THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL DIVIDE 975 BC

THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL DIVIDE 975 BC Kingdom of Judah Kingdom of Israel *1. Judah 1. Reuben 2. Benjamin 2. Simeon 3. Levi 4. Zebulun 5. Issachar 6. Dan 7. Gad 8. Asher 9. Naphtali **10. Joseph Ephraim Manasseh SONS OF JACOB IN THE DIVIDED KINGDOMS 974 BC Kingdom of Judah Kingdom of Israel *1. Judah 1. Reuben 2. Benjamin 2. Simeon Levi (Priests, Levites and their 3. Zebulon families came over to Judah 4. Issachar in its entirety.) 5. Dan 6. Gad 7. Asher 8. Naphtali ** 9. Joseph Ephraim 10. Manasseh *Scepter promises **Birthright promises 1

Promises Given to: JUDAH, JOSEPH, EPHRAIM, MANASSEH It was not until Jacob that the blessings of the birthright were divided between two sons. Where Joseph obtained a double portion of land through Ephraim and Manasseh; Judah received two tribes through Benjamin and Levi, when the nation divided into two kingdoms. Judah possesses the spiritual blessings of the Messiah and the kingly promises. Joseph possesses the material blessings and the princely promises. Progression of the Birthright Promises Older Son/Sons Abraham to bypassing Ishmael Isaac to bypassing Esau Jacob to bypassing Reuben, Simeon, and Levi JOSEPH AND JUDAH Birthright Scepter / \ EPHRAIM-MANASSEH We can see from this chart that the blessings of the birthright are split in different directions at the end of Jacob s life. The scepter promises went to Judah; the birthright promises went to Joseph and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who had been adopted by Jacob to take Reuben and Simeon s place. The chart clearly shows that many firstborn sons had been bypassed on the birthright blessings. Once the separation of the birthright took place, the scepter promises stayed within the Judah line, and the birthright promises stayed with the Joseph line. 1 Chronicles 5:2 (King James Version) 2: For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph s. This verse shows proof of the scepter and birthright blessings being split between Jacob s two sons. About 860 years after these blessings were split, the nation of Israel then split into two kingdoms. When this division took place, it caused the scepter and birthright blessings to be split between two different kingdoms. 2

THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL DIVIDE 975 BC Kingdom of Judah Kingdom of Israel *1. Judah 1. Reuben 2. Benjamin 2. Simeon 3. Levi 4. Zebulun 5. Issachar 6. Dan 7. Gad 8. Asher 9. Naphtali **10. Joseph Ephraim Manasseh * Scepter Promises ** Birthright promises Let us go back and take an in-depth look at the scepter promise given to Judah, from Jacob. THE SCEPTER PROMISE Genesis 49:10 10: The scepter or leadership shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes to Whom it belongs, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people. The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes to Whom it belongs, And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. When we look at these four points we can see that once the throne became established it would continue until Shiloh comes. But how can it be explained, when Jerusalem and Israel have been without a king since 606 BC? There must be an answer. Look again at the promises given to David, when the throne had first been established. 3

PROMISES TO DAVID 2 SAMUEL 7:16 (Yehovah speaking to Nathan, a prophet, to say to David) 16: And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you; your throne shall be established forever. Yehovah promises to establish the house of David forever. Yehovah promises to establish David s kingdom forever. Yehovah promises to establish David s throne forever. These three promises are all unconditional and eternal. Luke 1:32-33 32: He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His Forefather David. 33: And He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of his reign there will be no end. Yeshua, the Shiloh of Genesis 49:10, will fulfill the unconditional promises given to David from Yehovah. Yeshua Messiah directly descended from the lineage of David. David directly descended from the lineage of Judah, who holds the scepter promises. Yehovah s Son, Yeshua, will reign on this throne throughout the ages, when He comes back to set up His millennial kingdom. This will totally fulfill the scepter promises. 1 Kings 2:4 (David speaking) 4: That the Lord may fulfill His promise to me, saying, If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and mind and with all their soul, there shall not fail you [to have] a man on the throne of Israel. Yehovah promises David that a man shall always sit on the throne of Israel IF his sons are obedient to Yehovah with all their heart, mind, and soul. This promise is conditional. Although these two promises look similar, they are not. The promises speak of two different thrones. UNCONDITIONAL THRONE: Eternal 2 Samuel 7:16 Spiritual 1 Chronicles 22:10 CONDITIONAL THRONE: Temporary 1 Kings 2:4 Earthly 2 Chronicles 7;17-18 4

