JOSEPH'S BONES

09/1999
A few days ago we went to Jerusalem to listen to a well-known Christian speak on Ephraim and Judah. He started off by quoting Ephesians 2:11-13: "Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh----who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands----at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Messiah Yeshua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah."

He then proceeded to tell those Gentiles that they were grafted into Judah, and that they should therefore identify with Judah much as Ruth did with Naomi. With that he explained that as the old House of Ephraim has been cut off, they, the "other nation", is now grafted in its place, making up the new Ephraim (in the Spirit). Using Hosea chapter one, he told his listeners that Ephraim became "not my people," although, granted, some of them may come back with the Gentiles. The Ephramite or the Ten Lost Tribes’ identity, however, is not really important as they are grafted into Judah and become a part of the commonwealth of Israel - the one new man - like all the other Gentiles. Incidentally, it is these same Gentiles that are looked upon as the strangers working in the fields and tending the flocks (Isa. 61:5), and not as co-heirs having the same rights.

Although the speaker's exhortations, to be identified with Judah and to become rooted in the Land of Israel were strong and passionate, his replacement doctrine, which substitutes Joseph with the Gentile Church, was grievous, to say the least. I believe if one would ask the house of Judah, if it was okay for the church to come and live along side of the Jews here in the land out numbering them 100 to one, I have a feeling that they would have a war on their hands. I agree that scriptures are very clear that the Messiah would restore both Houses, and that they would live on the land given to their forefathers. But sure He did not mean the gentile church but a repentant Ephraimite. Yes, there may be foreigners living amongst them, but the majority would be the natural descendents. These foreigners join Israel because they see that YHVH is with them.

The House of Joseph was to bear witness to the faithfulness and mercies of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Joseph's prophetic "stick" in the hand of Ephraim was to become a multitude in the midst of the earth, "the fullness of the nations" (Gen.. 48:19). However, as a single people (Menashe) they were to be blessed in their forgetfulness and thus relegated to a heap of scattered bones in the Valley of Jehosaphat ("God's judgements"). But in spite of this time of living under the "rod of God's judgement", or the blessing and the curse, as prophesied by Moses before they even went into the Land of Israel the first time (see Deut. 29 and 30), YHVH declares (in these same prophetic scriptures) that He will not forget the covenant, and will establish it for "His own name sake".

In Zechariah 10, we see the prophet announcing the destiny of the Two Houses in the latter days. Judah was to return to the land and become a mighty war-horse. They were also to stretch the tent pegs (of the land). This certainly has been fulfilled, at least in part, as Judah-Israel has become one of the most powerful military states in the world. They have also been forced to stretch their boundaries over the years. And now, the peace process, whereby land is to be traded in for "peace," will actually lead to the fulfillment of the scriptures that speak of an all-out war with the surrounding nations. (ref. Joel 3, Isa. 11, Ez.36 to mention just a few). The reason for Judah "making room" is so that Joseph can come back to Lebanon and Syria. "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; for I am YHVH their Elohim, and I will hear them. Those of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as if with wine. Yes, their children shall see it and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in Yahoveh. I will whistle for them and gather them, for I will redeem them; they shall increase as they once increased. I will sow them among the peoples, and they shall remember Me in far countries; they shall live, together with their children, and they shall return. I will also bring them back from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, until no more room is found for them" (Zech. 10:6-10).

Please note that while YHVH is strengthening Judah, He also goes out to the nations to save Joseph. Judah has no problem today flexing her muscles, but Joseph certainly is having a hard time accepting the fact that he is the one being saved out there and being a recipient of the Spirit just as prophesied. However, Joseph has shepherds who are leading him up all kinds of religious mountains. "For the idols speak delusion; the diviners envision lies, and tell false dreams; they comfort in vain. Therefore the people went their way like sheep; they are in trouble because there is no shepherd. My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the goatherds" (Zech 10:2-3; see also Ez. 34). But thanks be to YHVH! He has poured out the spirit of Elijah to turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, and to raise watchmen on the hills of Ephraim to prepare the way of YHVH, by calling out: "LET US RETURN AND GO UP TO ZION THE MOUNTAIN OF YHVH".

The last thing that Joseph did, which is also the last fact recorded in the book of Genesis, was to request that the sons of Israel take His bones back to the Land of Israel, at such a time when they would be brought out of Egypt. It is this act of faith for which the writer to the Hebrews recognizes Joseph. (Heb.11:22). However, once they did bring his bones back, why wasn't Joseph laid to rest in Hebron with his fathers? Why did they bury him between the two Mountains of Blessing and Curse? Was it because his bones were to bear witness to the God of Israel's righteous judgements (the blessings and the curses)? Were those bones to be one of the final prophetic statements of the Elohim of the Genesis? Isn't it YHVH Elohim who keeps covenant? Is He not going to gather those bones from all the places where they have been scattered, breath life into them and make them stand-up to be His mighty army in the earth?

In the waning hours of this age, the Messiah son of David is standing as the captain of this army, ready to take charge of his faithful remnant from both Houses of Israel. "I will bend Judah My bow, fitting the bow with Ephraim the arrow, and raise up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and I will make you like the sword of a mighty man. Then YHVH will be seen over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. YHVH will blow the shofar, and go with whirlwinds from the south" (Zech. 9:13-14).

Ephraim

A TRIP AND REMEMBERING

September 24, 1999

It is interesting that in these very days, during which the Palestinians are making their largely unchallenged claims in the United Nations regarding Jerusalem, the first reading for Succot from Zechariah 14 says that "all the nations [will be gathered] against Jerusalem" (ver. 2). It appears that this tidal wave, which is about to sweep our shores, cannot be stopped. Even a circular, which we received a few days ago from the Judea, Samaria and Gaza ("Yesha") Settlers' Council, concedes that protests, something they are trying to organize, "do not always produce immediate fruit…." This, being especially so in a society which, according to the wording of the leaflet, "is no longer as widely opposed, as in the past, to handing over territories to Arafat, and to the establishment of a Palestinian state." It almost sounds as though even the Yesha Council (representing many of the settlers) is cognizant of the inevitable… But let them read on in Zecharia 14, all the way to verse 11, where security is promised for Jerusalem, and on to verses 20-21, where everything culminates in being "HOLY TO YHVH."

