"I CONSIDERED ALL THE LIVING WHICH WALK UNDER THE SUN, WITH THE SECOND CHILD THAT SHALL STAND UP IN HIS STEAD".

On the face of it this verse seems such an insignificant little thing, nevertheless, it has the power to stand one on the path of understanding God's knowledge.

The choice of the "second child" or the second alternative in biblical Scripture, is the basis of the "dual purposes" that many students of the bible see running through the Law at times. Let us read this clarification more clearly, and at the same time note well of God's clever handiwork in hiding the secrets of truth, so that we might desire to work hard and seek it out.

At the beginning of both Hebrew and mankind's history here in Genesis 2:8,9 the dual purposes begin:- 2 trees -

1:- "Tree of Life".
2:- The "Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil". (The second- tree was used first).

Adam and Eve:- Adam, the beginning of mankind's "right" of the first birth, having the dominion and possessions of the flesh. Also, Adam was the first "Son of God".
Eve:- The second person was brought forth in "secret sleep". She is the second choice to inherit, after the lineage of the spirit, bringing forth Sons of God, and Sons of men.
Cain:- Was the first born son of men, inheriting that "birthright".
Abel:- The second son of God, was given "heavenly -blessings" (Cain killed Abel, so Seth, the third son took the place of the second child Abel).
From Seth - the separation of the genetic lineages began into first "birthright sons" of earthly - possessions, and second "blessing sons" chosen of God.
Cain's lineage always remained sons of men throughout history.

In Genesis 6:1-4, we have the much misunderstood verses of the "Sons of God" and daughters of men.

Verse 1:- "AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN MEN BEGAN TO MULTIPLY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, AND DAUGHTERS WERE BORN UNTO THEM".
Verse 2:-"THAT THE SONS OF GOD SAW THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN THAT THEY WERE FAIR; AND THEY TOOK THEM WIVES OF ALL WHICH THEY CHOSE".
Verse 3:- "AND THE LORD SAID, MY SPIRIT SHALL NOT ALWAYS STRIVE WITH MAN, FOR THAT HE ALSO IS FLESH; YET HIS DAYS SHALL BE AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS".
Verse 4:- "THERE WERE GIANTS IN THE EARTH IN THOSE DAYS; AND ALSO AFTER THAT, WHEN THE SONS OF GOD CAME IN UNTO THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN, AND THEY BARE CHILDREN TO THEM, THE SAME BECAME MIGHTY MEN WHICH WERE OF OLD, MEN OF RENOWN".

These "Sons of God" are not angels, as some students imagine, but those sons born of the "second chosen" lineage of Seth. That "second child" whose "blessing" was to inherit the things of God, therefore, became known as a "Sons of God".

The "daughters of men" were those born of the lineage of Cain, and of Seth. Cain being the lineage of men, and Seth's "first son" progeny, inherited after the manner of "birthright", and "earthly possessions". Therefore, "their" daughters are of men and the "birthright".

First" came the Garden of Eden and that antediluvian civilisation was destroyed.

"Second" God started again after the flood and chose a "second man" for a purpose, his name was Noah.

"Noah" was the lineage of Seth, - Son of God, (or Noah walked with God).

Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, (the elder, Genesis 10:21) inherited possessions on a large scale. (Genesis: 9:27).

"Shem"- "second son" inherited the blessings of the Lord God (Genesis: 9:26).

"Ham" (the younger son, Genesis. 9:20-27) cursed, to be a servant.

"Terah" -Abraham's father came through Shem.

Abraham (Abram) had two brothers, Haran and Nahor. The Bible does not say directly whether Abraham was the first, second, or third son of Terah. What it does say is that Terah had 3 sons "after" he was 70 years old. (Genesis. 11:26).

Some scholars say that Terah was at least 130 years old when Abraham was born, because Abraham was 75 years old when he left the city of Haran (Genesis. 12:4) and Terah had then died aged 205 years old (Genesis.11:32) therefore, making Abraham one of the younger sons.

With a little arithmetic concluded, that is very plausible!

According to Genesis 11:26, Terah either had triplet sons when he was 70 years old, or each was born "after" Terah was 70 years.

We cannot even rely on the ancient Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, to answer this question of Abraham's birth. Because Josephus says, "Abraham was born in the 70th year of Terah". (Almost like Genesis 11)

But Genesis also says so was Nahor, and Haran!

With Josephus there is also a discrepancy between the begetting of Sarah (Sarai)-Abraham's wife- and the Bible's story. Josephus says, "Now Abram had two brethren, Nahor and Haran, of these two
Haran left a son - Lot: also, Sarai and Milcah his daughters".

These married their nieces:- Nahor married Milcah, and Abram married Sarai.

The Bible however says: "Sarah was Abraham's half-sister, being the daughter of his father, but not of his mother. (Genesis. 20:12).

So, with these discrepancies, Abraham's "first son" lineage is in dispute.

My opinion upon this matter was that Abraham was indeed Terah's "second child".

Haran was the "first son", and the reason for this assumption being, Terah lamented greatly over Haran's death, and left Ur of the Chaldees to escape the associations of that death, going out with his family, (Genesis. 11:27-31) also, Josephus inferred as much in his writings.

Abraham's brother Nahor settled completely it seems in the city of Haran, Mesopotamia. (Genesis. 24:10,27:43) perhaps inheriting his brother Haran's possessions of the "birthright". These possessions would not have gone to Abraham as the "second son", because God had "earmarked" Abraham "twice" to call him away from these material gifts, which Genesis.12:1 tells us.

"NOW THE LORD HAD SAID UNTO ABRAM, GET THEE OUT OF THY COUNTRY, AND FROM THY KINDRED, AND FROM THY FATHER'S HOUSE, (which anchored Abraham with earthly possessions) UNTO A LAND THAT I WILL SHEW THEE".

Stephen in the New Testament, Acts 7:2-5 tells us God told Abraham to leave "firstly" Mesopotamia.

In Genesis 12:1-4. God told Abraham the "second time", to leave Haran and go out into the land of Canaan.

The strict code of "birthright" possession of the first heir in a household, we read of in Genesis 15:2,3.

Verse 2:- "AND ABRAM SAID, LORD GOD, WHAT WILT THOU GIVE ME, SEEING I GO CHILDLESS, AND THE STEWARD OF MY HOUSE IS THIS ELIEZER OF DAMASCUS"?
Verse 3:- "AND ABRAM SAID BEHOLD, TO ME THOU HAST GIVEN NO SEED: AND LO, ONE BORN IN MY HOUSE IS MINE HEIR".

The Steward Eliezar was a man employed to manage household concerns in the large establishment of Abraham, a major-domo and gentleman in his own right. Today, he would be the manager of a great palace. This man Eliezar born under Abraham's roof and obligation; he would have inherited Abraham's earthly chattels.

Because Abraham is the "father of nations" and the father of one particular chosen nation, -called Israel- his standing in the Bible is paramount! Therefore, Jewish scholars of the past especially, would name Abraham as "first son" before his brothers, assuming the secular heredity factor of "right of birth" with men was all-important. With God however, it is not so!

"He" chooses differently to man, making sure "His" choice is not bogged down with inheriting the chattels of mankind, which would interfere with that man's heart and deliberations. So all we can do is assume that Abraham was indeed the "second child" of Terah, standing in the sight of God and set apart, instead of being the "first Child",

as Ecclesiastes 4:15 tells us.

Abraham had two sons, the firstborn was Ishmael, and though he should have obtained the "birthright" from his father he was blessed, (Gen. 17:20) but passed over for Abraham's "second son" Isaac, because from Isaac both the "birthright" and chosen blessing of "second son", had to pass into one special nation, Israel.

Now begins the dividing of sons Esau and Jacob.

Esau - "first born" son of the flesh.

Jacob - "second born", supplanted the "first son's birthright", and had the "second son's blessing". (Genesis. 27:34-40).

Jacob - had two wives. "First" wife Leah, (wife of the flesh). Second wife Rachel (wife of love and blessing).

Leah's children were:- Reuben, (birthright son) Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah (daughter).

Zilpah's (handmaid of Leah) children were, Gad and Asher.

Rachel's children were Joseph and Benjamin.

Bilhah's (handmaid of Rachel) children were Dan and Naphtali (Genesis. 30:3-4 Gen. 30:1-8).

Here in this lineage of the "first and second" children for future blessings upon Jacob's children, there seems to be confusion, but not so! The name of Jacob - was the man of flesh, inheritor of the secular or "birthright" things.

Israel - was the spiritual man, (inside Jacob) inheritor of the heavenly things of God. Israel - is the "surname" of God's family, (Isaiah 44:5) therefore these children must be called to God through the "Spirit", because God is Spirit and calls to the "second choice" inside man. So, God divided Jacob into two people, (Genesis. 35:10-11) and that which Jacob did of himself was "of" the flesh, but his "spirit" was guided for better things by God".

From Israel came "a" nation, (that of Hebrew/Israelite nation of 2 houses). A Company or collection of nations will also be from these sons, with Kings amongst them. Each son of Jacob/Israel became a tribe, a nation in its own right, they as a whole also became a separate identifiable nation in the earth, Israelites!

Rachel - the "second wife" of Israel "adopted" Bilhah's son Dan -upon her knees,- as her own.

Therefore, Dan became the "first birthright son" of Rachel/Jacob. (Genesis. 30:3-6).

Joseph - then became the "second son" of Rachel/Jacob-Israel (Genesis. 30:22-24) inheritor of the "blessings of God". (Genesis. 37).

Reuben - fell from grace as possessor of the "birthright" as first son. The "birthright" was not passed on to the second son of Leah; Simeon, which seemed natural, but given to the eleventh son in order of birth to Jacob. His name was Joseph. (1 Chronicles 5:12).

Joseph was the "second son" of the "second wife" Rachel being the "second choice" for the "birthright", Joseph would eventually "head" the whole nation of Israel and head the "second" House of Israel. Standing also to nurture the "second remnant" to come forth in the last days, namely Zion.

Because of Leah and Rachel's position with Jacob. First came Leah wife of the flesh. Second came Rachel wife of love and blessing, these two women brought forth two separate kingdoms/nations. Which would eventually be established in biblical and secular history as the "House of Israel" (headed by Rachel's child) and the "House of Judah (headed by Leah's child).

Rachel's "second child" Benjamin could not be given the "birthright" or "blessing" because it was given to Joseph, therefore Benjamin was protected amongst his brethren. Joseph's supposed death caused a "birthright" dilemma to Jacob.

Reuben had fallen from grace. Simeon and Levi were guilty of treachery and murder, who also fell from grace (Genesis. 34). When "birthright" and "blessing" were once given, it could not be undone; because God saw that it was carried out!

Joseph was gone, so Judah took "responsibility" for the "first sons" position and headed the tribes (Genesis. 44:32-34 Gen. 46:28).

Joseph's sons - Manasseh the "first son", Ephraim the "second child".

Ephraim was given predominance over Manasseh. (Genesis. 48:13-21). These "blessings" last unto the end of man's "last days" of rulership upon the earth and into the years beyond 2,000 AD. (Genesis. 49:1).
Ephraim and Manasseh shared the "birthright and blessing" between them, therefore, they "must" at all costs be "redeemed" from the nations of the earth.

Moses - the "second son" of the "blessing" of God, and deliverer of Israel from Egypt.

Aaron - the "first son" of "birthright" (Exodus. 7:7).

Joshua - the son of Nun an Ephraimite (Numbers. 13:8-16), publicly ordained before the priests and people by Moses as his successor (Numbers. 27:18-23).

The first leader of the children of Israel was Moses, of the "House of Jacob" (Levi).

"Second" leader Joshua of the "House of Israel"(Ephraim).

Both these houses represented by Moses/Joshua stand always as priests and witnesses, ordained by God. Therefore, Ephraim's children in the last days, "must" be seen as a separate people within the full nation of Israel, and not in a chaotic state amongst the Jews unidentified in this modern world.
The "Duality" within the Law, reoccurs always for clarity of learning.

1:- House of Judah… 2:- House of Israel.

1:- Kingdom of Judah… 2:- Kingdom of Israel.

2- Families. (Jeremiah. 33:24)….

2- Holy Cities.(Isaiah. 64:10)….

2- Remnants, Zion and Jerusalem. (Zechariah. 9:9).

2 -Man - has two parts to his body, 1 Body (flesh)-(1 Cor. 15:44) 1 spirit (soul) (Zechariah. 12:1).

2 -Two Deaths ………1 - Death of the Body, and 2 - Death of the spirit. - 1 - Through Adam's fall (death of the body)-(1 Cor. 15:22). 2 - Spiritual fall and death. (Ezekiel 18:4) (Or death of the spirit).

These "two parts" to man are explained in Matthew 10:28: "AND FEAR NOT THEM WHICH KILL THE BODY, BUT ARE NOT ABLE TO KILL THE SOUL; BUT RATHER FEAR HIM WHICH IS ABLE TO DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY IN HELL". Death of the Spirit is final, (Revelation. 2:11, 20:6).

Two Resurrection Paths……. 1:- To Judgement. 2:- To Everlasting Life, and an interval of time, separates these two resurrections. (Revelation. 20:5, 1Cor. 15).