Just as Jacob divided the birthright, between his two sons, Judah and Joseph, the throne has now taken on a two-way promise. One being an eternal and spiritual throne, and the other being a temporary and earthly throne. These same promises were given to David s son, Solomon. When Solomon did not keep the conditional promises, the earthly and temporary throne was eventually taken away from Jerusalem. It was handed to Jeroboam, the Kingdom of Israel s first king. He, also, broke the conditional commands, and he did not follow Yehovah with his heart, mind, and soul. This kingdom was utterly destroyed from the face of the earth for Jeroboam s sins. Though the throne with a conditional promise has been taken away for a time from Jerusalem and Israel, Judah, even now, has never lacked a king. So, we are back to Genesis 49:10 that says, the scepter and ruler s staff will not be removed from the Judah line UNTIL Shiloh comes. Could this throne have been passed on to one of the descendants of the last two kings of the Kingdom of Judah? Or, is it possible that Yehovah handed the scepter and ruler s staff to another son of Judah to fulfill a Judah line, earthly throne? We are no longer looking at a conditional throne, because the conditional throne had to be within the land territory granted to Israel. This throne was torn down; first, by Solomon and then by Jeroboam. What we now are looking for is a human earthly throne, whose sovereignty belongs to those who are from the lineage of Judah. It is here in this study that we will be looking at the possibilities. All those involved in the following are of the tribe of Judah, but their whereabouts come to a dead-end in the scriptures. Why would that be? The only conclusion I can justify for this is: again, Yehovah is hiding the identity of the earthly scepter throne, just like He has done with the Kingdom of Israel, but not losing it from His sight. Genesis 49:10 10: The scepter or leadership shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes to Whom it belongs, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people. THE POSSIBILITIES We will now pick up the end of a story begun in the section, THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH. At the end of that section, the reign of the last two kings from the Kingdom of Judah was explained. It may be necessary to read that section again, so it will be clear. What we are looking for is an heir to carry on the scepter throne promise until Shiloh comes. 5

JEHOIACHIN S DESCENDANTS 1 Chronicles 3:17-18 17: The descendants of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son, 18: Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamia, Hoshama and Nedabiah. Seven sons are born in captivity to Jehoiachin. SONS OF JEHOIACHIN Shealtiel Malchiram Pedaiah Shenazzar Jekamiah Hoshama Nedabiah Ezra 3:2: 2:... and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel... Shealtiel, and his descendants, is the only one of Jehoiachin s sons listed throughout the book of Ezra. Shealtiel, is listed in Ezra a total of three times. There are no listings for the other sons in the book of Ezra. Nehemiah 12:1 1: Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel... Shealtiel, and his descendants, is the only one of Jehoiachin s sons listed throughout the book of Nehemiah. This is the only reference of Shealtiel in Nehemiah. There are no listings for the other sons in the book of Nehemiah. Matthew 1:12 12 After the exile to Babylon, Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel [Salathiel], Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Both Shealtiel and Zerubbabel, are listed in the lineage of Yeshua. These two hold the eternal scepter promises of Genesis 49:10. In the first chapter of Matthew we read of the lineage of Yeshua through the Judah line. We know from history that after returning from the exile in Babylon, the throne was not re-established in Israel. Because of this knowledge we know that an earthly throne does not exist in the line of Jehoiachin, confirming the fact that the conditional throne is gone. So where is the unconditional throne? It must remain even to this day; Genesis 49:10 declares it. It specifically states, That the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes to Whom it belongs. It needs to be found, but it will not be found in Jehoiachin s lineage. 6