Biblical prophecy never seems far and distant in our everyday reality here in Israel. The words of the prophets are as relevant, and more, than those in the printed and electronic media. But as we all know, the God of Israel is not the God of this region only. In the past several weeks we have witnessed His greatness outside of Israel.

At this point may we say "shalom" to all of you, after a break of almost two months? During the latter part of August our family was in Ireland, both in the republic and Ulster. Abba led us step by step daily, as we didn't have a tightly structured plan. The beauty of the place and the "provision" of weather conditions to match (in a place where the climate tends to be temperamental), revealed once again His greatness and His beauty. We had several divine appointments, in one of which we found ourselves in the home (since we stayed in different "bed and breakfast" homes every night) of Believers who are intercessors for Israel, and are planning to come to the land next month! We had a wonderful time with them, and found out more about the spiritual conditions in overwhelmingly Catholic Eire. The overall sensing was that that country is ready for a spiritual awakening (while the EC is buying it off, and bringing about a radical change in its character). It appears that Yahoveh is doing some spiritual uncovering on various "archeological" levels (which is a whole topic unto itself).

When our time in Ireland was over, and after 3 days in the south of England, Rimona and the children went home, while Ephraim continued on to Florida, to attend the Ami conference.

The latter turned out to be a real family reunion after 2,900 years of separation. Together we celebrated the restoration of the fallen booth of David, as seen in the joining of the two sticks of Ezekiel 37. The Parasha and Haftarah readings for that weekend were also quite revealing for the occasion. It was a great blessing to see and hear from Messianic Jewish rabbis, as well as from teachers from the House of Ephraim (Joseph). They were all in unison as they sounded the trumpet in the spirit of Elijah, preparing the way of the Lord through the restoration of the house of Jacob. The following is a little commentary on the holy days' readings surrounding the conference.

Blowing and Remembering

The current feasts, which we have just celebrated, have been accompanied by various readings from the Torah and the Neviim (Prophets), according to the Jewish custom. There are special readings for the first and second day of the month of Tishrei - the first day of which is Yom Zichron Teruah - the Feast of the Blowing for Remembrance. This day and the day following it are customarily referred to as Rosh Hashanah - the head, or beginning, of the year. Following these days is the Shabbat, which precedes Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement. This Shabbat is called Shabbat Shuva - referring to repentance, or to "turning." Then, of course, comes Yom Kippur itself, with its own readings.

All of the reading portions are interesting and appear appropriate. Examining several of them may shed some light on their interconnection, on the respective feasts, and on our relatedness to them.

The reading on the first day, 1st Samuel 1 - 2: 10, deals with the calling of a son of an Ephramite family, Samuel, who was to become a judge, a seer and a priest unto the Most High. Even though the priesthood was mandated to the Levites, as God Himself said to Eli in chapter 2:28: "Did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests?" Yet Samuel the Ephramite was chosen to serve in that capacity, during the reigns of both Saul and David. He, thus, was favored by YHVH, who says, according to verse 35: "I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul."

The next reading, on the second day of the Feast, is taken from Jeremiah 31:2-20. This portion, once again, deals very emphatically with the destiny of the Ephramites, describing in detail their transformation and repentance at a latter date, God's relationship with them, their destiny, their call and their blessings. Several times in this section they are mentioned by name, as is also their ancestral home - "Ephraim", while reference is even made to their mother Rachel.

On Shabbat Shuva, we find ourselves reading Hosea 14:2-10 (among other portions, which are: Micha 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27; II Samuel 22). These verses of Hosea address, as does almost the entire book, the House of Israel, the Ephramites, relating specifically to Assyria (which was the super power responsible for their exile). Yet, here too, Ephraim is destined to repent and eventually to be blessed.

Thus, the readings for the first two days of the month of Tishrei announce the unforgotten existence and destiny of Ephraim. Although celebrated as the beginning of the year, biblically Tishrei is the seventh month, and the feast celebrated as Rosh Hashanah is not, in fact, to be found in God's Holy Script. As we know, Leviticus 23 lists among God's appointed times the feast of the first day of the seventh month, that is, the "Feast of Blowing for Remembrance" (Zichron Teruah ).

What is the "teruah" - the blowing - and its significance? According to Psalm 81:3, the new moon is to be announced by the blowing of the shofar. Interesting that the new, unseen moon, which in its state of disappearance is like Joseph, is to be announced. In Numbers 10:1-10 another type of blowing instrument is presented: the silver trumpet, or rather, two of them.; again for the purpose of announcements and declarations such as: the moving of the camp, the gathering of the elders, the gathering of the congregation, an impending war, celebrations and appointed times, and for a memorial.

Thus, the readings on Yom Zichron Teruah (in spite of being called Rosh Hashanah), and around it constitute a bold declaration intended to remind us that God's plan, to recover the "lost" house and to rejoin the two sticks, is to be trumpeted (even if it takes a man-made "new-year" feast to do it!).

And so, God's word to one Ephramite man may still hold true today for many of his kinsmen: "I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always."


Ephraim
How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity

CREATOR REVEALED

July 16, 1999

This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that I, Ya'hoveh Elohim made the heavens and the earth (Gen. 2:4). In its beginning the earth was without form, and void. There was nothing there; only spiritual darkness pervaded the face of the deep. And My Spirit was hovering, (or brooding) over the face of the (spiritual) water.

