The Watchtower, July 15, 1940
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“RELIGION’S DOOM” TESTIMONY PERIOD
This midsummer testimony period during the entire month of August follows closely the Theocratic convention at Columbus. The period being named “Religion’s Doom”, the testimony activities should receive particular stimulation from the convention’s nationwide public address on “Religion as a World Remedy”. Appropriately, therefore, all Kingdom publishers will offer to the public, on a 25c contribution, the book Enemies and a self-covered booklet, preferably the new booklet Refugees, if the territory has recently been intensively witnessed to with the latest book, Salvation. Conventioners and people of good will everywhere are invited to share in this testimony. Arrange for this now through the local organized company of Jehovah’s witnesses. If not yet associated with such, write us for references. The Informant supplies full details. A complete report on each publisher’s field service for August should be submitted, to compile the total results.
“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES
Week of August 18: “Instruction” (Part 8),
1-25 inclusive, The Watchtower July 15, 1940.
Week of August 25: “Instruction” (Part 8),
26-50 inclusive, The Watchtower July 15, 1940.
VACATION
The annual vacation period of the members of the Bethel family at Brooklyn this year is from Saturday, July 20, to Sunday, August 4, inclusive. This will allow them a diversion from their regular activities at headquarters, and especially to avail themselves of the privileges of the 1940 Theocratic Convention of Jehovah’s witnesses and of the increasing opportunities for field witnessing. The normal operations of the factory and office will be suspended for that period; no books will be shipped or regular mail answered. Hence all field publishers should order sufficiently in advance that their supplies of literature to carry them through the vacation period and to the end of August may be shipped out not later than the evening of Friday, July 19 Also reserve your correspondence with the factory and office until after Monday, August 5.
THEOCRATIC CONVENTION OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
The manifest leadings of the Lord indicate that all lovers of the Theocratic Government of Jehovah God should assemble in general convention in 1940. Columbus, Ohio, has been selected as the key city for a five-day convention of Jehovah’s witnesses. The (Continued on page 223)
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM
Vol LXI July 15, 1940 No 14
INSTRUCTION
PART 8
“And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness.” – Ps. 105:43.
JEHOVAH never fails those who delight to do his will Obedience is always rewarded with joy. In the concluding part of the prophecy of Zephaniah Jehovah puts this song of gladness upon the lips of his faithful servants. All who are of Zion he bids to sing out boldly. The "remnant”, together with the strangers", that is, those who will form the “great multitude", he commands to shout aloud his praises. He has lifted his adverse judgment off the faithful, restored spiritual Israelites, the remnant; he has cleared out from them the hypocritical enemies and made his own faithful servant to stand out separate and distinct from all who practice religion. The faithful, appreciating the presence of the Lord at the temple and that the great Theocrat is blessing and guiding those who maintain their integrity toward him, have full confidence that the Lord is shielding them from the assaults of the enemy and therefore that they have every reason to rejoice.
2 The prophecy shows that the violent opposition to The Theocratic Government will soon come to an all-time high point; and concerning this Jehovah bids his faithful witnesses and all who are of good will toward him to cast away all fear of men and demons. He commands that fear must not paralyze them or cause them to slack their hands in the kingdom service. To strengthen his people Jehovah assures them that he is with them and will fully deliver them from the enemy. He makes them know that he is pleased with their faithfulness and those who maintain integrity shall be forever blessed. This full assurance causes the servants of Jehovah to sing for joy. No more shall the faithful halt between two opinions. They are blind to everything but The Theocratic Government, and hence they rejoice in declaring the name of the Most High, regardless of all opposition. They are certain to share in the victory of the Lord. Jehovah gives his Word that he will save his people; and therefore they fully trust him and will rejoice in his salvation.
TIME FOR REJOICING
3 By many of the prophecies Jehovah shows his faithful servants that the present is the time for rejoicing, and therefore he says to them: “Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem” (Zeph. 3:14) One of the emphatic and encouraging dramas was enacted when the Israelites under the commandment of Jehoshaphat marched out from Jerusalem to face the combined armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which armies had conspired to destroy the Israelites. (2 Chron. 20:22) That prophetic picture finds its final fulfillment upon the spiritual Israelites. The visible part of Jehovah’s organization Zion, pictured by his “woman”, are those of the “remnant”, the “daughter” of Jehovah and his organization. According to Young’s translation the text from Isaiah 12:6 reads: “Cry aloud and sing, O inhabitant [(Roth.) inhabitress] of Zion ; for great in thy midst is the Holy One of Israel!” It is the time when the members of Christ’s body, the 144,000, both those in heaven and those on the earth, must together sing the new song unto Jehovah. (Rev. 14:1-3; Ps. 149:1,2) All the people of good will, and who therefore see and who delight to support The Theocratic Government, must join in that song of praise: “Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands.” – Isa. 42:10-12.
4 When the remnant discerned that Christ Jesus is at the temple the song began: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” – Zech. 9: 9.
