND CHOOSE A PEOPLE OF FAITH FOR HIMSELF. (God plans it all; Matt 1:17; So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations.) Rest assured, the time for Jesus’ return is counted down to generations.

    The Lord God Jesus’ loving, characteristics and attributes are revealed through His callings and communing with the Patriarchs. (He calls whom He chooses and allows the rest to go the way that seems right to their inherited nature.) The Patriarchs’ knew God existed, tried to do right and sometimes warned when their intent was to harm God’s chosen.

    Recall God selected Jacob over Esau and shared the choosing with (Rebekah’ their mother) saying; “Two nations are in your womb and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. (Gen 25:23) Jesus has Paul repeat. (Rom 9:10-13; Not only that, but when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, (our ancestor Isaac) even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election would stand, not by works but by His calling) it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger,” just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”) The prophecy looked forward; “Esau the older never served Jacob but their descendants have and will.) (Likewise God pre-planned Jacob’ 12 sons, (even naming New Jerusalem’s twelve foundations for them) See Rev 21:14)

(Gen 35-23-27; Jacob had twelve sons: The sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, as well as Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, were Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan Aram.)

   Genesis chapter 36 is about Esau’s family, he is the father of the Edomites. Known as Edom. Much later the people of Edom would not let the Israelites pass through their lands and the Israelites turned away. 37 is about Joseph’s dreams, His being sold and becoming second to Pharaoh.     

   Jesus said; “many will come in My name and deceive many.” Satan uses many divisionary tactics to accomplish his deceptions. A major deception is “zodiac worship.” It leads many to practices the worshiping of Canaanite deities, Baal, Aries and others, using Jesus’ name. Basically this primitive worship of imaginary gods are the foundation of the Roman calendar. Setting the first month’s beginning in proximity to the winter equinox. This ploy of deceiving men “led by Satan” deceives many people. All revolving around pagan sun worship: some from 17^th century occult writings depicting Baal, “sometimes written Baell (French)” representing one of the imaginary seven princes of what they thought of as hell. The Phoenicians, Canaanites and Egyptians were worshiping these imaginary gods during Jacob and Joseph’s day. (Depicted as a man or a bull, the demonic god Baal, was traditionally thought to appear in the form of a man, cat, toad or some combinations thereof. The foundation for these “causes unbelievers to see themselves with personalities based on the zodiac.” Example: “people born between March 21 and April 19 are thought of as Aries’ and see themselves: “as leaders of the pack, first in line to get things going.” Believing Aries’ prefers to initiate rather than compete and have personal magnetism. Sadly many that look to these “abominable to Jesus practices” call themselves Christian.

  Joseph was the dreamer God gave revelations to. He was the only one of his brothers God revealed Himself to prior to them all going to Egypt. Genesis chapter 38 is about Judah marrying a Canaanite woman, and other sons married outside the family of Terah.

   (Gen 39:1-6; Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, an Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. The Lord was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. His master observed that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he was doing successful.) (Consider Joseph’s attitude; what would yours have been in a similar circumstance? Joseph believed IN because God revealed Himself. He lovingly followed God’s Way. When we’re believers IN, God molds us for His service. Joseph’ attitude was one like Jesus’ apostle Paul expressed regarding himself.)

   (Phil 4:11-13; I have learned to be content in any circumstance. I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I am able to do all things through the One who strengthens me.) We should pray for a gifted attitude like Joseph‘s.

   (Gen 39:4-10; So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s household for Joseph’s sake. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate.) Egyptians had superior attitudes toward other peoples.

   Now Joseph was well built and good-looking. Soon after these things, his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Have sex with me.” But he refused, saying to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care. There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God? Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to have sex with her.)

  God gifted Joseph with this mindset. All sin is against God. As a loving parent, God tells us what is right, wrong, good and evil in His View, (the only view that matters.) Jesus’ apostle John was very blunt about defining sin. The key word is, “practice.”

  (1John 3:4-5; Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; indeed, sin is lawlessness. And you know that Jesus was revealed to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.)

   When Jesus is reveled to our minds, as He’s manifested to be in the holy scriptures, our desire is to be at one with Him. As noted, the key word in John’s text is practice. There’s much controversy among professing Christians on this subject. Jesus said, “all have sinned.” All are born in sin “because all people inherit the nature of Adam.” When God calls and we’re converted, we stop practicing lawlessness. That doesn’t mean, we make no mistakes, nor ever break one of God’s commandments. It does mean, “we work at not practicing hostility toward God’s Way. Live as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who stopped practicing lawlessness against God.

  (1John 3:6-10; Everyone who resides in Jesus does not “practice” sin; everyone who “practices” sins has neither seen Jesus nor known Him.) When He’s revealed, His chosen lovingly practice obedience. No one knows Jesus, except those to whom God the Father reveals Him. (After Jesus returns and His kingdom is functioning, the world will soon know Him and that knowledge will cover the earth as water the sea.)

