Shalom Fellow Israelite Letters

spirit of prophecy

2012-02-08T16:21:00.004+02:00

I want to share a thought that came to mind when I read the following scripture: "And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Yeshua. Worship Elohim! For the testimony of Yeshua is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10).

Musing and meditating on the phrase "the testimony of Yeshua," I was asking myself (or rather the Ruach), "what is the testimony of Yeshua?" The following statement, of course, says that it is "the spirit of prophecy," but what is that? How is that little phrase to be understood and how is it connected to the "testimony of Yeshua"? I felt the answer come very simply and suddenly, "you are the testimony of Yeshua, as He continues to faithfully fulfill the word of His Father in your life and the life of His redeemed remnant of Israel." So it is not that we all become prophets, but that "we" are the living testimony of the reality of the word of Elohim, spoken through the mouths of the prophets of old.

Below is last year's Yom Teruah message which I believe is still relevant. If so inclined, please feel free to send this to others.

Habakkuk 2:1-2: "I will stand on my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to [literally "in"] me, and what I will answer when I am reproved. Then YHVH answered me and said: 'Write the vision and make it plain on tablets that he who reads it may run".

The watchman comes up with this statement against the backdrop of Chapter One, where we find him observing what is taking place in his own backyard, with hostility, iniquity, wickedness, strife, contention, lawlessness, and perverted justice being commonplace (see vs 1-4). But instead of attending to his task, the bewildered watchman lodges his complaint before YHVH, who apparently is not being moved by this evil. However, YHVH is about to address His messenger's grievance, but will do so in an unexpected manner. Thus He proceeds to declare: "Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days-- You would not believe if you were told" (1:5).

YHVH then goes on to describe in detail the astonishing phenomenon to which He had just alluded, that is, the "Chaldeans" whom He had been raising up. In today's geopolitical terms the land of the Chaldeans is the heartland of Islam. Here is how YHVH depicts this people group: "… fierce and impetuous people who march throughout the earth to seize dwelling places which are not theirs. They are dreaded and feared. Their justice and authority originate with themselves. All of them come for violence ("hamas"). They collect captives like sand. They mock at kings, and rulers are a laughing matter to them. They laugh at every fortress… (1:6-10). Responding to this prediction, the prophet/watchmen intones: "You, O YHVH, have appointed them to judge; and You, O Rock, have established them to correct…" (v. 12b). The watchman is now gaining understanding as to how the Judge of Israel will be dealing with His people who have strayed from His ways.

These "Chaldeans" are portrayed as hunters who are laying nets in order to capture their pray: "They take up all of them with a hook, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their dragnet. Therefore they rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice to their net, and burn incense to their dragnet…Will they therefore empty their net and continually slay nations without sparing?" (1:15-17 emphasis added). The Hebrew word for "net" here is "cherem," being the very word that is used in Malachi 4:6: "And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children [Heb. – "sons"], and the hearts of the children [Heb. – "sons"] to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a "cherem" (generally translated "curse").

Interestingly, the watchman, as he is described in Chapter Two verses 1-2 is watching to hear what YHVH would speak ("into him", as mentioned above). How does one watch to hear? Obviously YHVH is putting his messenger through a season of training. To be well prepared for his task he needs to become one with the vision. In fact, he is also being reproved, so that he would become the very "proof" of this vision (similarly, "proof" is also embedded within the Hebrew noun used here for "reproof"). Therefore when time comes for passing on the message, there will be an impartation, or infusion, of the vision. The vision will be so clear, that there will be no guessing as to what is being seen and heard. What's more, in the injunction of making the message "plain on tablets" (2:2) is a hidden reference to the Torah, as if YHVH is responding to the prophet's earlier complaint, "the Torah is ignored" (1:4). "Making plain" is "ba'er," which is used only in Deuteronomy 1:5 and 27:8, in both cases in relationship to Moses expounding on the Torah. The verb b.e.r. shares its root with the noun "be'er," which is a "well". Thus, the elucidated words of the Torah are likened to deep and thirst-quenching water. Additionally, the watchman is told to inscribe these Torah-based words on "lu'chot," tablets, the very same word used for the tablets that Moses brought down from the Mountain, as well as for the "tablets of the heart" (ref. Is. 30:8; Jer.17:1). Could these references to Torah also have something to do with the above-mentioned Malachi 4:4, where YHVH charges His people to remember the Torah of Moses and its commands and warns of the consequences of turning away from them?

Once the watchman is fully prepared to pass on the vision, "the one who reads it may run" (2:2b) with a good cause, because he is to issue a warning to YHVH's people, to turn from their evil and wicked ways. Hence they are described as "… the proud one, his soul is not right within him…Furthermore, wine betrays the haughty man, so that he does not stay at home. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and he is like death, never satisfied. He also gathers to himself all nations and collects to himself all peoples. Will not all of these take up a taunt-song against him, even mockery and insinuations against him, and say, 'Woe to him who increases what is not his-- For how long-- and makes himself rich with loans?' Will not your creditors rise up suddenly, and those who collect from you awaken? Indeed, you will become plunder for them. Because you have looted many nations, all the remainder of the peoples will loot you-- Because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land, to the town and all its inhabitants. Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house to put his nest on high to be delivered from the hand of calamity! You have devised a shameful thing for your house by cutting off many peoples; so you are sinning against yourself" (Hab. 2:5-10). This text is quite descriptive of what have been standard practices within the Judeo-Christian nations. The prophet Jeremiah warns that YHVH will first send the fishers, and then the hunters (ref. Jeremiah 16:16), which is once again a reference to Islam, as both Ishmael and Esau were hunters.

Will Ephraim, who has been dubbed "a watchman with my Elohim, a prophet;" (Hosea 9:8), pick up the mantle and follow through? Or will he be "a snare of a fowler in all his ways, [with] hatred in the house of his Elohim" (cont. Hos. 8)? Will he be the watchman/guard on Mount Ephraim who calls out, "let us go to Zion to YHVH our Elohim" (Jer. 31:6)? Or will he be likened to the "blind watchmen" and the "dumb dogs" who are "greedy" and "not satisfied" (Is. 56:10,11), much like those who were described above in Habbakuk 2:6,8,9 and 10?

Perhaps we need to read the following: (Daniel 9: 4-19; Nehemiah 1: 5-11; Nehemiah 9: 5-38)!
Ephraim 10/09/2010

An observation

2012-02-02T17:49:00.001+02:00

"Wars and rumors of war," and "peace, peace when there is no peace," are commonly used biblical phrases these days, especially as we seem to be drawing closer to times of increasing tribulations.

As far as Israel and its national security are concerned, the nation of Iran poses the greatest danger. The Iranian military advancements make the Israeli news daily. This week the Iranians unveiled a version of the cruse missile that can carry, with greater accuracy, its nuclear pay-load to distant locations. As most of the world knows, the Iranian nuclear plant (largest in the world) is now in full operation, and it is predicted that within a year they will have a bomb in spite of the Russian guarantees which the West has swallowed "hook, line and sinker."

The Iranian president is very vocal about his intents to destroy the "little satan" of the Middle East. He has also stood up and defied the leaders of the world in a way similar to the prophet Habakkuk's description, "They all [or he, Ahamedinijad] come for violence; their [his] faces are set like the east wind… They [he] scoff at kings, and princes are scorned by them [him]…" (Habakkuk 1:9-10). Notice the face that is set like the east wind. Which way does the east wind blow other than west? Is this why Iran was at war with Iraq, its westerly neighbor, for some 10 years in the 1980's? Outwardly they were fighting over oil-rich lands, but what was the real reason? The United States and its allies have done Iran a great favor when they did away with the military leadership and power of Iraq. Now that the U.S. has removed its "strike forces" out of that country, it leaves Iraq at the mercy of its former enemy and the rest of the American support troops vulnerable to the Iranian Shiite forces that are already in Iraq. Syria, Lebanon, and Hamas are all controlled by Iran, and the only country that stands in their way of smothering Israel is Iraq. Iran now has a golden opportunity to set up a puppet government in their neighboring country, just like they did in Lebanon ('Le-banana'), using America's democratization of Iraq as the means with which to do so. "A bitter and hasty nation which marches through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs. They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves" (Habakkuk 1:6-7).

Some predicted an Israel-Lebanon war to erupt in the wake of the border incident which resulted in the killing of an Israeli officer a few weeks ago, but failed to notice how quickly Syria and the Saudis stepped in. The U.S rewarded the Saudis with a fleet of new F' 15's for their support. At the same time Turkey put down some Kurdish rebels who are fighting for their independence. These Kurds are members of an ethnic group which has a presence also in Iraq. The world refuses to acknowledge the Kurds as a legitimate nation, while the so-called Palestinians are everyone's favorite underdog that must be pacified and coddled.

No doubt we are living in some very precarious times. But we must remember Who is in charge of fulfilling His word amongst the nations.
"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against YHVH and against His anointed [the whole house of Israel], saying, 'Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; YHVH shall hold them in derision" (Psalm 2:1-4). The Almighty will act, but not without using a people that He has called out (Firstborn nation Israel) in this generation to carry out His will. If you believe yourself to be a "Gentile" grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel, then according to Paul you are no longer to look at yourself that way. You are now an Israelite who belongs to the commonwealth of Israel's kingdom, under the reign of its Messiah. If you do not know what it means to be an Israelite, a firstborn, I would encourage you to drop us a line with your home mailing address. Likewise, you may be Jewish or an Ephraimite, but are not clear as to what it means to be an Israelite grafted back into YHVH's kingdom, or have an understanding regarding the importance of this role. Additionally, the book may hold information that you might need in order to understand your corporate role in the coming days, especially as Scripture predicts an inevitable war with the surrounding nations (see Joel chapter 3).

2012-01-26T11:40:00.002+02:00

Mercy or Wrath

In his commentarial writings (re the Tanach/Old Testament), Paul describes in Romans chapter 9 his great burden for "his kinsmen according to the flesh who are Israel" (referring to the whole house of Israel and not just to Judah, that is, the Jews). He explains there that out of the seed of Jacob will come forth vessels of mercy, but also vessels of wrath. Paul uses the analogy of the "one lump" (Jacob) of clay: "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if Elohim, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles [nations]?" (Romans 9:21-24. See also Jeremiah 18:4-6).