For by Me, Yah'shua Elohim, all things were created that are in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible. All things were created through Me and for Me, as it was the Father's (Ya'hoveh Elohim) good pleasure that all the fullness or completeness be summed up through Me. For I was before all things, and in Me all things consist (Col.1:16-17). I was with My Father from the beginning, for the Father and I are one in the Elohim, and I was made manifest in order that the invisible Elohim might be seen. I proceeded out of the mouth of the Elohim, as the Word for I was the Word and the Word was Elohim (John 1:1-3).

The first manifestation of My reality came when Elohim spoke, "Let there be Light" (Gen. 1:3). This was not physical light from nature's sun, for it had not yet been created. This was the Light of Life, a spiritual Light that would become the light of men (John 1:4). For in Me is the fountain of life. In My light you will see light (Psalms 36:9). "I am the Light of the world. He who comes to Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life" (John 8:12). This Light is the glory of My nature, which is love, for if you have love for your brother you are truly abiding in My light (1 John 2:10). Thus you see that from the beginning the Father and I are one, for in Light you see Light, and this Light is one.

This is why when it was said about this Light "it was good", in it was seen the nature of the Father, Ya'hoveh, for His very nature is love and it is good (1 John 4:7, Mark 10:18). For I have come from My Father to be revealed in that, which has been created, especially in the crown of creation - man. This being so, that you may be able to comprehend with all the true believers what is the width and length and depth and height of the Father's nature; so that you may know the love of Messiah which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of Elohim (Eph. 3:18-19).

Now, according to this divine design, I drew a circular horizon on the face of the varying densities of the spiritual waters, and divided the water of Light and Life from the water of Darkness (or absence of life). I called this mid-heaven the firmament, as it became the boundary of these waters (Job 26:10). The realm of Light, above the firmament, I called "good" and the eternal Day, for there is no Night or darkness in it. But the realm of spiritual darkness, which was under the firmament, I called Night. However, it was not eternal, but was subject to the passing of time, and would ultimately be absorbed into the realm of Light and disappear.

I separated the Light from darkness, as I needed the medium of darkness to reveal the true nature of Light. You have this very witness all around you at all times. For if you shut out all natural light you cannot see anything, only blackness, but when you kindle light you see its reflected hues. As the light increases in intensity, moving from glory to glory, its nature becomes clearer and more defined, until there is only light. This is why I have told you to walk in the Light, even as I am in the Light (1 John 1:7), that you may also appear, or be unveiled with me in the glory of My light (Col.3:4). So you see, right from the beginning I set in order the process of revelation; each day of creation reveals more of My eternally divine nature! Indeed, Paul the apostle wrote of My invisible nature, which is clearly seen and understood by the things that are made. My eternal power is in and through the Elohim (Rom 1:19-20).

On each successive day of creation, "there was an evening and a morning." Evening (erev) and morning (boker) do not necessarily mean two twelve hour periods, ages or epochs, but are a condition of the mixing of light and darkness. This is something which humanity has been awed by from the beginning. Even to this very day, people will travel thousands of miles or climb mountains and traverse the deserts, just to get a glimpse of the beauty of a sunrise or a sunset. The word "erev" portrays a beautiful blend of interesting words, such as: mixture, interwoven, take a pledge, exchange, have fellowship, sweet, pleasant, arid, desert, a plateau, steppe, sunset, and westward. Each "Day" of the creation process was, therefore, a sequence of revelations of the Elohim. The beginning of each unveiling (erev) was like the blending, or mixing of the hues and colors of the sunset. However, each successive dawn revealed more glory, power and magnificence, until the final image and revelation-glory of the Elohim would be seen in the crown of His creation - Adam - man.

The meanings of the word for morning, "boker", like "erev", can speak of conditions or interactions between light and darkness, for example: split, penetrate, rip, divide, reflect, inquire, seek, visit, consider. "Boker" brings with it the joy of the end of the darkness, and the full expression of the light. The beauty of the relationships found in the Elohim is now unveiled, ripped, split, and penetrated into, displaying its exact hue of glory, which is to be reflected in that which has been created through the "Word".

The appearing of the Morning Star is the first sign of the coming Day; it precedes the dawn and heralds the light of morning. Yah'shua came to this earth as the bright Morning Star (see 2 Pet.1:19; Rev. 22:16), Who would arise in the hearts of men through faith in the redemptive work of His sacrifice. But after He was taken to glory, He became the light and glory of the New Creation Day. You, who have received His Spirit, now have this Light and Life in you. The first rays of His dawning are beginning to penetrate, split, rip open the veils of darkness that gripped your earth during the night. There is a smooth transition of the dawning, as every successive ray of glory brings with it clarity, certainty, finality of the finished or full revelation of the Elohim, until the light becomes constant, no longer mixed or changing. But rather stabilizing, into that exact reflection of the divine nature, where there are "no shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

Ephraim

"Your mercy, O Yahoveh extends to the heavens (height); Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds (breadth). Your righteousness is like the great mountains (length); Your judgments are a great deep (depth) (Ps. 36:5-6).

DIVINE LAW

July 9, 1999

There are many aspects, or facets, in our day and age to the "restoration of all things that have been spoken by the mouths of the prophets of old" (Acts 3:21). In these letters I have been mainly concentrating on the restoration of the Kingdom of God to Israel. But as in any restoration, much has to be torn down and a great deal of debris and useless material, which has been brought in over the years, has to be removed. It also appears that restoration many times spurs the enemy, who sets out to oppose the work and the workers in every possible way.

In YHVH's government there is an executive order, a judicial order and a legislative order. However, unlike earthly governments, in this one all the bills have already been passed, all the laws have been signed by the executive's signature, and were written down in a Book that we call the "set apart (holy) Scriptures". This document is complete, requiring nothing to be added to it, or removed from it. There is only one major work that remains to be accomplished, and that is discipling the subjects of the Kingdom in the Divine instructions and encouraging them to live by them. If adhered to obediently, these instructions will bring life and blessings to these subjects and to the entire planet. Ignorance, blindness and disobedience, however, will have the opposite effect.