5 This message is directed to the real followers of Christ, the faithful of Jerusalem, and not to those who are of the religious, political, unfaithful crowd, as stated in Zephaniah 3:1. The time for sanctimonious appearance and gloominess is past. (Isa. 58: 3-5; Zech. 7:3-7) The faithful now have a deep and genuine joy. They rejoice because they see that the vindication of Jehovah’s name is certain to be accomplished in the near future. That was the joy of the Lord, and such joy is the strength of the remnant. They see that The Theocratic Government of righteousness is come and that now they will rejoice for evermore. (1 Thess. 5:16) Such is the ‘time of restitution of all things’ pertaining to The Theocratic Government under Christ. It is the ‘time of refreshing’ and calls for great rejoicing on the part of all those who love the Theocrat and his government. (Acts 3: 19-21) Exactly the opposite is the condition of big religionists, that is, the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and allies, the antitype of Tyre, who is singing as a harlot, and who now sings the seductive song to inveigle others into her trap. To the harlot and allies Jehovah says: “Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin [because she is violated by her illicit relations with political and commercial fornicators], daughter of Zidon; arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.” – Isa. 23: 12.
6 Since 1922 the remnant, under the command of the Lord Jesus, began to carry on an aggressive publication of The Theocratic Government, and that has brought no joy whatsoever to religionists, and never again shall religionists have rest or joy. God’s message of truth burns and torments the religious system. Their religious susceptibilities are shocked by reason of the proclamation of the kingdom message, and they heap greater persecution upon the witnesses of the Most High.
7 During the World War the consecrated, because of fear of man, failed to do their duty, and therefore the Lord rendered his unfavorable judgments against them. In 1919 the faithful began to awaken to the real situation, and when they discerned that Christ Jesus was at the temple their joy in reality began. To the faithful Jehovah then said: “The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy; the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not see evil any more." – Zeph. 3: 15.
8 Jehovah took away the unfavorable judgment against them, and the spirit of the Lord rested upon the faithful, and with joy they said (Isa. 12:1): “And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.” The “prisoners” restrained by “Babylon” were then released from Satan’s organization because the adverse judgment of Jehovah was taken away and because the faithful had repented and turned with full devotion to God and his King. (Pss. 102:19, 20; 146: 7; Isa. 61:1; 42:7; 49:9) The enemy was removed from God’s organization, and thereafter the rod of the wicked was not permitted to rest upon the lot of the righteous. (Ps. 125:3) Thus Jehovah delivered the captives from Satan’s organization.
9 One noteworthy event was this: that in 1928 God revealed to his people the truth concerning “the higher powers”, showing his faithful people that the “higher powers” are not the political elements that rule the world, but that Jehovah and Christ Jesus are the Higher Powers. Then the clearing out of “elective elder” bosses of the companies was another revelation that brought joy to the faithful. In the year 1938 Jehovah revealed to his people that the democratic system of government is not the rule for Jehovah’s organization, but that God’s organization is necessarily theocratic. All of these things brought joy to God’s people, and their faith and hope and comfort increase.
10 To his faithful servants Jehovah revealed that “the king of [spiritual] Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee”. That king is not Caesar, nor the state, nor the pope of the Hierarchy, falsely claiming to be the official representative of Christ; but that king is Jehovah, “the King of Eternity.” By his official representative, Christ Jesus, He is present with his faithful servants. As a result of Jehovah's presence by Christ Jesus with the faithful “remnant’' gathered to the temple and made witnesses of the Theocrat, the people of good will heard the message. These “strangers” began to come from many nations, and still they come, and, coming, they join in the song because their hearts are made glad: “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” (Zech. 2:10, 11) “Thus saith the Lord, I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and Jerusalem shall be called, A city of truth; and the mountain [The Theocratic Government] of the Lord of hosts, The holy mountain.” – Zech. 8: 3.
11 No more shall the Lord punish his faithful people: “Thou shalt not see evil any more.” (Zeph. 3:15) The remnant, continuing faithful and obedient to the Lord, will maintain their integrity toward him, and therefore there will be no more occasion for Jehovah to visit evil upon them as he did in 1914 to 1918: “And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” – Rev. 22: 3, 4.
12 The cruel persecution that now comes upon God’s people at the hand of the Hierarchy and totalitarian allies and their tools is not any evil from Jehovah. That does not express Jehovah’s displeasure concerning his faithful ones. That persecution is evidence from the Lord that the remnant and their companions are his own people permitted to bear the reproach that fell upon Jehovah and Christ Jesus long centuries ago. Because the remnant bears the name of Jehovah and because the Jonadabs are the “other sheep” of the Lord, they are subjected to the persecution by the Devil’s organization. By their standing firm on the side of Jehovah and trusting in his salvation they are made strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. The remnant are in The Theocratic Government, and the Jonadabs are under the protection of the Lord, and hence these ‘men [of God] dwell in it [the kingdom], and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem [God’s faithful organization] shall be safely inhabited’.–Zech. 14:11.
13 The faithful servants of Jehovah know that no evil shall prevail against them, and they say to the Lord, as written in the prophecies: “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” (Ps. 13:5) They know that their salvation is assured. That brings much joy to their hearts.
