Truth of Scriptures                                              Issue 5
Natural and Spiritual Blessings:
The elder shall serve the younger.
Find out what this means.
Copyright 1993, P.S.O.R. Inc.    

All Scripture is the King James Version and in Italics.   Nevertheless, what saith the Scriptures? (Galatians 4:30).   I hope, through this writing, to clarify what the Scriptures were telling us by explaining the necessity of the elder son serving the younger son.   Additionally, this will aid in understanding what God is revealing to us Spiritually.  This is told in story form with many Scriptures paraphrased while giving the Scritpure where you may read it.

Old Testament customs and traditions always taught that fathers were strictly obligated to pass their best blessings onto their eldest son.  However, the Bible points out this did not happen in many cases and it uses various illustrations to convey this.  One eldest son sold his birthright to his younger brother.  Another, eldest son was deliberately bypassed by the father so the younger son would receive the best blessings.  One eldest brother killed his younger brother only to have another (younger) brother take his place.  Do you know why these things happened?  Let us examine the Scriptures to determine what they were revealing to us spiritually.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-10, The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.  Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new?  It hath been already of old time, which was before.

King Solomon states everything that has been done is the same that will happen once again.   He relates the thing that is done is the same thing that will be repeated once again.  He tells us there is NO NEW THING to be found under the light of the sun.  He asks if there is ANYTHING which can be proclaimed as new?"  Then he gives us the answer by disclosing EVERYTHING THAT IS DONE has been done previously in times of old.

God is PERFECT and because of this He is Repetitious.  EVERYTHING He does or creates is created to perfection the FIRST TIME.   Take a moment to really think about that statement.  Apostle James tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God who is the Father of Lights and with Whom NOTHING VARIES, nor does it create a shadow by it's changing (Paraphrased James 1:17).   Remember, it did not say God did not cause shadows to be created they are not created by Him changing.  Therefore, God will REPEAT Himself again and again.  By using types and shadows God reveals and explains how things were done before, and how they will be repeated again.

Understanding this type of repetition makes it easier for us to determine what God is revealing in Scriptures.  We will continue with the verses that disclose God has an ESTABLISHED ORDER He uses again and again.  This order or procedure will never vary, alter, or change.  The Lord clearly tells us that HE REMAINS THE SAME, (non-changing).  When?  He was non-changing yesterday (formerly), today (now), and forever (eternally), (Hebrews 13:8).

Because God remains the same He found it necessary to speak to us, from Scriptures, by using types, patterns, and shadows.  God offers us types and shadows as an example or pattern for us to follow.  These are what He uses to reveal His mysteries from the Bible.  When He first spoke all the people were able to hear Him, but the people did not want this, they wanted God to talk to Moses and in turn Moses could talk to them.   *** Yet, one of these days, when we have come full circle, God will once again talk to us the way He first intended.

1 Corinthians 15:44-46, It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is Spiritual.

Paul discloses there are two separate and distinct bodies.  There is a natural body and there is a Spiritual body, the earthly and the heavenly.  He tells us the FIRST Adam was created to be a living soul and that he was formed out of the earth.  This makes the first Adam earthly.
 
He tells us the LAST (or second) Adam was the Lord from heaven and that He was made a Quickening Spirit, He remains alive.   He proclaims He was born from heaven and this makes Him Spiritual.   He was not created from the earth.   He was never considered earthly even though God planted His Seed into a natural woman who gave birth to Him.  He was made of the seed of David according to the flesh to follow the bloodline of that Kingship.  However, we now we look for the spiritual bloodline found only through Jesus.  He came in the flesh for the express purpose of paying a debt for our sins.  His life was an example, which shows us how we also are to become a full overcomer--as He did.  His obedient actions are what reconciles mankind back to God.   To learn more about the seed read: "The Seed of God".

Paul continues to give us vital information and they KEY to understanding this Scripture.  He clarifies that IT WAS NOT the first man Adam who was made Spiritual.  Rather, he tells us the first man Adam was made to be a natural man.  After he was established God would present us with the second Adam (Jesus) who entered as the Spiritual man.

