The next Firstfruits celebration coincidentally falls on Thanksgiving this year at sundown. The ninth month of the Hebrew covenant calendar is known as Kislev, which means, “security, trust, and coming full circle.”

Kislev is the last month of the “harvest” season in the Hebrew calendar which is associated with the tribe of Benjamin; the youngest son of Jacob. He was the only son born in the Promised Land.

Benjamin was actually given two names. The first came from his mother Rachel. Having great difficulties in giving birth, Benjamin’s mother died right after seeing her son born. Rachel named him “Benoni” which means “son of my sorrow (or iniquity). The name of her son was a death confession of her stealing the family treasured idols (Gen. 35:18).

As much as Jacob loved Rachel and wanted to honor her request, Jacob saw his newborn son through the eyes of God’s heart and was obedient to change his name to fit His destiny. Jacob named him “Benjamin,” which means “son of my right hand.”

The meaning of a person’s name reveals clues to their God given identity and destiny.  Name changes in the bible are not insignificant. Abraham’s name (Father of many nations) was changed from Abram (exalted father), to fit Abraham’s prophetic destiny in God’s Covenant Story.

God changed Jacob’s name as well to ISRAEL. Jacob’s birth name means “supplanter, or deceiver.” His name fit him because this name identified his nature before encountering Father God heart to heart. But after Jacob wrestled with God and understood His Covenant heritage, God changed his name and nature to fit his God appointed identity and purpose; ISRAEL, meaning “ruler or prince with God” (Gen. 35:10).

Benjamin was the only son born after Jacob’s divine encounter with God. Jacob’s first fruit in this new identity change happens when he renames his son Benjamin because he saw his son through the Covenant lens of his identity.

Incidentally, Jesus went through this process with Abba Father as well when Jesus was being baptized and the Father said, “This is My Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). From that moment on, Jesus was not identified as a carpenter, but as the son of God sent to save man from sins.

Before Jacob/Israel dies, God uses him to give the prophetic Covenant blessing to all his sons. Genesis 49:27 are the prophetic words over Benjamin. “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.”

In this prophetic word, God shares that Benjamin has two sides: One that is self absorbing and will fight for his food at all costs sparing nothing for anyone who is hungry. The other is the matured Benjamin who has an understanding of God’s Covenant who will fight for what is right in order to give out what has been given him. The first nature is life without understanding the Father’s heart. The second nature comes through the wrestle with God, understanding our identity in Him, and the maturity to carry out His Covenant.

We see these two natures of Benjamin and conversion throughout the Bible. All of the disciples of Jesus, minus Judas, were Benjamites. When Jesus called on each of them to be His disciples, each one of them received a new identity. After spending time with the Lord and going through a transformation process, God was able to use them as His light.

God had already prophesied that the tribe of Benjamin would be a light when God decided to split the kingdom in two in 1 Kings 11:36 “And to Solomon’s son I will give one tribe (Benjamin), that My servant David may always have a LAMP before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I chosen for Myself, to put My name there.”

Saul who converted to Paul was also a Benjamite (Romans 11:1). We read about his encounter, identity change, and how he was used a “light” in Act. 9:1-22. Saul believed himself to be so righteous as a Pharisee and one who persecuted the Christians UNTIL His encounter with the Father. Then he went from being a “son of sorrow/iniquity” to that “son of God’s right hand” (Gen. 35:18).

The generations of today are the “Benjamites” who will bring in the greatest Harvest for the King. But in order to fulfill their call, most need an “encounter” to understand their identity and purpose through the lens of the Father. America will need this encounter as well as we have forgotten our identity and purpose as a nation established by God.

As times get difficult, God has prophesied over the Benjamites who are his “son’s of His right hand,” protection and covering. Moses adds to the prophetic word for Benjamin: “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.” (Deut.33: 12) This is comforting to know as we are faced with difficult times ahead that the Benjamites have God’s special protection.

We can learn from the Benjamites in the bible how God used them mightily when they put their trust in Him. Benjamites such as Esther and Mordacei saved God’s people from destruction and God exalted them. However, King Saul did not, and he lost his throne.

God’s Covenant sign of the rainbow after the flood is associated with the tribe of Benjamin. (Gen.8,9). The rainbow, which has all the colors, is very symbolic of the heart of the Benjamites who have a heart for ALL of God’s people to know the King. They will be God’s sign in the earth of the truth of His Covenant.

Kislev is the ninth Hebrew month, and nine is the number associated with the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  Galatians 5:22,23 gives us all nine fruits: love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  This is divine completeness in manifesting the character of Christ, which the Benjamite disciples had first hand training.  When the world can see the manifestation of the “sons of light,” the heavens and the earth will rejoice!

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19).

“O Great and Awesome Judge, we boldly come to your throne of grace on this appointed day of the signing of the Mayflower Compact, as well as the celebration of all of our military men and women who have sacrificed and shed blood for the cause of freedom and liberty in this land.

We bring our petitions up before the courts of heaven to remind You of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; perfected through Jesus Christ, multiplied through Your remnant who bear witness of You.  This witness is our nation’s birthing story in America, dripping with grace and mercy over her land and people because of Your faithfulness to Your covenant with a people who chose to honor You as King over this land.  

