Greetings Brethren:
Has the assimilation of the lost, the
scattered, and the kidnapped influenced one's culture? Thus, have the
dispersion and displacement of the Hebrew people affected race, language and religion?
Do most scholars agree that those that stayed in Africa are the most vivid
representatives of the original Hebrew people? Are there parallels between
Blacks in the Diaspora and the Hebrews in the Diaspora? Which came first the
Black Holocaust or the Hebrew Holocaust?
Peace,
Carl A. Patton, FreedomJournal
THE ENIGMATIC HEBREWS
Part 4: Jacob: The Children of
Israel
In
the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth
The origin of Jacob is noted in the Hebrew word supplanter. The record
shows that Jacob was an old name among the Semitic people. The Biblical
reference for the birth and youth of Jacob is found in Genesis 25: 19-26. Isaac
the father of Jacob prayed to God for his barren wife Rebekah. In answer to his
prayer God blessed Isaac and Rebekah with twins Esau and Jacob.
A rivalry began in the womb between
Esau and Jacob. This rivalry continued after they were born. Esau came first
but because of the ancient law of primogeniture, Isaac favored the older son.
However, due to a revelation from God, Rebekah was partial to Jacob. (Genesis
25: 28). Meanwhile, Jacob's cunning was revealed in the way he induced Esau to
sell his birthright (Genesis 25: 27-34). Therefore, due to the conflict between
Esau and Jacob, Isaac sent Jacob to Haran to keep Esau from taking his life.
En route to Haran, Jacob camped at
Luz where he had a vision of a ladder, with angels ascending and descending. In
his dream he received a promise from Jehovah: Genesis 28: 13: "And behold,
the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and
the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to
thy seed; "(Genesis 28: 10-15).
The term Israelites originated during
the time that Jacob wrestled with an angel. This story is told in Genesis 32:
24-32.
Genesis 32: 27 "And he said unto
him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob."
32: 28. "And he said, thy name
shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with
God and with men, and hast prevailed."
The meaning of the word Israel in
Hebrew means "he will rule as God." This scripture notes that Israel
became one of the familiar names for the descendants of Abraham. Therefore,
Jacob is significant in ascribing the origin of Israel and the children of
Israel. Also Israel has reference to the twelve tribes of Jacob and the
Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Therefore, these kingdoms and the Captivity are
closely related to unraveling the mystery and enigma of the Hebrew people.
What is the Captivity? The term
Captivity when used to describe aspects of Hebrew history is often
mis-understood. Therefore there is a need to state clearly what Captivity one
is discussing. For example all of the conquests, displacements of the Hebrew
people affected and/or gave rise to the Enigma of the Hebrew people. However we
note that the Captivity that existed after the Exodus from Egypt had the
greatest impact on the present Enigma of the Hebrew people. Thus, for our
analysis we are not talking about the oppression and Captivity of the Hebrew
people by the various hostile forces including Egypt. Thus when we say
Captivity we are noting the Captivity of the Northern Kingdom and the Captivity
of the Southern Kingdom.
Within the histories of these
conflicts of Captivity we find additional evidence of the historical scattering
of the Hebrew people. Thus, in this unique history of conquests and
displacement we find the possible confusion of race with religion. The record
shows that the Northern Kingdom was held captive in 722 B.C. Meanwhile the
Southern Kingdom (Judah) was taken in 586 B.C. The
Assyrians are recorded as one of the leading conquering nations during the
existence of the Southern and Northern Kingdoms of the Hebrew people. They
introduced the wholesale deportations of people as a punishment for rebelling;
however other nations also adopted this policy.
The Assyrians first made contact with
the Northern Kingdom 860-825 B.C. Sargon who succeeded Shalmaneser completed
the conquest of Samaria and deported the inhabitants to Assyria (II Kings 17:
6,7: 18: 11-12). However, not all of the people of the Northern Kingdom were
taken into captivity. The poor, who could cause no trouble in the future, were left
(II Kings 25: 12). Meanwhile, the people intermarried. However
the Ten Tribes taken into Captivity sometimes called the Lost Tribes of Israel
were not absorbed by the people among whom they settled. There was some
assimilation but most retained their Hebrew tradition and religion. Also, some
became part of the Hebrew dispersion.
The Captivity of the Southern Kingdom
(Judah) was predicted 150 years before it occurred (Isaiah 6: 11-12: 11: 12).
In Isaiah 11; 39: 6 and Micah 4: 10 it was foretold that the place of the
Captivity was to be Babylonia, and Jeremiah announced that it would be for 70
years (Jeremiah 25: 1, 11, 12). By 625 Assyria lost power.
Nebuchadnezzar built up a great new Babylonian empire (640-562 B.C.). Judah
became a vassal of Nebuchadnezzar. In 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar burned the
temple, destroyed the city of Jerusalem and deported into Babylonia all but the
extremely poor (II Kings 25: 2-21).
The Captivity of the Hebrew people
resulted in the displacement and dispersion of the Hebrew people. Thus Diaspora
(that which is sown) became the term that applied to the Hebrew people living
outside Palestine who maintained their religious faith among the Gentiles.
However the record and history of the Hebrew people shows that they did not all
embrace God and the religion Judaism.
God warned the Hebrew people through
Moses that they would be dispersed among other people if they departed from the
Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 4: 27; 28: 64-68). The Prophecy of these scriptures
were revealed in the domination of the Hebrew people by Assyria and Babylonia.
Also there were other conquests and captivities that helped scatter and
disperse the Hebrew people. Thus by the time of Christ we see the Apostle Paul
visiting synagogues throughout the known world as he spread the message of
Christ and Christianity.
Con. Part
5: Judah: Hebrew, Jew, Christian, Jesus
Return to Enigmatic Hebrews Page
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net