Let us wake up, therefore, and check around the camp we are in, "lifting up our eyes": Is the glory cloud (the pillar by day and the fire by night) still in our midst, or has it moved on? Such an examination is necessary because if the rest of the tribes are moving on and following the cloud, it will not be long before the sands of the desert will cover the path of their footprints. Time is not on our side, but grace is, as long as we don't insult the grace of YHVH. How much worse of a punishment, do you suppose, will be meted to him who tramples underfoot the Son of God and who counts the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insults the Spirit of grace? (ref. Heb. 10:29). The Spirit of grace does not bring us into a lawless, Torah-less kingdom living. On the contrary, it is this very Spirit that inscribes the Torah on our hearts.

Today's restoration is much like the restoration in the days of Ezra, when a remnant returned to the land after the Babylonian captivity. Ezra records the following word: "And now for a little while grace has been shown from YHVH our Mighty One, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a stake in His holy place, that our Mighty One may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage" (Ezra 9:8).

The fact is that we are no longer of the kingdom of darkness, the kingdom of lawlessness, but we have been transferred to the Kingdom of YHVH's Beloved Son Yeshua. Why is it essential that we become aware of this reality? Is it because we need to be able to discern the difference between the profane and the holy, wickedness and Godliness, truth and lie? With the knowledge of YHVH's Divine legal system, of His judicial system and living in obedience to His every word, we will experience what liberty really means. In the kingdoms of this world life is lived UNDER civil and religious laws, laws that are added to day by day, until that day comes in which no buying or selling will be possible for those living in YHVH's kingdom, according to His Divine law. That separation is happening even now by the hour, and is hastening towards the day of YHVH's judgements. We, who are already living in His Kingdom are governed by a Divine and Supreme Law, by never changing laws. Study to show yourselves approved! Learn the laws that are governing His kingdom! These Divine laws are inherent in the nature of the new creation life. Thus, to know Him, Yeshua the Messiah, is to know the Law of Liberty.

In last week's letter we began to take a look at the laws of redemption. Redemption is a very important aspect of the restoration, because without it restoration would not be possible.

The scroll in YHVH's hand (Rev.5:1) is a legal document, which was already written before the foundations of the world. It is a document specifying the requirements incumbent upon a redeemer. It is for this reason that Peter, when speaking about our redemption, exhorts us to conduct ourselves throughout the time of our stay (on earth) in fear; cognizant of the fact that we were not redeemed with corruptible things, silver or gold, or by our own aimless conduct, through performing the traditions of men, or that of our fathers' traditions. But, rather, that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for us (ref. 1 Pet.1:17-20).

Yeshua faced these legal requirements head on. He knew that He was a lamb for the sacrifice, who was to be without blemish and without spot, and that He had to be obedient in all things pertaining to His Father's will, in order to qualify to be that sacrifice. In Revelation 5 we see John falling on his knees and weeping bitterly, because in that moment he understood what was required for the redemption of the inheritance. Even king David wrote: "None can by any means redeem a brother, nor give to God a ransom for him, for the redemption of their souls is costly" (Ps. 49:7-8). How costly? Look at the scroll: the shedding of the blood (life) of a firstborn son (the shedding of blood was not just a few drops trickling down the face, it was the complete draining or separating of the blood from the body); and a sacrifice that is without spot or blemish. In other words, it must be a sacrifice that is not defiled by sin. Yeshua, therefore, had to meet and fulfill every requirement of the Supreme Law, both in heart and deed.

Yeshua was not ignorant of the Torah, He knew what was written there. That scroll was not called the "Lamb's scroll" (or "Book of Life") for nothing! Since our names are inscribed on that scroll, we also need to know what is written in that legal document. There are requirements written there for us as well, but if we do not know or understand the reason for those instructions we may find ourselves falling short of the calling that is upon our lives because of ignorance. We are His inheritance, bought with a price. YHVH says that the nations are our inheritance. What do you think it will cost us to redeem our inheritance, "the nations"? This is why Peter writes: "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest, hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Yahoshua the Messiah; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'be holy, for I am holy'"(1 Pet 1:13-16). "For to this [suffering] you were called, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps: who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Pet. 2:21-23). Remember there is still a creation that is groaning, waiting for the appearance of the sons of Elohim! (ref. Rom. 8:19).

Ephraim

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (shevet achim) together in unity…for in this YHVH commands the blessing "life eternal" (Ps.133).

LEBANON

June 25, 1999

Recently we had the opportunity to attend a symposium on Southern Lebanon. I would like to share with you some of what was conveyed (and more). One of the participants was Abu Arz, who for many years has led the resistance against the Syrian presence in Lebanon. He shared with us that when he first visited Israel, back in 1977, the impression he received quite remarkable and made him hopeful, especially following a long meeting with the then Prime Minister, Menachem Begin. After returning to Beirut, he and his staff made the decision to cooperate with the State of Israel, which they saw as a strategic and historical ally. This decision was based on the fact that the Christian Lebanese and Israeli Jews had common enemies, common goals, and shared a common destiny.