ZEDEKIAH JUDGMENT AGAINST ZEDEKIAH 2 Kings 24:20 20: For because of the anger of the Lord it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that He cast them out of His presence... Ezekiel 12:13 13: My net also will I spread over him, and he shall be taken in My snare; and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there. FULFILLMENT OF THE JUDGMENT Jeremiah 52:1-11 The rebellion against the king of Babylon Jeremiah 52:8-9; 10-11 8: But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and all his army was scattered from him. 9: Then they seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon... and he passed sentence upon him. 10: And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; he slew also all the princes of Judah at Riblah. 11: Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him with a double chain and carried him to Babylon, and put him in the prison [mill] till the day of his death. His sons were killed before his eyes. All possible son heirs to the Judah throne All the princes of Judah were killed. All possible male heirs to the Judah throne THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO MALE HEIRS TO THE THRONE, FROM THE ZEDEKIAH LINE! The last two kings of the Kingdom of Judah failed to show any proof that an earthly throne was passed down to one of their sons. We will now look at the possibility of the throne having been passed to another son of Judah. THE SONS OF JUDAH Genesis 38 tells of Judah s sons: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah. Er and Onan s lives were taken because of their evilness. This left his three sons: Shelah, Perez, and Zerah. 7

Here, a short narrative is necessary leading into the births of Perez and Zerah. Their mother had been married first to Er, who was wicked and Yehovah slew him. Er s father, Judah, then gave Tamar to Onan, the next son in birth order. The purpose was to bring about an offspring to carry on the family line of his deceased brother, Er. Onan, knowing that any child conceived would not be considered his own, prevented conception. For this act, Yehovah also slew him. Judah then promised Tamar his last son, Shelah, who was still just a boy. After Shelah was grown, Judah did not keep his word, fearing that Shelah would meet the same fate; blaming Tamar for the death of his two oldest sons. In an act of deception by hiding her identity, Tamar conceived twins through Judah. The entire story can be read in Genesis 38. For now though, we will pick up what occurred at the time the twins were born. Genesis 38:27-30 27: Now when the time came for her to be delivered, behold, there were twins in her womb. 28: And when she was in labor, one baby put out his hand; and the midwife took his hand and bound upon it a scarlet thread, saying, This baby was born first. 29: But he drew back his hand, and behold, his brother was born first. And she said, What a breaking forth you have made for yourself! Therefore his name was called Perez [breaking forth]. 30: And afterward his brother who had the scarlet thread on his hand was born and named Zerah. At the time of birth, one baby put out his hand. A scarlet thread was bound upon it, but he drew his hand back in. The other baby came first. His name was Perez; 1 meaning: breach; breaking forth. The second baby was then born. His name was Zerah; 2 meaning: rising. We can see through the genealogy lists that the eternal scepter promises went to the Perez line, bypassing again an older son, Shelah. It is the name Perez that shows up in the lineage of King David (Ruth 4:18-22). His name also shows up in the lineage of Yeshua (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33) We know from the story of Perez and Zerah that they were twins; and there was a breach in their birth order. One definition of a breach 3 is: a temporary gap in continuity. Is there now a breach, also, in the earthly scepter promise, which was given to Judah in Genesis 49:10? Look at the possibilities. 1 Strong s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible - pg. 784 Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary - pg. 97, #6557 2 Strong s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible - pg. 1209 Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary - pg. 36, #2226 3 Merriam Webster s Collegiate Dictionary - pg. 140 8

The Sons of Judah: (1 Chronicles 2:3-6) PEREZ ZERAH SHELAH (Breach; breaking forth)* (Rising)* (Peace)* Hezron** Zimri Asaiah Ethan Heman Descendants Calcol called Shelanites Dara (Numbers 26:20) * Hebrew meaning of names ** Hezron is in the lineage of Yeshua in Matthew 1:3 We can now see all the possibilities of other sons, or descendants of these sons, who were available to be given a throne with a scepter promise. It is quite possible that this earthly throne exists today, but is hidden from view. Perez s descendants can be connected with the throne of David and the lineage of Yeshua. For the same reasons discussed on page 6, concerning Jehoiachin, an earthly throne does not exist from the line of Perez; though the eternal, spiritual throne remains to this day. Is it possible that this hidden throne may come through one of the other brothers? We have seen so many things separated, divided, and split in this study that I do not believe anything would be impossible. Consider this scripture elaborating when the Kingdom of Israel is brought back into view. Amos 9:11 11: In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David, the fallen hut or booth and close up its breaches... This could prove to be interesting. We know for a fact there was a breach in Perez and Zerah s birth order. We have already ruled out the Perez line. Now let s look further. Shelah s descendants are known only as the Shelanites; but on the other hand, the children of Zerah are listed by name in the scriptures. I do not want to seem like I am going off to make my own conclusions, but it could be that the hidden throne is in the family of Zerah. Zerah whose name means rising. ZERAH Let s find out all we can about Judah s son, Zerah. In Numbers 26:20, Zerah s family is referred to as the Zerahites. In Numbers 26:22, it says the families of Judah according to their numbering, totaled 76,500. Zerah s family is included in that count. 9