Adam begins the repetition of events from the Bible because he is the first and natural son of God.  He was not born of water as a physical birth because God created Him.  When God created Adam it caused his shadow to be cast.  This appears as a pattern, model, or prototype.  God repeats this event by presenting His second and Spiritual Son-Jesus.

*** The following two Scriptures confirm they were both Sons of God.  Adam in Luke 3:38, Which was the son of … Seth which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.  Jesus in John 1:14, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.   Also, Romans 1:3-4, Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Now it is necessary to understand how we get a pattern to follow by exploring the shadow from the first and natural.  These patterns, types, and shadows of the Bible all operate the same way.

A shadow is defined: A definite and distinct area of shade cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the rays of light.  It is a darker less illuminated image made by a body.  It is a mirrored reflection or image.  It is a prefiguration of coming events: It vaguely represents the body that formed and cast its shadow.  It is a cloud.  These are presented metaphorically and allegorically to relate and disclose their Spiritual definition.  This tells us they will look similar, but they will not be literally alike.  These are stories in which people, things, and happenings have HIDDEN or symbolic meanings.

Allegories teach or explain ideas or moral stories by using descriptions that are symbolic.  An allegory is the description of one thing that is under the shadow of another.  Their likeness is similar, but not identical.  An allegory is the likeness or pattern of another thing.  It is an earthly story with a heavenly message.

Let us look at a couple of examples.  The Lord is speaking. Moses, you are instructed to make all things that I show to you by following the patterns exactly. Make the natural and physical tabernacle according to the pattern of the heavenly tabernacle, and make all the natural and physical instruments, which are used, for the service of the tabernacle according to the pattern of all the heavenly instruments. To verse 40, Moses, be sure you make the tabernacle and all its working in the exact image of the heavenly patterns, which I revealed to you, while you were in the mount. (Paraphrasing, Exodus 25:9 & 25:40).  Other accounts are in Numbers 8:4, Joshua 22:28, 2 Kings 16:10, 1 Chronicles 28:11-12 & 18-19.

Apostle Paul also tells us… priests offer gifts according to the Law. These, the priests, gifts, & the Law, ALL serve as an example and shadow of the heavenly things they were patterned after. God admonished Moses before he made the replica of the Heavenly Tabernacle when He told him to be positive he made ALL THINGS according to the PATTERN I showed to you in the mount (Paraphrased, Hebrews 8:4-5).  Moses obeyed the Lords instructions and built ALL the earthly things according to every heavenly pattern God showed him.

The Old Testament Law itself cast a shadow upon the New and Better (Testament) which came into effect after the Law.  Scripture states, For the law having (it carries & cast) a shadow of Good Things which are coming later. However, the Law is not an exact image or identical model of the things they were representing … (Paraphrased, Hebrews 10:1).  Scripture plainly states the law showed us an obscure and dim view of Good Things, which would be established afterward. Scripture stated the Good Things that were arriving afterward were not the very image of the thing (Law), which cast it for Jesus in Spirit, was the LAW.  For more information about this read: "Looking at Jesus through the Law of Moses".

The shadows of the Bible are just like the shadows we are familiar with.  We can tell what the shadow has the appearance of because it resembles what formed and cast it.  However, the shadow only reveals it as a form, which is outlined.  We can physically see their actions are identical, but they are allegorical in definition.  An allegory is the description of one thing under the image or likeness of another.  It is an earthly story with a heavenly message.

Almost everyone has heard or read about the ark and the flood that destroyed all which had the breath of life in them, except for eight (8) people and the animals, beasts, and fowls God had them take onboard.  They were to ONCE AGAIN replenish and repopulate the entire earth.

Now to explain how and why the best blessings did not go to the first and eldest sons which is what should have occurred according to tradition.  However, God's plan was for the younger son to receive the best blessing their father had to offer.

Let us begin in the book of Genesis with Cain and Abel who were the sons of Adam.  Cain was the firstborn and became a farmer.  His younger brother Abel became a shepherd (look at this Spiritually).  Do you see where this already separates them?  Being a farmer Cain worked with the earth and he was the first, natural and earthly.  Abel the younger son was a shepherd. According to the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:46 Cain was the first son which the makes him the natural son. Abel was the second son, which makes him a Spiritual Son.  Just remember these are used as metaphors and allegories.  These stories will not be literally alike, but similar enough to recognize they have the same actions.

