In previous letters I pointed out that James had singled out the twelve tribes as the first fruit of a new order. Why were the sons of Jacob chosen and predestined for this purpose? Why does YHVH Elohim call Israel His firstborn (ref Exodus 4:22)? Why does He also call Ephraim a firstborn (ref Jeremiah 31:9)? What is behind this first fruit administrative order of YHVH’s redemption and Kingdom on earth? In order to understand this arrangement we will have to continue following the Torah principles, especially as they are expounded in Genesis. The Genesis account is a microcosm of what is a macrocosm today, as the life and covenant calling of the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have been passed on to their posterity, who are alive and well in our day and age. As we follow the history of YHVH’s Kingdom and its restoration to all Israel, the recurring theme of the "first fruit order" will accompany us all the way through.
The importance of the first fruit/firstborn principle within the family of Adam becomes evident right away. Scripture records that when Cain and Abel were of age, each of them brought an offering to YHVH Elohim. Because he was a tiller of the ground and grew crops, Cain offered some of his fruit to YHVH. Abel, who tended flocks of sheep and goats, took of his firstlings and offered them to the Creator. YHVH did not accept Cain’s contribution, but He did look favorably upon Abel’s. This had an adverse effect upon Cain, who became very angry. Unable to overcome sin's temptation, he eventually murdered his brother. Several questions come to mind. Why did YHVH not regard Cain’s offering, but accepted Abel’s? What caused Cain to harbor evil desires against his brother, and why did YHVH ask him as to the whereabouts of His brother, when He already knew? Why did Cain respond so defensively, saying: “am I my brother’s keeper”?
Pondering these questions and having studied further the Torah laws, statutes and ordinances, I discovered an interesting scripture that shed light on the reason for YHVH’s rejection of Cain’s offering and His acceptance of Abel’s. In Exodus 23:19 it says that "the first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of your Elohim” (Exodus 23:19, emphasis added). Some contend that because Cain was a tiller of the ground, which was cursed, YHVH could not accept his offering. But if that were the case, was Cain at fault for being a farmer? And furthermore, if the ground was cursed why did YHVH put the above mentioned ordinance in the Torah?
The same ordinance goes for the first fruit of the womb, whether of man or beast: “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine" (Exodus 13:2). These scriptures explain why Elohim did not accept Cain’s offering. A closer look at Genesis 4:3 reveals that Cain held back for himself the first fruit of the ground: “Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto YHVH” (Genesis 4:3). This unrighteous behavior had a very devastating consequence and was the reason why sin was already stalking Cain. Since Cain was a firstborn, and did not belong to himself, he had birthrights that awaited him were he to qualify by being obedient to YHVH’s righteous instructions.
Unlike his brother, Abel demonstrated righteousness. Note that he even offered up the fat when he brought of the firstlings of his flock. Thus his offering was accepted. Abel did not hold back that which belonged to his Creator. But what caused Cain's anger to flare up over this matter, and why did he vent this anger on his brother? The answer to this question is crucial in understanding a problem that keeps arising in families throughout the Scriptures and even to this generation. As we keep examining YHVH's Kingdom and His Redemption's Story, the answer to the above question will begin to open up a mystery.
Cain and Abel were out in the field together when Cain struck the deathblow to his brother. YHVH warned Cain that sin was crouching and ready to pounce on him, if he would not turn from his jealousy and hatred toward his brother. Obviously YHVH’s rejection of his offering was not the only motive behind Cain’s behavior. His anger was the result of the loss of his firstborn birthrights, having not fulfilled his obligations to the One to whom he belonged. It was for this reason that the Almighty posed a challenge before Cain, regarding the whereabouts of his brother. In his sarcastic response Cain was expressing defiance toward Elohim, since as the firstborn he would not have been unaware of his responsibilities toward his sibling.
Once he realized that he had been cast off and that his rights were given over to his brother, Cain fell prey to the nature of the power of sin. Spirits of rejection, jealousy, retaliation, rage and ultimately murder invaded his being. This example of a firstborn losing his birthrights to a younger brother also illustrates the principle of the "first Adam" losing his rights to the Second One. “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Adon[Master] from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47).
Now that Cain lost the position of the firstborn and Abel was dead, there was no one in the family who could carry on the responsibility of a future father and redeemer, and so Eve conceived another son. This son was born in the image and likeness of Adam's (sin) nature (ref Genesis 4:25-26). With Seth begins the genealogy of the firstborn, and the commencement of the story of YHVH’s Kingdom Order in the family of Adam.
Ephraim
The importance of the first fruit/firstborn principle within the family of Adam becomes evident right away. Scripture records that when Cain and Abel were of age, each of them brought an offering to YHVH Elohim. Because he was a tiller of the ground and grew crops, Cain offered some of his fruit to YHVH. Abel, who tended flocks of sheep and goats, took of his firstlings and offered them to the Creator. YHVH did not accept Cain’s contribution, but He did look favorably upon Abel’s. This had an adverse effect upon Cain, who became very angry. Unable to overcome sin's temptation, he eventually murdered his brother. Several questions come to mind. Why did YHVH not regard Cain’s offering, but accepted Abel’s? What caused Cain to harbor evil desires against his brother, and why did YHVH ask him as to the whereabouts of His brother, when He already knew? Why did Cain respond so defensively, saying: “am I my brother’s keeper”?
Pondering these questions and having studied further the Torah laws, statutes and ordinances, I discovered an interesting scripture that shed light on the reason for YHVH’s rejection of Cain’s offering and His acceptance of Abel’s. In Exodus 23:19 it says that "the first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of your Elohim” (Exodus 23:19, emphasis added). Some contend that because Cain was a tiller of the ground, which was cursed, YHVH could not accept his offering. But if that were the case, was Cain at fault for being a farmer? And furthermore, if the ground was cursed why did YHVH put the above mentioned ordinance in the Torah?
The same ordinance goes for the first fruit of the womb, whether of man or beast: “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine" (Exodus 13:2). These scriptures explain why Elohim did not accept Cain’s offering. A closer look at Genesis 4:3 reveals that Cain held back for himself the first fruit of the ground: “Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto YHVH” (Genesis 4:3). This unrighteous behavior had a very devastating consequence and was the reason why sin was already stalking Cain. Since Cain was a firstborn, and did not belong to himself, he had birthrights that awaited him were he to qualify by being obedient to YHVH’s righteous instructions.
Unlike his brother, Abel demonstrated righteousness. Note that he even offered up the fat when he brought of the firstlings of his flock. Thus his offering was accepted. Abel did not hold back that which belonged to his Creator. But what caused Cain's anger to flare up over this matter, and why did he vent this anger on his brother? The answer to this question is crucial in understanding a problem that keeps arising in families throughout the Scriptures and even to this generation. As we keep examining YHVH's Kingdom and His Redemption's Story, the answer to the above question will begin to open up a mystery.
Cain and Abel were out in the field together when Cain struck the deathblow to his brother. YHVH warned Cain that sin was crouching and ready to pounce on him, if he would not turn from his jealousy and hatred toward his brother. Obviously YHVH’s rejection of his offering was not the only motive behind Cain’s behavior. His anger was the result of the loss of his firstborn birthrights, having not fulfilled his obligations to the One to whom he belonged. It was for this reason that the Almighty posed a challenge before Cain, regarding the whereabouts of his brother. In his sarcastic response Cain was expressing defiance toward Elohim, since as the firstborn he would not have been unaware of his responsibilities toward his sibling.
Once he realized that he had been cast off and that his rights were given over to his brother, Cain fell prey to the nature of the power of sin. Spirits of rejection, jealousy, retaliation, rage and ultimately murder invaded his being. This example of a firstborn losing his birthrights to a younger brother also illustrates the principle of the "first Adam" losing his rights to the Second One. “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Adon[Master] from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47).
Now that Cain lost the position of the firstborn and Abel was dead, there was no one in the family who could carry on the responsibility of a future father and redeemer, and so Eve conceived another son. This son was born in the image and likeness of Adam's (sin) nature (ref Genesis 4:25-26). With Seth begins the genealogy of the firstborn, and the commencement of the story of YHVH’s Kingdom Order in the family of Adam.
Ephraim
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