1 Chronicles 9:1-2, 4-6 1: So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and they are written in the Book of Kings of Israel. And Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their unfaithfulness to God. 2: Now the first [of the returned exiles] to dwell again in their possessions in the cities of Israel... 4:... Of the sons of Pharez the son of Judah. 5: Of the Shilonites: 4 Asaiah the first-born, and his sons. 6: Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their kinsmen, 690. The total count on the family of Perez/Zerah/Shelah has decreased 75,810. Ezekiel 12: 16 16: But I will leave a few survivors who will escape the sword, the famine and pestilence, that they may declare and confess all their [idolatrous] abominations among the nations to which they go, and [thus God s punishment of them will be justified before everyone and] they shall know understand and realize that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 17:21 21: And all his fugitives [from Judah] in all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward every wind. And you shall know understand and realize that I the Lord have spoken it. A promise given that some from the Kingdom of Judah would survive. The few survivors who escaped being killed and are what is left from the Kingdom of Judah, will be scattered to every wind. At least one descendant from Judah s line could have survived, in fulfillment of this promise. Now we do have a good possibility, but let s look even further. It is at this point in the study we must take a little detour. We will see glimpses here and there of a possible Zerah son descendant within the story that follows. The story concerns that last sieges of Judah and Jerusalem and the part Jeremiah, the prophet, played in those final days. Jeremiah 38:21-23 (Jeremiah speaking, concerning Zedekiah) 21:... this is the word [the vision] that the Lord has shown me; 22: Behold, in it all the women that were left in the house of the king of Judah were being brought forth to the king of Babylon s princes and were saying [to you, King Zedekiah], Your friends have prevailed against your better judgment and have deceived you. Now when your feet are sunk in the mire [of trouble], they have turned their backs. 4 Same as Shelanites 10

23: All your wives and your children will be brought out to the Chaldeans; and you [yourself] cannot escape out of their hand, but you will be seized by the king of Babylon, and you will be causing this city [Jerusalem] to be burned with fire. The main thing to notice here is in verse 23, it says, You [yourself] cannot escape out of their hand. It makes no mention of the wives and children not being able to escape. Jeremiah 39:1-10 Prophecy fulfilled, concerning this judgment Jeremiah 39:8-10 8: And the Chaldeans burned the king s house and the houses of the people, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9: Then Nebuzaradan, the [chief executioner and] captain of the guard, carried away captive to Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, and those who deserted to him, with the remainder of the [so-called better class] people who were left. 10: But Nebuzaradan the [Babylonian] captain of the guard left in the land of Judah some of the poor of the people who had nothing, giving them vineyards and fields at the same time. Fulfillment of Jeremiah 38:21-23. Some of the poorest of the Kingdom of Judah were left behind. a possible place to find a descendant son of Zerah. The poor were given vineyards and fields. Jeremiah 39:11-12 11: Nebuchadrezzar 5 king of Babylon gave command concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, 12: Take him and look after him well; do him no harm, but deal with him as he may ask of you. Special treatment is given to Jeremiah. Jeremiah 39:13-14 Jeremiah is entrusted to the care of Gedaliah. Gedaliah took Jeremiah to Mizpah and freed him there. Gedaliah - A man of high birth, a grandson of one of Josiah s nobles. The Babylonians made him puppet governor of the subjugated and largely desolate 5 Another spelling used for Nebuchadnezzar 11

