[Job 21:14] Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
[See how ill affected they are to G-d and religion; they abandon them, and cast off the thoughts of them:
1. They dread the presence of G-d; they say unto Him, "Depart from us; let us never be troubled with the apprehension of our being under G-d's eye nor be restrained by the fear of Him." Or they bid Him depart as one they do not need, nor have any occasion to make use of. The world is the portion they have chosen, and take up with, and think themselves happy in; while they have that they can live without G-d. Justly will G-d say Depart (Matt. 25:41) to those who have bidden Him depart; and justly does He now take them at their word.
2. They dread the knowledge of G-d, and of His will, and of their duty to Him: We desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Those that are resolved not to walk in G-d's ways desire not to know them, because their knowledge will be a continual reproach to their disobedience, John 3:19.]
[15] What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
The two great bonds by which we are drawn and held to religion are those of duty and interest; now they here endeavor to break both these bonds asunder:
1. They will not believe it is their duty to be religious: What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? How slightly they speak of G-d: As if He were a mere name, a mere code, or one they have nothing to do with and that has nothing to do with them.
How hardly they speak of religion. They call it a service, and mean a hard service. Is it not enough, they think, to keep up a fair correspondence with the Almighty, but they must serve Him, which they look upon as a task and drudgery.
How highly they speak of themselves: "That we should serve him; we who are rich and mighty in power, shall we be subject and accountable to Him? No, we are lords," Jeremiah 2:31.
2. They will not believe it is their interest to be religious: What profit shall we have if we pray unto Him? All the world are for what they can get, and therefore wisdom's merchandise is neglected, because they think there is nothing to be got by it. It is vain to serve G-d, Malachi 3:13, 14. Praying will not pay debts; perhaps serious godliness may hinder a man's preferment and expose him to losses; and what then? Is nothing to be called gain but the wealth and honor of this world? If we obtain the favor of G-d, and spiritual and eternal blessings, we have no reason to complain of losing by our religion. But, if we have not profit by prayer, it is our own fault (Isaiah 58:3, 4), it is because we ask amiss, James 4:3. Religion itself is not a vain thing; if it be so to us, we may thank ourselves for resting in the outside of it, James 1:26.
Sinners ask, not what is right, but what is for the profit of self. They forget, If religion costs self something, the want of it will cost self infinitely more and interest; now they here endeavor to break both these bonds asunder
Choose wisely for your choice affects your offspring!
Ex. 20:5: "Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me." That is the children, who have copied their parents' example.
Have we learned from past examples?
Word Study
Son of man (Strong’s G5207
a) term describing man, carrying the connotation of weakness and mortality
b) son of man, symbolically denotes the fifth kingdom in Daniel 7:13 and by this term its humanity is indicated in contrast with the barbarity and ferocity of the four preceding kingdoms (the Babylonian, the Median and the Persian, the Macedonian, and the Roman) typified by the four beasts. In the book of Enoch (2nd Century) it is used of The Messiah.
c) used by The Messiah himself, doubtless in order that He might intimate His Messiahship and also that He might designate Himself as the head of the human family, the man, the one who both furnished the pattern of the perfect man and acted on behalf of all mankind. The Messiah seems to have preferred this to the other Messianic titles, because by its lowliness it was least suited to foster the expectation of an earthly Messiah in royal splendor.
Son of G-d
a) used to describe Adam (Lk. 3:38)
b) used to describe those who are born again (Lk. 20:36) and of angels and of Y’Shua The Messiah
c) of those whom G-d esteems as sons, whom He loves, protects and benefits above others
d) those who revere G-d as their father, the pious worshippers of G-d, those who in character and life resemble G-d, those who are governed by the Spirit of G-d, repose the same calm and joyful trust in G-d which children do in their parents (Rom. 8:14, Gal. 3:26), and hereafter in the blessedness and glory of the life eternal will openly wear this dignity of the sons of G-d. Term used preeminently of Y’Shua The Messiah, as enjoying the supreme love of G-d, united to Him in affectionate intimacy,
L-rd (Strong’s H3068) Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true G-d
a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointing of 0136
In the O.T. L-rd is speaking of G-d the Father, the church use L-rd to refer to Y’Shua, but Y’Shua refers to Himself as ‘son of man’. And everything He did or said pointed back to G-d; everything we do points to Y’Shua. We have changed our songs to sing of Him not to the Father as it was originally meant to be. Do you thing the Adversary has cause a twist here and we bought it—or are we following Y’Shua’s pattern?