We believe that God Almighty moved on our Founding Fathers, who were carried here by the wind of Your Spirit, to establish a covenant with You in this  “promised land” (2 Sam. 7:10), to make way for the multiplication of Your Stone Kingdom the prophet Daniel spoke of in Dan. 2:34. 

America was prophesied to bear the torch of the Joseph birthright in the latter days.  In Gen. 48: 19, America was prophesied to be a “great nation” that would receive the double portion of blessings.  In Gen. 49: 22-26, America was prophesied to be strong and have rich resources.  In Deut. 33:13-17, America was prophesied to push the peoples to the ends of the earth, spreading the good news of the Gospel and a torch of hope to the nations.  God Almighty, You prophesied of a day that the remnant who landed in the coastlands of America in Is. 41 needed to be silent and come near You to renew their strength before judgment was given.

Almighty Judge, we remind you that the Mayflower Compact was a covenant made by man before Your court to honor Jesus as LORD and KING and to give the peoples living in the land the opportunity to freely worship and serve the KING.  The Mayflower Compact was drafted off the shores, in unity of heart, that witnessed that it was by divine providence they found the land to fulfill scriptures in Gen. 48, 49 and Deut. 33, saying:

“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 Presents, solemnly and mutually in the presence of God combine ourselves into a civic body politic.”

The Articles of Confederation were birthed out of this understanding as well to establish America in the blueprint of God’s governmental truths and ways written in the LAW.  They wrote:

“Whereas, we all came in to 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 nation and religion, so in other respects, we be and continue as one.”

Later, the Declaration of Independence agreed with God’s divine providential purpose of establishing America to reflect His heavenly government, when these words were written:

“WE hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”   

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence made America “One nation under God.” George Washington declared America “the second land of promise.” A fellow Christian wrote this song, ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME. One verse read:

“Ye CHOSEN seed of Israel’s race,

Ye ransomed from the fall.

Hail Him who saves you by His grace,

AND crown Him, Lord of All!”

These men and women knew this land was CHOSEN BY GOD!

The Mayflower Compact was the beginning of our POLITICS. The Articles of Confederation made America a PEOPLE.  Then in 1775, the Declaration of Independence made America a NATION. 

The signers of the Declaration said: “For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

It is evident that the Mayflower Compact, the Articles of Confederation, and the Declaration of Independence were a three-fold cord that bound America in a Covenant relationship to the Law of God. 

Almighty Judge, 403 years later since our Covenant was birthed before Your courts, we are pleading our case again today for You to render a verdict in favor of the remnant, prophesied in Dan. 7:22, and a greater release of Your provision and glory to carry the torch of Your covenant plan forward.   

We thank you for keeping Your covenant promise to bless America with your bounty and grace.  We recognize and have confessed that America has strayed from Your plumbline of truth and ways over the generations that have led us to this day of darkness in our land.   We are grateful that our prayers of intercession and the blood of Jesus Christ, sanctifies and redeems our sins, and gives us hope that we can be restored back to You.  

We have, and continue to ask, that you forgive the remnant for partnering with the spirit of anti-Christ, either knowingly or unknowingly, who continues to work behind the “Mystery of Babylon,” stealing and killing America’s freedom, foundational heavenly governmental blueprint, and kingdom purpose to witness your truth and hope to the nations.   

We also petition that you forgive the remnant for coming under the spell of compromise, lethargy, media, idolatry, and apathy for our nation’s covenantal blessings to fulfill her heavenly calling.  We apply the blood of Jesus over our ungodly agreements and ask that we would be severed from their destructive tenacles.  We petition you to lose the remnant free of the anti-Christ grip and entanglements and help them to abide in the shelter of the Almighty.  

We petition that the remnant would be freed to arise and shine to be a torch of hope and healing to the nation.  We are believing for a release of Elohim’s glory to be seen upon the remnant, and their hearts swell full of joy because of the abundance of the wealth of the Gentiles released to them to perfect Your covenant plan. 

We petition for angelic hosts to be released as well to assist and shield the remnant from the hand of the enemy who has infiltrated all of the mountains of influence in our nation.  

We are thankful for Your Judgements that have already been released to help Your remnant mature and shift so that as judgment continues to shake our nation, the remnant can be used to arise on eagles’ wings and help America come into her prophesied destiny.  

We petition for mercy on the body of Christ who have not awakened yet, nor come out of the spell and entanglements and slavery of the enemy. 

We also petition for Your judgment against our adversary, the spirit of Anti-Christ, who has infiltrated America. We ask for Your kingly leadership and the hosts of heaven to take charge of our nation, to come with an iron fist to judge the corrupt leaders according to Is. 2, and to cut off the agenda to kill, steal and destroy Your people.

We petition that You would restore a seven-fold return for all that the enemy has stolen from America’s kingdom purpose, and bless the remnant with greater authority and glory to take back what was stolen.

We thank you for hearing our case, and trust You to oversee and rule on behalf of the case presented here this day of 11/11/22, and for restitution for all that has been lost or stolen to be determined as well.  Until said day the judgment is released upon our adversary, we petition for grace to tarry until justice is served.”

AMEN!