province of Judah. 6 Jeremiah is freed in Mizpah. Jeremiah 41:1-9 The mass killing of many in Mizpah Included was Gedaliah. This massacre was led by Ishmael, one of Zedekiah s relatives. It may have been done out of revenge for the killing of all Zedekiah s sons and the princes. Jeremiah 41:10 10: Then Ishmael carried away captive all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah, even the king s daughters and all the people who remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to cross over [the Jordan] to the Ammonites. Taken captive to go to the land of the Ammonites were: All those who were left in Mizpah; this included: Jeremiah Baruch, Jeremiah s scribe The king s daughters These would be King Zedekiah s daughters. Jeremiah 41:11-18 Jeremiah 42:1-7 A successful rescue by Johanan and all the captains of an established force in Judah. The captives return to Johanan. Johanan, the captains of the forces, and all the people from the least to the greatest ask Jeremiah to seek guidance from Yehovah. Jeremiah 42:2-3 2: And said to Jeremiah the prophet, We beseech you that you will let our supplication be presented before you and that you will pray to the Lord your God for us, even for all this remnant [of the people of Judah]; for of the many, there are but a few of us left, as you see with your [own] eyes. 3: Pray that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do. Only a very small remnant is left after the fall of Jerusalem and Judah. Their only hope is to have guidance from Yehovah. 6 The Wycliffe Bible Commentary - pg. 684; Jer. 40:5 12

Jeremiah 42:8-22 Jeremiah 43:1-7 The counsel from Yehovah is a warning not to go to Egypt. Disregarding the counsel from Yehovah, Johanan and the captains of the forces took all those remaining away from Jerusalem and Judah. Their destination Egypt. Jeremiah 43:6 6: Even men, women and children, the king s daughters and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah... also he took Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch... Taken to Egypt were: Men, women, and children The king s daughters Jeremiah } } They were taken against their will. Baruch } Jeremiah 43:7-51:64 Prophecy against all the nations given by Jeremiah, during his time in Egypt. Jeremiah 51:64 64:... Thus far are the words of Jeremiah. This is the last we ever hear from Jeremiah. There is no recorded scripture of King Zedekiah s daughters dying in Egypt. There, also, is no recorded scripture of Jeremiah s death in Egypt. The commentaries that I have read, just assume he died there. Against everything I have ever read, I DO NOT assume he died there. Jeremiah had a predestined mission; and if he died there, he only accomplished half of it. What can be found out, in the scriptures, about Jeremiah and his mission in life? Jeremiah 1:1 1: The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests... His father was Hilkiah. His father was a priest. Jeremiah was of the tribe of Levi. 13

Jeremiah 1:5 5: Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you, and I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Chosen as a prophet, before his birth. Jeremiah 1:10 10: See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms, to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. His mission: Oversee the nations and the kingdoms. Root out and pull down. } This was accomplished in } the sieges on Jerusalem Destroy and overthrow. } and the tearing down of } that nation/kingdom. Build and } This would be the mission } that I see unaccomplished Plant } had Jeremiah died in } Egypt. Where do we go from here? Another prophet, Isaiah, picks up where Jeremiah left off. Isaiah 37:31-32 31: And the remnant that has survived of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward; 32: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and a band that survives out of Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. A remnant will survive. This remnant will come out of Jerusalem. The remnant will take root downward, and bears fruit upward. This will be accomplish through Yehovah s INTERVENTION. 14

Compare the last part of Jeremiah s mission, to build and to plant ; now look at Isaiah s prophecy, shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. I see a real similarity between these two prophecies. SOMETHING FOR YOU TO CONSIDER Isaiah 37:31 31: And the remnant that has survived of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward; A male descendant from the Zerah line. One of the king s daughters, who would be from the lineage of Perez. Amos 9:11 11: In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David, the fallen hut or booth and close up its breaches, and I will raise up its ruins and I will build it as in the days of old; Closing up its breaches between the Perez/Zerah line. Is it possible that a marriage union between the Perez/Zerah lines at some point took place? If this has occurred, a breach has been closed and the continuance of the earthly scepter promise is out there somewhere. Ezekiel 17 A parable concerning the king of Babylon, and the overthrowing of the throne of Jerusalem and Judah. Ezekiel 17:21-22 21: And all his fugitives [from Judah] in all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward every wind. And you shall know understand and realize that I the Lord have spoken it. 22: Thus says the Lord God: I Myself will take a twig from the lofty top of the cedar, and will set it out; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one and will plant it upon a mountain high and exalted. A judgment that: Many in Jerusalem will die. 15