14 The “day of Jehovah” began in 1914, when he enthroned Christ as King. Therefore Jehovah says: “In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.” (Zeph. 3:16) Jehovah speaks through Christ Jesus, the King and great Prophet. In the year 1919 Christ Jesus, through his earthly servants and by his selected means of communication, began to say to those in the covenant with Jehovah: “Fear them not”; meaning, Do not fear any of the enemy; fear only God. (See The Watchtower August 1 and 15, 1919, "Blessed Are the Fearless.” Also The Watchtower April 1, 1923, “Slack Not Thine Hands.”) This message of comfort and assurance is to the remnant of spiritual Israel, who are citizens of the New Jerusalem, and to the ‘strangers that are within her gates', that is, the people of good will, the Jonadabs. Both classes must observe the same law and obey the same commandments of God. – Ex. 12:49.
15 This admonition to the remnant and to the “other sheep” proves that Satan was then cast out of heaven and down to the earth, and hence after 1918 and onward would be and are “perilous times”; and that these are the "last days”, and that the name of Jehovah must be vigorously declared until the battle of the great day of God Almighty begins. This also proves that Catholic Action would be organized, vigorously warring against The Theocracy, and that the totalitarian state would grab control of the earth. It also proves that these, together with the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, claiming the right to rule the earth, constitute “the abomination that maketh desolate" and that it would stand “where it ought not” to stand. Furthermore it shows that the persecution of Jehovah’s servants would increase, marking the time when all persons of good wall who have hope for salvation must flee to The Theocratic Government. (Matt. 24:15, 16) From that time on those covenant people of God must not fear man or demons. Fearing only God and diligently obeying his commandments makes them safe from the Devil’s trap. – Prov. 29: 25
16 Zion is Jehovah’s capital organization with Christ Jesus the Head thereof and associated with him the spirit-begotten 144,000, all of whom must now be busily engaged in Jehovah’s service. To Zion Jehovah says now: “Let not thine hands be slack.” No time now for idleness or weakly refraining from the kingdom witness work. Even though the enemy challenges the legality of the witness work and heaps great reproach and punishment upon those engaged in that work, the faithful must not slack their hand. No one in Zion must fear the enemy. They must be bold as the lion, which represents justice. They must joyfully continue to obey the commandments of the Lord. God is our strength, and him only shall we fear.
17 Jehovah caused to be made and recorded many prophetic dramas as examples and for the encouragement of his people in this day of peril upon the earth. One of these examples was that concerning Nehemiah when he was sent of the Lord to rebuild the walls of ancient Jerusalem. Sanballat, together with other enemies, conspired against Nehemiah and raised the false charge of sedition against him and his companions. Nehemiah prayed to Jehovah: “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” (Neh. 6:1,7-9) Likewise God’s faithful servants, in doing their work since 1922, have continued to pray, and Jehovah has heard their prayers. The enemy tried the same Deviltactics when the temple was being rebuilt at Jerusalem by the faithful restored remnant of fleshly Israel: “Then the [enemy] people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in [their] building; and hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.” – Ezra 4: 4, 5.
18 Another example was that of the Gibeonites, who were desperately in need of help and who called upon Joshua, sending him the message: “Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us.” (Josh. 10: 6) There the Gibeonites pictured the people of good will, the “other sheep” of the Lord now being gathered, who now need help; and so the remnant the Lord commands to push on with the witness work and slack not the hand. Jehovah’s witnesses must be diligent and very active up until Armageddon, ever rejoicing in their privilege of bearing the reproaches that fell upon the Lord for His name’s sake.
19 Why should Jehovah’s witnesses have no fear of man or demons? The answer is given in the prophecy: "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing.” – Zeph. 3:17.
20 Jehovah has commanded that his name shall now be declared throughout the earth. He is in the midst of his covenant people, and he is almighty. He is Jehovah of Hosts, the God of battle, and none can successfully withstand him. The battle is his, and not man’s, and His complete victory is absolutely certain. (2 Chron. 20:15) He has appointed and commissioned his King, Christ Jesus, who is “The mighty God”. (Isa. 9: 6) To Zion, the temple mountain, Jehovah says: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” – Ps. 24: 7, 8.
21 Salvation belongs to Jehovah, and not to any earthly agency: “He will save [his faithful people].” That does not refer to saving from death due to Adam’s sin, but does mean salvation or deliverance from the Devil's organization, which threatens destruction to the servants of God. It refers to deliverance of God’s faithful people, both the remnant and the “other sheep”, at Armageddon. Many times have these been delivered since 1919, and complete deliverance will come to the faithful at Armageddon, and that deliverance will be for the sake of Jehovah’s name. (Ps. 106:8) Seeing that the day of salvation is now at hand, this is no time for idleness, but the time for great energy and activity in proclaiming The Theocratic Government and the deliverance it will bring.
22 The faithful children of Zion and their companions now prove by the Word of God, which he has commanded them to carry to the people, that Satan is a liar and that all religion is from the demons. God is pleased with such faithful activity in proclaiming his name and his kingdom. Therefore it is written : “He will rejoice over thee with joy.” (Zeph. 3:17) Jehovah is manifesting his good pleasure toward his servants because of their fearlessness and faithfulness in advertising The Theocratic Government and declaring the name of the great Theocrat. Those faithful servants fear Jehovah, lest they should come short of service and not receive his approval. They delight to do his will amidst all opposition. The words recorded by the prophet Jeremiah are now appropriately and properly applied to the faithful servants of Jehovah God, whom Jeremiah foreshadowed: “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, 1 will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart, and with my whole soul.” (Jer. 32:40,41) God’s favor is made known to the faithful by giving them a “new name”, the witnesses of Jehovah. (Isa. 62: 2-5; 43: 10-12) Furthermore, he says to the “evil servant” class: “And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die an hundred years old ; but the sinner, being an hundred years old, shall be accursed.” – Isa. 65:15, 19, 20.