Godly love covenants with His chosen people, chapter 32 

To: 35,093 subscribers to original Jerusalem Church of God teaching. God’s 13th Mo, Adar 1, 17 5,782, 2/8/22.

  From Cain, Abel to Jacob, the called sacrifices, looked forward to the Lord God Jesus’ sacrifice for the remission of sin. (Heb 11:4; By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings.) (Gen 31:54; Jacob took an oath by the God whom his father Isaac feared. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat the meal. They ate the meal and spent the night on the mountain.) These lovingly respectfully and sacrificed to the God of Creation who revealed Himself to them. Loving God was their gifted attribute. (Remember Jesus shared through Paul the reason people were allowed to go the way that seemed right.)

   Our Lord’s brother shared Enoch’s preaching regarding the ungodly proclaiming themselves to be righteous. (Jude 1:12-16; These men are dangerous reefs at your love feasts, feasting without reverence, feeding only themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit – twice dead, uprooted; wild sea waves, spewing out the foam of their shame; wayward stars for whom the utter depths of eternal darkness have been reserved. (A second death awaits the likes of these deceivers: see Rev 21:8)

   (Jude 1:14-16; Now Enoch, the seventh in descent beginning with Adam, even prophesied of them, saying, “Look! The Lord is coming with thousands and thousands of His holy Ones, to execute judgment on all, and to convict every person of all their thoroughly ungodly deeds that they have committed, and of all the harsh words that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” These people are grumblers and fault-finders who go wherever their desires lead them, and they give bombastic speeches, enchanting folks for their own gain.) This text describes 99 percent of those proclaiming Jesus as Lord and teaching (an only believe doctrine, “a salvation of choice and works doctrine, saying to publicly confess that Jesus is Lord saves.”

  Through gifted knowing faith, God’s chosen are spirit led to wait on His revelation and gifted with spiritual insight, revealing and Jesus’ Way. The Way of Truth which is the way to Life. The Patriarchs, Moses, David, Jesus’ apostles were gifted with “Jesus’ faith which is knowing His followers will rule on earth with Him.”

   No matter the country, or community; Believers IN are surrounded by unbelievers, as was Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, scoffers at the idea of a resurrection of the dead and Jesus’ kingdom coming.

   Unbelievers are enslaved to Satan’s lies, “doing useless practices that consume quality living,” but as Jesus commanded, we’re to symphonize with and be patient with unbelievers, while working at overcoming to the end.

   HOW IT BEGAN? Satan sold Eve and Adam on the idea of taking from what was forbidden. Satan’s followers still sell people on attempting to take salvation on their terms. Jesus revealed and His apostle John recorded.

   Rev 2:7; The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God. AND

   Rev 2:11; The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death. AND

   Rev 2:17; The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it. AND

   Rev 2:25-29; However, hold on to what you have until I come. And to the one who conquers and who continues in My deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations-he will rule them with an iron rod and like clay jars he will break them to pieces, just as I have received the right to rule from My Father – and I will give him the morning star. The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. AND

   Rev 3:5-6; The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before My Father and before His angels. The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. AND

  Rev 3:11-13; I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one can take away your crown. The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never depart from it. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God (New Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name as well. The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. AND

   Rev 3:19-22; All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears My voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with Me. I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with Me on My throne, just as I too conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne. The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

   Hopefully we understand why Satan said to Eve, “God Lied,” in response to Eve’s quoting God AT Gen 3:3-5. “Concerning the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the orchard, God said; “You must not eat from it, and you must not touch it, or else you will die.” The serpent said to the woman, “Surely you will not die, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open and you will be like divine beings who know good and evil.”

   Jesus warned through Peter; (1Peter 5:8; Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.)

   Only believers in Jesus know; “The Sovereign ruler of this universe is in total control.” We called “created in His image people” are gifted with a degree of His spiritual sovereignty, which is the mind recognizing Him as Creator” and our loving parent.”

   People who “aren’t called” look to themselves, other people and imaginary gods. (Number one problem is Satan, and number two is our inherited from Adam nature which desire to be divine.) That is to, “decide for self what’s right, wrong, good and evil.”  Adam and Eve disobeyed their Creator by, “preferring to take” rather “than trust their Creator’s Word.” So, we’ve each inherited a hostile nature, like Adam’s; “exercising a personal sovereignty of hostility toward God’s rule, not willingly submissive.”

  Natural fleshly choices come from an aggrandizing inherited nature and hindered even more by Satan manifesting himself as an angel of light. (For the present time, God is allowing Satan and his followers to deceive the whole world.) Make imaginary gods for themselves etc.    So, people exercise personal self serving sovereignty that seems right.

   When God revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to each of us “He gives submissive minds and a  love of His Way.”

THE ONLY ANSWER.

