FIRSTBORN FACTOR IN THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION BY EPHRAIM & RIMONA FRANK Firstborn Factor In The Plan of Redemption Copyright © 2010 by Ephraim and Rimona Frank Printed in Jerusalem, Israel. Second Edition. ISBN: 978-965-555-516-5 Ephraim and Rimona Frank (shevet achim) ISRAEL [email protected] www.israelitereturn.com Other books by Ephraim Frank: Return to the Land Prayer Psalms FIRSTBORN FACTOR IN THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION Disclaimer: This book assumes the Scriptures' absolute veracity, taking their content at face value without employing the so-called higher criticism methods or evaluations. In fact, we have not resorted to any extra biblical material. Rather, we have attempted to align scriptures and thus let "scripture interpret scripture" from both the Hebrew, as well as and the English translations (NKJV/BibleWorks unless otherwise specified). Following are the Hebrew terms used in place of their English translations: Elohim - God El Shaddai - God Almighty YHVH – the LORD Yeshua - Jesus Messiah - Christ Tanach - Old Testament Torah - Law BCE (Before Common Era) – BC (Before Christ) “Thus says the LORD [YHVH]: ‘Israel is My son, My firstborn.’” (Exodus 4:22) “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel… it is Mine.” (Exodus 13:2) “As it is written in the law/Torah of the LORD [YHVH], ‘Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD [YHVH].’” (Luke 2:23) TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE viii FOREWORD ix DISCOVERING FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS Chapter 1 Back to the Sheep Fold 1 Chapter 2 Seeking First YHVH’s Kingdom 5 Chapter 3 The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel 8 Chapter 4 An Everlasting Kingdom 11 Chapter 5 Dominion - Rule 14 SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS IN THE CREATION ACCOUNT Chapter 6 In the Beginning 16 Chapter 7 The Second and Third Days 19 Chapter 8 The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Days 22 Chapter 9 The Seed Principle 25 ESTABLISHING ORDER IN HUMANITY Chapter 10 Each One in His Own Order 28 Chapter 11 First Fruit 30 Chapter 12 Genealogy of the Firstborn 33 Chapter 13 Another Kingdom 36 THE PATRIARCHS - FIRSTBORN REDEEMERS ABRAHAM - CALL AND FULFILLMENT Chapter 14 Abram 39 Chapter 15 Testing a Redeemer 42 Chapter 16 The Covenant 46 Chapter 17 Wife and Concubine 50 Chapter 18 The Seal of the Covenant 52 Chapter 19 The Son of Promise 55 Chapter 20 Positioning the Firstborn 58 Chapter 21 The Ultimate Test of Obedience 61 ISAAC AND HIS SONS Chapter 22 Finding a Bride 63 Chapter 23 The Twins 65 Chapter 24 Isaac Bestows Blessings 69 JACOB’S LESSONS Chapter 25 Love at First Sight 72 Chapter 26 Wheeling and Dealing 74 Chapter 27 Jacob Returns Home 77 Chapter 28 The Wrestling Match 80 Chapter 29 From Shechem to Bethel 83 JACOB’S SONS POSITIONED Chapter 30 Benjamin - Son of the Right Hand 87 Chapter 31 Family Squabbles 90 Chapter 32 Judah’s Lesson 93 Chapter 33 Joseph’s Preparation 97 Chapter 34 A Dream Come True 100 Chapter 35 A Change of Leadership 104 PATTERNS FOR LATER FULFILLMENT Chapter 36 Momentous Encounter 106 Chapter 37 Joseph Reveals His Identity 109 Chapter 38 Jacob the Lawyer 112 Chapter 39 Jacob Imparts the Birthright Blessings 115 Chapter 40 Patriarch’s Burial 119 FROM EGYPT THROUGH THE DESERT TO THE PROMISED LAND Chapter 41 A Deliverer after the Order of Levi 122 Chapter 42 Preparations for War 127 Chapter 43 Doubt, Unbelief, Rebellion 131 Chapter 44 Enemies of the Nation 136 Chapter 45 YHVH’s Solution to Disobedience 138 THE RISE, FALL, AND RESTORATION OF ISRAEL Chapter 46 Israel Rejects YHVH as King 140 Chapter 47 Two Camps in Conflict 144 Chapter 48 The Sin of Jeroboam 150 Chapter 49 Judgment and Prophecy 153 YHVH RESOLVES THE HEART PROBLEM Chapter 50 The Heart of the Matter 157 Chapter 51 Preparation for Another Covenant 160 Chapter 52 A Kinsman Redeemer 163 Chapter 53 The Priesthood Restored to the Firstborn 166 Chapter 54 Yeshua and Kingdom Authority 170 Chapter 55 YHVH’s Foreknown, Called, and Chosen 173 Chapter 56 Yeshua Glorified 177 Chapter 57 Restoring the Kingdom Within 181 Chapter 58 The Future at a Glance 186 IN CONCLUSION 190 WARNING 191 PREFACE If the content and essence of the Word of God/Elohim were to be condensed or distilled into just one term, “redemption” would be a likely choice. Upon examining and probing this profound concept, one discovers that it is powered by the first fruit-firstborn factor. However, redemption is not just an idea or a theory; it is manifested through human beings - individuals, families, and nations, in their lives and histories. The book which you are about to read tracks the familiar but seminal and defining Biblical stories, shedding light on details which work together to progressively form eternal redemptive and judicial patterns that are as valid now as they ever were. The Sovereign of the universe, the Creator of