Paul then goes on to specifically clarify who these called-out ones are from the nations, by drawing from the prophet Hosea: "As He says also in Hosea: 'I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved'" (2:23). "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' there they shall be called 'sons of the living Elohim'" (1:10). It is clear, of course, who the prophet was addressing. Paul then switches back to Isaiah and draws our attention to even more details: "Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: 'Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved; for He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because YHVH will make a short work upon the earth'" (Isaiah 10:22; Romans 9:21-27 emphasis added).
Here Isaiah uses the word "remnant." Thus, out of the multitudes of the descendents of Jacob, YHVH will have only a certain number of "lost Israelites/"wild olive branches" upon whom He will bestow mercy. He will bring (or graft) that quota, through the new covenant in Messiah, back into the olive tree of Israel, as there is only one root (Jesse/through Yeshua) out of the twelve that connects them to the covenants with the forefathers.

In their writings, when quoting the prophets, the apostles always kept the original text in its context. They knew who were the called, chosen, and foreknown of YHVH. They all understood that the promised seed would come out of Sarah's dead womb, and that YHVH's chosen nation would also be birthed by another barren mother, Rebecca (see Romans 9: 9-10).

Paul sums up his explanation at the end of chapter 10 by quoting (again) from Isaiah 65: "I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me. But [literally, moreover] to Israel He says [or, He says to Israel]: 'All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people'" (Romans 10:20-21; Isaiah 65:1-2). Notice that the translators' preconceived idea has led all of them to translate the Greek word deh, as it appears here, as "but" (whereas in the previous verse, where that word is also to be found, different Bible versions have rendered it in a variety of ways). Thus, it seems that one could read Romans 10:21: "Moreover, he says to Israel…" – meaning that the ones who "did not seek" Him (mentioned in verse 20) are the same ones that are cited in this verse (21). Knowing the history of the northern kingdom, this shoe certainly fits.

Then without taking a breath, Paul continues (in the next chapter), combining what he had said in Romans 9 and 10: "I say then, has Elohim cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite (notice he did not say Jewish in this context, because he is identifying himself with the whole house of Israel) of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Elohim has not cast away His people whom He foreknew" (Romans 11:1-2). This statement connects us back to what the apostle said in chapter 8: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified" (Romans 8: 29-30).

It is commonly and traditionally contended that Romans chapter 9 through 11 make up a kind of parenthesis in Paul's letter to non-Israelite Gentiles in Rome. But if we can switch from Constantinian ('universalistic') thinking, we will notice that Paul was sent to the nations in order bring in the "mercy vessels" out of the multitudes of the sand-of-the-sea Israelites; some of whom were appointed for wrath and some for grace. This is why the apostle makes his point by quoting from the Torah: "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.' So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of Elohim who shows mercy" (Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:15-16).

Ephraim 06/08/2010

Letter to the Returnees

2012-01-20T17:14:00.000+02:00

Letter 463 (letter to returnees) 30/07/2010
This week, as we looked at the first 16 verses of Isaiah 65, it became unmistakably clear that a very serious message and call is issued in this text to the descendants of the northern kingdom. The relevancy of the message would have been appropriate only to those who were beginning to come out of their state of "a nation that did not call My name" (Isaiah 65:2), that is those who had been in oblivion regarding their identity and were just beginning to discover it. Hence, it would have been mainly directed at the first century addressees of the apostles' messages, and later down the road, to those who now are likewise finding out their Israelite heritage.

So, what is it that YHVH is saying to these returnees, who are no doubt gleefully celebrating their newly found identity? He first defines them as "rebellious" (verse 2), but also as very religious, self righteous, and sanctimonious (verses 3-5; something He would not have found necessary to say to the nations that were steeped in idol worship and didn't know any better). The fact that YHVH is addressing those whom He had called His own is further made clear by His strong rebuke of them, and of their fathers : "Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence, but will repay -- even repay into their bosom -- your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,' says YHVH, 'who have burned incense on the mountains and blasphemed Me on the hills; Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom'" (verses 6-7). In verse 9 He calls them by name: "I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah an heir of My mountains." He then goes on to qualify what are some of the traits of this people: "But you are those who forsake YHVH, who forget His holy mountain" (verse 11). One does not forsake or forget someone or something that one had not been acquainted with or connected to in the first place. Again, it is obvious that YHVH is speaking to His own! In His address He intermingles descriptions such as: "My elect shall inherit it, and My servants shall dwell there. Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for My people who have sought Me" (verse 9-10), with the negative ones we have looked at above. And so, within the same people group are to be found His servants, His elect, a people who have sought Him, but also the blasphemous ones, the idol worshippers, those who are forsaking and forgetting Him, and the hypocrites who are 'holier than thou.' YHVH then goes on to describe the blessings that are awaiting His faithful and obedient ones, contrasting them with the very severe judgment that is to be the lot of the others.

Paul makes reference to this chapter in his commentary to "his kinsman after the flesh," in Romans chapters 9 and 10. He mentions that within YHVH's chosen people there are those on whom He will have mercy and those on whom He will not (9:15-18). There are many who have not understood this latter statement. Often it has even been viewed as 'unfair.' But if read in the context of Isaiah 65:1-16 it becomes much clearer. Finally, if we are those mercy vessels, then we must pay close attention to what Isaiah is saying to us in the aforementioned chapter.

2012-01-11T18:16:00.002+02:00

Chasing Vultures 16/07/2010

"So He [YHVH] said to him [Abram], 'Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.' Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other… And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away" (Genesis 15:9-11 emphasis added).

While reading the above verses from Genesis this week, a parallel from our own lives had occurred to me. In Romans chapter 12 it says that we too are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to our Elohim (v. 1). And as I was thinking of the fact that (literal) sacrifices require a knife or sword, to cut through bones, another scripture came to mind.

"For the word of Elohim is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:12-13 emphases added), just like the animals that Abram divided in half, whose every part was laid open before YHVH.

However, these sacrifices can also catch the attention of 'other entities. In our case the vultures may be equated to the wicked one's messengers (ref. Matthew 13:4, 19). Have you ever noticed that on days that you really want to offer yourself up to YHVH and you use the knife/sword of the Word, suddenly some of your daily experiences produce an unusual quantity of thoughts and emotions of pride, self-righteousness, bitterness, strife, contention, self-pity, impatience etc.? The power of sin bombards you with the lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh. The temperature of temptation rises to uncomfortable heights.

Cooking in your own sweat you now find yourself complaining that YHVH hasn't shown up to take what you wanted to offer Him. And so you spend your day fighting off these "scavengers," like your father Abraham. However, finally the sun goes down and in your exhaustion you fall into a deep sleep - resting at last. Perhaps it is then that YHVH comes to you and says "well done good and faithful servant, I accept your sacrifice."

When you awake at dawn there seems to be a new sense of life and peace, and you are ready to offer the morning sacrifice of praise.
"I praise You, YHVH - Elohey Yeshua’tee (God of my Salvation),
I praise You, Elohi (my God), in Your sanctuary; I Praise You in Your mighty firmament! I praise You, Boreh Olam (Creator of the Universe), for Your mighty acts; I praise You, El Shaddai (God Almighty), according to Your excellent greatness!" (from Psalm 150)

(War...no war...war)

2012-01-01T11:06:00.001+02:00

(war…no war…war…)
09/07/2010

For the past few months we have been hearing rumors that a war is supposedly 'due' to occur in Israel this summer. Hezbollah has thousands of rockets, soldiers, and weapons in the towns and cities of the southern Lebanon. Cargos going to Gaza are no longer subject to the former stringent control that Israel has thus far subjected them to, so that the local weapon industry can now enjoy relative ease (not to speak of the hundreds of underground tunnels which serve to smuggle just about anything into Gaza from Egypt). Iran continues with its nuclear program. And so, let us ask again, will we have war this summer? In the past week some interesting analysis has come up as to why it appears that there will NOT be a war in and around Israel, at least this summer.

1. Hamas needs time to reestablish its political influence in the upcoming direct talks between the PA (Palestinian Authority) and Israel. It also needs to bring under its wings the other terrorist groups that float around freely. But more importantly, if the PA does start making headway towards a Palestinian State in the (so called) West Bank, Hamas could lose its supporters there.
2. Hezbollah, even though prepared to go to war, cannot do it alone. They need the backing (not just supplies) of Syria, Iran, and to a lesser extent Hamas. They also want to gain more influence in the Lebanese government, which is putting some restraints on them at present because this summer their economic growth (due to tourism) has sky rocketed, and a war would put an end to it.
3. As crazy as the Iranian leader may be, he is not dumb. Iran cannot afford a war with the United States. That is unless the US decides to strike first, in order to protect its oil interests, as President Bush did in 1991 when Saddam Hussein was of the opinion that he could just walk into Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and take over.

Don't be naive in thinking that all the US war equipment in the
Persian Gulf is there to protect Israel. The scenario could be similar to the ones in past Gulf wars, providing US strikes first (which will be encouraged and financed by the so called moderate Arab States), that is on the condition that Israel stays out of the conflict. But at the same time, those Islamic nations, like the Saudis, would love to see Iran and Hezbollah finish Israel off. Thus, the US, because of its need for oil is falling right into the hands of the Islamists.

The oil disaster in another gulf is linked directly to what is going on in the Middle East. Last summer we pointed out, based on words penned by the prophet Habakkuk that Islam is spreading throughout the Western nations. These Muslims are the hunters with the "net" (chrem) mentioned in Habakkuk chapter 1 and Malachi 4:6 (where it is translated "curse"). They are making their way into the nations that are financially indebted to the oil-rich countries. Thus the hunters may grab their catch/booty from the "net".

"'Woe to him who increases what is not his -- how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges. Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty" (Habakkuk 2:6-7). Many Western countries have made pledges (to repay debt) and are now financially indebted to, for example, the Saudi king. Hence these countries' leaders must bow and kiss the hand of their master (and President Obama is not the first one to do so). "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverb 22:7).

YHVH's judicial system is in operation, and hence He says: "I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there…" (Joel 3:2). Because Israel is the scapegoat in the above scenario, we will have to be alert watchmen, keeping our eye on the prophetic future. "Look among the nations and watch -- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you" (Habakkuk 1:5).

Ephraim

New Covenant Israel

2011-12-19T10:53:00.003+02:00

02/07/2010
Looking back at recent history, some of us may remember the move of the Spirit that took place in the late sixties and early seventies. YHVH's grace raced through the denominational churches and caught thousands of people up in His Holy Spirit. This move of Elohim created a hunger in a lot of hearts for the whole counsel of YHVH, which included the Torah and the books of the prophets. Many of these Bible believers began to identify to the present Jewish nation and Zionism. In doing so some also started to search out their own Jewish roots. Ultimately this evolved to the understanding of the prophetic destiny of the House of Jacob and its division into two houses, two families. But it was not only Christians that were visited by the Spirit; Jews also began to accept the New Covenant blood of their Messiah Yeshua, which then progressed into the Messianic Jewish movement.