   God’s chosen people look forward to Jesus’ RETURN, “recognizing that only through Him is eternal life.” This good news was planned from the beginning through ENOCH, “that His chosen understand the mystery of eternal life.” That mystery THEN AND NOW is, gifted to His chosen, who’re spirit led to believe IN Jesus. Jesus’ apostle Paul explains.

   (1Cor 15:20-23; But now ’Creator’ Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, “Adam” the resurrection of the dead also came through a man.“Jesus” For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the first-fruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to Him.)

   (1Cor 15:1-11; Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel (good news) that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received – that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, (Simon Peter) then to the twelve. Then Jesus appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether then it was I or they, this is the way we preach and this is the way you believed.)

   A belief IN, is to love God; believing IN as He’s manifested to be in the holy Scriptures. (His love is the gifted dimension beyond our inherited fleshy feelings; (it’s a love of God and concern for others.)

  We’re created with various degrees of self serving love, creativity and emotion (not instinct love as in animals) but in God’s image and likeness.

   When God reveals Himself to our minds (intellect) we have various dimensions of understanding, transforming us to the likeness of Jesus spiritually. It’s the gifted desire to be at one spiritually with Jesus. Share His likes and dislikes, as was gifted to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

   (Matt 22:34-40; Now when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together. And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked Him a question to test Him: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.)

   Jacob didn’t love God because Isaac loved Him. When Jacob left home for fear of Esau, “his idea of God was from his own fleshly imagination.” (Likewise, “we; before God revealed Himself” have various imaginations.) Jacob was given to know and love God, ONLY after He revealed Himself. Likewise, we can’t know God through the mind of another.

   In Genesis 35; we have the account of Rachel’s death. Rachel’s first born was Joseph and she died giving birth to Benjamin. A marker for Rachel’s grave was still there when Moses wrote. God pacifically revealed Himself to only one of Jacob’s sons. The others tried to be good sons and walk in the way of their father with varying degrees of self serving love. Similarly, ‘we to whom God is revealed’ (likely find that other family members aren’t gifted to understand spiritual truths.) BACK TO GENESIS 35:21-22; “Then Israel traveled on and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. While Israel was living in that land, Reuben had sexual relations with ‘Bilhah’ his father’s concubine and Israel heard about it.)

  Reuben’s flesh was weak, like people to whom God isn’t revealed yet, “needing God’s law as guardians, for their own good.” We to whom God is revealed need to reflect on the goodness and holiness of God’s law and teach it to others.

  If we’re imputed with the love of God, “we love what He loves, hate what He hate and have compassion toward unbelievers.”

T0: 35,080 subscribers to ‘Original Jerusalem Church of God teaching.’ God’s 13th Mo, Adar 1,16, 5,782, 2/13/2022

  No history of any ethnicity has perpetual promises like God gave Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose name God changed to ISRAEL. Remember why God made mankind in His image and likeness is for His purpose of adding to His family. So, why would God need to make new beginnings? (I believe Jesus had Paul give an adequate answer in his letter to the Romans.)

    (Rom 1:21-25; For although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give Him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.) We find Abraham being the believing in individual through whom  the  Creator, Son of God and Messiah ‘Dependent Jesus’ would have His linage as preplanned.

   Jesus had Matthew give His preplanned generations beginning with Abraham at verse 2; (Matt 1:17; So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations.) Jesus had Matthew conclude with a brief account of Jesus’ birth and much more in Luke’s account.

   Deacon Stephen’s historical summation in the last study brings us pass the point of Israel’s being dispersed to gentile lands as told Abraham. NOW  Jesus’ good news reviews His New Spiritual covenant with spiritual Israelites, ‘that is followers of Jesus, heirs with Jesus and Abraham.

   New Covenant Parallels the Old, the mystery being ‘a new gifted by promise spiritual birth.’

    (Ephesians 1:17-23; I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of Him, since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the Saints and what is the incomparable greatness of His power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of His immense strength.

    This power God The Father exercised in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and He gave Him to the church as head over all things. Now the church is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.) (ADDATIONALLY, THERE’S ONE GOD, ONE SPIRIT, ONE FAITH AND BAPTISM.)

   (Eph 4:4-6; There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.) (As always, study the whole. Jesus’ revelations made each apostle consistent with the other. SEE PETER’S PARALLEL TEACHING.

   (2Peter 1:10-11; Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin. For thus an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be richly provided for you.)

   Believers IN are spirit led to put God in front of family, tradition and intellect. Remember: There is a way that seems right to our minds, that leads to death. Even in this so called enlightenment age, all but God’s chosen are suppressing His truths, looking to manufactured gods of their imagination as in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s day.

    (2Peter 3:5-7; For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the Word of God the heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water. Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. But by the same Word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the ‘day of judgment’ and destruction of the ungodly.)

   The holy scriptures teach: ‘there’s inherited logic and there’s spiritual gifted understanding!’ Allow Jesus’ apostle Paul’s words to Believers, ‘those gifted with spiritually maturity.’

