Gad
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Gad
In the Bible, Gad appears as both the name of a prophet and the name of a tribe. Gad was part of a conspiracy to kill Joseph, his youngest brother.
The text of Genesis implies that the name Gad means “luck”/“fortunate” and some will say it means "soldier". But the meaning goes far deeper and is also suggested to mean "to walk about" or even wonder off idly.
It was the name of one of Jacob's twelve sons and the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Gad.
They settled in eastern Canaan on the east side of the Jordan River and was known for being skilled warriors who protected the Israelites from outside forces.
Testament of Gad
There is the Testament of Gad who is said to be The Ninth Son of Jacob and Zilpah.
Chapter 1
We can read in The Forgotten Books of Eden, by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr., [1926] the Testament of Gad.
In Chapter 1 of the Testament of Gad he talks about his hate for Joseph and how Judah sold him.[1]
He warns his own descendants to do righteousness and not envy or hate for those things poison the soul.[2]
Chapter 2
Gad's Testament goes on in Chapter 2 to tell us to love one another and calls for repentance, confess, and forgive.[3]
It talks about the poison of swearing which draws people into civil government.[4] we should swear not just as Christ and Moses also warned us.[5]
Once the individual has become a person in the civil government he becomes more subject to "legal strife". That legal strife is the realm of the world[6] that Jesus's Kingdom of God[7] should remain separate from that world.
It also seems to echo the legal advise of Christ in Matthew 5:25 "Agree <2132> with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison."
We should avoid envy and jealousy[8] because they lead to covetousness making the word of God to none effect like the Corban of the Pharisees.
He also mentions the "evil means" of Esau[9]
He returns to the idea of loving your neighbor if one wants to "raise up salvation to Israel".[10]
Yet he knew that they would return to wickedness[11] which has always been contrary to the way of Christ, Moses, and the prophets.
He also mentions the important of the being buried in the grave with our fathers which is the allegory of dying according to those ways of righteousness if we are to rest in peace.[12]
Footnotes
- ↑ Chapter 1:8 And regarding this matter I was wroth with Joseph until the day that he was sold. 9 And the spirit of hatred was in me, and I wished not either to hear of Joseph with the ears, or see him with the eyes, because he rebuked us to our faces saying that we were eating of the flock without Judah. 10 For whatsoever things he told our father, he believed him. 11 I confess now my gin, my children, that oftentimes I wished to kill him, because I hated him from my heart. 12 Moreover, I hated him yet more for his dreams; and I wished to lick 1 him out of the land of the living, even as an ox licketh up the grass of the field. 13 And Judah sold him secretly to the Ishmaelites. 14 Thus the God of our fathers delivered him from our hands, that we should not work great lawlessness in Israel.
- ↑ Chapter 1:15 And now, my children, hearken to the words of truth to work righteousness, and all the law of the Most High, and go not astray through the spirit of hatred, for it is evil in all the doings of men. 16 Whatsoever a man doeth the hater abominateth him: and though a man worketh the law of the Lord, he praiseth him not; though a man feareth the Lord, and taketh pleasure in that which is righteous, he loveth him not. 17 He dispraiseth the truth, he envieth him that prospereth, he welcometh evil-speaking, he loveth arrogance, for hatred blindeth his soul; as I also then looked on Joseph. 18 Beware, therefore, my children of hatred, for it worketh lawlessness even against the Lord Himself. 19 For it will not hear the words of His commandments concerning the loving of one's--neighbour, and it sinneth against God. 20 For if a brother stumble, it delighteth immediately to proclaim it to all men, and is urgent that he should be judged for it, and be punished and be put to death. 21 And if it be a servant it stirreth him up against his master, and with every affliction it deviseth against him, if possibly he can be put to death. 22 For hatred worketh with envy also against them that prosper: so long as it heareth of or seeth their success it always languisheth. 23 For as love would quicken even the dead, and would call back them that are condemned to die, so hatred would slay the living, and those that had sinned venially it would not suffer to live. 24 For the spirit of hatred worketh together with Satan, through hastiness of spirits, in all things to men's death; but the spirit of love worketh together with the law of God in long-suffering unto the salvation of men. 25 Hatred, therefore, is evil, for it constantly mateth with lying, speaking against the truth; and it maketh small things to be great, and causeth the light to be darkness, and calleth the sweet bitter, and teacheth slander, and kindleth wrath, and stirreth up war, and violence and all covetousness; it filleth the heart with evils and devilish poison. 26 These things, therefore, I say to you from experience, my children, that ye may drive forth hatred, which is of the devil, and cleave to the love of God. 27 Righteousness casteth out hatred, humility destroyeth envy.