One G-d? Lets see what Scripture says: Think of me as a Hebrew and show me were it says
Y’Shua became G-d. (must use only the OT – for it is the forerunner of the New.
Deut. 6:9 Hear, O Israel: The L-RD our G-d is one L-RD:
Isa. 43:3 For I am the L-RD thy G-d, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for
thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Isa. 48:17 Thus saith the L-RD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the L-RD thy
G-d which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
(We could say this means the Holy Spirit, as the church teaches; but it says G-d is the one who teaches us.)
Isa. 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the L-RD of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The G-d of the whole earth shall he be called.
(G-d says He will be our husband, church says it is Y’Shua, but not found here.)
Hsa. 11:9 for I am G-d, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
Mal. 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one G-d created us?
Deut. 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
Deut. 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the L-RD he is G-d; there is none else beside him.
Deut. 4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the L-RD He is G-d in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Ex. 20:2 # 1 I am the L-rd thy G-d.
Ex. 20:3 # 2 Do not have any other gods before Me.
Ex. 34: 14 # 5 (for you shall worship no other god, because the L-rd, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous G-d).
Isa. 52:6 Therefore My people shall know My name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am He that doth speak: behold, it is.
Isa. 52:10 The L-RD (G-d) hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our G-d.
Isa. 52:13-15 Behold, My servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
(notice the word servant and he is not capitalized – not even in the whole chapter of 53. The angels were called servants or messengers, but then so are we.)
So is there only ONE G-d?
Is G-d a man that He should lie? Num. 23:19 G-d is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
All Scripture must be back up, remember in Y’Shua’s day all they had was the OT. And everything He did or said pointed back to G-d.
Can you see why the Hebrews think we are idolaters? We clam three G-d’s (The Father, the
Son and the Holy Ghost). They see Y’Shua as a great prophet and Rabbi, but where does it
say He will become as G-d? They are looking for G-d to send them a Messiah, one who
frees them from bondage.
Look forward to hearing what you have found from the OT to show me otherwise, good
practice for speaking to the Hebrews.
a) term describing man, carrying the connotation of weakness and mortality
b) son of man, symbolically denotes the fifth kingdom in Daniel 7:13 and by this term its humanity is indicated in contrast with the barbarity and ferocity of the four preceding kingdoms (the Babylonian, the Median and the Persian, the Macedonian, and the Roman) typified by the four beasts. In the book of Enoch (2nd Century) it is used of The Messiah.
c) used by The Messiah himself, doubtless in order that He might intimate His Messiahship and also that He might designate Himself as the head of the human family, the man, the one who both furnished the pattern of the perfect man and acted on behalf of all mankind. The Messiah seems to have preferred this to the other Messianic titles, because by its lowliness it was least suited to foster the expectation of an earthly Messiah in royal splendor.
Son of G-d
a) used to describe Adam (Lk. 3:38)
b) used to describe those who are born again (Lk. 20:36) and of angels and of Y’Shua The Messiah
c) of those whom G-d esteems as sons, whom He loves, protects and benefits above others
d) those who revere G-d as their father, the pious worshippers of G-d, those who in character and life resemble G-d, those who are governed by the Spirit of G-d, repose the same calm and joyful trust in G-d which children do in their parents (Rom. 8:14, Gal. 3:26), and hereafter in the blessedness and glory of the life eternal will openly wear this dignity of the sons of G-d. Term used preeminently of Y’Shua The Messiah, as enjoying the supreme love of G-d, united to Him in affectionate intimacy,
L-rd (Strong’s H3068) Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true G-d
a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointing of 0136
In the O.T. L-rd is speaking of G-d the Father, the church use L-rd to refer to Y’Shua, but Y’Shua refers to Himself as ‘son of man’. And everything He did or said pointed back to G-d; everything we do points to Y’Shua. We have changed our songs to sing of Him not to the Father as it was originally meant to be. Do you thing the Adversary has cause a twist here and we bought it—or are we following Y’Shua’s pattern?