the world, the Maker of heaven and earth, calls Himself “the God/Elohim of Abraham, God/Elohim of Isaac, and God/Elohim of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). How is it that a universal God, the Source and Originator of all, seems to condense Himself by limiting His attachment to the identity of these three men and their progeny, which in today’s terms is an insignificant and a seemingly tiny people group, and to a land equally minute and relatively unimportant from a worldly perspective? The fact that the All Powerful One is thusly affiliated demands a thorough investigation of His Word. The Almighty has also determined that redemption cannot be realized until the appearing of those who are called, “the sons of God/Elohim” for whom the “whole creation groans” (Romans 8:19, 22) and, “the saviors [who] will go up to Mount Zion” (Obadiah 1:21 literal translation). Who are they, and why has He chosen them? These are the main topics examined in this book. viii FOREWORD God’s plan of redemption is a very broad subject, spanning many aspects from the earthly to the heavenly. This book is not, by any means, an attempt to exhaust this vast theme. Rather, we will be focusing on one of redemption’s main components - the first fruit- firstborn factor. We will follow this crimson thread as it winds its way through the Scriptures, delineating the story line of God’s redemptive plan with its statutes, laws, ordinances, promises, and covenants that He made with His chosen people, those who are His possession - the “firstborn.” Their role in His plan, in establishing His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, is of paramount importance. Indeed, it is written that Abraham and his chosen progeny will inherit the world (ref. Romans 4:13). “God/Elohim so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16), is an all-time favorite Bible verse. Scriptures also inform us that this world has been under the spiritual dominion of another kingdom and ruled over by its prince - Satan. However, according to the above quote, the Almighty Creator loves this earthly domain so much that He sent His Son to redeem it, albeit not without involving a people that He has already chosen and whom He identifies as “firstborn” or “first fruit.” Yet in order to take up the destined role of firstborn, there are qualifications that must be met. We will take a look at these prerequisites, as well as the God-given duties assigned to the firstborn. From the very beginning when the world’s population was made up of only two individuals, humanity was designated two main positions - that of kingship and priesthood. Even though the “fall” of man brought with it separation from the Creator, His kingdom principles are still valid and operative and have never been done away with. These principles, together with their accompanying Torah statutes, laws, and ordinances (commonly called the “law”), characterize the Word of YHVH/the LORD, and have left their mark on “His-story.” ix We will trace the firstborn factor, along with the redemptive patterns and the bitter conflicts that have arisen over the birthright and the inheritance, from the days of Cain and Abel all the way to our own era. A great part of the book is devoted to the lives of the forefathers, as they form a microcosm of what is today’s macrocosm. It is in the course of their lives that these redemptive patterns are seen developing and manifesting, later to be applied to the nation of Israel as a whole. The kingly and priestly functions that together make up the office of the firstborn were very soon separated from each other, as the birthright was divided. This event bore its effect on the history of the nation, the formation of the royal house, the split into two kingdoms, and finally, the exiles of the people of Israel. The story of redemption climaxes with the coming of the Firstborn Kinsman Redeemer, who epitomized and fulfilled perfectly all of YHVH’s kingdom principles. Thus He was given the authority to impart His resurrection life into the hearts of those foreknown, called, and chosen by His Father - YHVH, enabling the restoration of the spiritual aspect of the kingdom. Redemption’s acceleratory process ultimately leads to the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdom of God/Elohim and His Messiah (ref. Revelation 11:15; Obadiah 1:21). Terms such as the kingdom of Elohim, redemption, covenants, firstborn, first fruit, kingship, and priesthood may appear to the modern mind ancient, outdated, and esoteric. Yet for those of us who are looking for His appearing and for the full restoration of YHVH’s kingdom, all of these ideas should be coming more and more into view… Because, whether one believes or not, they have always been in existence and are now closer than ever to being realized, as our Father is restoring all things about which He had spoken through the mouths “of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21).