ISRAEL is the name given to JACOB after his great struggle with God at Peniel near the brook Jabbok. - Gen. 32:28; 35:10 - The name Israel has been interpreted by different scholars as "prince with God","he strives with God", "let God rule' or "God strives". The name was later applied to the descendants of Jacob or the HEBREW people. The twelve tribes were called "Israelites", "children of Israel" and "house of Israel" identifying them clearly as the descendants of Israel through his sons and grandsons.

Hebrew people refers to an ethnic term designating the lineage of the Jewish people, the nation of Israel. Abraham or Abram, was the first person in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible to be called a Hebrew. - Gen. 14:13 - Thereafter, his descendants through Isaac and Jacob were known as Hebrews. - Gen. 40:15; 43:32 - The term is used five times in the story of Joseph. - Gen. 39:14 to 43:32 - including a reference to Joseph by Potiphar's wife as 'the Hebrew servant'. Joseph told Potiphar's chief butler 'For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews'. - Gen. 39:17, 40:15 -

The origin of the term Hebrew is a mystery to scholars. Later use of the words Israelite and Jew add to the confusion. Some believe the word came from a prominent man of the ancient Middle East known as Eber. Eber was a descendant of Noah through Shem and an ancestor of Abraham.

There is considerable evidence in the Old Testament that the Hebrews regarded themselves as a composite race. - Deut. 26:5 - In their wandering tribal days and during their early years in Canaan, the Hebrews experienced a mixture of bloods through marriage with surrounding peoples. When Abraham sought a suitable wife for Isaac, he sent to Padan Aram near Haran, for Rebekah, a daughter of the Syrian Bethuel. Jacob (Israel) found Rachel in the same location. - Gen. 24:10, 25:20, chapter 28 to 29 - Strains of Egyptian blood also appeared in the family of Joseph through Asenath's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. - Gen. 41:50-52 - Moses had a Midianite wife, Zipporah and an unnamed Ethiopian (Cushite) wife. - Ex. 18:1-7; Num. 12:1 -

Although several unanswered questions about the Hebrews remain, no culture has equaled their contribution to mankind. In a pagan world with many gods, the Hebrews worshiped One supreme, holy God who demanded righteousness in His people. From the Hebrews also sprang Jesus Christ, our Lord, who gave His life to set us free from the curse of sin.

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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:

Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -