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December 22, 2004
Apology AND Correction on Recent Article About:
Israel (Jacob) and Ishmael
PLUS: "GOD'S HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT"
by Steve Shultz
THE ELIJAH LIST
www.elijahlist.com
PROPHETIC TELEVISION
www.prophetic.tv
 My
Apologies and an official correction!
Ever wonder, on some days, why you got up that morning? (smiling) Perhaps yesterday
was one of those days for me. But, then, it's Christmas so you can cut me a bit
of slack on my (hopefully) last major goof of the year, right?
Late yesterday, I released an article called, "Another SIGN TODAY FOR ISRAEL AND
ALL ISRAEL'S DESCENDENTS!" However, in that article I made a simple but important
error. Thus this correction -- but, then, there's more. That article will remain
posted for 24 hours or so, but then, because of its inaccuracy, I'll likely remove
it from our archives.
In that article yesterday, I called Ishmael a "descendant" of Israel (also
known as Jacob). But Ishmael was the UNCLE of Jacob, not a descendant. He was a
relative, but not in the same direct family line. Relatives are indeed important,
but a descendent has certain rights that other relatives don't.
It's kind of like when I speak about Sarah (Abraham's wife) and Rachel (Jacob's
wife). I often get those names mixed up, and I have to repeat it in my mind to make
sure I state the facts right.
In this case, though, I was very incorrect. The Uncle of a man cannot be his descendent,
so some of the points I made would become invalid. However, there is an ironic twist
here. In the corrections that I received from a few of you, it was told to me that
I was "theologically" wrong. Actually, it might be even more correct to say I was
Biblically wrong, but Theologically accurate.
Here's how...Theology is the study and knowledge of God. It might be said that God
is easier to "get" than is our understanding of what is written by men and women
of God ABOUT God (even though inspired by the Holy Spirit).
Peter, for instance, says that Paul was sometimes difficult to understand:
2 Peter 3:16
"He [Paul] writes the same way in all his letters, speaking
in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand..."
I was Biblically off, but, Theologically, perhaps I was a lot closer to the truth
than some would believe about Ishmael's children being blessed.
Let me explain.
GOD HEARS THE CRIES OF ISHMAEL
Genesis 17:18-27
"And Abraham said to God, 'If only Ishmael might live
under your blessing!'
"Then God said, 'Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call
him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for
his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely
bless him [Ishmael]; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers.
He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this
time next year.' When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
"On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household...and
circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was
circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were
both circumcised on that same day." (Emphasis mine)
Apparently, the first circumcision AND the first "Jewish" Briss Ceremony was on
the same day with both Ishmael and Abraham. Think of that!
But God told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away because it was causing problems
and, besides, the covenant was to be through Isaac alone. God didn't mince words.
But bear this in mind...
God heard the CRIES of ISHMAEL and HE BLESSED HIM:
Genesis 21:16-18
"Then she [Hagar upon being sent away] went off and sat
down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, 'I cannot watch the boy die.'
"And
as she sat there nearby, she began to sob. God heard the boy [Ishmael] crying,
and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is the matter,
Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the
boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.'"
(Emphasis mine)
Note that God reminds Hagar that He had already promised to make Ishmael into a
GREAT nation!
AND LATER, GOD HEARD THE CRIES OF ISRAEL, THE COVENANT
CHILDREN
Exodus 3:7-8
"The LORD said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people
[the children of Israel, who was the grandchild of Abraham and an actual descendent
of Abraham] in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave
drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue
them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a
good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey — the home of the Canaanites,
Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.'" (Emphasis and
notes mine)
To be clear, the OLD TESTAMENT God and the NEW TESTAMENT God are one and the same.
God hears the cries of HIS children all the way through Scripture and He responds
to those cries.
It is critical that the Church not think to themselves that God only loves Israel
(who was the promised descendent of Abraham -- i.e. the child of Isaac), and falsely
assume that the same God does not also love Ishmael -- also a son of Abraham. God
proved above that He loved Ishmael, and He responded to his cries, having previously
promised that Ishmael would be made into a great nation and would be blessed. Today,
God still responds to the cries of the children of Ishmael, who was also the son
of Abraham.
ISAAC AND ISHMAEL STAY IN RELATIONSHIP
Just so you know, even though ISHMAEL was temporarily sent away, He and Isaac stayed
in relationship.
How do we know?
Genesis 25:7-10
"Altogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years.
Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of
years; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him
in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the
Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites." (Emphasis mine)
IN YOU, ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED
God made a special promise to the Father of the Jewish people (Abraham) and the
Father of the children of Ishmael who even today trace their lineage also to Abraham.
Thus, brother fights brother to this day, while both claim Abraham and bless Abraham
as their father.
Here's how God put it ABOUT Abraham to those He was speaking to in Heaven:
Genesis 18:17-19
"Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham
will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be
blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children
and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and
just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
(Emphasis mine)
Abraham had Ishmael first, truly one of his sons. Then he had the son of promise,
Isaac (who later had Jacob, also known as Israel) -- who was also a "type" or "symbol"
of Christ himself.
Nevertheless, they were Abraham's children, both Ishmael and Isaac. Here is how
God put it straight to Abraham after his almost-sacrifice of Isaac:
Genesis 22:14-18
"So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And
to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.'
The angel of the
LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, 'I swear by myself, declares
the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only
son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars
in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession
of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth
will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.'" NIV (Emphasis mine)
Ishmael was also one of Abraham's offspring. The Bible is clear!