- ↑ Chapter 2:3 Love ye one another from the heart; and if a man sin against thee, speak peaceably to him, and in thy soul hold not guile; and if he repent and confess, forgive him.
- ↑ Chapter 2:4 But if he deny it, do not get into a passion with him, lest catching the poison from thee he take to swearing and so thou sin doubly. 5 Let not another man hear thy secrets when engaged in legal strife, lest he come to hate thee and become thy enemy, and commit a great sin against thee; for ofttimes he addresseth thee guilefully or busieth himself about thee with wicked intent.
- ↑ Swear not
- Numbers 30:2 “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”
- Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
- Proverbs 6:2 “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:5 "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."
- Matthew 5:33-37 “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
- Matthew 15:18 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
- James 5:12 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
- ↑ Of this world
- John 8:23 “23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.”
- John 11:9 “9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.”
- John 12:31 “31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
- John 13:1 “1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”
- John 14:30-31 “30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.”
- John 16:11 “11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
- John 18:36 “36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:19 “19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”
- 1 Corinthians 5:10-13 “10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:31 “31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.”
- ↑ Kingdom is like
- Matthew 13:24 "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:... his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, ... 30 Let both grow together until the harvest:..."
- Matthew 13:31 "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it ... becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
- Luke 13:18 "Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?...mustard seed...
- Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." see Mark 4:30, Luke 13:20.
- Matthew 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
- Matthew 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
- Matthew 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:... gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away."
- Matthew 13:52 "Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe [which is] instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure [things] new and old."
- Matthew 18:23 "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. ... 32 ... I forgave thee all that debt, ... 33 Shouldest had compassion on thy fellowservant... 35 ...if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
- Matthew 20:1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard."
- Matthew 22:2 "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son ... 5 ...they made light of [it] ...the remnant took his servants ... spitefully, and slew [them]. 7 ... his armies, and destroyed those murderers ... gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding... he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:... Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ... few [are] chosen."
- Matthew 25:1 "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom."
- ↑ Chapter 2:9 If a man prospereth more than you, do not be vexed, but pray also for him, that he may have perfect prosperity. 10 for so it is expedient for you. 11 And if he be further exalted, be not envious of him, remembering that all flesh shall die; and offer praise to God, who giveth things good and profitable to all men. 12 Seek out the judgments of the Lord, and thy mind will rest and be at peace.
- ↑ Chapter 2:13 And though a man become rich by evil means, even as Esau, the brother of my father, be not jealous; but wait for the end of the Lord. 14 For if he taketh away from a man wealth gotten by evil means He forgiveth him if he repent, but the unrepentant is reserved for eternal punishment. 15 For the poor man, if free from envy he pleaseth the Lord in all things, is blessed beyond all men, because he hath not the travail of vain men.
- ↑ 16 Put away, therefore, jealousy from your souls, and love one another with uprightness of heart. 17 Do ye also therefore tell these things to your children, that they honour Judah and Levi, for from them shall the Lord raise up salvation to Israel.
- ↑ Chapter 2:18 For I know that at the last your children shall depart from Him, and shall walk in O wickedness, and affliction and corruption before the Lord."
- ↑ Chapter 2:19 And when he had rested for a little while, he said again; My children, obey your father, and bury me near to my fathers. 20 And he drew up his feet, and fell asleep in peace. 21 And after five years they carried him up to Hebron, and laid him with his fathers."