When Israel invaded Southern Lebanon in 1982 (in an effort to repel the Palestinian terrorists who were constantly shelling Northern Galilee), the hopes of the Lebanese communities rose sky high; they believed that this would spell the end of Syria's and the terrorists' presence in Lebanon. However, the (then) Soviet Union threatened to support Syria, if the United States did not put a stop to Israel's aggression. Thus, under U.S. pressure, Prime Minister Begin halted Defense Minister Ariel Sharon's attempt to "get the job done". As a result of this capitulation Israel was allowed a buffer zone in Southern Lebanon, from which, together with the SLA (South Lebanese Army), it could monitor (with varying success) the northern boarder and aid the Lebanese freedom fighters. Since then there has been a continual growing occupation, not only by Syria, but also by the Iranian backed Hezbollah terrorist organization. (By the way, as long as Israel does not return the Golan Heights to Syria, the latter will also make use of the Hezbollah, as a means of extorting Israel.) The worldview has it that the Lebanese government (a puppet government set up by Syria) invited the Syrian troops to help control the situation created by the Palestinian terrorists. Over the 25 years of Syria's control of Lebanon there has been a slow genocide of the Christian communities; several million of which have fled the country, and have been replaced by 2 million Syrian workers and 45,000 Syrian troops. Under Syria's shadow the Iranian backed Hizbulla has continued to batter the SLA and the Israeli troops in South Lebanon, and is able to reach Northern Israel easily with katyusha rockets. But saddest of all is the fact that it is the Hizbulla terrorists who are now regarded as Lebanon's freedom fighters, while the Southern Lebanese Army is being viewed as a tool to aid Zionist Israel in its "expansionistic aspirations." With everything reversed, the Syrians have won their battle in the take over of Lebanon, and it only remains to get rid of the "security zone" and the renegade SLA. The fall of Jezzine, in the last couple of weeks, and the pledge of the new Israeli Prime Minister elect to withdraw from the security zone within a year, has left the Christian community without a future or a hope.

Abu Arz had to flee East Beirut in 1990, when the Syrians took control of the city. He, and other (Christian) political leaders, came to Jezzine to continue to fight side by side with Israel against the common enemies. That decision was very costly, as he and his colleagues were sentenced to death by the puppet Syrian-controlled government in Beirut. The Jezzine Christian enclave was looked upon as the last hope of regaining power in Beirut for a free Lebanon. But now, with its downfall and the shameful retreat of both armies, the feelings among the population can be summed up in a few words: humiliation, hopelessness and betrayal. They feel that their extraordinary effort has not been appreciated. The rest of the Southern Lebanese Christians are anxious about the future, and are wondering if they are going to suffer the same fate as that of Jezzine. The speaker said that they felt as though they had been sold out in Jezzine, and that tomorrow the same thing is likely to happen in Marjayoun (a town within the Israeli "occupied" security zone). They did not want to be sold twice.

It was a sobering testimony, as Abu Arz confessed that the friends of Israel are paying a great price, while being squeezed between the aggressive policy of Syria and the depressive policy of Israel. They had to ask themselves if they had not made the wrong choice in joining Israel. From their perspective they have two options, either living in humiliation in a refugee camp inside Israel, or dying with dignity with other martyrs on their own soil. In their own words, they "do not want to be used or exploited as sandbags, just to protect the northern borders of Israel, or to be a subcontract in the peace talks between Israel and Syria."

Time is running out for the Southern Lebanese Christian communities. If Israel withdraws unconditionally from Lebanon, without insisting that the UN resolution 520 is implemented, it will not only spell the end of the SLA, but will also bring the Hizbulla and Syrian troops down to the northern borders of Israel. Resolution 520 states that all foreign forces must leave Lebanon, including Syria's.

In conclusion, Abu Arz (the "father of the cedars") quoted a Lebanese poet and philosopher, who wrote: "I admire more the conscience of Israel then the science of Israel." His closing words were: "Ladies and gentlemen in the name of conscience, we ask you not to sell us at a cheap price."

As I left the meeting that night, I had the thought that just as Southern Lebanon is a security zone for Israel, so is the Land of Israel a security zone for the Jews and many Christians living in the West. What will be its fate? Will the Jews and Christians, outside of Israel stand with us, or will they sell us out for a cheap price, especially those of us who are living in Judea and Samaria?


While writing this, more katyusha rockets are falling on the Galilee. Today, as this is being sent, two people are reported dead and one critically wounded in a Northern Galilee town, while the residents are sitting in bomb shelters, and others are packing up and travelling south.

Ephraim

NOT ABOUT RELIGION

June 18, 1999

Why did YHVH send His only begotten Son into this world?
Did He send Him to give His life and die for the purpose of starting a new religion called Christianity? Did Yeshua shed his blood in order to restore a religion called Judaism? Or better yet, did He come to combine the two into one Judeo-Christian religious expression? Why did the Father send the Son? In Luke chapter one we read the message which the angel Gabriel brought from YHVH to Miriam, and the word of prophecy which was uttered by Zechariah the priest, when filled with the Holy Spirit. Both announced the Father's purposes for sending Yeshua:
- To redeem His people (v. 68).
- To raise up a horn of salvation for us in the House of His servant David (v 69).
- To sit on the throne of His father David (v.32).
- To save us from our enemies, from those who hate us (v.71).
- To show mercy to our fathers (those who received no mercy - Lo-ruhamah – ref. Hosea 1:6).
- To remember His holy covenant, which He swore to our father Abraham (vs. 72- 73), whereby He committed Himself to give him a land, to "make him" a nation and a blessing (Gen. 12:2-3).
- To bring deliverance from our enemies, that we might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life (vs.74-75).
- To rule and reign in the House of Jacob forever, and there to set up an everlasting kingdom (v.33).

None of these objectives appear to have anything to do with religion, or with some other form of temple worship. Rather, Yeshua came to restore a relationship between His Father and us, His people. He also came to restore the House of Jacob, meaning the relationship between the Two Houses of Ephraim and Judah and to break down the enmity and jealousy between the brothers.

"Listen, O coastlands, to Me and take heed, you peoples from afar! YHVH has called Me from the womb; from the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name," (Isa. 49:1). "You shall call His name Yeshua," (salvation) (Luke 1:31). "And now Yahoveh says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel is gathered to Him… Indeed He says, `It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the nations, that You should be My salvation (Yeshuah) to the ends of the earth,'" (Isa 49:5-6).
How were all these objectives to be fulfilled?