  (1Cor 2:6-16; Now we (apostles) do speak wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are perishing. Instead we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery that God determined before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood it. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love Him.” God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the man’s spirit within him.? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we, (Believers) have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God. And we speak about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom, but with (words) taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to advise Him? But we (Believers) have the mind of Christ.)

   (By exercising belief in God, He called Abraham friend.)

   Our spiritually gifted ancestors were and today’s Believers are gifted with the mind of Christ, ‘led by the spirit of God our father.’ So, why would people be willingly ignorant? The fleshly inherited from Adam nature doesn’t willingly submit, rather likes to go the way that seems right! It’s how Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would have lived had God not revealed Himself and His Way. It’s the way Paul lived, UNTIL Jesus revealed Himself, as he traveled toward Damascus to persecute believers. Paul like Jacob and each Believer, only believed after Jesus revealed Himself.

(The Holy Scripture gives us Jacob’s example of unbelief as it does Paul’s.)  As Jacob traveled back toward Edom with his family, Jacob feared Esau and expressed a ‘forgive me attitude’ toward him. Had God not promised protection, Jacob may have been overly fearful about returning.

   (Genesis 32:3-8; Jacob sent messengers on ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the region of Edom. He commanded them, “This is what you must say to my lord Esau.” This is what your servant Jacob says: “I have been staying with Laban until now. I have oxen, donkeys, sheep, and male and female servants. I have sent this message to inform my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.’” The messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you and has four hundred men with him.” Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, as well as the flocks, herds, and camels. If Esau attacks one camp, he thought, then the other camp will be able to escape.)

Jacob’s faith was weak at this point and is a lesson for us; God understands our humanity and weakness.

   (Gen 32:9-12; Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O Lord, you said to me, ‘Return to your land and to your relatives and I will make you prosper.’ I am not worthy of all the faithful love you have shown your servant. With only my walking stick I crossed the Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Rescue me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, as well as the mothers with their children. But You said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand on the seashore, too numerous to count.’)

          Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were each recipients of the same promises. Their descendants include each of us; “if we’re Believers in Jesus.” We’re absolutely heirs with Jesus and Abraham, if we believe God. (Again see Galatians 3:29) No one is worthy of God’s calling and faithful love!)   

T0: 35,064 subscribers to ‘Original Jerusalem Church of God teaching.’ God’s 13th Mo, Adar 1, 15th, 5,782, 2/12/2022.

   A review of Holy Scripture reveals; God made new beginnings. The next prophesied new beginning is Jesus’ return to set up His kingdom on earth. All the prophets including King David looked forward to God’s peaceful rule on earth. The Noah day flood was a new beginning. All today’s people on earth are from Noah’s three sons, ‘Shem, Ham and Japheth.’    

  The question; what new beginning set God’s coming kingdom on earth in motion? BELIEVING IN GOD had to be the ultimate criteria, otherwise His kingdom would be divided and couldn’t stand. God’s new beginning for all time, began with ‘Believing Abraham.’ No national or otherwise history of man compares with God’s perpetual promises through Abraham, and Jesus ‘the Decedent.’ (This new beginning is now spiritual and physical, Israel’s deliverance from Egypt parallels the Christian’s deliverance from this world’s system of things, sin, and Satan’s deceptions. Additionally another physical  deliverance of all Israel is prophesied, likely as Jesus’ kingdom is being established, ‘what a glorious future!)

   The chase is cut by looking to one inspired biblical chapter. After Jesus’ ascension God’s church family in Jerusalem appointed deacons, one of these was Stephen. Through inspiration of the Holy Spirit he was doing miraculous things; persecutions followed, when High Priest ask about these accusations; Stephen’s summation declares where we’re at in this new beginning, it’s Israel’s history beginning in Genesis 15: to Jesus’ return and kingdom. 

   (Acts 7: Then the high priest said, “Are these things true?” So he replied, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your country and from your relatives, and come to the land I will show you.’

   Then he went out from the country of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God made him move to this country where you now live. He did not give any of it to him for an inheritance, not even a foot of ground, yet God promised to give it to him as his possession, and to his descendants after him, even though Abraham as yet had no child.

   But God spoke as follows: ‘Your descendants will be foreigners in a foreign country, whose citizens will enslave them and mistreat them for four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, ’said God, and after these things they will come out of there and worship Me in this place.’

   Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and so he became the father of Isaac and circumcised him when he was eight days old, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. The patriarchs, because they were jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt. But God was with him, and rescued him from all his troubles, and granted him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

   Then a famine occurred throughout Egypt and Canaan, causing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. So when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there the first time. On their second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers again, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh.

