Post
Since Biblical Times

Updated Twenty fourth day of the Sixth month, anno Domini Two thousand three

The general post office has its beginnings in scripture

The general post office has its beginnings in scripture.


Jeremiah 51:31, "One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end..."


A "post" is another name for a courier:


2 Chronicles 30:6, "So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah,"


Esther 3:13, "And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces..."


Scripture records messages being sent "by the hands of messengers" (1 Samuel 11:7) from as far back as the book of Job, which is the oldest book in the bible:


Job 1:14, "And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:"


These messages were delivered using the current means of movement at the time:


Esther 8:10,14, "And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out..."


In times passed, people sent messages to others by posting their letters on a "post" in the middle of town, with the name of the one who it's intended for. People would go to this "post" and look for letters with their name on it, and if they saw their name on a letter they would take it down from the post and read it. However, due to theft of messages, an office was built around the post to prevent people from stealing messages. This office became known as the general post-office. People would then go to the general post-office to pick up their messages.


As a result of this “post” We have “posting notices,” “Post cards,” “Post master,” Post man,” “Poster board," Etc.   Many newspapers and magazines have “post” in their name or title.

 

General Post Office

The alternative to receiving free mail delivery service or a post office box from the Post Office or Postal Service, is to receive postal matter through the general post office.

From My research, and upon reliable testimony of others, I have discovered that these measures are recommended when using the general post office:

  1. Remove the mailbox from your home. Seal the mail slot in your door or apartment. Cancel your post office box.
  2. All numbers should be removed from the house, and from around your land.
  3. Always use stamps on envelopes. Never have your outgoing mail meter-stamped by the post office because this is a "free service" from the government. Besides, you must provide a zip code in order for them to weigh it (which shows its commercial nature).
  4. When sending mail matter, drop it off inside the Post Office itself. The stamp on an envelope covers the cost to send it from one post office to another post office; it does not cover the cost to have it personally delivered from or to a mailbox or post-office box. If you drop out-going mail into mail boxes outside the Post Office (including mail boxes on the sidewalk and parking lot of the Post Office itself), the government must pick it up and deliver it for you, and it is a free benefit from the Postal Service.
  5. Never accept mail that is not First-Class, mail that is addressed in all capital letters, mail that uses abbreviations, or mail that places a zip code in your mailing location (unless the zip code is contained in brackets).
  6. Do not use a zip code. If you must use one, always put brackets around it. This way, it is considered extraneous material and no part of the document, in law, and not part of the writing surrounding it. After the five-digit zip code, put the following four digit extension on it, "-9999". For example: [28715-9999]. This indicates the non-commercial side of the post office. The commercial side of the post office, through general delivery, is indicated by the extension "-9998". Some people use "Zip Exempt" in brackets or in a box with no zip number.
  7. Never allow the post office to forward mail to the general post office or from the general post office. It is a free service and benefit. You want to stay away from that. Inform people about the change in your mailing location yourself. Those you don't notify are most likely unsolicited mailers anyway.
  8. Never receive commercial mail through the general post office. To avoid receiving bills through the US Postal Service, pay all bills in person before they send out the bill (phone bills, electric bills, etc.). You can contact the billing department to find out when you can go in person to pay the bill to avoid them sending it out. You may tell them, "I no longer have a place to receive mail, so I'll just go there and pay it in person." Or you can send them money in advance before the billing cycle starts.
  9. The evidence of a mailbox on a house, in front of a house, or using a Post Office Box, prove military commercial residency as an 'enemy in the field.' A doorbell or door knocker is an 'invitation' under military and statutory law to break down the door, if necessary, within their own discretion, because it is presumed that the existence of such is to permit or allow anyone to enter for any reason once announcement has been made and without any further protocol necessary to gain entrance.
  10. The only post-office in your town you may use to pick up postal mail matter is the main post office. However, some people do use contract boxes at "UPS Stores" believing that the contract is with the store and not with the Post Office or US Postal Service.

 










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