Before sin marred the relationship between YHVH and Adam, man was required only to "listen and walk". After YHVH redeemed Israel from Egypt and slavery, they too, as a nation, were told the same thing: "Listen to My voice and walk in My ways." When Israel failed to do that, and missed the mark (sinned), YHVH gave them a religion, using the Aaronic Priesthood. Sin was the reason for religion. As long as we remain in sin we will always have a need for some religious expression.

But what was YHVH's promise to the nation of Israel? "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us," (Ps. 103:11-12). "But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back," (Isa. 38:17). "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins," (Isa.43:25). "And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree,'" (Zech 3:10).

Notice that when sin and iniquity are removed, relationships are made possible. How did the Father accomplish this reconciliation? "Now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself,” (Heb.9:26). Remember what John the Immerser declared when He saw Yeshua? "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world," (John 1:29). "Yahoveh was reconciling the world to Himself in the Messiah, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation," (2 Cor.5:19). "By Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross," (Col.1:20). This is why Paul insisted only on one thing: "For I determined not to know anything among you except Yeshua the Messiah and Him crucified," (1 Cor 2:2).

Yeshua died to atone for sin and to remove it altogether. How did He do this? By being offered on the cross as the perfect lamb for the sacrifice. He fulfilled every requirement of the religious system. In removing sin as far as the east is from the west, He removed the need for a religious system, and restored the priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek (ref. Hebrews 4:14-5:10; 7). This was the priesthood that all Israel was to partake of. By virtue of the Torah being inscribed on the heart, worship was to be in spirit and in truth (John 4:23), resulting in TRUE relationships. For do you not know this about yourselves that you are a tabernacle of the Holy Spirit (ref. 1Cor.3:16), that Yeshua the Messiah dwells in you (ref. 2Cor.13:5), and that you have died and that your life is hidden in His, and that He is NOW your life (ref. Col.3:4, Gal.2:20)? Faith is what reveals this reality, but if we hold to an outward form of religion, we actually deny His presence within our Holy of Holies (our spirit). This will bring about the anti-Christ lie, which denies that Yeshua came in the flesh (the spirit-filled believer's flesh). John explains to us that the world is under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), meaning all of the world's political and religious institutions. In verse 21 he warns, "Children keep yourselves from idols". But "sandwiched" between those two verses is a powerful statement of truth: "We know that the Son of Yahoveh has come and has given us understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Yeshua the Messiah. This is the true Elohim and eternal life" (v.20).

Yeshua is restoring the "fallen Succah (booth) of David," by uniting a remnant of the Two Houses, and by being enthroned in the hearts of the individuals who form this remnant. Through the reunited House of Jacob (the nation Israel), He will administer the everlasting kingdom government to the rest of the nations. But we must come out of religion into right relationships and national identity.

Be separate and wait for YHVH who will whistle for us to return to the land (ref. Zec.10:8), there to become a royal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, and a holy nation. Thus the covenant that YHVH made with our father Abraham, to become a blessing to the rest of the nations, will be fulfilled.

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together (shevet achim) in unity…for in this Ya'hovah commands the blessing "life eternal" (Ps. 133).

TRUE ZIONISM

June 11, 1999

Modern day Zionism came into being during the nineteenth century, inspired, at least in part, by contemporary nationalistic movements, which were prevalent in Europe of that day. But perhaps still greater was the contribution made by a few Spirit-filled Christian (Gentile) visionaries, who began to realize the importance of the Torah, the prophets, and the Jewish people's return to the ancient land of their ancestors. Relationships between these Gentile Christians (Zionists) and the Jewish community in Europe started developing already in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (ref. The Vision Was There by Franz Kobler, 1956). The Zionist movement, however, was not really acknowledged by nineteenth century historians as a viable, or a definable phenomenon. Jewish identity was still very much attached to religion, which preserved the uniqueness of the Jews as a people while in the "Galut" (diaspora, or exile). But the religious traditions left them with only a very slight hope of realizing any national aspirations. Saying "next year in Jerusalem," every Passover was not enough to extricate them from their host countries. Their identity was defined more by default than by anything positive. It wasn't until the time of Rabbi Alkalai and Kalishcher (two Jewish "prophets" of the 1800's) that seeds of national identity began to be sown. They were followed by Moses Hess, Ben-Yehudah, Pinsker, Herzl, Nordau, Ahad-Ha-am, Bialik and others, whose names and writings have lost their prophetic significance today, and have become (in the eyes of most Israelis) mere signs posted on street corners in the cities of Israel.

The transformation, from religion to nationalism, began to grow in the hearts and minds of a remnant, ultimately resulting in the birth of the State of Israel, albeit not without tribulation (pogroms, persecutions and the Holocaust). The return of Judah (the Jews), as a nation, to the Land of Promise is a direct fulfillment of the End Time prophetic scriptures. It testifies to the fact that the God of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps. 121:4), but "watches over His word to perform it" (Jer.1:12).

However, this is only half of the story. Zionism, as a national movement was not only evident amongst a remnant of Judah, but also began to surface in Ephraim, who is the other "witness" of the God of Israel's unending mercies and covenant keeping faithfulness. It was at about this time (i.e. the nineteenth century), that a few born-again, spirit-filled believers in Europe, especially in the UK, received prophetic insight into the history of the Two Houses, the two witnesses, the two olive branches, the two sticks, the two families, the two kingdoms and the two nations, spoken of in the Bible. Many believed that the nations that made up Europe were primarily of the lost tribes of Israel. Intense studies of languages, culture, religion etc. began to emerge. In 1887, a work by M.M. Eshelman, called The Two Sticks, was published. Later, another, by J.H. Allen called Judah's Scepter and Joseph's Birthright, 1917. These works were evidence that the Spirit of the Lord was (and still is) working to turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, and to restore the national identity of both houses of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

In the covenant that God made with Abraham, He promised him a land and a nation (Goy) which was to come out of his own loins, (Gen 12:1-3). God would never forget the covenant, although He would scatter this nation into all the nations, and thus it is written that Ephraim is "well mixed into all nations" (Hos. 7:8), and that he would become their "fullness" (Gen 48:19). Yet, in Ezekiel 37:22 we read: "I will make them one nation in the land," (as well as in Jer 3:18). God's redemptive plan for this earth was, and still is, a united, redeemed, single nation of "Israel", living in the land that God promised to the patriarchs.