  So Joseph sent a message and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives to come, seventy-five people in all. So Jacob went down to Egypt and died there, along with our ancestors, and their bones were later moved to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a certain sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

   “But as the time drew near for God to fulfill the promise He had declared to Abraham, the people increased greatly in number in Egypt, until another king who did not know about Joseph ruled over Egypt. This was the one who exploited our people and was cruel to our ancestors, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die. (God called and raised up deliverer Moses,)

   At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful to God. For three months he was brought up in his father’s house, and when he had been abandoned, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. So Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds. But when he was about forty years old, it entered his mind to visit his fellow countrymen the Israelites.

   When he saw one of them being hurt unfairly, Moses came to his defense and avenged the person who was mistreated by striking down the Egyptian. He thought his own people would understand that God was delivering them through him, but they did not understand. The next day Moses saw two men fighting, and tried to make peace between them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why are you hurting one another?’ But the man who was unfairly hurting his neighbor pushed Moses aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us? You don’t want to kill me the way you killed the Egyptian yesterday, do you?‘

   When the man said this, Moses fled and became a foreigner in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

   “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the desert of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and when he approached to investigate, there came the voice of the Lord, ‘I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look more closely. But the Lord said to him, ‘Take the sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have certainly seen the suffering of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. Now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

   This same Moses they had rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge?‘ God sent as both ruler and deliverer through the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, performing wonders and miraculous signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.

   This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’ This is the man who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors, and he received living oracles to give to you.

   Our ancestors were unwilling to obey him, but pushed him aside and turned back to Egypt in their hearts, saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go in front of us, for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt — we do not know what has happened to him!‘

    At that time they made an idol in the form of a calf, brought a sacrifice to the idol, and began rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned away from them and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘It was not to Me that you offered slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, was it, house of Israel? But you took along the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of the god Rephan, the images you made to worship, but I will deport you beyond Babylon.’

   Our ancestors had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as God who spoke to Moses ordered him to make it according to the design he had seen. Our ancestors received possession of it and brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors, until the time of David.

   He found favor with God and asked that he could find a dwelling place for the house of Jacob. But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is the footstool for My feet. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what is My resting place? Did My hand not make all these things?‘

   “You stubborn people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, like your ancestors did! Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold long ago the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become! You received the law by decrees given by angels, but you did not obey it.”

  The Stoning of Stephen.

  When they heard these things, they became furious and ground their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently toward heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

   “Look!” he said. “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, shouting out with a loud voice, and rushed at him with one intent. When they had driven him out of the city, they began to stone him, and the witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.

   They continued to stone Stephen while he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then he fell to his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he died.

   Spiritual wisdom, enlightenment, and knowing the hope of God’s calling, shows us the incomparable greatness of God’s power to open minds and make new beginnings. These truths are revealed through the prophets, apostles and Jesus Himself.

T0: 35,051 subscribers to ‘Original Jerusalem Church of God teaching.’ God’s 13th Mo, 1 Adar, 6, 5,782, 1/16/2022

  Spiritual wisdom, enlightenment, and knowing the hope of God’s calling, all shows us the incomparable greatness of God’s power to open minds. This truth is revealed to us through Jesus’ apostles.  (Ephesians 1:17-23; I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of Him, since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the Saints and what is the incomparable greatness of His power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of His immense strength. This power God The Father exercised in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and He gave Him to the church as head over all things. Now the church is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.) ADDITIONIALY, THERE’S ONE GOD, ONE SPIRIT, ONE FAITH AND BABPTISM.

   (Eph 4:4-6; There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.) As always, study the whole. Jesus’ revelations made each apostle consistent with the other. SEE PETER’S TEACHING.

   (2Peter 1:10-11; Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin. For thus an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be richly provided for you.) Believers IN are spirit led to put God in front of family, tradition and intellect. Remembering: (There is a way that seems right to our our minds, that leads to death.)

   Even in this so called enlightenment age, all but God’s chosen are suppressing His truths, looking to manufactured gods of their imagination as in Jacob’s day. (2Peter 3:5-7; For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the Word of God the heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water. Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. But by the same Word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.) The holy scriptures teach: ‘there’s an inherited logic and there’s a spiritual gifted understanding!’ Allow Jesus’ apostle Paul’s teaching to Believers IN, those gifted with spiritually maturity.

  (1Cor 2:6-16; Now we (apostles) do speak wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are perishing. Instead we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery that God determined before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood it. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love Him.” God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the man’s spirit within him.? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we, (Believers) have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God. And we speak about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom, but with (words) taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to advise Him? But we “Believers IN” have the mind of Christ.)

(By exercising belief in God caused Him to call Abraham friend.)  Our spiritually gifted ancestors were and today’s Believers are gifted with the mind of Christ, ‘led by the spirit of God our father.’ So, why would people be willingly ignorant? The fleshly inherited from Adam nature doesn’t willingly submit: rather go the way that seems right!

