First Fruits - Messianic Hebraic Perspective
Then said Martha unto Yeshua, Lord, if thou had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of G_D, G_D will give it thee. Yeshua says unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha says unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Yeshua said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe thou this? She says unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Mashiach, the Son of G_D, which should come into the world. (John 11:21-27)
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here. (Matthew 12:38-41)
And Yeshua going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Matthew 20:17-19)
And Yeshua answered them, saying, the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. (John 12:23-24)
The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and sees the stone taken away from the sepulcher. Then she runs, and comes to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Yeshua loved, and says unto them, they have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then comes Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and sees the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, and sees two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Yeshua had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weep thou? She says unto them, because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Yeshua standing, and knew not that it was Yeshua. Yeshua says unto her, Woman, why weep thou? Whom seek thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, says unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou has laid him, and I will take him away. Yeshua says unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and says unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Yeshua says unto her; Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my G_D, and your G_D. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. (John 20:1-18)
And as they thus spoke, Yeshua himself stood in the midst of them, and says unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of broiled fish and of a honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, these are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Mashiach to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:36-48)
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Yeshua and stood in the midst, and says unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. … But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Yeshua came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, we have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Yeshua, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then says he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, my LORD and my G_D. Yeshua says unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:19-29)
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Yeshua had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Yeshua came and spoke unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:16-20)
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked for alms. … And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee: In the name of Yeshua Mashiach of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising G_D. And all the people saw him walking and praising G_D: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. …
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The G_D of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the G_D of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Yeshua; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom G_D hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which G_D before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Mashiach should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. …
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the LORD; And he shall send Yeshua Mashiach, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which G_D hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the LORD your G_D raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which G_D made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first G_D, having raised up his Son Yeshua, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:1-26)
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears G_D, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet they desired of Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher. But G_D raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, G_D hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Yeshua again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he says also in another psalm, Thou shall not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of G_D, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom G_D raised again, saw no corruption. (Acts 13:26-37)
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, … There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one LORD, one faith, one baptism, one G_D and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Mashiach. Wherefore he says, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:1-10)
For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which does those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Mashiach down from above) Or, who shall descend into the deep? (That is, to bring up Mashiach again from the dead.) But what says it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Yeshua, and shall believe in thine heart that G_D hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:5-10)
But we see Yeshua, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of G_D should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. … Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. (Hebrews 2:9-16)
For if the dead rise not, then is not Mashiach raised: And if Mashiach be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Mashiach are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Mashiach, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Mashiach risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Mashiach shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:16-23)
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of G_D comes on the children of disobedience: In which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:5-10)
For the love of Mashiach constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Mashiach after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Mashiach, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:14-17)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Mashiach Yeshua: who, being in the form of G_D, thought it not robbery to be equal with G_D: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore G_D also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Yeshua Mashiach is Lord, to the glory of G_D the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. … Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:17-32)
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And Yeshua said unto him, why call thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, G_D: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He says unto him, which? Yeshua said, Thou shall do no murder, Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 19:16-19)
And declared to be the Son of G_D with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Romans 1:4-5)
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? G_D forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yeshua Mashiach were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Mashiach was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Mashiach, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Mashiach being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he lives, he lives unto G_D. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto G_D through Yeshua Mashiach our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto G_D, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto G_D. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? G_D forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:1-16)
My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Yeshua Mashiach the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of G_D perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:1-6)
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is G_D. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:8-13)
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Mashiach, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Mashiach. In whom ye also trusted (Ephesians 1:9-13)
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:11-13)
How much more shall the blood of Mashiach, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to G_D, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living G_D? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:14-15)
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Although many more passages within Scripture could be used to assist us, these excerpts from the B’rit Chadasha should be sufficient for us to uncover the mystery and glory of Yeshua within the Festival of Yom Habikkurim.
Let us first recall the Hebraic perspective we could discern from our review of the Tanakh respective to Yom Habikkurim …
The chosen people’s complete separation from Egypt … the complete elimination of Egypt’s shadow;
Israel’s position/status, being G_D’s first born son, as representing the new first fruits of humanity … the first fruits not from the seed of hasatan but as the firstlings of the seed of G_D.
G_D’s miraculous works in displaying his power over the very depths of the Sea … over nature … over death itself;
THE LORD graciously guiding Israel through the darkness and terror of death to bring them up to their inheritance … the land of promise;
THE LORD beginning the process, in accordance with the promises of the Everlasting Covenant, of regenerating both the promised-land and his chosen people Israel.