23 Because Jehovah rejoices over his faithful people he bids them that are his witnesses on the earth to rejoice also, and they do greatly rejoice now. (Isa. 65:18; 66:10, 14) Since receiving their "new name” the remnant, being fully identified with the organization under Christ, joyfully sing: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” – Isa. 61:10.
24 Furthermore Zephaniah records: “He will rest in his love.” (Zeph. 3: 17) The marginal reading is: “He will be silent in his love.” Jehovah rests or keeps silent from rebuking Zion, that being no longer necessary, because the children of Zion, the faithful remnant, are zealous and obedient to Jehovah’s commandments and are active, therefore, in his service. This is Jehovah’s attitude toward them because of his love for his faithful ones. All his acts toward them are by reason of his loving-kindness Therefore he bids his people to sing, for the reason that now is the time for them to make manifest their joy in him. Then says the Most High: “[I] will joy over thee with singing.” This he does because the time has come to vindicate his name by his Theocratic Government. The time is here for the deliverance of his faithful ones, and they are commanded to sing. Jehovah communicates to them this “new song”, and they sing: “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders; and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.” – Rev. 14: 3.
25 At the birth of the man child Jesus the angelic host of heaven sung a prophetic song, and again that song is being fulfilled: ‘And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace toward men of good-will.’ (Luke 2:13, 14, Rotherham) To the people of good will, the "other sheep” of the Lord, he gives commandment: “Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people; for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.” (Deut. 32: 43) Jehovah’s organization is now in a joyful place, because now is the time for the fulfillment of prophecy: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return [from Babylon], and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isa. 35:10) "Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” – Isa. 51:11
ASSEMBLY
26 In 1918 Jehovah’s people were cut off from enjoying their assembly together, and this by reason of being taken away captives by the enemy. Some were actually imprisoned, and all were restrained of their liberty. In 1918 Christ Jesus came to the temple and the saints who had long been dead were resurrected and gathered unto the Lord. The captives sorrowed, waiting for the gathering to the temple on Mount Zion : "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”-Rom. 8:23.
27 Another rendering of the text (Zeph. 3: 18) is: "The sad exiles from the appointed meeting have I gathered.” (Rotherham) Those exiled during 1918 from God’s appointed place of meeting rejoiced when they were gathered together in 1919 and when the Lord revived the work of The Theocracy. Therefore the regathered spiritual Israelites say, and continue to sing: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.” (Ps. 122:1,2,4,8) “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. They go from strength to strength; every one of them in Zi6n appeareth before God.” (Ps. 84: 2, 7) "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me; for I had gone with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” (Ps. 42: 2. 4) “0 God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.” – Ps. 63:1, 2.
28 With this statement of the facts the following part of the prophecy will be appreciated by the anointed and companions: “I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden ” (Zeph. 3:18) Who are gathered? The prophecy answers: Those “who are of thee [from thee had they been (Roth.))”. Those consecrated ones had been absent from the Lord’s organization because of being in captivity or prisoners or restrained ones, held by the enemy organization during the World War. It was a burden to them to be in captivity: "A burden on thee [and] a reproach!” (Rotherham) The consecrated had not maintained their integrity, but had slacked their hands during that period in giving testimony of the kingdom. Thus in 1918 and 1919 they had contributed to the reproach upon Jehovah’s organization. Those who were in the “evil servant" class were not gathered after 1918, but were “cut off from the [holy] city”. (Zech. 14:1,2) The faithful were sorrowful, and when they were regathered to the Lord their joy really began.
29 Jehovah says to the afflicted ones who remained faithful: “Behold, at that time I will undo al) that afflict thee; and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.” – Zeph. 3:19.
30 The first part of this text, according to Rotherham, reads: “Behold me! dealing with all thine oppressors at that time”; then, following the beginning of the “strange work” by Jehovah, and in that he gives his faithful ones a part. The “strange work” exposes the hypocritical religious afflicters. In that “strange work” a series of grievous “plagues” are poured out upon “Christendom”. God produces a “famine” in their land by denying the religious meddlers a vision of his purpose. They are like the demons; they go into darkness and remain there. (Rev. 16:1-21; Amos 8:11) The religious susceptibilities of these oppressors being shocked, they begin to howl. During the “strange work” some of the oppressors and supporters appear to repent: “The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” (Isa. 60:14) Thus is described those who had been oppressors but who now turn to the Lord and seek his salvation. Thereafter comes the “strange act”, and the oppressors will never escape from Jehovah’s Executioner: “For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.” – Mark 13:19.