The remnant that remains in Judah shall be scattered by the wind, in every direction. possibly included in this remnant was a male Zerah descendant. we already know the king s daughters were there. A promise that: Yehovah, Himself, will take a twig from the top of the tree. a twig - possibly a descendant son of Zerah. a tree in scripture symbolizes a kingdom. 7 Yehovah will also take a young twig, a tender one. possibly one of King Zedekiah s daughters. It will be planted upon a mountain high and exalted. a mountain in scripture symbolizes a nation. 8 It really is not so impossible to see a marriage union between a male descendant of the Zerah line and one of the king s daughters (Perez line). We now have a more probable possibility for the continuance of an earthly throne, having been scattered to the wind. It also closes a definite breach between this family line. But there are still a few unanswered questions. If, another son of Judah was handed the earthly throne to continue the scepter promise; and if, this descendant son of Judah left the Kingdom of Judah at some point in time, being scattered to the wind, where did he go? Also, if Jeremiah smuggled one or all of Zedekiah s daughters out of Egypt, where did he go? So many questions, so many questions! Jeremiah 33:3 3: Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand. The Holy Scriptures are so wonderful! All we have to do is ask. So I am asking, Where did they go? 7 Ezekiel 31:3-18 8 Isaiah 2:2-4 16

Jeremiah 31:7-8, 10 (King James Version) 7:... O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. 8: Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth... 10: Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. A plea from the remnant of Israel. They are in a northern country. It is along a coastal area. This nation may be considered a nation with several other nations, in some way, associated with it. Possibly this nation is located in an area of many isles. AND/OR Possibly the other nations associated with this nation are located far away, separated by water. Finally, a promise to gather them back. So, where are they, and where is this throne? In a NORTHERN COUNTRY, along a COASTAL AREA, considered to be a country with ISLES, either of their own or through association, and is FAR AWAY. How can one know at this point in the history of time, what is yet to be shown. If the throne is hidden, then that is the way it s supposed to be. At this time, we can only speculate. Yehovah will reveal this hidden throne, of the tribe of Judah, when it is His time to reveal it to us. The main point to understand is, if Yehovah says a throne will exist until Shiloh comes, then we must believe it. The King James Version of the Bible reads like this: Genesis 49:10 10: The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come;... 17

SCEPTER PROMISE Genesis 49:10 Judah Perez David s throne 1 Kings 2:4-----------------------------------Split--------------------------2 Samuel 7:16 Earthly Unconditional Promises Breach-Healed Throne Spiritual Eternal Throne handed back to Another son in the the King of Kings Judah line Shiloh (Yeshua) Could it be that a Judah line throne exists somewhere in the world today? I believe so, because I believe the promise given to Judah in Genesis 49:10. BIRTHRIGHT PROMISES Let s now go back and take a thorough look at the birthright promises and blessings given from Jacob to Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh. If we look at Joseph s promised blessings, we can see how they remain the same, but become more defined through his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. A Look at the Promises and Blessings Given from Jacob to Joseph, Manasseh, and Ephraim TO JOSEPH (Genesis 49:22-26) 1. To increase his family line to be a multitude and countless; overflowing its own boundaries. 2. Abundant rain. 3. Fertile soil. 4. Fertility among men and animals, that would provide for the unending fruitfulness of the family. 9 9 Wycliffe Bible Commentary - pg. 47; Gen. 49:24-25 18

TO MANASSEH (Genesis 48:19) TO EPHRAIM (Genesis 48:19) TO EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH COMBINED (Genesis 48:16) 5. A promise that these blessings are as everlasting as the eternal hills. 6. A promise that through Joseph s family line they would be: consecrated for high duties. 10 set apart from the other brothers. considered a prince among the tribes a princely promise. 1. Shall become a people, and shall be great. 1. Shall become a people even greater than Manasseh. 2. Offspring shall become a multitude of nations. 1. Name to be perpetuated in them. 2. To become a multitude in the midst of the earth. 3. That all Israel shall honor them. Look at the blessing to Manasseh, He also shall become a people, and shall be great. To Ephraim,... but his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations. Remember the meaning of Abraham, father of a multitude? Remember, also, the promise from Yehovah to make Abraham the father of many nations? This will be fulfilled through Joseph s sons in the blessings from Jacob to both Ephraim and Manasseh. Manasseh is a great nation today; and Ephraim is several great nations today. Why do I say today? Genesis 49:1 1: And Jacob called for his sons and said, Gather yourselves together [around me], that I may tell you what shall befall you in the latter or last days. The last four words in this verse are, in the last days. That is us now. We are living in the last days! In Genesis 49:26, Joseph is called a prince. When Shiloh comes to set up His eternal throne, the nations that have come from the prince-line of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh will gladly turn their nations over to be ruled by the King of Kings. 10 Wycliffe Bible Commentary - pg. 47; Gen. 49:26 19

