====
Turkey, Another Son of Esau
Sermon by Wayne Bedwell
March 8, 2003
Several years ago I gave a sermon entitled The "Palestinians." In it we described that they are descendants of Esau or Edom. We described where they came from, what their attitudes are toward Israel, and what their future will be. It is on our website for those of you who are interested in reading it or hearing it by audio tape.
But Esau (Edom) has other descendants beside the so-called Palestinians. One of them is very much in today’s news. Those other descendants include the people of Turkey.
Today I want to talk about Turkey; how we know the Turks are descended from Esau, son of Isaac, and what prophesy tells us about them.
First of all let’s prove that Esau and Edom are the same person. Let’s turn to Gen. 36 for that.
Gen 36:8 (NKJV) So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau <is> Edom.
Genesis also describes the wives and the early descendants of Esau.
(Gen 26:34-35 NKJV) When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. {35} And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.
(Gen 36:2-3 NKJV) Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; {3} and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
(Gen 36:4 NKJV) Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel.
(Gen 36:15 NKJV) These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar, Chief Zepho, Chief Kenaz,
Esau had six wives and many sons and grandsons, none of them reflecting the spiritual values of Abraham’s family. They belonged to a family far gone in transgression and apostasy from God. As Gen 26:35 says, his choice of wives were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah. The choice manifested Esau’s tolerance of carnality, and his indifference to the spiritual values of his family.
Some of Esau’s descendants became the Idumaeans who remained in the area of Petra and Mount Seir (Gen 32:3) in the land of Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea. But others moved out of that area. Our purpose here is to trace Esau’s lineage through his son Eliphaz and then to his grandson Teman. The Bible is not specific about the hundreds of years of movement of the migrating descendants of Teman but eventually we read of a people called Temani in Persia and Turkestan. The Edomites named the Persian and Turkestan plateaus "land of Temani." From this point historians can trace these Turkic Temani peoples. In the eleventh century many of these Turks left Central Asia and Turkestan and moved to Asia Minor or Turkey. It is well known that Hittites, the same stock as some of Esau’s wives, were part of the founding people of Turkey. Let’s look at a Biblical reference to the Temani people.
(Oba 9 NKJV) Then your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
Notice the words "O Teman." It may seem to be a stretch to establish the word "Ottoman" from "O Teman," but the Turks and Hittites established the Ottoman Empire. Obadiah also indicated in verse 14 that they would control the Dardanelles, one of the two straits between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea which separates Asiatic Turkey from European Turkey, the land bridge between Europe and the middle east nations. Let’s look at verse 14.
(Oba 14 NKJV) You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped; nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress.
We’ll visit this verse again later but notice how this verse also predicts how these descendants of Esau will treat the descendants of Israel.
In the tenth century the Ottoman Turks came into contact with Islam. About this time, Islam became the principal religion among all their central Asian relatives as well.
The Khazars called the Byzantium Emperor in Constantinople, the "King of Edom." The Byzantine Empire controlled the straits between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. The close linkage between the Turks of Turkey and their ancestors in Central Asia still exists. Will the descendants of Edom come together someday to form a fifty million strong alliance or confederacy constituting the prophesied Meshech, Tubal and Magog? We examined that possibility in light of their Islamic religion in our sermon "Where Are We in God’s Master Plan?".
Let’s turn now to current events involving Turkey.
As of this writing, we have just experienced a major turn in the relations between Turkey and the United States. We have been very close friends and allies since the end of World War 1. But the Turkish government on March 2nd informed the American government that we could no longer plan to use Turkish soil to invade northern Iraq. Currently their decision is being reconsidered because of the potential loss of the huge monetary payment being asked of the American forces, but why did the Turks turn their backs on America? There may be several reasons.
The pro-military Turkish government had just been replaced by an Islamic government per the will of the majority of the Turkish voters. . The emphasis was now on satisfying their Moslem beliefs, not on the military, though the military is always a threat due to their history of overturning civil governments. There might be several other possible explanations for their attitudinal change toward support of America: were they influenced by the successful Muslim destruction of the Twin Towers in New York? The Turks, like Esau, are a strong, forceful, warrior people. They have huge respect for military successes. Their dead warriors are even guaranteed a direct path to Allah. The United States undoubtedly lost a lot of Turkish respect by the Moslem successes on September 11, 2001.
Were they concerned by the thought of a non-Moslem nation invading a Moslem nation? Were they concerned about the Kurdish people gaining their own country? If so, could that be an indication that the Kurds might have come from the ten tribes of Israel at some time? But if so, perhaps their concern will be born out even without Turkish participation in an invasion of Iraq.
Were they unduly influenced by the Germans and French in the United Nations opposing the American invasion of Iraq? There’s been a long-standing alliance between the Germans and Turks. It didn’t end at the end of World War 1. The Turks are determined to be a part of the European Union even though many in the European Union really don’t want a Moslem nation in the Union. The EU is a catholic union.
But the Turks and Germans have more than a long friendship to hold them together. Esau intermarried with Hittites and others. The Hittites lived in pockets in the land of Israel, in Syria, and in Turkey. Turkey is a mixture of peoples. German scholars in the time of the Kaiser (and the Kaiser himself) believed Germany descended from the ancient Hittites.
Having touched on the subject already, let’s now look at prophesies regarding Turkey. As we have already found, the book of Obadiah is all about Esau/Israeli conflicts. But let’s start at the beginning of Esau’s history. Please turn to Genesis 27.
(Gen 27:39-40 NKJV) Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: "Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. {40} By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass, when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck."
Fulfilling this prophesy, the Ottoman Empire (Ottoman Turks) reigned in Europe and the Middle East for over six hundred years. And they ruled mercilessly by the sword.
Now, let’s turn to Ezekiel 25.
(Ezek 25:12-14 NASB) 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them," {13} therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, "I will also stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off man and beast from it. And I will lay it waste; from Teman even to Dedan they will fall by the sword. {14} "And I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel. Therefore, they will act in Edom according to My anger and according to My wrath; thus they will know My vengeance," declares the Lord GOD.
These ************************ures probably describe God’s vengeance on the Edomites in modern day Jordan. As I have pointed out in other sermons such as "The Palestinians," I believe these Edomites to be the so-called Palestinians of today. But interestingly, Dedan is also the name of an island in the Persian Gulf, possibly indicating that the migrating descendants of Esau passed by there too.
But by addressing the words Teman and Dedan, these verses can also describe the defeat of Turkish Ottoman troops in Jerusalem at the close of World War 1 by British General Allenby. This defeat of the Turks ended the Ottoman Empire. To truly understand these ************************ures one must understand that "Judah" refers to the Jews. "Israel" refers to all the tribes of Israel including those in America and the countries of Britain. The identification of who is Israel is another subject altogether and we won’t go into it in this sermon. However, if you are interested in this subject, you might want to read some of the books on this subject written by the Jewish author, Yair Davidi.
Let’s return to the book of Obadiah.
(Oba 7-9 NASB) "All the men allied with you will send you forth to the border, and the men at peace with you will deceive you and overpower you. They who eat your bread will set an ambush for you. (There is no understanding in him.) {8} "Will I not on that day," declares the LORD, "Destroy wise men from Edom and understanding from the mountain of Esau? {9} "Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, In order that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.
The term "allied with you" implies a confederacy. Let’s look at Psalms 83 to see the probable meaning.
(Psa 83:5-8 NKJV) For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: {6} The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; {7} Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; {8} Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah
Prophesy is often dual. My opinion is that this prophesy is not only dual, it is triple. If these verses are referring to the days of David, Assyria is Assyria. If these verses refer to today’s so-called Palestinians, "Assyria" probably refers to the Iraqis. If these verses refer to the Turks, these verses refer to the Germans. How can Germany possibly be Assyria? Part of the reason is because ancient Assyria included much of the present-day land of Turkey. On page 802 of the Companion Bible, the statement is made that Psalm 83:5-8 connects the past confederacy of enemies with the future ones, the ten kingdoms of the beast power described in Revelation 17. The Holman Bible Handbook writes: "The psalm is not a mere cry for vengeance. Rather, it is a plea for the righteous God to demonstrate His sovereignty by defending His chosen people."
Psalm 83:5-8 lists ten nations that will confederate together against Israel. Assyria (Germany) and Edom (Turkey) is among them. The question arises: Is "Germany" just Germany or might "Germany" represent a European Union headed by Germany? My suspicion is the latter. Daniel 2 also describes a ten nation Roman confederacy. Notice that the ten nations, the toes, are part of the feet. Similarly, I believe the European Union will not only include Germany, but also that through Germany, the Union will be allied with Turkey, perhaps not as a member of the Union but as an ally to them.
(Dan 2:41-43 NKJV) "Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. {42} "And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. {43} "As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.
We already see this European alliance forming. Notice that both France and Belgium have already placed themselves in a pro-German, anti-Israel and anti-Anglo position. Germany has abruptly discontinued supplying Israel with currently contracted tank supples. German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has had a life-long dislike for Americans and obviously for Jews. France, reminiscent of the traitorous Vichy French government of the early 1940s, is currently supporting the anti-Israeli Germans. France seems to be playing the envy card against American and British interests, perhaps in an attempt to rebuild the prestige France held in the world fifty years ago. French President, Jacque Chirac, has publically stated his admiration for Saddam Hussein, dictator of Iraq, perhaps to assure a dependable source for oil and French exports. In addition, he was a prime mover in the French construction of Iraqi nuclear installations. It is reported that as recently as January, France has been illegally supplying Iraq with military hardware. France now has a $4 billion debt owed to it by Iraq. A similar amount is owed Russia by Iraq. Is it any wonder why France and Russia are opposed to American and British intervention in Iraq? Belgium is not only taking a pro-German position but also plans to try the Israeli Prime Minister on trumped up war crime charges if they can catch him.
Fulfilling his role as the prophesied religious head of this final resurrection of the Roman Empire, the Pope has had various meetings with leaders of the European Union. He is also scheduled to address the European Parliament.
The most familiar ************************ures regarding the European Beast power’s end time assault on Israel and adjacent countries is in Daniel 11. Let’s look at them.
(Dan 11:40-42 NKJV) "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. {41} "He shall also enter the Glorious Land [I might pause to say that apparently he will entirely subdue Judea and as we read in Obadiah 14, many Jews will try to pass through Turkey when the house of Judah is threatened], and many [countries] shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. [These are all parts of the present country of Jordan, the country assigned to be the home of the so-called Palestinians] {42} "He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
These ************************ures describe a major war. It is generally understood that the king of the North will be the European Union. One clue as to the identity of this king is in the statement in verse 40 that he shall have many ships. At this time the major navies are possessed by, in descending order, the United States, Britain, Germany, and Japan. We know from Revelation 17 that an influential religious leader will head the Beast power. As we read, only the European Union, including Germany with its larger navy, has an influential religious leader. Does Daniel 11:40 indicate there will be a major war between Islam and Catholicism such as currently exists in the Philippines?
But then where does that leave Turkey? They are Islamic but want to be part of the European Union. To answer that question, let’s return to the book of Obadiah
(Oba 11 NKJV) In the day that you stood on the other side [when you stood aloof]; in the day that strangers carried captive his forces, when foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem; even you were as one of them.
It looks like Esau, both Palestinian and Turk, will be allied with the Beast power of Europe against the House of Israel and will be involved in the sacking of Jerusalem. That could indicate that there will be a return from a religious government to a military government in Turkey before long.
Let’s read the preceding verse:
(Oba 10 NKJV) "For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever.
Again, verses 10 and 11 could be interpreted as applying to both the so-called Palestinians and to Turkey.
Now that we’ve identified Turkey, let’s go up to the beginning of the book of Obadiah. At the beginning of this book, God expresses why and how He will judge Edom:
(Oba 1-6 NKJV) The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom (We have heard a report from the LORD, and a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying, "Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle"): {2} "Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be greatly despised. {3} The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?' {4} Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," says the LORD. {5} "If thieves had come to you, if robbers by night; oh, how you will be cut off!; would they not have stolen till they had enough? If grape-gatherers had come to you, would they not have left some gleanings? {6} "Oh, how Esau shall be searched out! How his hidden treasures shall be sought after!