Adam brought both his sons up with the instruction they were to make offerings to God.  This offering was to come from the first fruits of their crops, herds, etc.  This is what happened.  At harvest time Cain brought the Lord a gift from his produce of the ground and Abel brought the fatty cuts of meat from his flock and they both presented their gifts to the Lord.  The Bible relates the Lord accepted Abel's offering, but not Cain's.  This made Cain very angry.  The Lord asks Cain why he was angry although Cain already knew the Lord would not be pleased with his gift.  The Lord told Cain if he would change and present another better gift the Lord would accept it, but he refused.  Stubbornness, pride, resentment and rebellion set in.  He became very angry and his face held the appearance of hate and rage.  Because of jealousy of the Lord acceptance of Abel's gift Cain killed his younger brother (Genesis 4:3-6).  Cain was responsible for pouring out his brother's blood on the earth.  The Lord said the voice of Abel's blood cried from the ground (Genesis 4:10).  Because of this cruel act God cursed Cain and placed a mark on him (Genesis 4:11 & 15).  This will be important to remember as we continue to make the correlation.  However, God's plan called for a younger son!  Therefore, Adam and Eve had another son whose name was Seth.

Through the actions of Cain, Abel, and Seth we see the elder of the sons did not receive the best blessing.  We learned the elder son killed his younger brother, and because of his being responsible for shedding his blood the elder son is MARKED or cursed, therefore the blessing would pass by him and the younger son would receive the blessings.

NEXT: we have the story of the children of Isaac.  The Lord told Isaac's wife Rebekah that she would conceive.  She was carrying twins and the children were already struggling with each other even while they were within her (Genesis 25:21-22).  Try to look at this Spiritually.  Begin to compare the stories as allegories, shadows, images, patterns, and likenesses.

Rebekah asks the Lord why they were struggling inside of her.  He replied that there were two nations in her womb.  In other words Spiritually the Bible relates she would give birth to two rivaling nations, or nationalities of people being the earthly and the spiritual.  The Lord told her one nation or people will be stronger than the other nation.  He told her the eldest son would become a servant to the younger son (Genesis 25:23).  Spiritually this relates the eldest son; the Jews, God's first chosen, will serve the stronger and younger son, the Gentiles or whosoever will.

When Rebekah's was due to deliver there were twins in her womb.  Esau was her firstborn son, and his brother's name was Jacob.  Esau, the first, was a cunning hunter, a man of the field.  Jacob was a simple man who dwelt in tents (Genesis 25:25-27).  This shows the similarity with Esau, Cain, and Adam and that with Jacob, Abel, Seth and Jesus.  Isaac loved Esau the eldest son the best because he enjoyed eating the venison he killed.  However, it states Rebekah loved Jacob the younger son the best.

NEXT: we will learn how Esau lost his birthright and blessing.  While Jacob was boiling his food Esau came in from the field.  Esau was faint from lack of food and he asks Jacob to feed him. Jacob told him if he would sell him his birthright he would feed him.  Esau believed he was near death and decided his birthright would do him no good if he were dead, so he sold it. Jacob made him swear to this agreement and Esau did and sold his birthright to Jacob for something to eat.  Because of this agreement Esau despised his birthright (Genesis 25:28-34).

When their father Isaac was old he could not see very well.  He felt he was approaching death so he called for Esau his eldest son.  He instructed him to take his weapons and go to the field to get venison.  He instructed Esau to make him savory meat as he loved, and bring it to him so he could eat and give him his blessing before he died (Genesis 27:1-4).

However, Rebekah overheard their discussion and when Esau left to hunt for meat Rebekah called for Jacob.  She told him she heard their father tell Esau to bring him meat so he could eat it and bless him before the LORD and before he died.  She devised a plan for Jacob to inherit the blessing.  She told him to go get meat and she would prepare it the way Isaac liked it.  She told him when it was prepared he would take it to his father so he could be blessed before his father, Isaac, died (Genesis 27:5-10).

