Duty-Bound

Duty-Bound 11/06/2010

As the world builds its case against the Jewish State of Israel, and after the attempted lynching this week of five Israeli businessmen in Spain, one of Spain's politicians, a journalist, an activist and a member of the far left, Pilar Rahola, spoke out: "I am not Jewish. Ideologically I am left and by profession a journalist. Why am I not anti Israeli like my colleagues? Because as a non-Jew I have the historical responsibility to fight against Jewish hatred and currently against the hatred for their historic homeland, Israel. To fight against anti-Semitism is not the duty of the Jews, it is the duty of the non-Jews. As a journalist it is my duty to search for the truth beyond prejudice, lies and manipulations. The truth about Israel is not told. As a person from the left who loves progress, I am obligated to defend liberty, culture, civic education for children, coexistence and the laws that the Tablets of the Covenant made into universal principles. Principles that Islamic fundamentalism systematically destroys. That is to say that as a non-Jew, journalist and lefty I have a triple moral duty with Israel, because if Israel is destroyed, liberty, modernity and culture will be destroyed too. The struggle of Israel, even if the world doesn't want to accept it, is the struggle of the world." End quote.

One would think that some of the statements made above were penned by a 'spiritually-led' person, perhaps a Christian Zionist, or even someone from the Ephraimite camp.

Islam has dubbed Israel "little Satan," and has been attempting to prove their point by demonizing the Jewish people at every opportunity they get (and those are not few these days). The western liberal press becomes, of course, one of the frogs that croak their endless condemnations of the State and its Jewish populace during the 'night season'. Having said this, my question to the redeemed community of Ephraim is, now that you know who you are, as one of the lost-and-found sheep of the House of Israel, do you also know that you are a designated firstborn in the family? "For I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn" (Jeremiah 31:9b). Do you know what it means to be a firstborn? Do you know what our Redeemer expects of us? Do you know what our responsibilities are?

As we have noted in the past, most of the firstborns who lost their rights to this office did so because they were not about their Father's (and fathers') business. They were not concerned for the welfare of their family; they were selfish, self-righteous, greedy, and prideful. They were like Nimrod and company, who were out to make a name for themselves building their own religious and political kingdoms.

The Spanish journalist, obviously a secular humanist, made a comment that really hit home, "To fight against anti-Semitism is not the duty of the Jews; it is the duty of the non-Jews." How much more is it the duty of Judah's brother, especially if he is called to be a "firstborn," his "brother's keeper"? In this week's Parasha, Korah, along with three men from Reuben and 250 other leaders, "representatives of the congregation, men of renown" (most likely elders/firstborn) express their jealousy of Moses and Aaron's YHVH-endowed positions (ref. Numbers 16:2). This attitude led to the same old accusations against the Almighty's chosen, for bringing Israel out of Egypt to "kill them in the wilderness." As one man, they rushed to the flag of bitterness, discontent, and insurrection. We can also see the extent of influence that these firstborn/leaders, even after they were consumed by YHVH's fire, wielded on the rest of the congregation. The following day "all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of YHVH." (Numbers 16:41). Almost immediately a plague broke out in the course of which 14,700 Israelites perished. The powerful sway that these elders and firstborn held over the people should be something to bear in mind, if we are part of the "firstborn" company. This inherent authority may be directed one way… or another.

As we have seen with so many other firstborns in the Tanach, there was no guarantee that they would inherit the birthrights. This lesson is made very clear in the messages to the congregations of the redeemed in Revelation. The three-word conditional statement, "he who overcomes" (inferring only the over-comers) stands out in each letter as a warning to the believers (ref. chapters 2&3), so that they (the redeemed) can be given their rightful place. What is the 'rightful' place and posture of Ephraim at this time, when the world is gushing and foaming at the mouth with venom against Judah?

Will Ephraim's jealousy of his older brother's princely office in the family depart, or will he join the rest of the firstborn like Ishmael, Esau, Amon, Moav etc. in finding an excuse for condemning their actions, even if it is only by default, through passivity. There are some from the returning prodigal-company who desire to come home to Israel, but are prevented because of the present leadership in the House of Judah. We must keep in mind what Moses said to Korah: "That one whom He [YHVH] chooses He will cause to come near to Him" (Numbers 16:5b).

Thus, it was not the early Zionists who created the conditions for the stick of Judah to become a nation; this was a sovereign act of the Almighty. And it will be the same regarding the return to the land of the House of Israel/Ephraim. But in the meantime we need to seek the Father as to how to express our role and duty in relationship to our Jewish brethren. On top of that pray that when the Shepherd does whistle that we will have our ears attuned and our hearts prepared.