Look at the meaning of Joseph and Ephraim: Joseph - increaser Ephraim - doubly fruitful Think of the promises that say they will be a multitude of people; countless as the stars and sand. Remember the promise that they will spread abroad in the directions of West, East, North, and South. Look, again, at the meaning of Manasseh: Manasseh - causing forgetfulness The Kingdom of Israel, which Ephraim, Manasseh, and Joseph were a part of, have forgotten their identity; but, Yehovah has not forgotten them, and He has not lost them from His sight. 20

SUMMARY THIS STUDY IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS: Starting with Abraham, the blessings of the father were passed down from one generation to the next. So, therefore, each generation, from Isaac to Ephraim, received more clarity of the blessings that the father before them had been given. Although the promises and blessings never changed, they just became more defined. Through Yehovah s selection of a man, Abraham, there became, eventually, twelve sons through Jacob. These twelve sons became twelve tribes. The twelve tribes became the formation of one nation, known as Israel. Israel, after about 460 years into their existence, split into two kingdoms; the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah. Both kingdoms fell and were taken into captivity. The Kingdom of Israel fell and ceased to exist 115 years before the fall and captivity of the Kingdom of Judah. The Kingdom of Judah was taken captive to Babylon. After their captivity, the Kingdom of Judah, consisting of people from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, returned to their own land for a period of time. During the time of their return, the birth of the promised Seed was fulfilled. Shortly after the birth, death, and resurrection of this promised Seed was fulfilled, the Kingdom of Judah was dispersed again. Recently, the Kingdom of Judah returned, again, to become the nation we call Israel. Soon, her sister, the Kingdom of Israel, will return also. They will be one nation with one King. This King is the same promised Seed who had come the first time, nearly two thousand years ago as the anointed Savior and Messiah (John 1:41). This time He will come to be the King of ALL the nations. At that time, the promised Seed will possess the gate of His enemies (Genesis 22:17) forever and ever. This will be the fulfillment of all the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Yehovah sent His Son at His first coming, He fulfilled all the anointed Savior promises of Genesis 22:18. When our Savior comes again, the second time, He will fulfill all the anointed Prince of Peace promises of Genesis 49:10. 21

SUMMARY (continued) THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SPLIT THE BIRTHRIGHT THE THRONE THE NATION scepter spiritual - eternal Kingdom of Judah birthright earthly - temporary Kingdom of Israel CHILDREN WHO ARE INVOLVED JACOB/ESAU blessings/promises blessings/promises spiritual JUDAH ---- ---- JOSEPH material Messianic scepter-------------- --------------birthright national kingly PEREZ/ZERAH EPHRAIM /MANASSEH princely The purpose of this study was to watch the fulfillment of Yehovah s promise to Abraham to become a countless multitude of people. To see this promise fulfilled, it was necessary to look at specific events. The splitting of the birthright, the story accounts of Jacob/Esau, Judah/Joseph, Ephraim/Manasseh, and Perez/Zerah, the throne that took on a two-way promise, and the division of Israel into two kingdoms; they all play a significant part in Yehovah s fulfillment of these blessings and promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the book of beginnings Genesis. Now, Read with New Understanding! Ezek 39:25 (Immediately following the military conflict Gog/Magog) 25 Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now will I reverse the captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel and will be jealous for My holy name.... and Numerous Other Passages as Well! Jeremiah 3:15-18 Jeremiah 50:4-5; 19-20 Ezekiel 39:21-29 Hosea 1:4,7; 9-11 Matthew 10:6 22