31 Who will be saved? The Lord answers, “I will save her that halteth”; that meaning the remnant of Zion, to whom is committed the testimony of Jesus Christ. During the World War these halted between two opinions, trying at that time to obey human rulers because they believed them to be “the higher powers”, and also desiring to be faithful unto Jehovah God; but, they being of honest and sincere heart, Jehovah restored the remnant: “In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation; and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.” – Mic. 4:6, 7
32 The religionists watched for opportunities to rid the earth of God’s consecrated people, but the Lord saved and delivered those who were faithful to him: “But in mine adversity [halting (margin)] they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together [against the remnant]; yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: with hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.” (Ps. 35:15,16) “For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.”–Jer. 20:10; Ps. 38: 16-18.
33 This halting between two opinions resulted in lameness on the part of the remnant. Jehovah gave them credit for being ignorant of the truth concerning the “higher powers”, and hence had mercy upon them and gathered them and restored them, in 1919, and then, later, about 1929, revealed to his faithful people that the “higher powers” are not the earthly rulers, but Jehovah God and Christ.
34 Furthermore concerning the faithful Jehovah says: “And gather her that was driven out”; that is to say, driven out of the “Holy Land” of the service, which was denied God’s people in behalf of the kingdom interests during the World War. God permitted them to be driven out because of their fear of man and because of holding to much of religion and religious ceremonies. This was foreshadowed by the fleeing of Elijah from the devil-worshiping female representative, Jezebel. (1 Ki. 19:1-15) Furthermore, as foreshadowed by Elijah’s returning, by the returning and gathering of the remnant of Zion Jehovah therefore nullifies and reverses the action of the enemy against God’s faithful people. A further picture of this God caused to be recorded by his prophet Ezekiel: “Then he said unto me, Son of man. these bones are the whole house of [spiritual] Israel; behold, they [during 1918] say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost; we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy, and say unto them. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel [which prophecy began to have fulfillment in 1919]. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves [a deadness as to activity in God’s kingdom service], O my people, and brought you up out of your graves.” – Ezek. 37 :11-13.
35 Furthermore Jehovah says: “And I will get them praise and fame.” (Zeph. 3:19) “I will make them a praise and a name.” (R.V. and Roth.) The deliverance of the remnant from the enemy and their restoration to their own land, that is, to kingdom service, was then and has continued to be a praise to Jehovah and to the honor of his name. Jehovah has also given his faithful remnant a “new name” to his praise. All of this favor of God upon his people has brought dismay to the enemy, and particularly to the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. (Rev. 11:11-13) Jehovah then causes them to be called his witnesses and to show forth his praises and to exalt his name before others, and not to exalt men. “And in that day [of restoration] shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name [(margin) proclaim his name], declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things [to wit, has set up) The Theocracy and delivered his people from Satan's organization] ; this is known in all the earth.”–Isa. 12:4, 5.
36 During the World War the remnant were put to shame in their land. Concerning them God says: I will make them a praise and a name “in every land where they have been put to shame". God's people were made to have a shameful appearance ; but when they were regathered by the Lord and restored to his service a different picture appears. Now in every land of “Christendom” the religionists are forced to take notice of Jehovah’s witnesses. The Roman Catholic Hierarchy at last recognizes that there is a people on the earth who refuse to yield to their inducements and who never quail before their inquisitors The faithful now are fulfilling and obeying that admonition which is written in the Scriptures, to wit. “Only let the lives you live be worthy of the [gospel] of The Christ, in order that, whether I come and see you or, being absent, only hear of you, 1 may know that you are standing fast in one spirit and with one mind, fighting shoulder to shoulder for the faith of the [gospel]. Never for a moment quail before your antagonists. Your fearlessness will be to them a sure token of impending destruction, but to you it will be a sure token of your salvation–a token coming from God.” – Phil. 1: 27, 28, Weymouth.
37 Now Jehovah turns the tables and makes those of “Catholic Action” and their allies turn black in the face. The enemy see that they are exposed, and they see that the people of good will toward Jehovah are fleeing from the demon organization and finding rest and safety under God’s organization. Jehovah foretold this day of triumph of those who serve and worship him in spirit and in truth: “But ye shall be named the priests of the Lord; men shall call you the ministers of our God; ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. For your shame ye shall have double, and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion; therefore in their land they shall possess the double; everlasting joy shall be unto them.” – Isa. 61:6,7.
TEMPLE SERVICE
38 At the temple judgment, which began in 1918, those who passed the test were anointed and commissioned and sent forth to the service of The Theocratic Government, and concerning them Jehovah by his prophet says: “At that time will I bring you again [bring you in (R.V.)], even in the time that I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.”–Zeph. 3: 20.
39 At the temple the approved ones were brought into the service of The Theocracy. To them the Lord committed the kingdom interests. They must now offer unto Jehovah an offering in righteousness, and this they did when sent forth into the earth to perform their assigned work under Christ Jesus, their Head and King.
40 The gathering or restoring has no reference to "Israel after the flesh”, because they were a typical people. The gathering here refers to spiritual Israel. It means the bringing of the spiritual Israelites, the faithful witnesses of God, into visible unity. Now God’s people have been brought into full unity as the Lord foretold by the apostle. (Eph. 4:13,14) "Thus saith the Lord God, When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that 1 have given to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God.” (Ezek. 28.23,26) “And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.” (Amos 9:14,13) These scriptures show that Jehovah’s faithful servants now on the earth shall never again be scattered by the enemy, but shall continue for ever to serve Jehovah and rejoice in his salvation.
41 Jehovah’s people, the remnant and their companions, are now carrying forward a campaign of publicity in full unity and solidarity. Some notable examples are these: In London, England, 193S, was held a convention of the remnant and companions, which convention was tied, by electric appliances, with many other assemblies throughout Great Britain, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Canada and America. Also in the year 1939 a like assembly, the key of which was in New York city, tied together with many other cities and radio stations. By this means Jehovah’s witnesses and companions in every part of the land of “Christendom” were gathered together and harmoniously proclaimed the name of the great Theocratic Government.
42 “For I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth.” According to Young’s translation: “I will give you [restored spiritual Israel] for a name, and for a praise, among all peoples of the land.” From about 1878 Jehovah began taking out of the nations a “people for his name”. (Acts 15:14) These he put to the test at the temple judgment in 1918, and sent the approved ones forth to do his work. The Scriptures and the physical facts exactly agree and show that now is the time when Jehovah puts his favor upon those who truly love and serve him; and this proves the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning their commission. The “tabernacle of David” was typical and pictured the kingdom. In 1914 the King, Christ Jesus, was enthroned and the kingdom set up. The commissioned remnant went forth at his command to proclaim the name of Jehovah, that is, to declare his name and his government. To this agree the words of the prophet set forth in Amos 9:11,12. (See Acts 15:14-18.) Why was this done? The Word of Jehovah answers: “That the residue of men [a people for his name] might seek after the Lord,” and those of good will of all nations might flee to The Theocratic Government. All this Jehovah foretold from the very beginning; and his purpose must be accomplished. – Acts 15. 14-18.
FULL ASSURANCE
43 The remnant and companions are now fully assured of what shall come to pass. They are no longer
in doubt, and no longer do they fear. Jehovah has spoken, and his word shall not return to him void, but shall accomplish his purpose. Having purposed it, he will also do it. (Isa. 46:11; 55:11) When will Jehovah do all these marvelous things? He answers: "When I turn back your captivity before your eyes”; or, according to Rotherham: ‘When I cause all your captives to return before your eyes.’ Jehovah has gathered his faithful witnesses in the course of action taken, that all who desire may discern and know that Jehovah is the Almighty and that now his prophecies are being fulfilled to the praise and to the vindication of his name.
44 Had all the consecrated in 1918 taken a course of idleness and never thereafter organized and carried forward the witness work in a zealous and fearless manner, no one on earth would have seen or known of the restoration of spiritual Israel and that these are the true servants of Jehovah God, who declare his name and his government. In fact, there could have been no restoration were it not for the fact that some remained true and faithful to the Lord and these constituted the “remnant”. In 1919 Jehovah’s consecrated faithful people were restored, their restraint being removed. Thus the faithful were made a praise to the name of Jehovah. Religionists, and political and commercial people, were made to realize that now there is a people on the earth who are wholly devoted to Jehovah and who without fear or hesitation engage in proclaiming his name and advertising The Theocratic Government as the only hope of mankind.
45 Now the religionists realize that Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions are a people entirely out of the ordinary and separate and distinct from the religious politicians of the earth. They see that such are a peculiar people. These faithful witnesses put Jehovah and his kingdom above everything. Their testimony concerning Jehovah and his Theocratic Government fills the religionists and allies with malicious hatred of the Almighty and his kingdom, and thus the enemy openly oppose everything that pertains to The Theocratic Government. The Lord God causes the enemy to thereby fix their own destiny. They openly espouse the cause of the Devil and work in harmony with the demons opposing the Most High and all who represent Him. He makes his people a praise to his name in the earth.
BE instructed
46 The Scriptures were written that the man of God might be instructed and duly equipped to serve the Most High and his kingdom. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) The wise are those who diligently seek righteousness and meekness. They are anxious to know the will of God and diligent to walk in the way he has commanded. “And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.” (Prov. 21:11) One who is instructed by the Lord and receives knowledge has an appreciation of his relationship to Jehovah and to his king. (Prov. 8: 10, 12) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” – Prov. 9:10.
47 Jehovah’s time arrives for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zephaniah, whose name means "hidden of Jehovah”. Zephaniah pictures, first, the "remnant”, and, later, their “companions”. In the temple judgment, which began in 1918, the approved ones were healed and built up into Zion. Then they were all sent forth to warn “Christendom” in particular and to give warning to all of Satan’s organization that the end had come and that the battle of the great day of God Almighty is near. Also their commission required them to proclaim the name of Jehovah and his government to all who had a hearing ear, to the end that the Lord’s “other sheep” might be gathered. The faithful remnant immediately began to carry out that commission, and have continued to do so. As they continue thus to obey God’s commandments he continues to instruct them by revealing to them the meaning of his prophecies. In this time the Lord gathers his “other sheep”, and these are made the companions of the remnant and joined with the remnant in declaring The Theocratic Government and in sounding the warning that final judgment is about to be fully executed. Those who are wise heed the warning and receive the instructions and immediately flee to The Theocratic Government and have promise of being hidden there.