Jesus - comes "twice" to the Earth…….. 1:- With a fleshly body. (Luke 1:28-33). 2:- A Spiritual Being (Acts 1:9-11).

Earth - Two Destructions…….. 1:- By Water (flesh) under Noah,(Genesis. 6:17,18). 2:- Destroyed by fire, (energy/Spirit) under the kingdom of Jesus' return, (2Peter. 3:7).

Two Sons of God……… 1:- Adam (flesh). 2:- Jesus of the holy spirit,(1Corinthians. 15:45-47).

Two Daughters of God (dividing mankind)……..1:- Eve (flesh), (Genesis. 2:23). 2:- Mary(led by the Spirit), (Luke 1:41-56).

Two Tables of Commandments…….
1:- Destroyed by Moses.
2:- Set before the people as the word of God. (Exodus 31:18, 32:16-19, 34:1).

Two sons of God set apart for Man's benefit………
1:- Joseph in Egypt,(Genesis 50:15-21)
2:- Jesus as "Redeemer" for man's benefit. (Romans 3:23-24).

Two Deliverers for the "whole" nation of Israel from bondage…….
1:- Moses, Deliverer of "fleshly" Israel from Egypt on behalf of God, (Exodus 3:10-12).
2:- Jesus, Deliverer of Spiritual and fleshly Israel out of bondage of Egypt of the nations.(from the last 2,000 years). -(Hosea 8:13, 9:3 Zechariah 10:6-12).

Two Witnesses, when Jesus was presented in the temple after he was born…….
1:- Simeon. 2:- Anna. (Luke 2:21-38).
1:- Simeon for the "House" of Judah 2:- Anna for the House of Israel.

Two Witnesses -at Jesus' transfiguration……..
1:- Moses (flesh)
2:- Elijah (son of the spirit)-(Matthew 17:1-4, Deuteronomy 34:1-8, 2Kings 2:1-13).

Two Olive Trees -(Zechariah 4)……..

Two Covenants - (Galatians 4:21-31, Hebrews 8:13)…….

Two Baptisms……..
1:- Water for fleshly sins.
2:- Spiritual fire, baptism of the saints.-(Matthew 3:11, Romans 6:3,4, 1Peter 3:21).

Two Bands - (Genesis 32:10) from the man Jacob……..

Two Nations - (Ezekiel 37:22)……..

Two Ways - Assyria/Babylon, for all Israel to be taken captive, (Ezekiel 21:19) etc.

One can see and read that the "birthright", from the beginning, is the state of being the "first born" of one's parents, giving seniority of birth amongst children, carrying the promises that the eldest son succeeds to his father's real estate and position.

The "blessing" on the other hand was to make happy, prosperous, and to consecrate to God and set apart from others.

It is an act upon the "second child" who deserves adoration and mercy, and it is a prayer and solemn wish upon another.

Hebrews 12:16-17 explains the importance of these 2 positions, when it tells of Esau a man of the earth who had no depth to his character, nor desired the things of God which were of great value, who sort them with tears.

These 2 paths of birthright/blessing are sworn before God to stand always to the end of time! Even the lands inherited by the children of Israel, will be divided the "second time" for the tribes to inherit after all the consummation of history.

Ezekiel Chapters 40 to 48 enforce the "patterns" and measurements set for the "House of Israel" and the "House of Judah" to understand and are to be seen, and understood by us all as truth; And, through this continuing Law and Order we are under a sovereign Lord, who has "set" things to be exacting just and honourable! There is a basic biblical teaching that God is not the author of confusion, but all
things must be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:33,40).

Let us for example, quickly read that "order" in Ezekiel 48, for the "second" dividing of Israel's land.
The tribe of

Dan's portion comes "first", because he is the "first son" of Rachel/Israel (the inner man of Jacob) and is "called" as a judge of the people with the second "House" of the nation of Israel. Which "second" nation predominates, because it holds Joseph as caretaker and nourisher of Israel, to whom- in the Gentiles- also went Jesus the King.

Asher - is listed second as the secular House of Germanic Hanover, bloodline of Joseph's children.

Naphtali - is listed third as the secular House of Germanic Saxony, bloodline of Joseph's children.

Manasseh - comes fourth, as the secular house of the United States of America, also bloodline of the Anglo/Saxon etc, bloodline of Joseph's children.

Ephraim - comes fifth as the secular Germanic (Stuart) House of Windsor, bloodline of Joseph's children.

Reuben - comes sixth, because he was the first born of Jacob as a natural occurrence. This cannot be altered; thus his "birthright" (or possessions) was given to Joseph.