In the course of time the Messianic body split into many fragmented groups, with a variety of definitions as to who is a true believer in the gospel of Yeshua the Messiah and how such a believer should conduct himself. The title "Christian" was frowned upon by many, and so like the Muslims we called ourselves "believers." However, taking up that 'title' did not define what it was that we actually believed. With that query in mind, may I offer a Scripture-based synopsis of the New Covenant person?

Obviously such a one would have to identify with the text of Jeremiah 31:31 which introduces the New Covenant: "Behold, the days are coming, says YHVH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." But it doesn't stop there. YHVH further elaborates on the nature of this covenant and its recipients: "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says YHVH: 'I will put My law/Torah in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know YHVH,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says YHVH. 'For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more'" (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

From these scriptures we can draw several conclusions:
1) These "new covenant" people know that they are Israelites or Jewish. 2) Torah is in their minds and hearts. 3) The Spirit residing in them leads, guides, and instructs in righteousness. 4) They all know YHVH the Elohim of their forefathers. 5) They also know that YHVH has forgiven their iniquities and will not remember their sins.
Although these parameters are quite basic, they are sufficient to form a sound foundation.

In a recent letter I had received from a friend, he told me of a question that is often hurled at him: "So just what kind of Christian are you anyway?" He then goes on to say, quite revealingly: "I no longer tell them that I'm a 'born again, Spirit filled, evangelical, HYPOcharisMANIAC, judeo-christian-zionst, non-Jewish Jacob, sons of Joseph Messianic, Jesus Freak (maahn!)…"

The simplest answer to the above-posed question is given by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians (2:12), where he tells the believers that they now belong to the commonwealth of Israel; making them redeemed "Israelites." Why must we narrow our identity down to this one word? Because YHVH says, as we saw above, that the New Covenant pertains to the "house of Israel and the house of Judah," and what's more, that days are coming when these two houses will be joined together as one nation in the land.

"Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again" (Ezekiel 37: 21-22).

In scriptural chronology, the restoration of the whole nation of Israel seems to be YHVH's grand finale in His redemption plan of the creation, during the course of which He also demonstrates His faithfulness to His chosen people. There is only one nation on this earth that has been called to become YHVH's expression of righteousness, a light to the rest of the nations. There are 'Christian ministries' that presume that their 'anointing' will bring about some great national revival that would restore a nation like the United States, for example, to some previous spiritual glory (that it never had in the first place) and catapult this nation to an even greater splendor. Scriptures indicate, on the other hand, that all the nations at present are dangling over the valley of Yah's judgments.

When Israel was in bondage in Egypt they could only be released to return to the land of promise when the iniquity of the Amorites became full, or complete. Could we be seeing something very similar today, as we are fast approaching the fullness of iniquity of this world? Watch and pray that the day of your return will not come upon you/us as a thief. (from letter 459) (02/07/2010)

The end is not yet

2011-12-11T19:51:00.001+02:00

Letter 458 (the end is not yet) 18/06/2010

This letter is a little out of character for me, but I feel compelled to share some thoughts that have been stirring in my inner being for the past few days. As you know, the cyber world has been and is increasingly buzzing with various ideas and interpretations based on Yeshua's end-time descriptions and on scriptures from Revelation.

I have been living in Israel for almost 30 years and I don't think one year has passed without the end-time mills grinding their endless rumors. Nevertheless, having said that, I must admit that recently nothing has captivated my attention as much as the 'oil geyser' in the Gulf of Mexico.

In a presentation called "The Waters Cleaved,"* made sometime ago by creation scientist Dr. Grady McMurtry, he explains what happened to the earth during Noah's Flood. McMurtry shows the topography of the bottom of the oceans, and how one continent split up into seven in approximately nine months. This presentation illustrates how the waters that were under the earth surface were being heated to the point of becoming liquid steam, termed "supper hot water." When the built-up pressure (like that of a pressure cooker) had no other outlet, it blew open the crust of the earth. This crack can be seen on any map of the ocean floor.

The point of this letter is not to examine what happen to the earth at the time of the Flood, but to consider what could happen to the earth in our day and age, whether we are now 'officially' in the end times or not. As you are aware, there are vast amounts of oil under, or in, the earth's crust. Some of that oil is being heated just like the waters were, giving off gases and building up the level of pressure. In the context of what is taking place in the Gulf of Mexico, it is hard to ignore Peter's words about the elements melting and the earth burning (ref. 2 Peter 3:10). Interestingly, large gas deposits are continually being discovered off the shores of Israel. Will this prove to be a blessing to our little State?

Two weeks ago we wrote about the opening of the seals. When the sixth seal was opened, "there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood" (Revelation 6:12). Like the great earthquake at the time of Noah, so too there could be another tremor of a similar magnitude that would fracture areas of the earth's crust. In such an event, the super hot oil and gases would be released, along with the lava which together would ignite into a gigantic inferno sending up black poisonous smoke. No doubt these eruptions would block out the sunlight ("blackening" the sun) and cause the moon to appear blood-red, not to mention what would happen to life in those areas (although it is not unlikely that all or some of these conditions would be localized and not spread over the entire earth).

At present we can be thankful that the oil disaster is taking place in a water environment. If it were happening on land, the fire would not be extinguishable. Because of the level of pressure that is behind this volcanic upsurge of oil, the experts say that it is impossible to cap it. As we have seen over the past several years, earthquakes are increasing and intensifying thus as terrible as the oil spill is, it is one more in a series that makes up present-day events. In the midst of Peter's descriptions of the age of tribulation, he asks the following question: "What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?" (2 Peter 3:11b).

According to the Word, these large scale disasters are to affect the heavenly bodies (the sun and the moon), which were created, among other reasons, in order to be for "signs and seasons." These "seasons" by in large have been ignored by most of those who were not necessarily strangers to the text (the Scriptures) where these heavenly bodies and their purpose are mentioned. Hence YHVH could remove from view these signs that mark His (greatly neglected) special seasons.

"But if they [the whole house of Israel] confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me, and that I also have walked contrary to them and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt -- then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham I will remember; I will remember the land (and the earth)" (Leviticus 26:40-42).

Duty-Bound

2011-12-04T22:08:00.001+02:00

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.

Opening the Seals

2011-11-26T20:47:00.002+02:00

Opening the Seals

Growing up in a Christian environment, then later becoming a “spirit filled” believer I learned that Yeshua is always before the father interceding on our behalf. Every time I went to repent and take communion, I had in my mind the picture of Yeshua on hands and knees pleading with the Father to forgive me. However, having returned to the whole counsel of YHVH, reading and studying the Torah, I now have a different image of our High Priest as He stands before Elohim. Let us take a look at two of His ‘vestments’ which will put into perspective how we are represented before YHVH.

The description of the high priest’s regalia in Exodus 28:11-12; 36 and 39:30 features an item which is rendered like (the “like” being added by the translators) engravings of a signet. The reference here is to the two onyx stones that were placed on his shoulders, with the names of the tribes etched on them as “memorial stones for the sons of Israel” (verse 12). In this way, the high priest would approach YHVH on behalf of His people. The second item that is rendered in an identical manner has to do with the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, which was inscribed with “Holiness to YHVH,” also like “an engraving of a signet.” Here too it says, “it shall always be on his forehead, that they [Israel] may be accepted before YHVH.”

“Like an engraving of a signet” is rendered “pituchey chotam” in Hebrew - the engravings of a seal. Digging a little deeper, we discover that whereas “chotam” is a seal, “pituchey” (engravings of…) originates from the root p.t.ch (peh, tav, chet) meaning “to open” or “opening.” So, how is it that a “seal” and an “opening” signify the onyx stones as well as the engraving upon the high priest’s crown? Do these two seemingly opposing terms allude to something beyond that which meets the eye? Do they make their ‘joint appearance’ elsewhere in Scripture?

In Job, for example, there are descriptions of YHVH meting out justice to the earth’s inhabitants on the one hand, and controlling the order of the universe on the other. It says that He shakes the ends of the earth (as one would shake a tablecloth), turning it over like one would a clay seal. This is the “shaking” of the wicked off the earth (ref. 38:13-14). In verse 31 He declares that He is the One who “loosens the belt of Orion.” The literal Hebrew word there for loosening is “opening.”

Not coincidentally, the bride in Solomon’s Song is likened to a sealed fountain (4:12), while she herself implores her beloved to set her as a seal upon [His] heart” and “a seal upon [His] arm” (8:6). He, on the other hand, “knocks, saying, ‘Open for me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one…’” (5:2).

Interestingly, the two forefathers of the first fruit remnant, Judah and Joseph, were also ‘marked,’ respectively, by “pituchey-chotam” – opening and seal. “When the famine was over all the face of the earth … Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians” (Genesis 41:56). However, he would not have been able to do all that had he not been “freed by the ruler of the people” (ref. Psalms 105:20). “Freed” or “let go” there is literally “and it was opened up for him.” When Tamar, in her act of righteousness, masqueraded as a whore, she demanded that Judah leave with her several pledges. One of those was a “seal” (ref. Genesis 38:18), without which she could not have proven her innocence.

Thus we see that whether Israel is depicted as a bride with her beloved Bridegroom, or in the ‘form’ of the ‘two houses,’ Yeshua’s seals and their ‘openings’ are being featured in relationship to His people.

The next encounter with opening and seals is found in Revelation Chapter 5, where only Yeshua is seen worthy of opening the seals of the “book.” What was it that enabled Yeshua to carry out this most important task, which no one else could execute? “For You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our Elohim; and we shall reign on the earth" (5:9-10). That which qualified Him to open the seals was what He had accomplished by having given up His life, redeeming for His Father those who are to be kings and priests and who would reign on earth.

As we know, there were seven seals altogether. Upon opening the first four, dire calamities and disasters were unleashed upon the earth, as did the opening of the sixth one. Before the opening of the seventh seal, we encounter “seals” once again. Remember Job’s “four corners of the earth”? In Revelation 7:1-4 we read about the “… four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth…Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living Elohim. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our Elohim on their foreheads.’ And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed…” (emphasis added). “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” (7:9).

In the “opening of the seals,” Elohim is starting to give free rein so that disasters could plague our planet, for the sake of those who are represented by the two ‘opened-seal’ onyx stones, while at the same time opening a process of sealing these ones whose stones His High Priest Son is bearing before Him.