THIS GETS CONTROVERSIAL, BUT WHO BLESSES ABRAHAM TODAY?
Now, as New Testament Christians, we know that salvation comes by no other name
than Jesus Christ.
But we must also realize that blessings are passed down to those who bless Abraham.
Not just those who bless Israel, but to those who bless Abraham. Do you find it
as ironic as I do, that Christians bless Abraham and Abraham's grandson, Jacob (or
Israel)?
But do we bless Abraham's descendent -- his son, Ishmael?
What dad doesn't want his children spoken highly of, especially if God had spoken
and chosen to bless this son, Ishmael? If not...then why not?
Now, the Arab peoples, as a whole, also bless Abraham, and many of them came through
Ishmael. And of course, ultimately, the Jewish people bless Abraham to this day...or
at least most of them do.
Here it is in the Word:
Genesis 12:1-3
"The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your
people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
"'I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your
name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and
whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through
you.'" NIV (Emphasis mine)
Prior to his death, even Bill Bright was reporting that in many Muslim countries
and cities, Jesus was beginning to appear in dreams and visions and to reveal himself
to those who practice Islam. Some complete towns were converted to Christianity
in one night. Could this relate back to the promises of God related to the blessings
for the blessing OF Abraham by the "Children" of Abraham...that is, the children
of Ishmael?
Even in the very recent past, illegally copied versions of THE PASSION OF THE
CHRIST have been given out or sold in huge numbers in Islamic countries, resulting
in many more Moslems coming to faith in Yeshua.
Could this be the famous Abraham blessing beginning to be seen in operation?
A HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS...UNDER CONSTRUCTION?
Now we come to current events involving the children of Ishmael and the children
of Isaac, (Israel/Jacob).
What "in the world" is God up to? He's got this prophecy thing going.
And does that mean he has a "highway construction project" going also?
In light of the current war to liberate the oppressed in Iraq, many of whom already
serve Jesus Christ, it does make one think, or at least it should.
Now, in order to get the most out of this following Scripture, read it S-L-O-W-L-Y
and C-A-R-E-F-U-L-L-Y!
Isaiah 19:19-25
"In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the
heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. It will be a sign
and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the
LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, [this
was long after the EXODUS that this was written] and he will rescue them.
"So
the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge
the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make
vows to the LORD and keep them. The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will
strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their
pleas and heal them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria.
The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians
will worship together.
"In
that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the
earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria
my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.'" NIV (Emphasis and notes
mine)
LET'S DEFINE THIS HIGHWAY:
Here are two descriptions of Assyria. The description of Egypt is a bit more
clear.
Assyria is located in north Mesopotamia and spans four countries: in Syria it extends
west to the Euphrates river; in Turkey it extends north to Harran, Edessa, Diyarbakir,
and Lake Van; in Iran it extends east to Lake Urmi, and in Iraq it extends to about
100 miles south of Kirkuk. This is the Assyrian heartland, from which so much of
the ancient Near East came to be controlled.
Two great rivers run through Assyria, the Tigris and the Euphrates, and many lesser
ones, the most important of which being the Upper Zab and Lower Zab, both tributaries
to the Tigris. Strategically surrounding the Tigris and the two Zabs are the Assyrian
cities of Nineveh, Ashur, Arbel, Nimrod, and Arrapkha.
To the north and east of Assyria lie the Taurus and Zagros mountains. To the west
and south lies a great, low limestone plateau. At the southern end of Assyria the
gravel plains give way to alluvium deposited by the Tigris, and farther south there
is insufficient rainfall for agriculture without irrigation. These two features
create a geographical boundary between Assyria and the neighboring land to the south.
To the south of Baghdad lies Babylon.
ONE OTHER BIBLICAL DEFINITION FROM A BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA
Assyria
The major cities OF ASSYRIA were Ashur on the W bank of the Tigris and Arrapkha,
Erbil, Nineveh, and Calah to the E of the Tigris. Most of the population lived in
country towns. In time, the Assyrians were able to build a sizable empire that
stretched from Egypt on the W to Persia on the E and from the Persian Gulf on
the S to Anatolia on the N. (from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary.
Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
Note that ASSYRIA includes a description which must necessarily include much
of IRAQ and IRAN.
Also, the same prophet, Isaiah, who prophesied above about the Highway from Egypt
to Assyria (through Israel) seems also to refer to this same HIGHWAY when he prophesies
that this HIGHWAY will be called, "THE WAY OF HOLINESS."
I hope I get to travel that highway someday from Iran and Iraq, through Israel,
down into Egypt, traveling upon nothing but Holy Ground.
Isaiah 35:5-8
"Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears
of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue
shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the
haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway
will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness." NIV (Emphasis
mine)
So, my final word, as you bless Abraham, and you want to also receive the blessings
of God for doing so, don't forget to bless Abraham's TWO sons, Isaac (and Isaac's
son, Israel) PLUS the children of Abraham's other son, Ishmael.
Genesis 12:1-3
"The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your
people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
"'I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name
great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever
curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'"
NIV (Emphasis mine)
To bless Abraham is to bless Isaac and his son, Israel, and the Jewish people.
To bless Abraham is to bless Ishmael and all HIS children.
Then receive God's blessings into your life.
Steve Shultz
THE ELIJAH LIST
www.elijahlist.com
PROPHETIC TV
www.prophetic.TV
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