Judah - comes seventh, because he is the secular leader of the "House of Judah", and out of him came forth the King, from the seventh child of Jesse, named David. (1 Chronicles. 2:13-15 David was born the 8th child of Jesse 1 Samuel 16:10-11).

Levi - comes eighth because they are of the priesthood, with the sons of Zadok.

Benjamin - comes ninth, and though the son of Israel, -by Rachel- yet it was Jacob/Judah, who comforted and protected him, therefore is counted with the "House of Judah".

Simeon - comes tenth because his secular House was Plantagenet, counted just as the rest of the tribes without a "special role" to play, and "not" Joseph's "direct" bloodline.

Issachar - comes eleventh, -ditto as above- secular House of York.

Zebulun - comes twelfth -ditto as above- secular House of Lancaster.

Gad - comes thirteenth, -ditto as above- secular House of Stuart.

These lineages I have explained more fully in another Chapter explaining the 10 horns.

The "Gates" of Ezekiel 48, remain in order and pattern preference of the importance of each tribe of the 2 nations of Israel.

-North Gates-
Reuben - the first natural son of Jacob, attached to the second nation of Israel, -headed by Ephraim
-North Gates-
Judah - head of the first nation of Israel "House of Judah"/Jacob, (through Leah).
-North Gates-
Levi - The priesthood separated by God from the people to be attached to the "House
of Judah", (Leah).

-East Gates-
Joseph - Facing east, which is "the" most important gate from where the "glory" of the Holy One of Israel enters. (Ezekiel 43:1-2). This is Joseph's right he earned it for his obedience unto God. Besides this his sons Ephraim and Manasseh inherit 2 portions of land. (Ezekiel 47:13) - Joseph son of Israel and Rachel.
-East Gates-
Benjamin - Joseph's full brother through Rachel, therefore, at the gates he remains with Joseph.
-East Gates-
Dan - Joseph's adopted brother through Rachel, therefore at the gates he remains with Joseph. The gates of the lesser tribes out of the "House of Israel".

-South Gates - Simeon, 1 gate.
-South Gates - Issachar, 1 gate.
-South Gates - Zebulun, 1 gate.
-West Gates - Gad, 1 gate.
-West Gates - Asher, 1 gate.
-West Gates - Naphtali, 1 gate.

The latter 2 tribes are the lesser sons who have assimilated Joseph's bloodline within them from Germanic stock, noted in the Germanic line of Britain's crown, and "come under" the words of Joseph's blessing in Genesis 48:6. Joseph's line "must" be prominent because he holds the "birthright" and the "second son" blessing into the last days.

There is other "second" threads to be picked up one can see running through the Law of God also. The foregoing list will give one a picture, that indeed we are "not" in the chaotic state of being just a piece of flotsam in this modern day and age, without beginning, without end, without purpose, without hope, just floating along on the tides of wind and chance age after age, wondering who we are? And why we are here?

I will include here a footnote to the "second child's" position in the Bible. When reading through snippets and texts in various books, I came across this item dealing with the situation of "second child" status within ancient history. Some scholars of ancient history say that during the time of the Sumerian civilisation etc.-(Out of which came Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees, or Sumerian
Ur-Nammu). Mankind emulated the family laws and customs of the then gods, when the "second child" of the gods was preferred and placed in front of the first son. Their gods setting a deliberate pattern for men to follow. Therefore, the Hebrew patriarchs from the Old Testament lived by these laws of family succession and accordingly the same laws were set by their Kings and nobles. Hence Abraham preferring Isaac over Ishmael, and Isaac had to choose Jacob over Esau, etc: Scholars also say that they have often wondered "why" Abraham and Isaac advertised their wives also, as sisters, a claim which cut across biblical law against sexual relations with one's sister. However, legal documents found at ancient Samaria say that a man can marry his half-sister, and the children born of this wife, will have fifty per cent more pure seed than the other wives, making her son the unchallenged legal heir. So, Abraham married Sarah his half-sister - or his brother Laban's daughter - also pronouncing her, according to Sumerian law of the Gods, a sister. Therefore, Isaac became the "pure seed", and the same with Jacob. When the said father of his children considered them for the purpose of "blessing" or a property settlement, the chosen second child's place as the "first born" to inherit as the
legal heir, was already established amongst the wives and children of the patriarchs
beforehand.

This interesting piece of ancient history I am unable to give the title of the book it came from, for which I apologise, being an untidy writer, I have mislaid it somewhere!