A few years ago, a warning went out that Turkey was going to become a major player in the “axis of evil.” Yes, we need to watch for wars and the rumors of wars as Yeshua said, but we also must know that our High Priest is standing before the Father with the onyx stones, on His shoulders and the golden band with “Holiness unto YHVH” on His forehead. Yeshua is in charge of opening the seals, and for the timing thereof while having us, His beloved Israel right at the focus of these events.

Let us of the redeemed remnant who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, who are privileged to be incorporated into this age-old ongoing process, sing this Shabbat along with the twenty-four elders: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing... be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" (Revelation 5:12-13). Let the Joshua and Caleb companies stay steadfast and immovable always abounding in the work of YHVH, with our King of kings and High Priest marching ahead during these troublesome times!

First Fruit

2011-10-29T11:04:00.002+02:00

In Parasha of “Mishpatim”, we find the ordinance of first fruit: "The first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of YHWH your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk” (Shemot – Exodus - 23:19). In today’s world, there is very little significance to first fruit or to firstborn; in some circles separating milk from meat seems to be more the order of the day (if indeed that’s what it means). In the eyes of YHWH and in His plan of redemption, the principle of firstborn, or first fruit, is of paramount importance. In his epistle, Ya’acov (James), after addressing the 12 tribes, writes: “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruit of His creatures” (James 1:18). Also Rav Shaul writes: “For if we are in the Messiah we are a first fruit of a new creation order”, (ref. 2Cor. 5:17; Rom 8:23). Ya’acov’s mention of the twelve tribes is no mere coincidence, for they are the ones who had been designated as first fruit, even before Messiah’s redemptive work had been executed. The concept of first fruit already had its beginning in the days of Cain and Abel, and later in the covenant that YHWH made with the line of those chosen for the position of firstborn in humanity: Noah, Shem, Ever, Avraham, Yitzhak, and Ya’acov.

When Moshe was told by YHWH to bring His people out of Egypt, he was sent to Pharaoh with the message that, “Israel is My son, my firstborn” (Shemot 4:22). Later, after killing all the firstborn of Egypt, YHWH announced to Israel: "Consecrate to Me all the firstborn; whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine" (Shemot 13:2). "You shall set apart to YHWH all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be YHWH’s” (Shemot 13:12).

The Hebrew word for firstborn, in Shemot 13:12 is “peh’ter”, meaning to separate, or first open. Other meanings for the same root are: remove, set free, depart, split, and break through. The injunction to “set apart” or to “dedicate”, in this verse, is from the same root as the noun “Hebrew”. (Note: generally, the root for to set apart or to consecrate is k.d.sh, and for firstborn it is b.ch.r.) This unusual choice of words, here in Shemot 13:12, seems to highlight the idea of breaking through and passing over, while being given, or recognized as belonging to, YHWH. This makes the Hebrews, whose name is derived from their forefather, Ever, a firstborn nation dedicated and set apart unto YHWH their God.

But what does it actually mean to be a firstborn or a first fruit?

According to the Torah statute it means to belong to YHWH. Those who are His, are identified as His property by being stamped (literally, or figuratively), or marked out through circumcision. This principle of possession is articulated in the oft-occurring expression: “for My namesake”. The notion of ownership and possession, commonplace in the world, applies no less to YHWH’s relationship with His people. "But YHWH has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are this day.” (Devarim 4:20); ”for YHWH'S portion is His people; Ya’acov is the place of His inheritance.” (Devarim 32:9).

We were visiting some friends who have two little boys, 3 and 5, this past week, and were told the following story: When the boys’ grandmother had visited them she said to the 3 year old: “Because I love you, you are the apple of my eye”. The older brother became indignant, and in defense of his younger sibling said to the grandmother: “If you love someone you don’t call him fruit!” YHWH, like that grandmother, calls Israel, as a sign of endearment “the apple of My eye”. But whereas in the case of the little boy it was very clear why a dotting grandmother would so call her grandson, it is less clear in the case of Israel, in fact it begs the question: What is so lovable about a stubborn, rebellious, idolatrous, adulterous people, who are actually more like a speck in the eye? Is it for their namesake that YHWH persists in His love, or is it because they are His beloved first born? (See Ez. 36:22-32)

Moshe seemed to understand this Torah ordinance. For when YHWH was about to judge Israel, he reminded Him concerning His own inheritance: "O Adoni YHWH, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand…. Yet they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your mighty power and by Your outstretched arm” (Devarim – Deut.9:26,29). Later Daniel and Ezra interceded for YHWH’s people in the same way (see Daniel 9 and Ezra 9). True intercessors for Israel always understood this principle of the firstborn or first fruit. It was the most effective prayer in addressing the Almighty.

It is not only the ‘possession’ who is marked for the sake of identity, but the ‘possessor’ too is stamped for the sake of His beloved. In Isaiah, YHWH points out that Zion is engraved on the palm of His hand: “See, I have inscribed, engraved, etched you on the palms of My hands” (Is. 49:16). Is there a more direct illustration of this than Yeshua’s “burrowed through” hands, described so graphically by King David in Tehilim – Ps. 22:15-16? YHWH’s unalterable love for His possession is seen in the death of the Messiah. May we respond to Him as beautifully as the Shulamite does in the Song of Songs: “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised. (Song of Songs – Shir Hashirim - 8:6-7).

The Messiah is seen standing on His feet of burnished bronze, as though they had passed through a furnace of fire, and with a winnowing fork in His hand. He has gone out to the nations for the harvest, to bring in and process the first of the first fruit company, which will ultimately be placed in a basket and taken on the 8th day to the place that is called by YHWH’s name (Devarim 26:2; Shemot 22:29-30).
Ephraim

The Myth

2011-10-02T13:38:00.001+02:00

The other day we took a little trip to Jerusalem’s Western Wall. No, it wasn’t for praying purposes, but in order to ‘journey’ underground, along the 488 meters (approx. 550 yards) of the Western Wall, which is almost the entire length of the western side of the Temple Mount compound built by Herod. Our guide was a religious young woman, and very knowledgeable about the area. However, while questioning her about the First Temple, she said that there was no physical evidence that it had ever existed. I couldn’t believe my ears! I then proceeded to tell her about our visits to Joshua’s altar on the Mount of Curse (Eval). Again, she was refuting the authenticity of that site too. In my shock, I told her that her fellow orthodox Zionist settlers, who live in the area of Shechem, stake their claim for being there on such archeological evidence. She sat down for a moment on the mother rock of Mount Moriah, and confessed that she too believed that the altar was truly dated to Joshua’s time, but…. After returning home and pondering for a while why this government employee would try so hard to explain away her own biblical history, I was struck by a word - “myth”. A myth, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, is a traditional story presenting supernatural beings, ancestors or heroes that serve a primordial types in a primitive view of the world; a fictitious or imaginary story, person, or thing; a false belief.

The enemy of the Word of God has basically one weapon that he uses for blinding and binding the people; deceiving his victims into believing lies. This is why Yeshua called him “the father of lies”. "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).

If the so-called peace process, or land for peace, is going to succeed, an atmosphere of deception, against some basic truths must be created. One such deception in particular, which is very subtle, has to do with the most important issues of legal and legitimate claims to Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem; in other words, the entire land of Israel. The world, using its most educated experts in the professions of archeology and history, has come to the conclusion that there is no physical evidence of an ancient people called the Hebrews; no Exodus from Egypt; no First Temple in Jerusalem; no Joshua’s altar, etc. rendering any historical claim to the land null and void. If they manage to convince enough people in this generation to believe their lie, our children and grandchildren may just learn that the stories of the Torah are nothing more than mythology, and the God of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya’acov will simply join the ranks of the rest of the gods of the Greek beast.

The Islamic religious authorities of the Temple Mount (the Wakf) dumped 900 truckloads of debris, which were hauled from the Temple Mount area, into the valley below. Our government (and the powerful Antiquities Department) purposely turned their back on this, and as a matter of fact arrested a student of archeology, for taking (“stealing”) from the dump precious artifacts of the Second and possibly First Temple Periods. Why is there such a blatant attempt to get rid of any, if not all, of these facts and evidence?

The land of Israel, our inheritance, is being contested like never before. Why? For the same reason that our identity is being warred against. This piece of real estate here in the Middle East is just as important to God’s plan of redemption as are the people. We cannot separate one from the other. Whether we find one archeological object or not, we still have the Word of Truth as written down by Moses and the prophets. This will stand as the one eternal testimony that God is who He says He is. Our heavenly Father wants us to be His witness on this earth, and has given us His Spirit for this purpose, to lead and guide us into all truth; a truth which will prove to be more than mere ‘head knowledge’, but rather will become a revelation of Him, through a people living in His land.

We, who have found our true spiritual identity in the Messiah and now also in ‘the natural’, as the seed of Israel, are also being challenged by the enemy; he wants us to continue to live as if we are not who God says we are. YHVH says that this nation, Israel, is to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation in the land, one that will show forth His righteousness and justice, as light to the other nations. Yeshua has come to set up His Father’s kingdom in us, the restored House of Jacob. Thus, to know who we are and to be sure of our calling, are vital matters. This truth of our identity as a redeemed first fruit people puts us back into a position that was lost in the Garden. We now stand, individually and corporately, through faith in what is true, as a beacon of light and as a sword in the hand of our God to destroy all the strongholds in the heavenly places. The lies and deceptions that have covered our souls like filthy rags are being removed in and through the death and resurrected life of our Messiah, who is replacing the lie with truth.

“Beware lest anyone deceive you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the myths of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to the anointing of Messiah (Colossians 2:8), Who is “the living way, truth and life”.

IDENTITY

2011-06-19T11:07:00.000+03:00

To start with, let us look again at a portion of last week’s letter; Shemot - Names. In the Bible one’s name was often connected to one’s identity. YHVH chose to answer Moses’ request, regarding His identity, by revealing to him His name, “I Will Be Whom I Will Be”, or “I AM” (Ex. 3:14). Moses was drawn out of the water by Pharaoh’s daughter, and was therefore named by her “Drawn Out Of” (Moshe). Later, when he was asked to deliver the people of Israel out of Egypt, the first thing that YHVH told him to do was to enlighten the ruler of the land as to their true identity. “Tell Pharaoh, thus says YHVH ‘Israel is My son, My first-born’” (Ex. 4:22). To let my people go …. er…. know, who they were, was the order of the day then, as it is now. This is also the overriding theme of Batya Wootten’s book, “Who Is Israel and Why You Need to Know”.

Why is it so imperative that we know who we are?

Most of the great Greek philosophers’ quest for knowledge revolved around this question, "who am I"? This issue was, and still is at the forefront of man's concerns, as we see in the modern day disciplines of psychiatry and philosophy. However, these latter, in much of their probing processes are like those blind characters that Yeshua referred to, who were trying to lead others as equally visually impaired. In recent years, a book called “Man’s Search For Meaning” became quite popular in educational circles (and in general). This remarkable little book was written by a Holocaust survivor; world-renowned psychiatrist, Vitor E. Frankl. On the cover of the book there is a quote from the Los Angeles Times: “…the most important contribution to psychiatry since the writings of Freud.”

Frankl describes his harrowing years in the Nazi extermination camp of Auschwitz. Everything that he and others had known themselves to be was stripped from them, especially their identity as human beings. With a number replacing their name, they found themselves in a situation where maintaining their identity became crucial for survival. During the three years of his incarceration Frankl was not aware that he had lost almost his entire family to the fires of this hell. However, through this experience he gained some simple, but profound insights into mankind’s grope for a higher meaning in life. Amidst his comrades, who in some cases struggled to survive and in other cases gave themselves up to death, he was able to detect in the depth of man’s being a duality which he describes thus: “In the concentration camps, in this living laboratory and on this testing ground, we watched and witnessed some of our comrades behave like swine while others behaved like saints. Man has both potentialities within himself” (p.213). When there was nothing tangible to cling to, for purpose or meaning, there were still those who had the resolve to live.

In the face of death, the driving force for their survival was, according to Frankl, based on three things: Doing a deed; experiencing a value, and suffering. As he watched men live and die in the most appalling conditions imaginable, he defined “man’s search for meaning” (or in my words, man’s search for his true identity), in these words: “Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him. By the spiritual act of love he is enabled to see the essential traits and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential in him, that which is not yet actualized but yet ought to be actualized. Furthermore, by his love the loving person enables the beloved person to actualize these potentialities. By making him aware of what he can be and of what he should become, he makes these potentialities come true” (p. 176-177).

The scriptures tell us that “YHVH IS LOVE”. Interestingly, they do so in exactly the same three ways discovered by Dr. Frankl. Our God brought us out of Egypt with a strong and mighty hand - doing a deed. He showed us His love, kindness, goodness, mercy, patience, justice - demonstrating His values. And then, He himself came and suffered, identifying with our sufferings, as He still does today.

Victor Frankl ends his book with these lines: “Our generation is realistic, for we have come to know man as he really is. After all, man is that being who has invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who has entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord’s Prayer or the ‘Sh’ma Yisrael’ on his lips” (p. 214). Yes, our Father who inhabits the heavens is Holy and has called us His sons; His firstborn sons. He tells us to listen - “sh’ma Yisrael”. The main reason that we do not act or behave like sons is because we do not really know who we are. “We have died and our life is hidden in Him, but when He, who is our life is revealed then we will be like Him in glory” (Col. 3:3-4). How are we to become as He is? By believing what He reveals to us about Himself. For the truth is, in Spirit we are as He is.

Our “son of man” part has been deceived into believing lies about our true identity. An enemy has sowed these untruths into our mind. When these seeds begin to grow they become an integral part of our thoughts and behavior. Yeshua has come to reveal these lies and to speak a liberating truth, setting us free from the grip of fear and pain. If Satan worked so hard to keep us oblivious to our true identity in the “natural”(damaging our souls), how much more so now, that we have a new identity also in the spirit, as sons of the living God!

While here, in His earthen vessel, Yeshua was called “Son of Man,” yet He came as the “Son of God”. Like Yeshua, we too have a dual identity, it therefore behooves us to discover the truth in regards to each one, as together they have an ongoing destiny to fulfill, while we are here on this earth. To know who we are, as the seed of Avraham, Yitzhak and Ya'acov and also to know who we are in the Messiah, brings into focus the full intentions of the redemptive plan of YHVH.

As Son of Man, Yeshua humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death on the cross. He made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of a bondservant, and although as the Son of God, being in the form of Elohim, He did not consider it robbery to be equal with His heavenly Father. So let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah Yeshua” (ref. Phil.2:5-8).

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2).

Ephraim

THE NAME

2011-06-06T14:46:00.000+03:00

The book of Bereshit (Genesis) ends the story of the patriarchs, or does it?

Moses continues the story of our Hebrew ancestors after three and a half centuries of a break in their recorded history. During this period we have no knowledge of any religious or political practices that held them together as an identifiable people, except that YHVH was watching over them, along with their Egyptian overlords. YHVH promised Ya’acov (Jacob) that in Egypt He would multiply his seed and that it would become a nation. In order to accomplish this purpose YHVH gave them, through Yosef, the best of all the land of Egypt.

Many generations had come and gone when the narrative of their history picks up again. In spite of the long time passage, YHVH was still identifying the multitudes as the “twelve sons of Israel”, “the b’ney (sons of) Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them” (Ex 1:7). This one statement affords us an immediate glimpse into the God of Israel’s faithfulness, not only to the promise that He made with Ya’acov, but also to the covenant that he made with Ya’acov’s forefather. “For when God made a promise to Avraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.’ That by these two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, and encouragement who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope that had been set before, these we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb. 6: 13-14,18-19a). Having our faith anchored in this covenant of YHVH’s faithfulness through blessing and multiplicity, we are shown the pathway that extends “beyond the veil”, opening the eyes of our understanding that we might behold His kingdom where Yeshua reigns.

The title of this second book of the Bible is “Shemot” – “Names. In these opening lines of “Shemot” we are having our minds trained to understand the Hebraic thought pattern in the form of the “seed principle”. In other words, the life of the father is in his progeny. Thus, no matter how many are in the multitudes, the Elohim still sees the one whom He called by name, and on whom He bestowed the blessing of fathering the many. Yitzhak was called to father a chosen nation -“Ya’acov”. This nation was destined to become a kingdom of kings and priests after the order of Melchizedek. Yeshua the Messiah of Ya’acov was the forerunner who entered in, through the sacrificing of Himself in order to bring many of the sons of God into the glory of His kingdom, which would then be made manifest in and through them as a nation on the earth.

Last week, in one of the teaching sessions, a visitor popped in to debate the Two House teaching. We happened to be studying Genesis 48, where Ya’acov, with his hands on Ephraim and Menashe’s heads, was blessing Yosef. She thought that Menashe’s blessings were exclusively for him, and that Ephraim’s was solely his. She could not put the two together, as her mind was accustomed to Greek-style categorizations. Comprehending the integration of the two blessings as one in the life of the father, and their (prophetic) extension to the entire House of Yoseph, was beyond her scope. It was amazing to watch, but it provided an opportunity that demonstrated how much in need we are of the renewal of the mind.

In the Scriptures, a word of prophecy is living and active, and even though unseen, it does not fade away just because we think it had seen its full realization in a specific historical even. A fulfillment of a prophetic word, therefore, in a certain episode does not exhaust YHVH’s ultimate purpose for that word. We many times limit the prophetic range of His Word by subjecting it to our rational Hellenistic thinking. Asking ourselves the Who, What, When, Where and How is a very effective way to study the Scriptures, but we must always inquire of the Holy Spirit to give us His understanding as well, for although the Word relates to time it is not bound by it, for it is interminable. There is some wise counsel in the book of proverbs that says: “Trust in YHVH with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him” (Prov. 3:5-6a). This is especially true while reading and studying His Word.

What’s in a name, could very well express why the sages gave this title, “Shemot”, to the book, which we incorrectly call “Exodus”. We have noted in previous letters that names are very significant, as can be seen in the burning bush scene, where YHVH is introducing Himself to Moshe. “Then YHVH said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your shoes off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I am the Elohim of your fathers--the Elohim of Avraham, the Elohim of Yitzhak, and the Elohim of Ya’acov.’ And Moshe hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon Elohim” (Shemot 3:5-6). YHVH was identifying Himself by the names of Moshe’s forefathers, (notice there is no concept of grandfathers or great grandfathers, just as there is none with seeds coming out of one father; it too is singular). The Creator, for the first time was introducing Himself by name to a man. Here is the scriptural rendering of this episode: “Then Moshe said to the Elohim ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, `the Elohim of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, `what is His name?' what shall I say to them?’. And the Elohim said to Moshe, ‘I will be whom I will be’” (commonly translated “I AM”), which is an all inclusive, but a somewhat evasive and obscure title. Seeing that the Elohim is the “all in all” of life, He could be known by many names. In other words, Elohim is saying to Moshe, ‘everything that you are experiencing in this present moment of your conscious life is Me’. Then He continued, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.'" What a way to dispel the darkness, by believing that God is all in all, that He is my life and the first cause of my experiences! Paul said it another way, as he addressed the seekers of knowledge in the Areopagus in Athens, to whom he explained who their “unknown God” was: “The One who made the world and everything in it, and Who is Lord of heaven and earth, and does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needs nothing, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things…for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:24-25,28). In other words “He is all and in all” (Col. 3:11).

YHVH knew that the sons of Israel could not identify, nor understand that name alone, so He combined the “I AM” with the names of the Patriarchs, which is the name He chose to be His witness, His memorial, His inheritance, His name sake. “Moreover He said to Moses, ‘thus you shall say to the children of Israel: `YHVH the Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Avraham, the Elohim of Yitzhak, and the Elohim of Ya’acov, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'” (Shemot 3:15-16). Is His name to be remembered as “I Am”, or is His name to be known as “Elohey Avraham, Elohey Yitzhak,and Elohey Yisrael?

Moses went back to Egypt with very explicit instructions: “Tell Pharaoh (the prince and ruler of all Egypt) that Israel is My son, My first born, then go in My name to deliver My son (singular) so that they (Israel the many-membered son) may serve Me”. (Ex. 4:22-23). Moses received his name by being “drawn out” of the water. We too have been drawn out of the waters of darkness and have been called, like Moses, to carry a message to the Pharaoh of this world, the prince and power of the air. “Israel is My son, My first born, the first fruit of the new creation life. I am calling them to return to Zion and fulfill their destiny as a “royal priesthood and a holy nation, a people for My name sake to serve Me in the Land.” Go, in the name that is above every name, for I AM, YHVH!

