ebooks Esau Rising: Ancient Adversaries and the War for America’s Soul by Bill Cloud in History

Review

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful. The Spirit of EsauBy William StruseWhen I started this book I couldn’t help but think of my friend Bill Cloud the former Marshall of Tombstone; Arizona; “The town to tough to die”. Bill was one of the many marshalls who did his best to combat the lawless element of this notorious western silver mining town. In case you are wondering; Marshall Cloud and author Bill Cloud are not the same person or even related as far as I know but in many ways they battle the same foe.You see; Esau Rising as Bill Cloud; the author; describes is not really about Esau the person so much as it is the spirit behind the man. The book is a character sketch which provides a timeless model of dishonor; arrogance; hate; violence; and vice to the neglect of honor; virtue; peace; and faith.In Esau Rising Mr. Cloud makes a compelling argument that the spirit of Esau will always be at war with the descendants of Israel (Jacob); whether those children are the physical seed of Israel or those believers who through the Messiah Yeshua are grafted into the same olive tree.The book is written in three parts:I. A Light to the NationsII. A Tale of Two BrothersII. Breaking the Yoke In the first chapter of Part I; Mr. Cloud looked at the famous passage from Isaiah 46:8-10 and offered an interpretation that I had not considered before. Here is part of the famous passage:“Remember the former things of old; for I am God; and there is no other; I am God; and there is none like Me; declaring the end from the beginning; and from ancient times things that are not yet done;…”I had always understood this passage to mean that YHWH’s superiority to the Babylonian gods Nebo and Bell was demonstrated by his ability to predict the future. To me Isaiah 46 and the captivity of Babylon’s gods made more sense in the bigger context of Isaiah 44 and YHWH’s prophecy concerning Cyrus and his future capture of Babylon.In any case Mr. Cloud proffers an understanding of the verse which sees this passage as a testimony to the idea that the future is encoded in the past. He quotes Ecclesiastes 3:15 to prove his point:That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. Ecclesiastes 3:15I’m not sure I totally agree with Mr. Cloud’s view on this; but it does offer intriguing possibilities which warrant further consideration. As I was reading this part of the book I couldn’t help but think of Mark Twain’s famous quote; “History doesn’t repeat itself; but it does rhyme”. To be sure Biblical history doesn’t repeat exactly; but Mr. Cloud did demonstrate several examples of its rhyming. Fascinating.* * *In the final section of this book Mr. Cloud looks at how the underlying spiritual issues are the driving force in the affairs of mankind. He offered some really good insights which I thought worth repeating; especially in light of our current political environment.“If we have honest; virtuous leaders; it’s likely because we are a righteous people. On the other hand; if we are continually laden with self-serving and devious politicians; it is because we have become a corrupt; self-serving; and devious society.”“I’ll go so far as to say that those who hold political office; even the highest offices in the land; are God’s servants: I did not say they are servants of God; but that they are God’s servants - there is a huge difference.”In the interest of a fair review I do have some respectful disagreements; or at least; thought more clarification was warranted.First there were a couple instances in the book where I thought Mr. Cloud reached a little far in his criticism of Esau. Not that Esau may not have been guilty of such sin; but the text just wasn’t clear about it. I think the speculation detracted from some of the already well established examples Mr. Cloud made.An area where I thought Mr. Cloud missed an opportunity was when discussing the Judeo-Christian roots of America’s founding. To be sure many of America’s founders understood the necessity of morality in governance. What concerns me though; is today many confuse the issue of Judeo-Christian morality and Christianity itself. In a well-meaning attempt to insert necessary Biblical principles back into the political realm many have watered down the term Christian. A Christian (a follower of Christ) in the Biblical sense is one who believes that Yeshua paid the eternal price for our sins; that He was YHWH come in the flesh. In fact the apostle John was rather harsh in his criticism of those who did not believe in the divinity of Christ calling them the spirit of antichrist.And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist; whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 4:3In the days ahead; for the sake of those who have not yet believed; I think it necessary to clearly distinguish the difference between Biblical morality and Biblical Christianity. Or in other words the difference between following moral Biblical principles and being a follower of Christ. Today’s secular Christianity which sees Yeshua as only a historical personality of high moral character is in fact the spirit of the antichrist. This is the same spirit of Esau that Mr. Cloud so well described in this book. This idea twists the truth just enough to allow secular enlightenment to entangle itself with the faith once delivered to the saints. Frankly; in my opinion one of the greatest dangers on the horizon is some version of this secular Christianity mixed with fervent nationalism.In summary; I think it imperative that Christians understand that the spirit of Esau is flourishing in our world today. This “spirit” is the same adversary which deceived Adam and Eve in the garden and it will be the same spirit which will lead mankind in the final rebellion against Yeshua when He returns. Esau Rising provides a unique and useful look at Satan’s methods and purpose as carried out through the Biblical personality of Esau.I enjoyed reading Esau Rising and many of the insights Mr. Cloud brought to the subject.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. lots of good insight. Esau is a spiritual attitude that has ...By Ray F Ortizlots of good insight. Esau is a spiritual attitude that has always been in the world. He uses the historical Esau to show how current events are really an extension of ancient events. It was a good read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ) For more information See Beyond The Veil of Moses by Brian Martin and Christianity's Great dilemma by Glenn HillBy Robert BieralsThe Author does not seem to know that the Second Coming has already happened (70 A.D.) For more information See Beyond The Veil of Moses by Brian Martin and Christianity's Great dilemma by Glenn Hill.