G_D’s glorious victory of light over darkness
Within a B’rit Chadasha context … within a Yeshua HaMashiach context … it assuredly appears that the fulfillment of the festival is congruent with the Hebraic Biblical perspective but even far more spectacular with even greater ramifications.
The B’rit Chadasha record and inspired teachings reveal and declare the following:
Yeshua HaMashiach, as foreshadowed by the prophet Jonah is the one who descended into Sheol … into the pit … only to rise up again to life.
Yeshua HaMashiach is indeed the seed that renews … to life from death. Yeshua is not just the seed of renewal but he is assuredly the First Fruits of the dead and he is assuredly the First Fruits of the living;
The glory of G_D’s Salvation (Yeshua) is shown and made manifest in Yeshua’s righteousness, power and might … even Sheol could not hold him though he died in the flesh;
Through faith in Yeshua Israel is promised a definitive temporal gift … the renewal/re-generation of the human body. What was once a defiled human body, can be through faith in Mashiach made new to life in G_D. Made alive while being dead to sin and corruption! Although this renewal is not the permanent transformation to incorruptibility that is ultimately promised … it most assuredly represents a new state of life that is no longer bound to sin and the fear of death.
Like Father Abraham, Israel though promised a temporal land now looks beyond the temporal inheritance and sees the eternal city that G_D, through Yeshua, is building for us to dwell in when that day comes … the inheritance of the saints;
The renewal of the human body and mind through Mashiach now makes believers holy unto G_D. No longer just separated from “olam hazeh” … but physically renewed with the capabilities to become wholly distinct and unique from this temporal world … a kingdom of priests … a holy nation.
The renewal of the human body and mind through Mashiach not only entails our freedom from sin but apparently mandates our conformance to the image and likeness of Mashiach in order that we continue to maintain our inheritance and blessings.
Ultimately there should be little doubt that the B’rit Chadasha revelation of Yom Habikkurim resonates with the principle of a “temporal inheritance” … associated with the Everlasting Covenant. Undoubtedly Yeshua HaMashiach is this first fruit wave offering … undoubtedly Yeshua is not just the emblematic renewal of life from the dead but he assuredly is life from the dead. Without Yeshua, the first fruit wave offering, there can be no partaking of the new harvest … Yeshua had to rise first, be presented and found acceptable to G_D!
Before we conclude this Yom Habikkurim discourse we should once again revisit the Tanakh to make sure that the B’rit Chadasha perspective is supported within the text.
Key Messianic Prophecies from the Tanakh:
Bring light to the darkness (Jer. 31:33; Isa. 9:1; Isa. 42:4)
Deliver salvation to Israel (Psa. 14:7; Isa. 49:5-6)
Deliver salvation to the ends of the Earth (Isa. 49:6;
Bless all the families of the Earth (Isa. 49:6; Gen. 22:18; Gen 28:14)
Be sacrificed for Israel (Isa. 53:8-9)
Be obedient unto death (Isa. 53:1-9)
Buried with the sinners (Isa. 53:9)
Not be abandoned to the nether-world … be raised from the dead (Psa. 16:9-10; Hosea 5:15-6:2; Jon. 2:3-10)
Questioned about the wounds on HIS hands (Zech. 13:6)
Remembered by Name forever (Psa. 72:17)
Once more we see a consistent pattern of promise and fulfillment. Undoubtedly the Tanakh points towards the coming of the awesome events which transpired in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. Beyond the Messianic prophecies that declare in advance this great sacrifice and rising from the grave to reconcile and bless all nations of the Earth … there are some other Scripture passages that are relevant to this discussion:
And G_D said: 'Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear.' And it was so. And G_D called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas; and G_D saw that it was good. And G_D said: 'Let the earth put forth grass, herb yielding seed, and fruit-tree bearing fruit after its kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth.' And it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and tree bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after its kind; and G_D saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (Genesis 1:9-13)
And the LORD G_D said unto the serpent: 'because thou hast done this, cursed art thou from among all cattle, and from among all beasts of the field; upon thy belly shall thou go, and dust shall thou eat all the days of thy life. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; they shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise their heel.' (Genesis 3:14-15)
And the LORD said unto Abraham, after that Lot was separated from him: 'Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which thou see, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth; so that if a man can number the dust of