The Planting of America
THE PLANTING OF AMERICA
Was Manasseh's future world identity and location described in the Bible? No student of the scripture in search for truth, can ignore the significance of the ceremony entered into by Jacob, Joseph and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as recorded in the 48th chapter of Genesis. After the two boys, Ephraim and Manasseh were adopted by Jacob - now called “Israel”- blessings were pronounced upon them. When Joseph, their father, objected to Israel's actions, “His father refused [his objection], and said, I know it, my son, I know it: He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations” (Gen. 48:19).
Later on, Moses confirmed the fact that Ephraim was to be greater in number: “His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns [Britain's & Scotland's national emblem]: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh” (Deut. 33:17). This statement is specifically related to the form of government which was prophesied for Ephraim's descendants. Manasseh's descendants were to function governmentally as a great people and Ephraim as a commonwealth of nations and governments. The blessings pronounced upon Joseph by Moses and earlier by Jacob fall on the shoulders of Ephraim and Manasseh as joint recipients of all the promises made.
With this introduction and thought in mind, let's examine the beginning of our great Republic. We can do this because the cannon of the Bible is closed, but the work of the God of the Bible goes on! In this article, we are going to see God's history book, the Bible, bring to light the planting of America.
History shows our fore fathers proceeded in all their plans after the pattern of Israel. So it is no secret those pilgrims who stepped ashore out of boats that crossed the Atlantic over 200 hundred years ago, were eager to start a new Christian nation. They came here as a united Christian religion and they were determined that the purpose of their mission was to form a religious nation. Their focus was not to just populate a town, or build a secular colony; they did not come to trade merchandise or just have an exploring adventure - they came here to build a religious nation! These religious pilgrims crossed the Atlantic Ocean to have freedom of religion and that is the true origin of our United States!
When these Christian pilgrims traveled from England to the continent of America, they made a covenant with Jesus Christ. They drew up national documents of agreement with the Eternal God! We as citizens and members of this United States, are bound by what our forefathers officially did at Plymouth Rock. Our forefather pilgrims called a solemn convocation in the Mayflower's cabin and drew up, what is now called the Mayflower Compact. It reads: “In the name of God, Amen, we whose names are underwritten, having undertaken for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith, a voyage to plant the first colony - do by these present solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, combine ourselves into a civil body politic, In the name of God, Amen.” [That was the beginning of our politics.] “Whereas, we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end, namely, to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity, we therefore conceive it our bounden duty-that as in nations and religions so in other respects, we be and continue one” This declaration made us a people, it was the forerunner of all our other governmental decrees What a descent we have made since then!
King Solomon was inspired to record this instruction for us: “I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be forever: Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before Him. That which has been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requires that which is past” (Eccl. 3:14-15).
History reveals Israel rebelled against the throne of David and declared its' independence - setting up a separate government. The same things that occurred with Israel occurred in America: the 13 colonies, like the 13 tribes in Israel, revolted against the rule of England. In the process, they produced another covenant document called the “Declaration of Independence,” and there once more declared allegiance to the Eternal God.
The Mayflower Compact made us a civil body of politics, the Articles of Federation made us a people, and the Declaration of Independence made us a nation. All of these are based on the peoples' allegiance to God! They are a constitutional blueprint of our administrative political machinery.
When the time came to choose a design for the seal of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams were selected as the committee to come up with a design having its roots with Israel: If you look at a dollar bill, you will notice the seal which was chosen. It is on the side that reads “In God We Trust,” above the “one,” on the left side, that you will notice an “eagle”with 13 stars above its head. You will then notice 13 letters in the phrase which flutters on a scroll from its beak. There are 13 pale-ways in the shield on its breast and in its right talon is an olive branch, with 13 leaves and 13 olive fruits. In its left talon is 13 arrows fledged with 13 feathers. Adding all that up, we come up with 7 sets of thirteens [13] on the left side of our God inspired seal!
Across from that-on the right side, we find 13 courses of masonry in the shape of a pyramid with an all seeing eye capstone which was never set. This capstone or chief corner stone, is spoken of by our Lord as the stone which the builders rejected. “Jesus saith unto them, did you never read in the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, the Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matt 21:42-43). Jesus Christ was speaking here to the chief priest, scribes and Pharisees who were practicing the religion of Judaism. This pyramid represents strength and duration. The chosen committee knew 13 was the number of tribes of Israel. Manasseh the first born of Joseph and Ephraim, took on their father Joseph's blessings from Jacob [Israel] “as one.” They are the 13th tribe of Israel with Manasseh being the first born, whose name means “forgetfulness.” “And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: for God, said he, has made me forget all my toil, and all my Father's house” (Gen 41:51). If there has ever been a people forgetful of its past, it is Israel's 13th adopted son Manasseh, that is living and settled here in the United States.
