Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries |
The mystery behind the last four words in the book of Genesis concerning the Period of the Patriarchs.
Friday, July 11, 2008
The third phase of the first Theocentric dispensation, The Period of the Patriarchs, known as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was when God established the Jewish race through Abraham.
In this period or era of the Theocentric dispensation of the Gentiles, circumcision was the ritual of confirmation and acknowledgment that the divine covenant required of Abraham and his descendants.
God brought in a new policy for mankind to operate in.
This time it was circumcision.
From this period or era of the Theocentric dispensation of the Gentiles, the age of the Patriarchs, came the twelve sons of Jacob, the founders of the tribes of Israel.
Isn’t it interesting that the twelve tribes of Israel started by God came this way, through circumcision, the cutting off the male foreskin, and through one man and four women.
Four different women brought forth the 12 tribes of Israel.
Polygamy means to have a plurality of wives.
It is the antithesis of monogamy.
Polygamy is prohibited by DEU 17:14-17; MAL 2:14-15 (RMRW); therefore it is a sin.
Polygamy violates the divine law of right man and right woman,
GEN 2:24, ECC 9:9, 1CO 7:17.
Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel, plus two mistresses.
He always had trouble with his sons.
The same is true about David, 2Sa 13, and Solomon, 1KI 11:1-8.
Polygamy is not the will of God, GEN 2:24-25; however, like any sin, GEN 50:20, DEU 23:5.
No man is designed physically or mentally for polygamy.
It destroys your sex life.
Many great believers such as Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Peter were monogamous.
Polygamy causes everything from incest and murder to rape and violence as illustrated by David’s polygamy,
2Sa 13.
The greatest nations in history, Israel, Greece, and Rome, were monogamous.
God alters His modus operandi to reveal to mankind that no matter what alternative plan and policy He provides, mankind is still filled with excuses as to why he “does not” and “will not” honor or worship God.
2PE 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and election [His choosing you];
GAL 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”
GAL 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
GAL 6:14 But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Once again God altered His modus operandi to reveal to mankind that no matter what alternative plan and policy He provides, mankind is still filled with excuses as to why he “does not” and “will not” honor or worship God.
God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is an everlasting covenant, and it spread out to the 12 sons of Jacob which began the 12 tribes of Israel.
This means that the Jewish race is the most permanent lasting race in all of human history because its existence depends on God alone.
Israel’s eternal heritage is both spiritual and cultural, just as God promised.
God has and will preserve the regenerate Jewish race and the Jewish nation throughout history and all of eternity; it began in GEN 3:15, and will still be around in the eternal state, REV 21:12.
MAT 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”
ROM 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
1PE 1:24-25 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, But the word of the Lord abides forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
There were 12 tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles, 12 foundations in the heavenly Jerusalem, 12 gates, 12 pearls, 12 angels.
One of the many blessings that come to the human race through the Jews is a long-term demonstration of God’s faithfulness.
The very existence of the Jews is proof for all to see that God keeps His word.
Even when the majority of the Jews themselves reject Him, even when the nation slips into degeneracy, even when He must severely discipline His people, the promise still stands.
In terms of continuity and change, God’s covenant with Israel and its literal fulfillment are woven into the fabric of history that remains intact no matter what other dispensations God establishes.
In contrast, the Church is a “new [spiritual] species,”
2CO 5:17, whereas, regenerate Jews are God’s chosen people and nation, while the Church includes believers of every race and nationality.
Four times in the book of Genesis, God’s plan for the human race was frustrated by negative volition and satanic influence.
In the study of biblical numerology, the number 4 represents universal truth, as revealed in the four corners of the earth, the four directions mankind can go in (North, South, East, West), REV 7:1.
ACT 10:11 - a sheet with four corners symbolizes the Gospel going to all the Gentiles, and therefore into all the world.
First - by the fall of man in Eden,
Second - by the necessity of the flood (fallen angel infiltration),
Thirdly - the dispersion of Babel,
Fourth - the captivity in Egypt.
“A coffin in Egypt.”