Ephraim

“Then the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel shall be gathered together, and appoint for themselves one head; and they shall come up out of all the nations from which they have gone, and return to the land of their fathers. For great is the day of Jezreel!” (paraphrased from Hos. 1:11)

THE UNSEEN

2011-05-20T17:35:00.000+03:00

As the first day of January 2000 rolled around many people felt used and abused. They planed, and prepared for the worst etc. Others breathed a sigh of relief and released their pent up anxiety by an extra exuberant burst of joyous celebration. Many spent hours glued to the television to see if anything would happen in countries that came first into the 21st century. As each hour ticked off, a grateful groan was sounded, especially in the western world. The ones that really made out were those who had the foresight to make money off the ignorance and fear of people caught in the “matrix”. If you haven’t seen the movie after this title, it may be worth seeing. Although the movie’s imagery is highly exaggerated, one cannot help but sense that our lives indeed are subjected to an imprisoning system.

Being born in this matri, “womb” of a world of sin and death, we have fallen asleep and our dream world has become our reality. Periodically we are stirred from this state of slumber, but are so drowsy that we fall back into unreality. Howbeit, the prophets of old, because of their giftings, were able to get glimpses into the unseen realms. Elisha, for example, was praying to YHWH to open the eyes of his servant who was in that moment stressed out by an Aramean army surrounding his village. Apparently the young servant had gone out early in the morning and lo and behold, much to his dismay, here was this enemy poised to greet him. “Alas, my Master!” he exclaimed: “What shall we do?” “Do? What shall we do?” The first recommendation that this old seer gave him was: “you want to do something? Then DO NOT FEAR!” Elisha’s answer was not based on an imaginary faith but on an unquestionable actuality, “those who are with us are more than with them.” I can just hear the thoughts of the helper: ‘Yea, sure! I count two of us and a multitude of them. Where in the world did you go to school Elisha? Look, get your laptop out and come up with some practical ideas on how we deal with this predicament, like trading in some land for peace maybe?’ The prophet’s reality was hidden from the young man. So Elisha prayed to the One who could open blind eyes, and said, "’YHWH, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then YHWH opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15-17).

Although the two of them were standing in the same place, each was experiencing a different reality. Many years later, Paul an apostle, in writing to the believers exhorted them to “set their mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth…and not to look at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (Col.3:22; 2 Cor. 4:18). To be in this world but not of it, presents to us a unique but strange challenge. How do we do that, when our eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin are all dictating to our soul what is real? We all have had many experiences in this earthly journey, which have been a part of creating our “matrix”. However, along this journey we have come into the reality of another world, the world of faith. Faith as defined by the Word is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith we understand that the ages were prepared by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Heb. 11:1-3).

The Word of God was not seen, yet it was revealed to those who believed. “For since the creation of the world His invisible nature is clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). Faith in His Word transfers the believer into another “matrix”. Even though standing in the same place as a non-believer, our reality will be different. For example, some may read Ezekiel 37 and the prophecies pertaining to Israel and Judah’s restoration, but be totally blind to their reality. God is fulfilling His Word right before our very eyes, but if His Grace has not opened the “eyes of our understanding”, we will not see His invisible Word as it comes to pass in and through a people. The scriptures ask us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith; for do we not know this about ourselves, that Yeshua the Messiah is in us? (ref. 2 Cor. 13:5).

This lack of awareness may also pertain to other areas of our life. For instance, having been nurtured in this world under the power of the evil one who is a liar and the father of lies, we most likely have taken in these lies as truth (with very few exceptions). We, therefore, may have been interpreting our life and circumstances through this grid of lies. To use a borrowed example: Anyone who is regularly degraded and told how stupid and incompetent he is, will gradually embrace this thought, believing it to be true. Once that is done, this person’s interpretation of life will reinforce this belief with is own affirmations. Others’ reactions and behavior toward that person will seem to be connected to this self-perceived stupidity. Over a period of time such a person will have build defenses that only God is be able to penetrate and tear down.

Perhaps this is why the scriptures exhort us to “speak the truth in love.” That is if we know the truth! Let us pray the prayers of Elisha and Paul, that the Lord will open our blind eyes that we may see what is truly real and eternal, right here in the reality of our God-given experiences. We may hear of wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilence, and computer breakdowns that could cause a domino affect on the world economy, but what is God’s answer to all of these seeming realities or potential scenarios? “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”. (Isaiah 41:10). “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for YHWH your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). We may also enquire, as did king David: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” Yes, the realities of His hidden presence within us, the revelation of His invisible prophetic word coming to pass in our lives personally and corporately as a united house of Israel, can only be seen through the eyes of “the faith”.

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. (Psa. 133)

AS IT WAS THEN SO IT IS NOW

2011-05-15T14:04:00.000+03:00

"Now Hezekiah went to all Israel and Judah and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Menashe, that they should come to the house of YHVH at Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover to Adoni Elohey Israel. So they established a decree to circulate a proclamation throughout all Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to celebrate the Passover to Adoni Elohey Israel at Jerusalem. For they had not celebrated it in great numbers as it was prescribed. And the couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his princes, even according to the command of the king saying, 'o sons of Israel, return to Adoni Elohey Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may return to those of you who escaped and are left from the hand of the kings of Assyria, and do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were unfaithful to the Elohim of their fathers, so that He made them a horror, as you see. Now do not stiffen your neck like your fathers, but yield toYHVH and enter His sanctuary which He has consecrated forever, and serve Adoni your Elohim, that His burning anger may turn away from you. For if you return to YHVH, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive, and will return to this land. For Adoni your Elohim is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him'. So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Menashe, and as far as Zebulun…" (2 Chron. 30:1,5-10a).

The call to join Judah (a remnant thereof) in its process of consecration before entering the sanctuary and in its preparation to celebrate the Feast (Passover - the feast of "salvation") is being issued forth… "But they [those hearing the call] laughed at them [at the couriers] to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless some men of Asher, Menashe, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord" (Chro. 30:10b-12).

"The hand of the Lord was also on Judah to give them one heart to do … the word of the Lord". In our day and age something similar is happening among a remnant of Judah here in the land. Some of this remnant are expecting and anticipating to be joined by their long-lost Ephraimite brothers. They are looking for evidence that Yosef's shoulder ("shechem") is being joined to theirs, in these perilous but potentially glorious times.

This is not the first time such an appeal is going out. Will there be those who will "humbled themselves and go to Jerusalem?" It is not enough to merely recite, "next year in Jerusalem" at the end of each Passover meal. Lip service is cheap and easily paid without any real cost, effort or sacrifice. True giving of one's substance, time and energy, while displaying evidence that the gentile garments are being shed off, are all harder to come by, and rare. Who wants to stay in the camp of those who laughed and mocked? Having mocked and scorned did not suddenly render them non-Israelites; neither will paying lip service and remaining passive. However, such approaches will move one to the camp here described, where "mocker" is replaced by another adjective: "hypocrite".

Judah is waiting, and moreover Judah's God is waiting, nay, beckoning you. Will you respond? Or should Judah wait for you until after the "holidays", until the millenium celebrations die down, or until you've finished trading in your Christmas gifts at the department stores' January sales? Will you be the proverbial "Sunday Ephraimite"? (Actually, Saturday is better, this way the most is made of both worlds.)

Another interesting point, worthy of notice is the charge that was presented before the remnant of the two houses remaining in the land. "For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive, and will return [emphasis ours] to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him'." In other words, the remnant was to be their brothers' keeper. However, the deported tribes did not return to the land, as the remnant, which stayed in the land, did not return to the Lord! Hezekiah's attempt to gather all Israel and to unite the two sticks, by calling them to Jerusalem and to the feast of Passover, sadly failed because a remnant did not respond to the word of the Lord and His grace in that given opportunity in Israel's history. Nevertheless, ultimately God's plan will not falter.

His program is not dependent on any one of us. However, where will we be while it is being unfolded, is the question. Will we be found among those who are returning to the Lord (and to the land), and are thus also being used as "instruments of return" for the rest of the brethren? Or will we be numbered among the mockers-cum-hypocrites, who are not only responsible for their own demise, but are possibly putting a stumbling block in front of others, whose eyes have not yet been opened? Will we be counted with Judah, as we stand together, while prophecy is being fulfilled, consecrating ourselves before Him, provoking one another to jealousy in the course of preparation for the celebration of the great Passover? Choose ye this day…

We have looked at a historical episode, paralleling it to the present, focusing on the spiritual implications. Thus, in a very important way, "as it was then, so it is now", even though perhaps still in an incipient state, yet enough to warrant our attention.

In times past there were others who also made this statement: "as it was then, so it is now," meaning, "all continues just as it was…" This they said regarding the "promise of His coming." In 2Peter 3:3 they are referred to as "mockers"; affiliated, if you will, with the party of the scoffers mentioned above. Yes, as things were then, so they are now, in order to teach, edify, warn and prepare us for that which is soon to come.
Look-up for your redemption draws near.
Ephraim

CALENDAR

2011-05-06T12:15:00.000+03:00

At this point in history (1999)the whole world’s attention is drawn to the end of the Millennium, according to the calendar developed by Julius Cesar in 45 BC, honoring the sun god, Apollo, or Helios. Fifteen hundred years later Pope Gregory VIII revised this calendar for his religious purposes. These undertakings were used to help bring unity to the realms overseen by these two individuals; a king (Roman Cesar) and a priest (Roman Pope), hailing out of Nimrod’s kingdom, changed the times and the seasons, as foretold by the prophets of old. However, this was not the first time that such changes had taken place. The Jews, during their stay in Babylon (6th century BC), failed to protect the sanctity of time and altered the Hebrew months, adopting the names of Babylonian gods, using the patterns of the Chaldean zodiac. But looking even further back in history; the first culprit to purposely set out to change the times and seasons, was an Ephraimite king called Jeroboam (10th century BC). Later on the scattered seed of Israel’s northern kingdom spread the sin of Jeroboam into all the nations where they had gone (Jer. 3:13). That testimony can be seen as the nations of this earth celebrate the end of a year, a century and a millennium, according to their non-biblical calendar. Unfortunately, these changes have been incorporated into, and are purported to center around, the birth of the “Messiah”. But was He really born at that time, and was his birth intended to change the biblical calendar?

In today’s world, with the rise of a restored ancient Greek political system called democracy, along with the efforts to reconcile the main monotheistic religions, man has devised a method of uniting the world around a single theme, “humanism”. Humanism brings together a type of a kingly and priestly order within one’s own being. It could very well be that in the near future a temple will be built in Jerusalem, where the man of lawlessness will sit and rule over an anti-Christ system. But what we must also consider, since God calls man a temple, is that the man of lawlessness may be the person living inside his own body (or temple); man being lord of his own destiny, worshiping through pride the works of his hands, doing what is right in his own eyes, and deciding what is holy and profane. Humanism in its political and religious form is a direct counterfeit of God’s kingdom in the earth. The Greeks established democracy in order to give the individual freedom, which would enable him to express the lusts of his own heart. The same is true today; the nations that have adopted this form of government have the highest rate of abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, etc. They look for every opportunity to satisfy their lusts; setting times and seasons (feast days, birthdays), to indulge in food and drink resulting in gluttony, drunkenness and sexual promiscuity.

This freedom is symbolized by a statue, which stands in the harbor of New York City, called the Statue of Liberty. To those who are familiar with ancient Greek history, this modern day pictogram is very familiar. Around 290 BC, another such icon was erected, called the Colossus of Rhodes. Approximately three hundred tons of copper and iron were used to construct this “wonder of the ancient world.” It was built as a tribute to their savior “Helios”, who protected the islanders from being captured by an invading army. The sun god Helios, was an Egyptian god who according to legend took up residence on the island; later Helios became known as Apollo.

In a recent newspaper article, journalist John Rigos reports that the municipality of the city of Rhodes, aided by the European Union, is planning to rebuild this monument as a symbol of growing European unification and international peace and cooperation. In order to implement this theme of “new world in a new millennium”, as it was coined, the monument may be made out of melted-down coins from “all the members of the European Union and from prospective candidates abandoning their individual currencies in favor of one euro”.

Not surprisingly, the Europeans have also altered the arrangement of the weekly calendar, with “Sun-day” appearing as the last day, or seventh day of the week. The sun gods of the ancient empires were believed to give light and life. The Messiah came to do the same thing, thus it was not difficult to blend the two concepts. The purpose of the Gospel was also to bring peace, harmony and unity to humanity living in a world of wars, conflicts and strife between governments and religious factions. Political and spiritual leaders were always looking for the right combinations of governmental and religious ideals to advance their control and power over the populace. Constantine, in the 4th century, was one such leader who combined the “nativity of the Greek sun god”, with an alleged birth date of the Messiah. This was an intentional ploy on Satan’s part to deceive humanity and to lead it further away from the truth of God’s divine times and seasons. Thus, the celebration of the ancient festival of the sun god on the 25th of December was in reality honoring a more ancient Egyptian god, who during the Constantinian era was worshiped by thousands of followers of Mithraism.

The Torah gives us divine instructions on how to observe the calendar of YHWH. The enemies of Torah know the importance of a calendar as a tool, which keeps order in society. Without a calendar, humanity would be in a state of chaos. The current potential computer problem, termed Y2K, is a case in point. However, whether this situation will result in world pandemonium is yet to be seen. There are a few organizations and leaders who are saying that the new world order must be birthed out of chaos. However, although we may not see these changes overnight, they will definitely occur in the near future.

We, as God’s redeemed, have been exhorted to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, being holy (separate) as He is holy. “Since we have been set apart to be the witness of His kingdom of righteousness peace and joy, what kind of people ought we to be in holy conduct and godliness? (2 Pet. 3:11). To be in the world but not of it, certainly would mean that we do not participate in pagan practices, nor mix them into the Torah that is being written on our hearts. The times and the season are in YHWH’s hands. “So let us be sober, knowing the time that it is already the hour for us to awaken from sleep; for now our salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on Messiah Yeshua, and make no provision for the flesh in regards to its lusts” (Rom 13:11-14).

Ephraim
Come out of her my people, and be ye separate, and do not partake of her harlotries! (Isa. 52:11).

POWER OF LAW

2011-04-01T14:08:00.000+03:00

When we think of or consider any of the “powers” that are at work in nature, we find that each of them is harnessed and kept under control by laws. If this is true in YHVH's creation, then it would also hold true regarding His "power” (“the power of Elohim”). “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of Elohim” (1 Corinthians 1:18). What is the “message of the cross” and why is it defined as “the power of Elohim”? In order to understand what took place two thousand years ago, when Yeshua was on the execution stake, we must have a judicial or legal perspective.

As mentioned above, all power (including Elohim’s) is governed by laws, so as we examine the laws that are relevant to Yeshua’s death, we will begin to gain a clearer understanding of spiritual dynamics. This will also enable us to comprehend what our Heavenly Father accomplished in and through His Son’s death and how it relates to us in our daily conflicts with another “power” - “the power of Satan” (ref. Acts 26:18). It says about the latter that he is “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). Obviously we are in daily contact with the “air” and thus, even as believers, we are susceptible to the influence of this spiritual power of disobedience that can cause us to participate with the nature of darkness and its laws of “sin and death.” However, this need not be our constant inevitable reality, and experience. We can overcome and have victory, that is if we are aware of the laws that are governing our redemption and justification through the death of our Kinsman Redeemer, as in actuality YHVH “having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it [Yeshua’s death]” (Colossians 2:15).

Satan was determined to tempt Yeshua, and tried to do so in many ways, but was defeated each and every time. Threatened by Yeshua’s righteousness, he thought that the next best thing would be to come up with a plan, which would result in the death of the Son of Elohim. However, this was like the proverbial carrot that the Father placed in front of Satan and all the wicked principalities, in order to round up and herd them into the great spiritual courtroom over Jerusalem. What took place in that unseen court of law at Pesach two thousand years ago is extremely important for us to apprehend. When we become aware of these “laws”, it enables us to gain freedom from the “sin that dwells in me” (ref. Romans 7:20), and also from the external sources, which originate with the “prince of the power of the air” and infiltrate our thought life. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Elohim for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah” (2nd Corinthians 10:4-5).

As mentioned above, these spiritual powers were disarmed and defeated when Yeshua died. Satan walked out of that court room empty handed. Judicially he had no more rights over Man. In what way did the Father, through Yeshua’s death, separate Man from the dominion of “darkness”? This is how Paul explains it: “For the love of Messiah compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh” (2nd Corinthians 5:14-16 emphases added). The Apostle uses here a judicial term (“judge”) in order to define a “spiritual law” that became operative when Yeshua died. Yeshua’s death stripped Satan of his power and made of non effect the laws of “sin and death” over humanity. Mankind was now rendered dead, and thus useless in perpetuating the kingdom of darkness.

All too often we think in religious terms of “doctrines,” but fail to view certain parts of Scripture as being judicial and statutory realities. Satan, and the principalities under his dominion, would not have crucified the Lord of glory had they known the wisdom of Elohim (ref. 1st Cor. 2: 7-8). But now they do know and understand those laws of YHVH and the “message of the cross.”

Thus, if we are to have daily victories and live as over-comers, we too must know what Satan knows about the “power of Elohim.” The question is how do we put into practice this knowledge that is now available to us, in order to mature into the full stature of the “Son of Elohim” (ref. Ephesians 4:13)?

“I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of Elohim abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14). To be continued.

Ephraim

NEAR AND FAR

2011-03-25T18:29:00.000+02:00

Recently we have been reading the book of Esther, where toward the end, when the story comes to its satisfactory conclusion, it says: "And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor" (Esther 9:20-22 emphasis added).

Aside from the physical-geographical connotation, the terms "near" and "far" have, of course, spiritual, generational, and genetic implications. In Scripture there are significant inclusions of the ones who are far off with those who are near. When Moses sums up the historic landmarks of the wilderness journey, he says the following regarding the covenant that YHVH made with His people: "Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. All of you stand today before YHVH your Elohim: your leaders and your tribes and your elders and your officers, all the men of Israel, your little ones and your wives…that you may enter into covenant with YHVH your Elohim, and into His oath, which YHVH your Elohim makes with you today, that He may establish you today as a people for Himself, and that He may be Elohim to you, just as He has spoken to you, and just as He has sworn to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I make this covenant and this oath, not with you alone, but with him who stands here with us today before YHVH our Elohim, as well as with him who is not here with us today" (Deuteronomy 29:9-15 emphasis added).

When Daniel "understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of YHVH through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then [he] set [his] face toward YHVH Elohim to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes," and repented for his people saying, among other things: "O YHVH, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day -- to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You" (Daniel 9:2-3, 7 emphasis added).

"Far" or "far off" in the above contexts seem to denote those who are not necessarily cut off, or have been removed. Rather, although further away in space, time, or ideology, they are still links of the one chain. However, receiving and accepting these ones who have been far off, is at times contrary to natural human inclinations. And so we hear what the inhabitants of Jerusalem had to say to the rest of their estranged countrymen: "Get far away from YHVH; this land has been given to us as a possession" (Ezekiel 11:16 emphasis added). This attitude is echoed in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, whose elder brother refuses to accept the one who has for a long time been far off.

YHVH, knowing and recognizing our weaknesses has made an all- encompassing provision to bring about a radical change. Hence it is written: "And you He made alive, who were dead [that is, we who were as far as far can be] in trespasses and sins... But Elohim, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Messiah Yeshua" (Ephesians 2:1-2, 4-6).

And so, addressing the ones who have been brought "near," so much so that one couldn't get any nearer or closer, he goes on to say: "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 -- that 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 Elohim in the world. But now in Messiah Yeshua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation" (2:11-14 emphases added).

Only by virtue of being brought near, by the blood of Yeshua, to the Elohim of our forefathers have we now been received back to the "commonwealth of Israel," spiritually and physically!

This week we read in Parashat Sh'mini (Leviticus 9-11) about the tragic and baffling episode of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, who perished right inside the tabernacle: "…fire went out from YHVH and devoured them, and they died before YHVH," because "each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane [or better "strange"] fire before YHVH" (Leviticus 10:1-2). The verse that precedes this description gives an altogether different description: "And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of YHVH appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before YHVH and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces" (Leviticus 9:23-24). It would appear that Nadab and Abihu witnessed YHVH's fire and His glory and the impression that this made on the people, and thought it expedient to take advantage of the moment and continue the momentum. However, going back to Ephesians 2, where we noted that by grace we have been saved, we also read: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of Elohim, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua for good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10 emphasis added).