However there was a problem.  Jacob and Esau were very different in their physical appearances. Esau was physically a hairy man and Jacob had smooth skin.  He told his mother that if his father felt of him he would know he was trying to deceive him and this would bring a curse on him rather than a blessing.  Rebekah said the curse could be upon her, but she wanted Jacob to listen to and obey her instructions.  Jacob got the meat and his mother prepared.  She then took some clothing, made from goats, from her eldest son Esau, and put them on Jacob.  She placed this clothing on Jacob's hands and around his neck.  She handed him the prepared meat and sent him to his father (Genesis 27:10-17).

Jacob went to his father and Isaac asks who it was.  He told him he was Esau his firstborn and that he had brought the meat for him to eat so he could bless him (Genesis 27:18-20).  Isaac instructed Jacob to come closer so he could feel him to see if it was Esau or not.  Isaac touched him and because of the covering of the animal was hairy his hands were like the hands of Esau, but the voice was that of Jacob.  So Isaac gave his blessing to Jacob.  Isaac asks if he was Esau and Jacob replied that he was.  Isaac instructed him to bring him the food so he could bless him.  After Isaac ate he ask for his son to come closer to him and kiss him.  Jacob came over and kissed him and Isaac could smell the smell of this clothing, thinking it was Esau, so he began speaking his blessings. He tells him to allow people to serve him and nations to bow down to him.  He told him he would be lord over his brother and to let your mother's son's bow down to him.  He relates that cursed is every one who curses you, and blessed is all that bless you.  So Isaac concluded his blessings (Genesis 27:21-29).

Now Esau returns from preparing all that his father had instructed him to do.  Jacob had hardly left the presence of Isaac when Esau approached him.  He told his father to rise up and eat the meat he had prepared for him so he could bless him. Isaac's was astonished.  He asks, "Who are you." Esau told him he was his firstborn son.  When Isaac heard this he trembled. He again asks, "Who?"  Then he asks, "Where is the one who has already brought me meat to eat? I have eaten of everything he brought and I blessed him. Yes, and he shall be blessed" (Genesis 27: 30-33).

When Esau heard these words he began to cry out loud.  He pleaded with his father to bless him too.  Isaac told Esau his brother was there and had already taken his blessing.  Esau stated Jacob had taken his birthright and now he has stolen his blessings.  He continued to plead with his father to give him a single blessing (Genesis 27: 34-36).

Because of what Jacob did it caused Esau to hate him and he plotted to kill him.  Therefore Rebekah sent for Jacob and told him his life was in danger by the hand of his brother.  She told him to flee to his Uncle Laban and stay there until his brother's fury has gone, and he forgets what you have done to him.  She told him when the time is right for him to return she would send for him (Genesis 27:41-45).

Before Jacob left Rebekah approached Isaac and told him she did not want Jacob to marry one of the girls from where they lived.  So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him and told him not to marry one of the Canaanite girls (those of his kin).  Jacob was instructed to go to the house of Bethuel and marry one of Uncle Laban's daughters.  Before he left Isaac told him, God bless you and give you many children.  May you become a great nation of many poeple.  May God pass on to you and your descendants the mighty blessings promised to Abraham.  May you own this land where we are now foreigners for God has given it to Abraham.  Then Isaac sent Jacob to Bethuel to his Uncle Labans (Paraphrased Genesis 28:1-5).

Esau realized his father and mother despised the Canaanite girls so he married one.  He knew they sent Jacob away with his father's blessings.  Jacob was sent to get a wife but he was strictly warned against marrying one of his own, a Canaanite girl.  Agreeing to this Jacob departed (Genesis 28:6-8).

NEXT: we go to Joseph who is one of twelve sons of Jacob.  God changed Jacob's name to Israel (Genesis 32:26-27).  Jacob had twelve sons and they are known as and called the children of Israel. This story is of Joseph and his two sons.  Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh and his second son Ephraim (Genesis 41:50-52).  To read more about this read, "The Children of Israel".

When the eyes of Israel (Jacob) were failing he instructed Joseph to bring his two sons to him so he could pronounce his blessings on them.  When Joseph and his sons approached Joseph's father they were all holding hands and facing Issac.  Joseph had his youngest son Ephraim on his right side, which was on Isaac's left side because they were facing him.  He had his eldest son Manasseh on his left side which was to Isaac's right side (Genesis 48:13).  The right side is the side, which goes to those who are highly, honored i.e., Jesus is now setting on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). Other similar Scriptures are in Hebrews 1:3, Mark 16:19, and Revelation 5:1.

This is the outcome and it explains the natural as it also unveils and brings to light the Spiritual.  Isaac stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, the younger.  He stretched out his left hand and placed it on Manasseh's head, the eldest and the firstborn.  Issac directed and guided his hand which, means that he knew whom he was touching with his right hand.  This action was deliberate and Isaac began to speak the blessings.

Joseph saw his father had placed his right hand on the head of the younger son, Ephraim and it displeased him.  He raised up his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head and move it to Manasseh's head.  He told his father he had made an error for he had placed his right hand on the head of the youngest.  However, his father, Isaac, refused to change the position of his hands, which were now CROSSED (see the note at the foot of this writing).  He informed Joseph that he knew exactly where his hands were.  He further told him the youngest son shall be greater than the elder and the seed of the younger shall become a multitude of nations, and he blessed them.  He said, "God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh" and he set or placed Ephramin, the younger, over Manasseh the eldest and firstborn.  Isaac told Joseph he was going to die and that he had given him one more portion over and above what his other brothers had received (Paraphrased Genesis 48:14-22).

Now we get into the correlation, which links and reveals what the shadows were spiritually telling us.  It began with the first two sons of God, Adam and Jesus.  The eldest son lost his blessing and the blessings were passed onto the second and Spiritual Son Jesus.  The reason Adam lost his inheritance and blessing was because he willfully disobeyed God's instructions and commands.  Therefore, the inheritance and blessing would go to the Second and Spiritual Son, the Younger Son, Jesus Christ.

Next we have Cain, Abel and Seth.  Cain was a worker of the ground from which the first man Adam, his father, was formed.  He brought an unacceptable offering to God and he knew it and he refused to change it.  Abel was a keeper of the sheep, which reveals Jesus our Great Shepherd.

Now the situation shifts a little.  Because of jealousy Cain killed his brother Abel and caused his blood to spill upon the ground.  This Spiritually relates the Jews refused to obey God.  They refused to accept His Son Jesus.  Instead they chose to kill him.  They alone are responsible for His death and of spilling His Blood on the earth (1 Thes. 2:14-15).

Cain believed he had totally destroyed his rival just as the Jews believed they had destroyed Jesus. However, this did not happen.  God gave Adam and Eve another son, who they named Seth, and he was the one who would receive the blessings for his brother was cursed and marked.  Although, like Abel, Jesus was slain by his kinfolk, God gave Him new life, immortality.  He resurrected from the dead and He now controls life and He lives forever and ever.  To read more about the mark read: "Mark of the Beast".

Next we have Esau and Jacob.  Esau willfully sold his birthright because of his being hungry.  Esau then lost his blessing because his younger brother Jacob stole it.  Jacob's mother informed him of what was taking place and she helped him to attain the blessing.

These patterns or shadows relate how the children of Israel were God's first chosen people. However, God was not pleased with them.  God sent them many prophets and finally His Son Jesus, and they killed them all.  They killed Jesus just as we saw in the example of Cain who slew Abel whose blood was poured upon the earth.  The elder people the Jews, rejected their birthright and blessings.  They were the direct cause of the spilling of the Precious Blood of their brother, Jesus.

It was because of the CROSSING of hands of Isaac that we now hold our position.  It displayed a shadow of things to come.  It exhibits the blessings of the Jews was removed from them and given to the younger people, the Gentiles or whosoever will.  It was because of the CROSS, that Isaac displayed that we who were once not a people are now a great people and a royal priesthood.  Isaac formed the cross and he purposely refused to change their position.  It was at the CROSS that the blessings fell from the eldest, the Jews, and went to the younger children of God, the Gentiles or whosoever will--AT THE CROSS OF CHRIST!
     Do not misunderstand me.  The Jewish nation has the same opportunity, but we have to enter in the same Way--to and through Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to reach God our Father.  Scripture states ANYONE who tries to come up or get to the Father any other way, than through Jesus, is a thief and a robber.   The children of Israel are spoken of often in the Bible.   To read more about this read: "The Children of Israel".
    

Yours in Christ our Lord,
D.S. Mattingly

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