48 “Christendom” spurns the instruction from the Lord. The commercial and political and military elements join the religionists in opposition to The Theocracy, and, all together, they join in persecution of Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions In their opposition to The Theocratic Government "Christendom” and allies boast that they will rule the world in defiance of Jehovah God and his King.
49 Then Jehovah says to the rebellious ones: “Just wait for me.” But rebellious “Christendom” gives no heed to the warning. On the contrary, the religionists and allies increase persecution upon Jehovah’s servants. Will Jehovah avenge his faithful witnesses? Jesus answers: “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18: 8) Those now on the earth who have full faith and confidence in Jehovah and his King will not longer fear demons nor any of the human agents of the demons, but with boldness and zeal peculiar to the house of the Lord they will go forth in the proclamation of the message committed to their hands, declaring God’s purpose. By so doing they will prove their faith in Jehovah and in his government, and will thereby maintain their integrity toward the Most High.
50 Jehovah’s time is here to oust the enemy. Therefore let all who trust fully in the great Theocrat and his King rejoice. God rejoices over them and commands them to rejoice. Therefore let no one of the remnant or of the Jonadabs now tremble or fail to perform his full duty. Let no one of them slack his hands. Let the witness work be pressed on with everincreasing vigor. Rejoice and sing for joy, all who are privileged now to be on the side of The Theocratic Government. Victory is certain, and it is nigh. All the Scriptures and all the physical facts fully prove that the great battle will begin shortly. As Jehovah spoke to typical Israel through his faithful servant Joshua, so now he speaks to spiritual Israel and companions through the Greater Joshua, to wit: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Josh. 1:9) Salvation belongeth to Jehovah, and he will deliver those who trust in him. Therefore as we go let us sing: "My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”
WAS THE HUNTER "GYPPED”?
"ESAU was a cunning hunter, a man of the field,” like Nimrod, after whom it was said: “Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” (See Genesis 25: 27 and 10: 8-10.) Doubtless both of these hunters knew of the great divine promise given in the paradise of Eden concerning a coming Seed, a Deliverer of humankind, to wit: “And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; ... and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed ; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” – Gen. 3:14, 15.
Esau’s home was in the tents of his father, Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham, the man who was called “the friend of God”. With Abraham God made a solemn contract or covenant, in these words: “In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” (Gen. 22:17, 18) This is called the Abrahamic covenant. Note that the covenant with Abraham stated that there would be an offspring or “seed” which would bless “all the nations of the earth”. Before the blessing promised could come to the peoples of earth, the seed which was promised must first come. It was therefore expected that one of the natural descendants of Abraham would become their king and that through that king and his kingdom all the nations of the earth would be blessed according to the will of God the great Theocrat. For this reason the faithful looked forward with great expectancy to the birth of the one who was to be their king. They based their hopes upon the repeated promise by Jehovah God. Without doubt it was thought by some that Isaac, the son of Abraham, would be the one through whom the blessing would come. “And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi [the well of the Living-Seeing One].” When Isaac was about sixty years old there were born to him and his wife Rebekah two sons, twins, who were named by them Esau and Jacob. – Gen. 25:11, 26.
To escape a famine Isaac then went to live in the land of the demon-worshiping Philistines. While there, God said to Isaac: “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee: for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries; and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father. And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 26: 3, 4) Thus the Abrahamic promise was renewed to Isaac Before the death of Isaac upon which of his twin sons would he pronounce his blessing, and which son would thereby become the successor of his father to the Abrahamic promise?
Under the rule of descent at that time in the Orient, the firstborn or eldest son was the heir of the father’s estate and of any other rights or privileges that went with, that estate, unless for some cause there should be an exception to the rule. Esau, having been born a few moments before his brother Jacob, would under the operation of this rule be the successor of the Abrahamic promise and heir to his father. His birthright, therefore, would include the promise made to Abraham. But Jehovah God clearly indicated that there should be an exception to the rule in this case and that Jacob should be the heir, and not Esau When it was known that Rebekah the mother would bear offspring, and just before the time of the birth, she inquired of the Lord concerning the expected offspring, and the Lord said unto her that two sons would be born to her and that the older should serve the younger. “And the Lend said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” (Gen. 25: 22, 23) This definitely shows that it was God’s purpose that Jacob, who was born last, should be the heir and successor to the Abrahamic promise
These two sons grew to manhood’s estate Esau became a great hunter and loved the outdoor sports; while Jacob was a plain man, remaining quietly at home. Esau showed that he did not appreciate the birthright, namely, the Abrahamic promise, even if it were his, which in fact it was not, since God had foreordained that it should belong to Jacob As the inspired commentator thereon writes: “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God, according to election, might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) it was said unto her. The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (Rom. 9:10-13) Esau thought more of his own selfish, immediate comfort than of anything that might come to him by reason of the Abrahamic promise.
Came the day when Esau was in the field hunting. He returned hungry and faint. He found that Jacob had prepared a pot of lentils. When Esau smelled this appetizing food he said to Jacob: “Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage, for I am faint.” Then Jacob, not out of line with the decree of Jehovah God, said to Esau: “Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” – Gen. 25:27-34.