    It’s how Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would have lived had God not revealed Himself and His Way. Its the way Paul lived, UNTIL Jesus revealed Himself, as he traveled toward Damascus to persecute believers. Paul like Jacob and each Believer, only believed after Jesus revealed Himself.

The Holy Scripture gives us Jacob’s example as it does Paul’s. As Jacob traveled back toward Edom with his family, Jacob feared Esau and expressed a (forgive me attitude toward him.) Had God not promised protection, Jacob may have been overly fearful about returning.

   (Genesis 32:3-8; Jacob sent messengers on ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the region of Edom. He commanded them, “This is what you must say to my lord Esau.” This is what your servant Jacob says: “I have been staying with Laban until now. I have oxen, donkeys, sheep, and male and female servants. I have sent this message to inform my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.’” The messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you and has four hundred men with him.” Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, as well as the flocks, herds, and camels. If Esau attacks one camp, he thought, then the other camp will be able to escape.

Jacob’s faith was weak at this point. Lesson for us is that God understands our humanity and weakness. (Gen 32:9-12; Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O Lord, you said to me, ‘Return to your land and to your relatives and I will make you prosper.’ I am not worthy of all the faithful love you have shown your servant. With only my walking stick I crossed the Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Rescue me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, as well as the mothers with their children. But You said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand on the seashore, too numerous to count.’)

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were recipients of the same promises. Their descendants include each of us; “if we’re Believers in Jesus.” We’re absolutely heirs with Jesus and Abraham, if we believe God. (Again see Galatians 3:29) No one is worthy of God’s calling and faithful love!)

   (Read Gen 32:13-18 and consider how you may have reacted. Esau’s original intent for coming with 400 men, may have been to harm.)

   (Gen 32:19-28; Jacob also gave these instructions to the second and third servants, as well as all those who were following the herds, saying, “You must say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. You must also say, ‘In fact your servant Jacob is behind us.’” Jacob thought, “I will first appease him by sending a gift ahead of me. After that I will meet him. Perhaps he will accept me.” So the gifts were sent on ahead of him while he spent that night in the camp.

   During the night Jacob quickly took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream along with all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not defeat Jacob, he struck the socket of his hip so the socket of Jacob’s hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” “I will not let you go,” Jacob replied, “unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” “No longer will your name be Jacob,” the man told him, “but Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have prevailed.) This angel manifesting himself as a man, “was either Jesus or Jesus’ angelic ambassador.” (Remember in part, “the name ‘Israel’ means “God fights.) (More broadly it seems to “mean  Israelite’s destiny is to fight against God and men, but prevail because of God’s mercy and promises.) Jacob demonstrated gifted perseverance, a characteristic we each need to pray for.

   (Gen 32:29-20; Then Jacob asked, “Please tell me your name.” “Why do you ask my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, (exclaiming, “certainly I have seen God face to face and have survived.) Peniel means “face of God.” The name seems to be appropriate. God made Jacob (Israel) special to Himself, the promises to Abraham including his descendants; ‘Israelites’ physical and spiritual.’ The fulfillment: spiritual Israelites are Believers IN Jesus; a people belonging to God by promise. How joyful to be a gifted believing Christian.

  Remember Moses is writing and perhaps editing parts of Genesis. Likely Moses’ insight included access to writings kept by the Patriarchs and even, Noah.

   (Jacob’s perspective at the beginning of this encounter was narrator - translator calling his opponent a man.) Later in the struggle Jacob realizes his true identity. We need spiritual revelation regarding spiritual principles as laid down by God.

  From Genesis through Revelations we see; “God had purpose in all His creation, purpose in making mankind in His image and likeness, and purpose in selecting a people to be followers of Jesus.) Did Paul explain sufficiently to the Ephesians? Christians have a part in His millennium reign, resurrections and judgment.)

   (Gen 32:31-32; The sun rose over Jacob as he crossed over Penuel, but he was limping because of his hip. That is why to this day Israelites don’t eat the sinew which is attached to the socket of the hip, because, the man struck the socket of Jacob’s hip near the attached sinew.)

   Israel represents promise, (God fights for physical and spiritual heirs of Abraham.) (Regarding Patriarchs’, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; According to our English dictionary. The Eastern Orthodox Church considers a Patriarch, “a bishop of the sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antakya, or Jerusalem, Russia, Romania, or Serbia.) (The Church of Latter-Day Saints calls their dignitaries, (Patriarch) thinking they have power to invoke blessings, “especially in the Melchizedek order of priests.)

   Believers in Jesus have a firm foundation; we’re built on the prophets and apostles, with the Son of God, (Jesus) our Creator being our corner Stone. (Through Abraham God was looking forward to His New Covenant with  followers of Jesus. Through Jesus the wall of separation and division is no more. Prayerfully consider Jesus’ apostle Paul’s teaching to gentiles.)