Religious identity has kept the Two Houses divided. However, with the restoration of our national identity we can begin to tear down the age-old divisions of enmity and jealousy and build, under the guiding hand of the Messiah, the commonwealth that will be a light to the rest of the nations, a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Both houses need to return to Zionism, to the Zionism of the Torah. This Zionism is a very simple concept; it involves a land, a nation ("goy"), and a kingdom government.

It all started with the covenant that God made with Abraham, and it will end with the prophesied redeemed remnant (progeny of Abraham) returning to live in the Land of Promise. United Israel, under the lordship of the Messiah who is King of the kings, and High Priest of the priesthood, will yet become a reality. This is the reason for the strong exhortation to "remember the Torah and My servant Moses, and the statutes and ordinances…for all Israel" (Mal. 4:4), at the end of the age.

In Judah, Zionism was dealt a deathblow in 1978, with the first Camp David accords. Staggering and reeling from this first hit, it took another stab in the back at Madrid, and the final shot was fired in Oslo. Many of us who have been living in the Land over this period of time, watched and felt this crushing process destroy the Zionistic ideal, turning it into a word devoid of meaning on the lips of a dying nation. Now it only remains for the United Nations to vote in a Palestinian State, whose territory is the heartland of Israel, Judea and Samaria. Israel was birthed by a UN vote, will the Palestinian national aspirations not be fulfilled in like manner? Mind you, I'm not against a state for the Palestinians, but couldn't something be found for them within the four million square miles of Arab lands?

The present situation in Judea is highly reminiscent of the days of Nehemiah, when Judah was heard saying: "The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubble, that we are not able to build the wall." To that her adversaries responded: "They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease" (Neh. 4:10). This very reality is upon us today.

Does our destiny as a nation lie in the democratic process, in the form of a vote cast in the United Nations, where the majority rules and is backed up by the combined military forces of the Security Council? "Who can make war with the beast?" (Rev. 13:4). What is our answer to this present situation? THE WORD OF GOD, and our ability to believe and trust in the Rock of our salvation, as we, the two olive branches of Zechariah 4:3, 11-14 and Romans 11:24 experience the "grace" (Zech 4:7) that comes not by might, nor by power but by God's Spirit (Zech. 4:6). Ephraim must repent and return to Zion; Judah must repent and come to know the King and Messiah of Zion. Together we must consecrate ourselves as a nation before the Holy one of Israel, and worship Him in spirit and in truth. Let us sing the song of Zion; the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested" (Rev.15:3-4).

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (shevet achim) together in unity…for in this God commands the blessing "life eternal" (Ps. 133).

FOLLOW-UP TO DAY OF ANGER

June 4, 1999

Thank you for manning the spiritual ramparts. There were several incidents, which marked the "day of Anger." Some stone throwing took place, one Palestinian was killed, as he tried to run over a soldier at a checkpoint, and some shots were fired into a car with a mother and baby (just prior to that day), but praise God that no one was injured. These latter two incidents, by the way, were disassociated from the purposes for that day. But don't be fooled by yesterday's relatively peaceful demonstrations, they were highly organized by the political heads of the Palestinian Authority.

These PA's "heads" wanted to demonstrate their complete control over the masses before the television cameras of the world. However, very few actually took part in the demonstrations. Let us now switch our attention from the head to the heart. What is the "heart-beat" of the issues in this End Time scenario? Remember the Hamas, mentioned in the previous letter? They are the ones who have spearheaded the uprising and are responsible for the suicide bombings. Just before the called-for "day of wrath," the Hamas leadership has been reported, in a Jerusalem Post headline, as QUESTIONING PA PLANS FOR "DAY OF ANGER," and were quoted as saying: "the demonstrations are unlikely to have much practical impact…To be serious about this, we need a detailed plan with serious steps, not a demonstration. It is not enough." They then called for the Palestinian factions to work out such a plan.

In another article, on the same page, the headline read: "HAMAS, HIZBULLAH LEADERS MEET IN BEIRUT. Hizbullah is the leading guerilla militia in the successful campaigns of the Lebanese/Syrian war against Israel and the Southern Lebanese Army. In recent days they had a tremendous success, as the SLA and Israel retreated from one of the most strategic towns in South Lebanon. The Hezbollah's relentless attacks have worn down the South Lebanese-cum-Israeli Army. The tactics of terrorism have, in fact, influenced the shift in the political balance in Israel.

The new leader-elect, has openly said that Israel will withdraw from Southern Lebanon within a year. The Hizbullah and Hamas, along with the entire Arab world, view this not as a withdrawal but a retreat. The next stage will be the Golan Heights, which Israel will hand over to Syria, like the Sinai to Egypt, with guarantees of a demilitarized zone, manned by the UN Peace Keeping forces. With all this out of the way, the only obstacles to peace will remain Judea and Samaria, and Jerusalem, of course. The sweet scent of victory is in the air. Thus, we know what Hamas has "up its sleeve," as it is counseled by Hezbollah/Syria/Iran, and is being trained in their tactics. The report said that the two organizations discussed "mutual interests and goals." Hamas is at the heart of the Palestinian cause, while the PA is only the masked-face on the head, which says, on one side of its mouth, "peace, peace," but during the 7 years of the peace process has muttered, with the other side, "piece by piece." During all of that time it (the PA) has not given one thing, except a guarantee to control its terrorists. But wow to us if we don't continue along the path of an eventual Palestinian State, with Jerusalem as its capital! Any deviation from this prescribed direction will spell a "face off" at the "O.K. coral."