Genuine, real right and title to the birthright was now Jacob’s for two good and sufficient reasons: (1) because it was so ordered by the Lord before Jacob’s birth, as above stated ; and (2) because he had bought it in an open and fair transaction with his brother Esau. Jacob and Esau were then men, both capable of entering into a contract; and they made a contract which was binding upon both.
Notwithstanding these two good reasons why Jacob was justly entitled to the birthright, Esau attempted to deprive him of it. The birthright carried with it the privilege of the special blessing from their father Isaac. Isaac waxed old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see; and he knew that the day of his death might be near. (Gen. 27:1, 2) He directed his son Esau to go into the field and take some venison and bring it to him that he might eat, and give Esau his blessing.
The Bible does not clearly show that Isaac knew God had foreordained that this birthright should belong to Jacob, nor does it show that Isaac knew Esau had sold it to Jacob; therefore the old father can be excused for thinking it was his duty to bestow his blessing upon his son Esau. It was when Isaac was 131 years old and his sons Jacob and Esau were men of mature years, each 71 years of age, that Isaac bestowed the blessing. Rebekah the mother, knowing of both the reasons why Jacob was entitled to the birthright, knowing that Esau did not appreciate it, and knowing of his wrongful intent to deprive his brother Jacob of the privileges and blessings incident to the birthright, advised Jacob what to do in order to protect his own rightful and proper interests. The mother, therefore, was carrying out God’s will in this respect. She was doing what all honest persons should do: try to protect the rights and privileges of those that are near and dear to them. She therefore directed Jacob to slay two kids of the goats and bring them to her and she prepared some savory meat, while Esau was away hunting. Then, in order that the blind father might not obstinately refuse to aid them in carrying out the divine purposes, and in order that he might think he was blessing Esau, the mother Rebekah fastened upon the arms of her son Jacob the skins of the kids and also put the skins about his neck that he would appear as a hairy man like unto his brother Esau.
Jacob then came in before his father and presented the savory meat. His father kissed him and laid his hand upon him and gave to Jacob his blessing. The old father then spoke in prophetic phrase, evidently under the direction of the Lord, saying unto his son Jacob: “Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee; and blessed be he that blesseth thee.”–Gen. 27 : 29.
Almost immediately Esau returned from the field and found that Jacob had received his father’s blessing and that he (Esau) had been unsuccessful in carrying out his purpose of defeating the open and fair transaction which he had made with Jacob when he sold him his birthright. Esau hated his brother Jacob and determined to kill him as soon as his father Isaac was dead.
It seems rather strange that many religionists have severely criticized Jacob and his mother Rebekah in this transaction. It has evidently been due to the fact that they were ignorant of the record. No part of Jacob’s action in connection with the birthright is reprehensible. Jehovah God later showed that Esau prophetically pictured the peoples of earth who are Christians in name only, but nut in truth and in fact, and who are hypocritical, and who persecute the true Christians; while Jacob pictured or foreshadowed the true followers of Christ who have been misrepresented and persecuted by the merely so-called “Christians", God showed his approval of the conduct of Jacob and his mother Rebekah, and showed that it was his purpose that Jacob should receive the blessing going with the birthright. Jacob had shown his great desire for the birthright, which was merely a promise; while Esau had despised it. Hence later the apostle warned Christians "lest there be any formeator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected for he found no place of repentance [on God’s part], though he sought it carefully with tears”. – Heb. 12:16, 17
Acting upon the advice of his mother, Jacob now tied from the wrath of Esau; but before going Isaac called Jacob and again blessed him. (Gen. 28. 1-5) As Jacob went away, he lay down and slept at a place situated north of the present site of Jerusalem and which afterward Jacob named Bethel, which name means “House of God” There Jacob had a dream, in which God signified his approved of Jacob and pronounced a blessing upon him. The faithful record reads:
“And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set: and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and, behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and, behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 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 best, to thee will 1 give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shaft spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land. for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” – Gen. 28:11-15.
Whom God blesses and approves all others should approve Be assured, then, that Jacob was blameless before Jehovah God in this transaction. It shows how carefully Jehovah was guarding his promise and the seed which would spring from it ultimately and through which the families of the earth should be blessed.
Some years later God showed his further favor to Jacob by changing his name from Jacob to Israel The name Israel means “He will rule as God”. (Gen. 32:27,28) “And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; and the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land” (Gen. 35:10-12) But what about Esau the hunter?
The nickname of Esau was Edom: “Esau, who is Edom.” (Gen. 36:1) The name means “red”, and is a reminder of Esau’s failure to appreciate God’s favor toward him concerning the Abrahamic birthright, which Esau sold for the paltry sum of a mess of pottage, that his selfish appetite might be appeased. Genesis 25:30: “And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom”; that is, “Red” (Marginal reading) Esau married outside of Abraham’s family relation. Esau took his wives of the demon-worshiping daughters of Canaan, the cursed one. (Gen. 9: 25) It was therefore impossible for the Edomites to be God's holy nation. Esau was the firstborn of Isaac and apparently had the first claim to the Abrahamic birthright, but it was God’s will that it should be otherwise.
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