  (Ephesians 2:11-22; Therefore remember that formerly you, Gentiles in the flesh – called (un-circumcision) by the so-called circumcision: that is performed on the body by human hands – that you were at that time without the Messiah, alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility, when He nullified in His flesh the law of commandments in decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man (people) out of two, thus making peace, and to reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by which the hostility has been killed. And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, so that through Him we both “Israelites & non-Israelites” have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer foreigners and non-citizens, but you are fellow citizens with the Saints and members of God’s household, because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.)

  Understanding the gigantic chasm between, ‘believing IN opposed to believing that’ is revealed knowledge. Believing, is to know God loved us first, called, revealed Himself and to know to whom we belong. Its truth opposed to divisionary assumptions of the flesh.  

   To: 35,013 subscribers to original Jerusalem Church of God teaching. God’s 12th Mo, Sh’vat 30, 5,782, 2/1/22.

  Jesus’ good news is about His kingdom on earth, by God the Father’s calling and giving a people over to Him, ‘it’s a people being born from above’ made One with Jesus and one another. Unbelievers can’t fathom Jesus’ deity as being all in all: He’s Creator, Re-creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Mediator, Savior and coming king of kings. (Review Col 1:15-20) He is the all knowing Pre-planner God. Scoffers prefer imagining Him in traditional pagan theory, ‘one of their making and differing from God the Father of the Old Testament. Thinking the New Testament is about a Savior allowing practices God the father hates.

  Believers IN are gifted to know, God is all knowing, ‘predestining events and individuals.’ We, Abraham,” Isaac, Jacob and Jesus’ apostles were known before the foundation of the world. We like conniving Jacob did nothing to earn God’s choosing, promises and eternal promises. Remember, after Jacob served his idol worshiping father in law, ‘Laban’ 14 years, God led him to separate from the world much as Abraham and Isaac had. Before the foundation of the world, God planned the revelation given Rachel about, ‘the older serving the younger.’ Jesus was mostly was looking forward to this latter age and time when He’d return as King of Kings. Beyond when He’d come revealing Himself as the Son of God, by miraculous deeds defying natural science. (His instantly healing diseases, turning water into aged wine, calming a stormy sea, re-creating food to feed thousands, resurrecting people to physical life, then presenting Himself alive after His resurrection, and ascending back to God the Father as pre- planned.

   Believers in Jesus find it difficult to imagine people seeing these things and not believing, until understanding His clear words to the Jewish leaders. THE BELIEVING IN THAT SAVES: (John 10:24-30; The Jewish leaders surrounded Jesus and asked, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus replied, “I told you and you do not believe. The deeds I do in My Father’s Name testify about Me. But you refuse to believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are One.)

   During Jacob’s day and now, ‘God is allowing Satan to be the god of this world’s populations’ demonstrating the result of our inherited from Adam, sin nature, and choosing religions of choice while attempting to be divine. (UNTIL God reveals Himself and we to see from His View.) Study 1 Cor 15: for our purpose consider the following verses about being made alive, ‘each in their own resurrection order. (1Cor 15:20-23; But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, (Adam) the resurrection of the dead also came through a man “Jesus.” For, just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the first-fruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to Him.) How did the Lord Jesus lead Jacob to believe?

   (Gen 31:3-9; The Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives. I will be with you.” So Jacob sent a message for Rachel and Leah to come to the field where his flocks were. There Jacob said to them, “I can tell that your father’s attitude toward me has changed, but the God of my father has been with me. You know that I’ve worked for your father as hard as I could, but your father has humiliated me and changed my wages ten times. But God has not permitted him to do me any harm. (If Leban said, ‘The speckled animals will be your wage,’ then the entire flock gave birth to speckled offspring. But if he said, ‘The streaked animals will be your wage,’ then the entire flock gave birth to streaked offspring. In this way God has snatched away your father’s livestock and given them to me.)

   The Lord Jesus was revealing Himself to Jacob’s understanding. God keeps promises and reveals His Way to His chosen. Consider too, “when Jacob learned of his son ‘Joseph’ being a ruler in Egypt. Speaking to his wives, Jacob shared; (Gen 31:10-18; Once during breeding season I saw in a dream that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled, and spotted. In the dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ ‘Here I am, I replied.’ Then he said, ‘Observe that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled, or spotted, for I have observed all that Laban has done to you. (I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the sacred stone and made a vow to Me. Now leave this land immediately and return to your native land.’ Then Rachel and Leah replied to him, “Do we still have any portion or inheritance in our father’s house? Hasn’t he treated us like foreigners? He not only sold us, but completely wasted the money paid for us! Surely all the wealth that God snatched away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So now do everything God has told you.” So Jacob immediately put his children and his wives on the camels. He took away all the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram and all his moveable property that he had accumulated. Then he set out toward the land of Canaan to return to his father Isaac.)

