December 25, 1998
What is happening today with the covenant that Elohim made with Abraham, has He already fulfilled it and therefore no longer relevant?
Hosea the prophet ends his writings with this statement: "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things" (Hos. 14:9). What things are we to understand with wisdom? The Apostle James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). However, the scriptures speak of two kinds of wisdom, the wisdom of this world, and the wisdom that is from above. (See James 3:13-18). The first step into this heavenly wisdom is: "The fear of YHVH" ( see Proverbs 15:33, Job 28:28).
Our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were all examples to us of men who feared YHVH, who believed Elohim and walked by faith. "All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). Abraham was reckoned righteous because he believed Elohim (ref. Gen 15:6, James 2:23) What was it that he believed? He believed that Elohim would give him a land, offspring (seed), and a nation. Joseph also "by faith, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders in regards to his bones" (Heb. 11:22).
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom 15:4). Our forefathers believed that Elohim would be faithful to His covenant. Their faith became our hope. What is, then, our hope? Is it not in the Messiah, whose mandate it is to restore Jacob, and gather Israel (ref. Isa 49:5; Luke 1: 31-33) and to understand with wisdom the examples and instructions from the writings of Moses, the Prophets and the Apostles?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines "wisdom" as: understanding what is true, right, and lasting. If I may add, that there is nothing more true, right and lasting than the Word of Elohim, and the covenant promises that He made with our father Abraham. Let us ask for this wisdom, in order that we may understand what is happening today to the land, the seed, and the nation. He promised to send us His Spirit, so that when, "He the Spirit of truth has come, He will lead you and guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).
Hosea's warning to be wise and discerning was echoed by Paul in his letters: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel" (Rom 11:25). He also prayed that "the Elohim of our Master Yeshua Hamessiah, the Father of glory, would give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him and that the eyes of our understanding might be enlightened" (see Eph. 1:17-18).
The book of Hosea lays out prophetically the historical destiny of the House of Joseph (Israel or Ephraim). The Messiah Shepherd of this house does not want us to be blind or ignorant, therefore, let us return to what is true, right and lasting: the faithfulness of Elohim to His covenants with the whole house of Israel.
"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. Turn us again, O Elohim, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. O YHVH Elohim of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O Elohim of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (Psa. 80:1-7).
"I shall strengthen the house of Judah, I shall save the house of Joseph, and I shall bring them back" (Zech. 10:6). "The sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together, they will appoint for themselves one leader, and they will go up from the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel (Elohim will sow)" (Hos. 1:11). "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things, whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of YHVH are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but the transgressors will stumble in them" (Hos.14:9).
Ephraim
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (Shevet Achim) together in unity…for in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal" (Psa. 133).
What is happening today with the covenant that Elohim made with Abraham, has He already fulfilled it and therefore no longer relevant?
Hosea the prophet ends his writings with this statement: "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things" (Hos. 14:9). What things are we to understand with wisdom? The Apostle James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). However, the scriptures speak of two kinds of wisdom, the wisdom of this world, and the wisdom that is from above. (See James 3:13-18). The first step into this heavenly wisdom is: "The fear of YHVH" ( see Proverbs 15:33, Job 28:28).
Our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were all examples to us of men who feared YHVH, who believed Elohim and walked by faith. "All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). Abraham was reckoned righteous because he believed Elohim (ref. Gen 15:6, James 2:23) What was it that he believed? He believed that Elohim would give him a land, offspring (seed), and a nation. Joseph also "by faith, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders in regards to his bones" (Heb. 11:22).
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom 15:4). Our forefathers believed that Elohim would be faithful to His covenant. Their faith became our hope. What is, then, our hope? Is it not in the Messiah, whose mandate it is to restore Jacob, and gather Israel (ref. Isa 49:5; Luke 1: 31-33) and to understand with wisdom the examples and instructions from the writings of Moses, the Prophets and the Apostles?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines "wisdom" as: understanding what is true, right, and lasting. If I may add, that there is nothing more true, right and lasting than the Word of Elohim, and the covenant promises that He made with our father Abraham. Let us ask for this wisdom, in order that we may understand what is happening today to the land, the seed, and the nation. He promised to send us His Spirit, so that when, "He the Spirit of truth has come, He will lead you and guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).
Hosea's warning to be wise and discerning was echoed by Paul in his letters: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel" (Rom 11:25). He also prayed that "the Elohim of our Master Yeshua Hamessiah, the Father of glory, would give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him and that the eyes of our understanding might be enlightened" (see Eph. 1:17-18).
The book of Hosea lays out prophetically the historical destiny of the House of Joseph (Israel or Ephraim). The Messiah Shepherd of this house does not want us to be blind or ignorant, therefore, let us return to what is true, right and lasting: the faithfulness of Elohim to His covenants with the whole house of Israel.
"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. Turn us again, O Elohim, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. O YHVH Elohim of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O Elohim of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (Psa. 80:1-7).
"I shall strengthen the house of Judah, I shall save the house of Joseph, and I shall bring them back" (Zech. 10:6). "The sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together, they will appoint for themselves one leader, and they will go up from the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel (Elohim will sow)" (Hos. 1:11). "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things, whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of YHVH are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but the transgressors will stumble in them" (Hos.14:9).
Ephraim
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (Shevet Achim) together in unity…for in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal" (Psa. 133).
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