One G-d? Lets see what Scripture says: Think of me as a Hebrew and show me were it says
Y’Shua became G-d. (must use only the OT – for it is the forerunner of the New.
Deut. 6:9 Hear, O Israel: The L-RD our G-d is one L-RD:
Isa. 43:3 For I am the L-RD thy G-d, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for
thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Isa. 48:17 Thus saith the L-RD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the L-RD thy
G-d which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
(We could say this means the Holy Spirit, as the church teaches; but it says G-d is the one who teaches us.)
Isa. 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the L-RD of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The G-d of the whole earth shall he be called.
(G-d says He will be our husband, church says it is Y’Shua, but not found here.)
Hsa. 11:9 for I am G-d, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
Mal. 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one G-d created us?
Deut. 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
Deut. 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the L-RD he is G-d; there is none else beside him.
Deut. 4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the L-RD He is G-d in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Ex. 20:2 # 1 I am the L-rd thy G-d.
Ex. 20:3 # 2 Do not have any other gods before Me.
Ex. 34: 14 # 5 (for you shall worship no other god, because the L-rd, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous G-d).
Isa. 52:6 Therefore My people shall know My name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am He that doth speak: behold, it is.
Isa. 52:10 The L-RD (G-d) hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our G-d.
Isa. 52:13-15 Behold, My servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
(notice the word servant and he is not capitalized – not even in the whole chapter of 53. The angels were called servants or messengers, but then so are we.)
So is there only ONE G-d?
Is G-d a man that He should lie? Num. 23:19 G-d is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
All Scripture must be back up, remember in Y’Shua’s day all they had was the OT. And everything He did or said pointed back to G-d.
Can you see why the Hebrews think we are idolaters? We clam three G-d’s (The Father, the
Son and the Holy Ghost). They see Y’Shua as a great prophet and Rabbi, but where does it
say He will become as G-d? They are looking for G-d to send them a Messiah, one who
frees them from bondage.
Look forward to hearing what you have found from the OT to show me otherwise, good
practice for speaking to the Hebrews.
Kinsman Redeemer
[Job 19: 25] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
[My Redeemer liveth - Job was now under the especial inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and spoke prophetically. One hope alone was left, which the Spirit revealed the idea of the predicted of the Bruiser of the serpent's head. Tradition would inform him of the prediction. The power of G-d can effect: one of which only shall be done it is natural to conclude He will do that which is of most importance; and that is of most importance by which a greater measure of glory is secured to Himself, and a greater sum of good produced to mankind.
For the sake of righteousness, justice, and truth, and to vindicate the ways of G-d with man, it was necessary that Job's innocence should be cleared; that the false judgments of his friends should be corrected; and that, as Job was now reduced to a state of the lowest distress, it was worthy the kindness of G-d to give him some direct intimation that his sufferings should have a happy termination. That such an event ought to take place, there can be no question: and that it did take place, is asserted in the book; and that Job's friends saw it, were reproved, corrected, and admitted into his favor of whom they did not speak that which was right, and who had, in consequence, G-d's wrath kindled against them, are also attested facts.
The doctrine of the general resurrection and resulting judgment was, in that dark age and country, a light shining in a dark place; this existed among the Arabs from time immemorial, and was a part of the public creed of the different tribes when Mohammed endeavored to establish his own views of that resurrection and of future rewards and punishments, by the edge of the sword.
The prophecy in question was not designed to point out the future prosperity of Job; but rather the future redemption of mankind by Y’Shua HaMashiach, and the general resurrection of the human race.
He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth – Y’Shua HaMashiach.
Upon the earth - Above that very dust wherewith was mingled man's decaying body shall man's Vindicator arise. "Arise above the dust," strikingly expresses that fact that Y’Shua arose first Himself above the dust, and then is to raise His people above it (1 Cor. 15:20, 23). The Spirit intended in Job's words more than Job fully understood (1 Peter 1:12). Though He seems, in forsaking me, to be as one dead, He now truly "liveth" in heaven; hereafter He shall appear also above the dust of earth. The Goel or vindicator of blood was the nearest kinsman of the slain. So Y’Shua took our flesh, to be our kinsman. Man lost life by Satan the "murderer" (John 8:44), here Job's persecutor (Heb. 2:14). Compare also as to redemption of the inheritance by the kinsman of the dead (Ruth 4:3-5; Eph. 1:14).]
[26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
[See G-d - Job has no hints of magical acts or any other occult practices, and there are not any divine miracles recorded (except for Job’s eventual healing), but he mentioned his faith in the future resurrection of the body. See 33:28.
Job expected to see G-d, for he made the point three times in v. 26 & 27. I shall arise from the dead, have a renewed body and see Him with eyes of flesh and blood, though what I have now shall shortly molder into dust, or, I shall see Him in the flesh; my Kinsman, who shall partake of my flesh and blood, in order that He may ransom the lost inheritance.
1. Soul and body shall come together again. That body which must be destroyed in the grave shall be raised again, a glorious body: Yet in my flesh I shall see G-d. The separate soul has eyes wherewith to see G-d, eyes of the mind; but Job speaks of seeing him with eyes of flesh, in my flesh, with my eyes; the same body that died shall rise again, a true body, but a glorified body, fit for the employments and entertainments of that world, and therefore a spiritual body, 1 Cor. 15:44. Let us therefore glorify G-d with our bodies because there is such a glory designed for them.
2. The Son of G-d clothed with a body which will be visible even to eyes of flesh. Though the body, in the grave, seems despicable and miserable, yet it shall be dignified and made happy in the vision of G-d. The hoped to see Him shortly, never more to lose the sight of Him, and that sight of Him will be the more welcome after the present darkness and distance, see him as He is, see Him face to face, and no longer through a glass darkly. See to my own unspeakable comfort and satisfaction. I shall see him as mine, as mine with an appropriating sight," Rev. 21:3.
3. Though my flesh and body be consumed, yet I shall not need a proxy; I shall see Him with my own eyes. All my desires are summed up and concluded in this; this will crown and complete them all; let me have this, and I shall have nothing more to desire; it is enough; it is all.]
Be encourage YOU will see Him face to face!
[My Redeemer liveth - Job was now under the especial inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and spoke prophetically. One hope alone was left, which the Spirit revealed the idea of the predicted of the Bruiser of the serpent's head. Tradition would inform him of the prediction. The power of G-d can effect: one of which only shall be done it is natural to conclude He will do that which is of most importance; and that is of most importance by which a greater measure of glory is secured to Himself, and a greater sum of good produced to mankind.
For the sake of righteousness, justice, and truth, and to vindicate the ways of G-d with man, it was necessary that Job's innocence should be cleared; that the false judgments of his friends should be corrected; and that, as Job was now reduced to a state of the lowest distress, it was worthy the kindness of G-d to give him some direct intimation that his sufferings should have a happy termination. That such an event ought to take place, there can be no question: and that it did take place, is asserted in the book; and that Job's friends saw it, were reproved, corrected, and admitted into his favor of whom they did not speak that which was right, and who had, in consequence, G-d's wrath kindled against them, are also attested facts.
The doctrine of the general resurrection and resulting judgment was, in that dark age and country, a light shining in a dark place; this existed among the Arabs from time immemorial, and was a part of the public creed of the different tribes when Mohammed endeavored to establish his own views of that resurrection and of future rewards and punishments, by the edge of the sword.
The prophecy in question was not designed to point out the future prosperity of Job; but rather the future redemption of mankind by Y’Shua HaMashiach, and the general resurrection of the human race.
He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth – Y’Shua HaMashiach.
Upon the earth - Above that very dust wherewith was mingled man's decaying body shall man's Vindicator arise. "Arise above the dust," strikingly expresses that fact that Y’Shua arose first Himself above the dust, and then is to raise His people above it (1 Cor. 15:20, 23). The Spirit intended in Job's words more than Job fully understood (1 Peter 1:12). Though He seems, in forsaking me, to be as one dead, He now truly "liveth" in heaven; hereafter He shall appear also above the dust of earth. The Goel or vindicator of blood was the nearest kinsman of the slain. So Y’Shua took our flesh, to be our kinsman. Man lost life by Satan the "murderer" (John 8:44), here Job's persecutor (Heb. 2:14). Compare also as to redemption of the inheritance by the kinsman of the dead (Ruth 4:3-5; Eph. 1:14).]
[26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
[See G-d - Job has no hints of magical acts or any other occult practices, and there are not any divine miracles recorded (except for Job’s eventual healing), but he mentioned his faith in the future resurrection of the body. See 33:28.
Job expected to see G-d, for he made the point three times in v. 26 & 27. I shall arise from the dead, have a renewed body and see Him with eyes of flesh and blood, though what I have now shall shortly molder into dust, or, I shall see Him in the flesh; my Kinsman, who shall partake of my flesh and blood, in order that He may ransom the lost inheritance.
1. Soul and body shall come together again. That body which must be destroyed in the grave shall be raised again, a glorious body: Yet in my flesh I shall see G-d. The separate soul has eyes wherewith to see G-d, eyes of the mind; but Job speaks of seeing him with eyes of flesh, in my flesh, with my eyes; the same body that died shall rise again, a true body, but a glorified body, fit for the employments and entertainments of that world, and therefore a spiritual body, 1 Cor. 15:44. Let us therefore glorify G-d with our bodies because there is such a glory designed for them.
2. The Son of G-d clothed with a body which will be visible even to eyes of flesh. Though the body, in the grave, seems despicable and miserable, yet it shall be dignified and made happy in the vision of G-d. The hoped to see Him shortly, never more to lose the sight of Him, and that sight of Him will be the more welcome after the present darkness and distance, see him as He is, see Him face to face, and no longer through a glass darkly. See to my own unspeakable comfort and satisfaction. I shall see him as mine, as mine with an appropriating sight," Rev. 21:3.
3. Though my flesh and body be consumed, yet I shall not need a proxy; I shall see Him with my own eyes. All my desires are summed up and concluded in this; this will crown and complete them all; let me have this, and I shall have nothing more to desire; it is enough; it is all.]
Be encourage YOU will see Him face to face!
Aaron's Breastplate
Exodus 28:15, 17-21 And you shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet strands, and of fine twined linen you shall make it.And you shall enclose in it enclosures of stones, four rows of stones: the first row shall be a row of a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; And the second row, a carbuncle, a sapphire, and a diamond; And the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; And the fourth row, a chrysolite, and an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be set in gold in their enclosures. And the stones shall be according to the names of the sons of Israel, twelve, according to their names; they shall be like the engravings of a signet, each according to its name, for the twelve tribes.Did you realize, that Revelation 4:3, is specific about the description of He (G-d) was inthe appearance as both jasper (Benjamin 12th son, last) and sardius (Reuben 1st son)?
“And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance, and there was a rainbow around the throne like an emerald in appearance”.
The first shall be last, the last shall be first.
And the importance of the combination of the first and last stone of the 12 Hebrew Tribes, sons of Jacob, is to describe the Alpha/Omega of the characteristics of G-d (IHVH), with a parallel lesson about these two sons, 1st born Reuben and last born Benjamin!