Now Germany and the rest of the European Union will turn on Edom:
(Oba 7-8 NKJV) All the men in your confederacy shall force you to the border [to the frontier]; the men at peace with you shall deceive you and prevail against you. Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you. No one is aware of it. {8} "Will I not in that day," says the LORD, "Even destroy the wise men from Edom, and understanding from the mountains of Esau?
So even their friends in the European Union will forsake them completely. The Lord will destroy the wise out of Edom so even the wise among them will not be able to help them. And, as we read in verse 10, God judges Esau because of the "violence against your brother Jacob." Remember that Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, so verse 10 is referring to all of Israel, not just Judah – the Jews.
(Oba 12-16 NKJV) But you should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity; nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; nor should you have spoken proudly in the day of distress. {13} You should not have entered the gate of my people in the day of their calamity. Indeed, you should not have gazed on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity. {14} You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped; nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress. {15} "For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head. {16} For as you drank on my holy mountain, so shall all the nations drink continually; yes, they shall drink, and swallow, and they shall be as though they had never been.
They drank the cup of wrath against the House of Judah when they attacked Jerusalem and God’s "holy mountain", which holds the Temple Mount. But Judah’s calamity shall be temporary. The foes of Judah shall never regain their former position.
(Oba 17 NKJV) "But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
God will allow Israel, both Judah and the house of Joseph (the British nations and America) to punish Esau because of the innocent blood that they spilled against Israel and all the other crimes against Israel that Obadiah lists in his prophesy.
(Oba 18 NKJV) The house of Jacob shall be a fire, And the house of Joseph a flame; But the house of Esau shall be stubble; they shall kindle them and devour them, and no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau," for the LORD has spoken.
(Joel 3:19-20 NKJV) "Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom a desolate wilderness, because of violence against the people of Judah, for they have shed innocent blood in their land. {20} But Judah shall abide forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
(Jer 49:17-18 NKJV) "Edom also shall be an astonishment; everyone who goes by it will be astonished and will hiss at all its plagues. {18} As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors," says the LORD, "No one shall remain there, nor shall a son of man dwell in it...
(Oba 19 NKJV) The South shall possess the mountains of Esau, and the Lowland shall possess Philistia. They shall possess the fields of Ephraim and the fields of Samaria. Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
Regarding Obadiah 19, The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary explains these areas near Israel as:
In Hebrew, the word ‘South’ represents 'they of the Negeb.'
The words ‘Shall possess the mount of Esau’ means:
The Jews, who in the coming time are to occupy the south of Judea, shall possess, in addition to their own territory, the adjoining mountainous region of Edom.
The sentence ‘And they of the [lowland or] plain are the Philistines’ means:
The Jews who shall occupy the low country (Hebrew: 'they of the Shepheelah') along the Mediterranean, south and southwest of Palestine, shall possess, in addition to their own territory, the land of "the Philistines," which runs as a long strip between the hills and the sea. [It is known today as the Gaza Strip.]
The term ‘And they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria’:
- i.e., the rightful owners shall be restored, the Ephraimites, to the fields of Ephraim.... The context seems to point to the literal restoration of the ten tribes, as well as that of Benjamin and Judah, as foretold by the other prophets.
The sentence ‘Benjamin shall possess Gilead’:
- i.e., the region east of Jordan, occupied formerly by Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh. Benjamin shall possess, besides its own territory, the adjoining territory eastward, while the two and a half tribes shall, in the re-distribution, occupy the adjoining territory of Moab and Ammon.
And finally, the conclusion:
(Oba 21 NKJV) Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.
The Saviors will be God’s chosen people, the Saints, the elect. God’s Kingdom will rule not only the sons of Esau but all the earth.
Copyright © 2003, Wayne Bedwell
Studies in the Word of God
Church of God Most High
P.O. Box 89741
Tucson, AZ 85752-9741 USA
E-Mail
No limitation is placed upon reproduction of this document except that it must be reproduced in its entirety without modification or deletions. The publisher's name and address, copyright notice and this message must be included. It may be freely distributed but must be distributed without charge to the recipient.
===
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق