Today, the first of Cheshvan, was the day when the Lord brought the plague on the animals of Egypt.  Historically, Cheshvan has been a season which has seen many calamities. It is however, a very clear time when God makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Hebrews.   When the Hebrews began to cry out in their distress, the Lord heard their cries and came down to deliver them. Darkness had fallen over the land when the Lord their God led them out from the place of their affliction. It was night in Egypt, but the Hebrews were led by a pillar of light, illuminating their way and protecting them from their enemies.

It was only when their cries reached heaven, that the Lord came down and through the prophet Moses said to Pharaoh, “let my first born son go that he may worship me (Exodus 4:22).” He is speaking of “Israel” or the Nation that had come from Jacob.  God calls the nation of Israel His first born son and the world (or biblical Egypt) the son of Pharaoh.

We remember when God changes the name of Jacob at Bethel to “Israel” (Genesis 35:10).  The place is then called El Bethel, “The House God” and His son’s new name is now Israel.  So Israel now dwells in the house of God or truly in the heart of God since Israel is His first born.

In Romans 11:17 it says that we the gentiles through faith have been grafted in to the Olive tree.  Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are  no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people (Israel)  and members of God’s household.  We are now grafted into the family of God where the two become one in the father who represents the tree.   Why an olive tree?  It is the Holy Spirit who converts us and gives oil to the lamp so we can see and become the sons of God.  (…to all that believe he gave the right to become the sons of God).

So we see that in this season we have been grafted to a very strong tree. A tree or a house that has stood and has remained solid through time. It is a tree that bears fruit at every season.  A tree that will never run dry for it drinks the rain of heaven.

Romans 11:24   After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

We have been grafted in and are being blessed abundantly by the Father for a time and a season.   There will come a day when the Father, through the Lord Jesus will cause us to dwell with all of our brothers in God’s house.

We as mere branches cannot produce our own fruit. The fruit of the branches must be the fruit of God, for He is what supports and nourishes the branches. We become partakers of the nourishing sap and are blessed simply because of our attachment to Him. Through faith in Jesus Christ we receive the inheritance that belongs to Him.  For He is the one who reconciles us to Himself and the Father.   He will one day make the two sons into one.

Jacob’s son Joseph represents Jesus. Joseph bore two sons whom Jacob blesses, Manasseh and Ephraim.   Jacob crosses his hands and blesses the second born first!!! giving him a greater inheritance.   That is us!!!  He was blessing us to inherit the inheritance of the “first born”. Also, please note that throughout the bible the Lord God interchanges the name of Ephraim and calls him Israel!

Yes, our name is “Israel” for God was calling for a day when the gentile would come into the house of God and be as his firstborn.

We have been grafted into that inheritance through Jesus Christ. We bear fruit because it is already there.  A fertile tree…the tree of life.

Our name is “Israel”, and just as He led the Jews out of Egypt, so one day He shall come in all glory during a dark night to lead us out for He is the PILLAR OF LIGHT.

Please leave a brief comment below letting me know what you thought about this teaching.  

Blessings to all of you.