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made My land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland," (Eze.36:5). "I have heard the insults of Moab and the taunts of the Ammonites, who insulted My people and made threats against their land. Therefore, as surely as I live, Moab will become like Sodom, the Ammonites like Gomorrah a place of weeds and salt pits, a wasteland forever. The remnant of My people will plunder them the survivors of my nation will inherit their land,"(Zeph.2:8-9). "My hand will rest on Mount Zion, but Moab will be trampled under as straw is trampled down in the manure. They will spread out their hands in it, as a swimmer spreads out his hand to swim. I will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands," (Isa.25:10-11). "Edom will become an object of horror; all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff because of all its wounds," (.Jer.49:17). "This is what they will get in return for their pride. For insulting and mocking My people. I will show Myself awesome when I destroy all the gods of the land. The nations on every shore will worship Me, every one in their own land," (Zeph 2:10-11). "But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and the House of Jacob will possess its inheritance," (Obad. 17). "I will save Zion and I will build the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and possess it. The seed of My servants will inherit it, and those who love My name will dwell in it". (Ps. 69:35-36). Amen!

Ephraim

DAY OF ANGER

May 28,1999

The Palestinian authority announced that Thursday June 3rd is to be a "day of anger" against all settlements and settlers in all "occupied Arab lands." The spokesmen for the PLO are also issuing an ultimatum to the Prime Minister elect: "settlements or peace". We would like to inform you of this and ask for your prayers, as this may be the beginning of violent confrontations over the settlements. The Hamas (which in Hebrew means violence) militant Palestinian organization (the one responsible for all the bloody bombings in the past), is waiting for a "go ahead" from Arafat to begin the struggle to liberate Judea and Samaria. Kosovo serves as an example of what should happen to Israel, the illegal occupier of Arab lands. Thus, they are justified in their "day of anger" reaction. I wrote the following to a friend, a couple of weeks ago.
"Arab terrorism is about to be unleashed again. They do not want their people to think that all their accomplishments, these past 7 years, have been because of political negotiations, and that the uprising and the martyrs have been in vain. Now they have a whole army of potential martyrs. Even men, women and children from nearby towns, are ready to overrun a settlement, if need be. It would take them about five to ten minutes to do so.

On the way home, on the day after the elections, I went into an Arab market where there is usually a very friendly atmosphere. This time the atmosphere was noticeably different. A confidence had returned to our Arab neighbors. I felt a superior attitude arise from within them, as they totally ignored me, while the friendliness was gone. The disdain and hate they have towards the settlers has resurfaced."

"For behold, your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate you have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel, and consulted together against you. They have said, 'come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.' For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against you: They bend their bow and made it ready" (Ps.18:2-5). " They also prepared for themselves instruments of death; and made their arrows into fiery shafts. Behold, they bring forth iniquity; Yes, they conceive trouble and bring forth falsehood. They make a pit and dig it out, but they shall fall into the ditch that they made. Their trouble shall return upon their own head, and their violent ("hamas" in Hebrew) dealings shall come down on their own crown" (Ps. 7:13-16). "For I will deliver you from your enemies. I will also lift you up above those who rise against you; I will delivered you from the violent (hamas) man" (Ps. 18:48).

A couple of years ago, the Lord gave us Nehemiah 4, in which He had shown that we would be like that team that came back to rebuild, with the sword in one hand and the working tool in the other. He also showed us that there would be others who would join in as, guards and prayer warriors who could stand and blow the shofar, and still others would supply the needed materials for maintaining our livelihood and the work.

Two days ago, as I was praying about a meeting with some intercessors in Jerusalem, the Lord gave me this scripture: "And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a stake in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage" (Ezra 9:8).

I shared it at the meeting, and almost all those who were there confirmed that indeed we have but a little time of supplication (the word translated "grace" is actually supplication in Hebrew, and has "grace" as its root), and that the Lord would give us a stake in the holy place, or an anchor for the soul (see Heb.6:13-20). Secondly, that He would unveil the mysteries and pour out His Spirit and give us revival but, interestingly, only in our bondage.

If this "speaks" to you, please stand with us. As we enter the final phases of this age, all nations are going to be affected by what is coming down on Israel. "For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, and those nations shall be utterly ruined" (Isa. 60:12). The Lord also addresses the nations that want to stake a claim and possess the mountains of Israel for themselves: "Because the enemy has said of you. 'oh mountains of Israel (Judea and Samaria), aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,' and because they made you desolate and swallowed you up on every side…and you are taken up by the lips of talkers and slandered by the people, they have plundered and made a mockery of you to the rest of the nations all around-- Therefore thus says the Lord God, 'surely I have spoken in My burning jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave My land to themselves as a possession, with whole-hearted joy and spiteful minds, in order to plunder its open country. Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and My fury, because you have borne the shame of the nations. I have raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that are around you shall bear their own shame. But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come" (Eze. 36:2-8).

In Joel chapter 3 we see why the Lord brings all the nations down to the valley of Jehoshaphat ("God's judgements"), it is because they divided up the land (v. 2). Thus, all nations are brought into this war, but when it is over the devastation and judgment actually fall on the surrounding nations (v 11-12, 19). Here again, in verse 19, we see the Hebrew word "hamas,": "Egypt shall be a desolation, And Edom a desolate wilderness, because of violence (hamas) against the people of Judah, For they have shed innocent blood in their land."

But there is a door of hope, even through the time of Jacob's troubles, because ultimately the Lord will have the last word: "And there shall no longer be a pricking brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who are around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord God. Thus says the Lord God: 'When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am hallowed in them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God" (Eze 28:24-26). Amen!
Ephraim