Another point to consider: the statesmen who designed the dollar, also bring to our attention the selection of the eagle as our national emblem. There are critics that declare our eagle is of continental origin. They contend that the people of the United States do not represent a substantial branch of modern Israel in the world today. Let me quote to you a statement made by Miss Dorothy Thibaut, formerly an assistant curator of the American Museum of Natural History: “The European relative of the American bald eagle is the white tailed eagle. However, the eagle which is used as an emblem in Europe is the golden eagle which belongs to a different genus than our bird here in the United States. You will find specimens of both these eagles on exhibition in the North corridor, first floor, in the Roosevelt wing of the Museum. You also will find colored illustrations of these Eagles in many field guides and books on birds.” This shows a clear distinction.
Now let's look at the prophecy of Isaiah: Isaiah chapters 13 to 27, prophesy concerning a variety of nations. But in chapter 18, is a message the prophet Isaiah addressed to an unnamed land. “Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: That send ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, go, you swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!” (Isaiah 18:1-2).
Adam Clark Commentary states: “This is one of the most obscure prophecies in the whole book of Isaiah. The subject of it, the end and design of it, the people to whom it is addressed, the history of which it belongs, the person who sends the messengers, and the nation to whom the messengers are sent, are all obscure and doubtful.”
The entire prophecy of Isaiah 18 is an enigma. Most Commentaries are at a loss to identify the people to whom it is addressed. Whenever God has a place in His plan for a man or a nation, we would expect that man or nation to have a place in His prophecy.
These verses in Isaiah 18 are strange and challenging. The first verse opens with “woe,” as is translated in the King James Bible. But that is a wrong translation. Almost all Commentaries point out that it is properly a particle of calling - like “ho, ho land!” - meaning: “pay attention,” “give ear,” “take note!” When we think of the origin of the United States, its religious settlements, its free religion and superior education, its mission among the people of the earth - to send ambassadors to spread liberty among the nations, and its freeing of an oppressed race, we should not be surprised that these things are all suggested by the Holy Spirit in prophecy.
The prophecy of Isaiah 18, is placed among prophecies addressing a group of known nations, yet a country is described that had no name and facts relating to its future are being prophesied. Isaiah 18 is about a people not named. Why is that? Because it had not yet been discovered and so was unknown to the prophets. Together, lets give attention to the specific points of description and see if Isaiah does not clearly describe America and the government of the United States! Verse 1 of Isa. 18: starts “Ho to the land shadowed with wings,” or literally with “outstretched wings.” Some commentaries call it “The winged symbol.” Other commentaries call it whirring wings. What are we to understand by those expressions?Many Commentaries follow one another in applying this prophecy to Egypt. They interpret the wings by saying they are the two strips of land and mountains on either side of the Nile which form Egypt, and which represents wings, but is this so?
This phrase, “land of shadowed wings” or out stretched wings - the winged symbol, whirring wings, etc, can be identified by looking at Isaiah 8:8: “And the stretching out of His wings shall fill the breadth of your land, [who was to do this ?] O Immanuel.” Immanuel is Strong's # 6005. The New Brown- Driver- Brigg's- Gesenius Hebrew-English Lexicon gives us the definition as, “God with us” or “With us is God.” The symbolic and prophetic name of the Messiah, [Jesus Christ]. “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isa 7:14).
There is a book called “The Critical Spirit” written by Dr. George D. Watson in which he noted: “It is a singular fact that this phrase, “Ho to the land of out stretched wings,” expressing shelter for the oppressed, cannot be applied to any other country on the face of the earth. Since the world began there has never been a country that from its beginning, offered a welcome and hospitality to all other people for the purpose of giving them religious and civil liberties except America!”
In Isaiah's vision he saw a nation arise in the west having a mission of service but it had no name so he described it as the “land of out stretched wings” expressing shelter or protection.
It was by the Eternal's providence that the eagle was selected to be placed on the national emblem of the United States. The United States serves as a refuge for all peoples on this earth. The eagles' image of out stretched wings is like a mother hen gathering her brood under her wings. The United States- Manasseh was to have a government for the protection of all other people. It was to be a land of religious liberty and freedom. A land that would with legal means, welcome to its shores the down trodden and poor. In 1918 our 28th President, Woodrow Wilson went to France after World War I to try and build an enduring peace with them. Listen to how he was introduced: “When a leading French statesman made his address of welcome to President Wilson in the city of Paris, he spoke of Mr. Wilson as being the representative of “that nation that stretched its wings abroad for the protection of Europe.”
When you look at our old quarters, half dollars and silver dollars, you will see the spread wings of an eagle. Everywhere you go in the United States you will see this symbol.
Notice the last sentence if Isaiah 18:1: “Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia.” Here, we find another bad translation of this passage. It more properly should read beyond the rivers of “Cush” (Strong's #3568). Cush is the whole land of Africa, not just the country of Ethiopia. The word “beyond” is Strong's #5676. The New Brown Driver Briggs Gesenius Hebrew-English Lexicon explains this word : “1. Region across 2. Beyond anything usually a wady, river or sea.” This would mean the writer is standing east of the Mediterranean sea facing west! If we were standing in Jerusalem and drew a straight line west through the northern land of Cush, Africa today - not Ethiopia: the line will pass over northern Africa and not cross over land again until it strikes the coast of South Carolina and Georgia, in America! This verse can apply to no other land on earth, but the United States of America.
Verse 2 of Isaiah 18, starts with: “that sends ambassadors by the sea.” Here is another confusing verse, because the translators were not living in our time today. Today, we understand what an ambassador is. He is one that travels abroad on official business to various countries- China, Russia, England, Australia and many other countries.
Earlier we read about Egypt being given credit for being “the land shadowing with wings,” and now verse 2 expresses this land shadowed with wings “sending ambassadors by the sea.” Egypt, has been comparatively speaking, an insignificant country through these latter ages - except for supporting terrorist activities. Egypt's list of ambassadors that they send out is very limited. Egypt is represented by ambassadors in the United States, England and a few other countries, but it certainly has no ambassadors scattered all over the world. The nation described in Isaiah 18:1-2, must be a very important country to send ambassadors all over the world. The United States of America has 190 embassies scattered around the world supporting ambassadors. Next, in verse 2, the King James renders this very poor translation: “Even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters.” The writers of the King James translation in 1611had no idea what that meant, so they looked around for something that grew out of the water and guessed bulrushes, cat tails or papyrus. The trouble is, these are plants, not vessels. Dr. Cummings, a Hebrew scholar, explains this verse very well: “A water drinking vessel is a steam boat. The prophet could not say steamboat, there was not such things in his day and no such words. This phrase is a word picture of the ocean liner on the seven seas, pumping up water, distilling it, turning it into steam to propel the water drinking vessel, with a crew, passengers and cargo to all lands. The fact is that the prophet Isaiah was looking down the ages and seeing the time when America would be exercising power among the nations by sending forth ambassadors, its soldiers and its sailors in water drinking vessels [ocean liners] on all the waters of the world.”
Next, verse 2 says in the AV King James Bible: “To a nation scattered and peeled.” “Scattered” is Strong's # 4900. This is another misleading word. It means: “1. To extend ; or 2. To be tall.” “Peeled” is Strong's # 4178. The New Brown- Driver-Briggs-Gesenius Hebrew-English Lexicon definition is: “scoured - polished - of human skin.” The New King James Bible corrected the mistake. It reads: “To a nation tall and smooth of skin.” Some Commentaries express this,“tall and clean shaven.” History reveals that in World War I, America raised and equipped an army of 3 million soldiers that averaged 5 feet 11 inches in height and did not wear a full beard. Some might have had a mustache. That is mostly true even today! Our armed services today are clean shaven and our representatives in government are mostly clean shaven. Most all Israel [U.S.A.] today are clean shaven.
Verse 2, “To a people terrible from their beginning onward.” The word “terrible” is Strong's # 3372, which means: “1. Something to fear far and wide, 2. To make afraid of; 3. Be had in reverence.” This is what the United States was and is! This nation whipped the mightiest nations of the known world in the process of being born. But today we have lost the pride of that power - which was given to us by God! Verse 2 continues: “A nation that metes out and treads down.” The literal translation should be: “The land measured out under the treading.” That is, “a land measured out by lines under the feet.” Here is another startling prophecy based on information that could only be known by the infinite mind of God. About the time Florida and Louisiana were taken into the Union and Ohio taken in as a State, the government passed a law that all public land should be surveyed by the North Star, and all land cut up into miles and square sections. These sections are subdivided into quarter sections of half a mile square. No nation was ever measured out in blocks before this time. God, who knew about the habits of our forgetful nation Manasseh, showed this to the prophet Isaiah over some twenty-five hundred years ago.
Continuing in verse 2: “Whose land and rivers have spoiled.” “Spoiled” is Strong's # 958 meaning: “1. Divide; 2. Cut through; 3. A land rivers have cut through or whose land the rivers divide.” There is not an ancient or a modern map of the world that will show such a feature except a map of the United States! We have major rivers that divide our land into quarters such as: the Mississippi River; Columbia River; Snake River; Missouri River; Ohio River; Colorado River. You cannot find any other land on earth divided into four sections: North East and North West - South East and South West. If you search out the major rivers of the United States of America, you will find this. Isaiah's prophecy can be applied to no country other than the United States.
If asked to make reference to the best known symbol of the United States, you could not do better than to quote the opening words of Isaiah 18:1. “Ho, the land of out stretched wings.” And if you were asked to name the chief characteristic of the United States, you could not do better than to quote the last verse of Isaiah 18; verse 7, especially now that we've cleared up the mis-translation of verses 1 and 2: “In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of Hosts of a people [ tall and clean shaven ], and from a people [to fear, far and wide] from their beginning hitherto; a nation [that has measured out its land] whose land the rivers have [cut through and divided in quarters]. To the place of [Emanuel] the name of the Lord of Hosts, to Mount Zion.”
The word “present” or gift in the first sentence is the original term and includes all gift's and presents. Our daily news reveals the facts: the United States of America has made gifts to many nations and has freely given presents and gifts of goods, food, money and our time. Our dollar bills prove and witnesses our history also!
The United States of America is indeed printed and written into prophecy! And we all know, that there is no parallel to the generosity of the American people in the history of the world. God fore knew this and showed it to His prophet Isaiah.
The Psalmist writes, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12).
James Russell