So from head to foot the High Priest was covered in white. This is symbolic of righteousness. We are told in Revelation (19:8) of the bride of Y’Shua who would be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints”. On the turban was a gold plate inscribed with the words, “Holiness to the L-rd”.
On the shoulders were two attachments – shoulder pieces - on which were fixed two onyx stones. Onyx stone consists of layers of different colors – like marble – black, white, blue, red and brown, but predominately white. On these two stones were placed, in order of their birth, the names of the 12 sons of Jacob. The two stones were mounted in gold with filigree work and fixed (permanently) on the shoulders of this ephod.
The material of the ephod was of the same as that of the veil. Now we read in Hebrews 10:20 (RV) that the veil represents Y’Shua’s flesh and so the ephod, being of the same material as the veil, represents the Messiah. The shoulders speak of the strength for carrying loads, for authority and government. In Isa. chap. 9:6 we have a clear reference to the Messiah: “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders”. And chap. 22:22, again refers to the future government being on Y’Shua’s shoulders, “I will place on His shoulder the key to the house of David; what He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open”. So these two stones are speaking to us of Y’Shua’s rule over the 12 tribes.
On this jpg the breastplate stones are reading Left to right (backwards from original) posted on http://www.christian-forum.net/lofiversion/index.php/t24821.html. From a Gentile’s view, the following is taken out of the Hebrew books:
Stones, starting at the top row, and reading right to left are to be place as following:
Sardius – Reuben [Gen. 30:14] a beautiful gem of blood red Jasper.
Topaz – Simeon [Gen. 34:25] a pale green citrine quartz with mixture of yellow
Carbuncle – Judah [Gen. 49:9] colors of heaven
Emerald – Zevulun [Gen. 49:13] a bright white color without any other mixture.
Sapphire – Issachar [Gen. 49:14] a lapis lauli of black color.
Diamond – Levi [Deut. 33:8]. 1/3 white, 1/3 black, 1/3 red, sparkling rock crystal.
Liqure – Dan [Gen. 49:17] blue sapphire
Agate – Gad [Gen. 49:19] black and white sapphire.
Amethyst – Napytali [Gen. 49:21] clarified red *wine
Beryl – Asher [Deut. 33:24] fiery red color.
Onyx – Joseph [Gen. 49:22] jet black color.
Jasper – [Gen. 35:16-19] a gem of bright green color sometimes clouded with white and spotted with red and yellow. Mineralogists list 15 varieties of jasper – green, bluish gray, milky white, and various combinations of colors.
Notice the names of the sons do not go in order.
The 12 sons of Israel (Jacob) were: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim and Manasseh as the ancestors of the original twelve tribes. However, Reuben lost his rights as firstborn by defiling Jacob’s bed (Genesis 35:22; 49:3-4), and it was given to Joseph instead, 1 Chr. 5:1. In Reuben and Joseph's place, Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, became tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5-6). As a result, the twelve tribes became Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim and Manasseh.
Naming the twelve tribes is a confusing task. Revelation 7:5-8 lists the 12 tribes as: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin. This is interesting…for the first time Joseph is listed as a tribe along with his son Manasseh. Why isn’t Ephraim listed? Why is Reuben listed, but not Dan? There are no perfect answers to these questions. Technically, there were more than twelve tribes if you count both of Joseph’s sons as tribes in addition to Joseph. Revelation 7 presents a list of 144,000 witnesses from twelve different tribes. It does not say why Ephraim and Dan are not listed. The best answer is that G-d decided not to choose any witnesses from those two tribes. Some Bible teachers understand Dan being left off the list in Revelation 7 because of what is said in Genesis 49:17, “Dan will be a serpent by the roadside, a viper along the path that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backward.”
Levi made up the thirteenth tribe, but because this tribe’s inheritance was the priesthood rather than tribal lands, its number was not included as part of the national polity.
The shoulder ornaments are green beryls. Urim and Thummim, depicted above the breastplate, and blue aquamarine and golden berly.
Some things we will not understand until we reach the other side.
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