   Laban’s idol worshiping ways, were not only fruitless, Rachel too was taken in by idols, not yet a believer so she but stole Leban’s idols.  (Gen 31:19-30; While Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole the household idols belonged to her father. Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was leaving. He left with all he owned. He quickly crossed the Euphrates River and headed for the hill country of Gilead.

   Three days later Laban discovered Jacob had left. So he took his relatives with him and pursued Jacob for seven days. He caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him, “Be careful that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.” Laban overtook Jacob, and when Jacob pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead, Laban and his relatives set up camp there too.

  “What have you done?” Laban demanded of Jacob. “You’ve deceived me and carried away my daughters as if they were captives of war! Why did you run away secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me so I could send you off with a celebration complete with singing, tambourines and harps? You didn’t even allow me to kiss my daughters and my grandchildren good-bye. You have acted foolishly! I have the power to do you harm, but the God of your father told me last night, ‘Be careful that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.’ Now I understand that you have gone away because you longed desperately for your father’s house. Yet why did you steal my gods?)

   (Gen 31:31-35; I left secretly because I was afraid! “Jacob replied to Laban.” I thought you might take your daughters away from me by force. Whoever has taken your gods will be put to death! In the presence of our relatives, identify whatever is yours and take it.”

  (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.) So Laban entered Jacob’s tent, and Leah’s tent, and the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find the idols. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s. (Now Rachel had taken the idols and put them inside her camel’s saddle and sat on them.) Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them. Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord. I cannot stand up in your presence because I am having my period.” So he searched thoroughly, but did not find the idols.) (WAY OF OUR NATURE IS REVEALED NEXT.)

    Its the ways of our inherited fleshly nature inherited from Adam. Idol worship is no more than a superstition. Laban may have lost something and ask a figurine idol, “help me find this thing” when they turn up, demonic weaknesses of this sort get started. It’s people relying on their fleshly intellect, which is idolatry.

   (Gen 31:36-42; Jacob became angry and argued with Laban. “What did I do wrong?” he demanded of Laban.” What sin of mine prompted you to chase after me in hot pursuit? When you searched through all my goods, did you find anything that belonged to you? Set it here before my relatives and yours, and let them settle the dispute between the two of us! “I have been with you for the past twenty years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. Animals torn by wild beasts I never brought to you; I always absorbed the loss myself. You always made me pay for every missing animal, whether it was taken by day or at night. I was consumed by scorching heat during the day and by piercing cold at night, and I went without sleep. This was my lot for twenty years in your house: I worked like a slave for you – fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, but you changed my wages ten times! If the God of my father – the God of Abraham, the one whom Isaac fears – had not been with me, you would certainly have sent me away empty-handed! But God saw how I was oppressed, how hard I worked, and He rebuked you last night.)

   (Gen 31:43-50; Laban replied to Jacob, “These women are my daughters, these children are my grandchildren and these flocks are my flocks. All that you see belongs to me. But how can I harm these daughters of mine today or the children to whom they have given birth? So now, come, let’s make a formal agreement, you and I, and it will be proof that we have made peace. So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a memorial pillar. Then he said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” So they brought stones and put them in a pile. They ate there by the pile of stones. Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. Laban said, “This pile of stones is a witness of our agreement today.” That is why it was called Galeed. It was also called Mizpah because he said, “May the Lord watch between us when we are out of sight of one another. If you mistreat my daughters or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one else is with us, realize that God is witness to your actions.”

       (Gen 31:51-32:2; “Here is this pile of stones and this pillar I have set up between me and you,” Laban said to Jacob. “This pile of stones and the pillar are reminders that I will not pass beyond this pile to come to harm you and that you will not pass beyond this pile and this pillar to come to harm me. May the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor, the gods of their father, judge between us.” Jacob took an oath by the God whom his father Isaac feared. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat the meal. They ate the meal and spent the night on the mountain. Early in the morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters goodbye and blessed them. Then Laban left and returned home.

   So Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, “This is the camp of God!” So he named that place Mahanaim.) Apparently means “two camps.” (Angels of God appearing occurs only here and in Gen 28:12. Jacob saw a vision of angels just before he left the promised land. Now he encounters angels as he prepares to return to it. Text does not give the details of the encounter, but Jacob’s response suggests it was amicable. (This location was where heaven made contact with earth in Jacob’s dream and where God made his presence known to Jacob the patriarch)

      God revealed that He had been the God of Abraham and was the God of Isaac. Jacob’s believing in response was to practice the way pleasing to God, and demonstrated to his family, that he was a Believer.

     Consider: Many individuals and groups ‘believers that, as did Labon; not called as was Jacob. Unbelievers trust their intellect, do what seems right, practice evolutionary traditions, but they don’t believe IN God’s Way. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were chosen to be, Believers in; chosen by promise and predestined. People gifted to believe in are called, chosen and born from above. Paul was gifted to understand, so, considering Jacob’s and our own weaknesses.

  (1Cor 1:26-31; Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, so that no one can boast in His presence. He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”)