Understanding Isaiah 66:7-8, the 144,000, the rest of the Jews, the man-child

[Anne2]

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

You have touched on a subject that few dare to do - the Covenants and the Firstborn. Well done.

The conflict caused by the two Covenants is beautifully solved by God.

The first Covenant, that of Promise, and made with Abraham, did not specifically address the firstborn. But the case of Esau highlighted how close this matter is to God's heart. Here, the firstborn despised his birthright and besides "finding no room to repent", he is hated by God. This is very strong. God seldom hates anything. But the issue of the firstborn is still hanging because IN Christ we have a new creation (Gal.6:15). Anybody who is IN Christ is a New Creature (2nd Cor.5:17). But the Covenant made with Abraham was an "everlasting Covenant" and sealed with an OATH (Heb.6:17). And so we have essentially two progressions of one Covenant.

Abraham-seed as the sand-Isaac-Jacob-Israel-circumcision-the Land of Canaan-Israel the firstborn-superceding the firstborn of Egypt-carrying "terrestrial glory" in resurrection

Abraham-seed as the stars-Isaac-Jacob-Jesus (Gal.3:29)-Baptism (Col.2:10-12)-the whole world (Rom.4:13)-believers, firstfruits of God's creature (Jas.1.18)-superceding the angels (principalities)-carrying Celestial glory in resurrection

Thus, in Israel's progression God has a free hand to meet all of the 15 or so promises He made with an oath. Fabulous!

Well, if the covenants are wills of inheritance, then the firstborn are especially considered recipients in both covenants. The firstborn are distinct because they have one share above their brothers. So, they share in both? I think the first being earthly and worldly, of this world and this life, Connects or corresponds with Noah, and the covenant made with all men, and all the earth. Even why Israel is said to remain a nation (maintaining the birthright) until the covenant with all creation is no more. We, all, in Christ (the firstborn over all creation) share in the inheritance of the firstborn. Japheth, dwells in the tents of Shem...

They (all those faithful listed) cannot be made perfect without us...

Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

I think an example of this might be seen here.

2 and 1/2 tribes received their land under Moses before they crossed over the Jordon. Joshua in speaking of the Sabbath we look to in Christ, and spoken of in David is speaking of "the rest" recorded here by Moses.

De 12:9  For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.

And again by Joshua....

Joshua 1:12  And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,
13  Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
14  Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;
15  Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.
 

Recalled in the book of Hebrews

Heb 4:8  For if Jesus (Joshua) had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

Edited August 29, 2023 by Anne2