Nadab and Abihu dared exercise their own works, not those prepared and ordered by YHVH, works "which He had not commanded them" (Leviticus 10:1), and the consequences were very grave, with the only explanation given for their calamity being: "By those who are near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified" (Leviticus 10:3 emphasis added). The responsibility of those who are near YHVH is to "sanctify" (literal translation) Him, so that "all the people," including those who are far away, may glorify Him. "Hear, you who are afar off, what I have done; And you who are near, acknowledge My might" (Isaiah 33:13). It seems that this verse should be read in a different order: "You who are near, acknowledge My might," so that those "who are afar off" will be able to hear "what I have done." It may not surprise you that the word for sacrifice – "korban" – shares its root with "karov" – "near." The sacrifice has been offered so that now we may "come near" and receive our inheritance. By "regarding YHVH as holy" and "acknowledging His might," we are participating in the process of bringing in the ones who are far off, so that they too may draw near to YHVH that He may be glorified. In Zechariah, shortly after declaring: "Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of YHVH" (Zechariah 6:12), a clear promise is made: “Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of YHVH” (Zechariah 6:15 emphasis added).

Ephraim

HE LIVED

2011-02-06T11:41:00.000+02:00

Dec 1999
This week’s letter and the next, will deal with portions of the last parasha of the book of Genesis “Vayechi” (Gen.47:28-50-26). For some of you who are not yet familiar with what a parasha is, it is the weekly portion of the Torah being read in the synagogues.

“Vayechi” (“and he lived”) is one of the most prophetically loaded parashot (plural of parasha) in the entire Tanach, and quite appropriately ends the book of Bereshit (Genesis). The title itself describes God’s sovereign intentions regarding the fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Thus, not only did they live, but also became fruitful and multiplied: “and they (Israel) had possessions there (in Egypt) and were fruitful (from the same root as the name “Ephraim”) and multiplied exceedingly” (Gen. 47:27). Many years later Moses, observing the multitude, exclaimed: “YHWH your God has multiplied you, and here you are today as the stars of heaven in multitude. May YHWH God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you!” (Deut. 1:10-11). One of the interesting things to note about the fruitfulness of God’s chosen nation was that it always took place outside the land of Israel. Jacob propagated his family (Goy-nation) (all except for Benjamin) while in Haran. In Egypt he became as numerous as the “stars of heaven”, and of course later, being dispersed into all the nations and lands on the face of the earth, became “as the sand of the sea” or the “fullness of the nations”. A simple mathematical equation would be as follows: Israel came out of Egypt somewhere between 1.5 million and 3 million souls, multiplied by a thousand yields the figure 1.5 to 3 billion souls. Who knows how many out of 6 billion people living on the earth today are a fulfillment of that prophecy?! As we know, “with God everything is possible”, especially when it comes to keeping the covenant that He swore to the patriarchs.

God’s plan of fruitfulness or multiplicity is laid out prophetically in this parasha. Right from its beginning verses we see a Torah, or life, principle in action. Laying on his deathbed Jacob calls for Joseph. The meaning of the root of the name Joseph is “to add to,” in accordance with his mother’s prayer at his birth (to have another son). Joseph’s presences alongside of his dying father is a foreshadowing of the promise “to add to”, or to multiply the life of the one dying (Jacob-Israel). Thus, even under these natural conditions it may be said: "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" (Hos. 13:14).
Our Messiah also said: “Truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain (John 12:24). Wheat was one of the biblical symbols that described the House of Joseph.

The years of Jacob’s troubles and sorrows were over. Only the memory of a blood stained garment of his beloved son would linger, as a prophetic picture of what price it would cost the Heavenly Father to redeem these sons of promise (Israel). In those few fleeting moments of Jacob’s life he approached Joseph with reverence and honor as the government of the entire world of Egypt was upon Joseph’s shoulders (“shechem) but yet he was not the king.

Joseph was known as a dreamer and an interpreter of dreams. But far surpassing these attributes was Joseph’s understanding of the faithfulness of the God of his fathers through the very situations of his life. The Torah was being written on Joseph’s heart through his tribulations. The testing of his faith produced wisdom, humility and compassion which then qualifying him to hold the position that he was now in. His life exemplified the prophetic destiny of his entire household. For as a people they were to pass under the rod of God’s judgments, which afterwards would prepare them for their irrevocable call to become a part of a nation of kings and priests.

When Jacob knew he was drawing nigh to death, his first line of business was to strike up his final deal by making Joseph swear to bury him with his fathers. The transaction was for Joseph to put his hand under his (Jacob’s) thigh, just like Eliezer did to Abraham when sealing the oath. This meant that the strength and power of life represented by the thigh, will find expression through the hand of another, who swore or promised to be faithful to the oath. Israel then bowed at the head of his bed, signifying, as it were, having completed the work that God had sent him to do. However, there was still one more thing left for this chosen servant of God, and that was to pass on, by the laying on of his right hand, the most coveted of all blessings that are recorded in the Scripture. This blessing was reserved for a son, a son who has shown himself faithful and trustworthy in the eyes of his father. The son who would now step into the role of his father, and take upon his shoulders (shechem) the right to be the redeemer in the family. In order to have the means to redeem, this son would receive a double portion of the inheritance. However, that was not all that was to be passed on in that solemn moment in history. Jacob, holding the positions of a prophet and a king-priest after the order of Melchizedek in God’s kingdom on the earth, was now obligated to pass on this highest of all positions to his beloved; the right to govern, with the dual role, or the authority of a king-priest. But is that what happened?

Jacob, as he lay upon the bed of his departure from this life heard the announcement: “Behold, your son Joseph has come to you” (Gen. 48:2). There probably was not a more comforting, nor a sweeter word that Jacob could have heard than those spoken by that faithful servant attending him on that final day. With those words, heralding the arrival of his beloved son, he gathered up whatever strength he had left, for he knew he had one last task to perform. But just before doing that, he recalled to Joseph the covenant promise that he had received from God Almighty in Luz (Bet El). “Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession” (Gen. 48:3-4). Jacob was not just telling Joseph this for the purpose of reminiscing. He wanted his son to know that the birthright included the land of Canaan and the covenant of fruitfulness. But please keep in mind that Jacob left out one little part of this covenant reminder, “and kings shall come out of your loins” (Gen. 35:11). Everything that was happening in those moments was under the guiding hand of YHWH. Jacob’s prophetic anointing was working with keen clarity. It was not because of old age that he forgot this portion of the verse. He knew and understood the statutes and ordinances of God’s kingdom government, suggesting that to him the term “kings” was not referring to the kingdoms of men, but to the kings after the order of Melchizedek.

Leaving out that portion of the blessing, he now concentrates on the prophetic destiny and significance of Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Menashe. Because Israel’s eyes were so dim from age, he apparently was not aware that they were present with Joseph; although, he did speak to Joseph very directly about them saying: "And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuven and Simeon, they shall be mine” (Gen. 48:5). Notice Joseph did not argue this point with his father, as he knew the old patriarch had the right to adopt his sons.. “May they be like Reuven and Simeon”, Jacob declared. It was no coincidence that Jacob put Ephraim’s name before Menashe’s, even though Menashe was the firstborn. Thus in the positioning of the lads, he compared Ephraim to Reuven Leah’s firstborn and not Menashe. Joseph was totally unaware of what was happening, as later he questioned the way Jacob placed his hands upon their heads.

Why was Jacob so interested in Ephraim and Menashe? Let us go back to parashat (=”parasha of” ) “Miketz”, where their names are given. “And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manashe: 'for God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.' And the name of the second he called Ephraim: 'for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction'” (Gen. 41:51-52).
Hidden in these two names is God’s prophetic plan to bless and multiply while in a state of forgetfulness. God intended to bless all the families of the earth through the Abrahamic covenant. Thus YHWH, being faithful to His word, laid the foundations for the fulfillment of this part of the plan of redemption, in (and through) the House of Joseph.

Jacob now gets down to his prophetic ‘business’, and so does the God of Abraham. “And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said: 'Who are these?'” (Gen. 48: 8). Now why would Israel be asking Joseph that question when he had just proclaimed them to be his own, unless he was testing Joseph? Well, if he was, Joseph failed the test by still declaring that those two little ones belonged to him. There is another interesting point in the above scripture. Looking closely we find a very interesting switch. It does not say “Jacob beheld”, but “Israel”. From now on, throughout these next couple of chapters, when Jacob blesses, he does so in his God-given name of Israel.

The above question seems to be eternally on the heart of Jacob, as even later the prophet Isaiah says of him (Israel) that he doesn’t recognize his own children (see Isa. 63:16). Again in another scripture: “Therefore thus says YHWH, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: ‘Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale; but when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, and hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel. These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine’" (Isa. 29:22-24).
If we gain an understanding of what is going on here, in the tent of Jacob, so many years ago, we will not err nor complain about God’s order or instructions. Maybe we should hear again the voice of our father when he says: "Assemble yourselves, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days. Gather together and hear (from the root “sh’ma”), you sons of Jacob, and listen (also from the root “sh’ma”) to Israel your father” (Gen. 49:1-2)!!!

1. "Assemble yourselves, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days. 2. Gather together and hear (from the root “sh’ma”), you sons of Jacob, and listen (also from the root “sh’ma”) to Israel your father” (Gen. 49:1-2)!!!

Before continuing, please note the prophetic tone of the above exhortation.
In verse 1, “assemble”(the root letters a.s.f , ref. last week’s letter), means to “gather together” as at harvest time. The same word is used twice at the end of chapter 49, when Jacob “gathers up his legs”, and “is gathered to his people”. In verse 2, the word translated “gather” is from the Hebrew root k.v.z., like “kibbutz” - a modern day collective and is used more for gathering up people.

Continuing from where we left off last week, Israel takes the two lads in his arms, hugs and kisses them. Then, with tears streaming down his face, he looks into Joseph’s eyes and says, "I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has also shown me your seed!" (Gen. 48:11). Joseph then bows with his face to the ground, yielding to divine authority and order. Next, he places his second born, Ephraim, on his right side and Menashe, the firstborn, on his left, thinking that in this way the lads will be standing in their proper places, ready for Israel’s impartation of the blessing. With all the cast in place, prepared for the scene to be played out according to a given script, the protagonist suddenly changes the rules. Much to his son’s bewilderment, Israel crosses his hands, placing his right upon Ephraim’s head, and the left on Menashe’s. Here is how the Bible depicts this scene: “So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near him. Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, for Manasseh was the firstborn” (vs. 12-14). Israel’s action was no accident, nor did he ‘slip’ because he could not see. He had already set the order when he adopted them earlier on, announcing that Ephraim was to be like Reuven (who was the first born) and Menashe like Simeon (ref. v.5). The meaning of the boys’ names also provided a ‘prophetic clue’ as to what that order ought to be; that is to say that “doubly fruitful” was to be blessed over “forgetfulness”. It just so happened that later on in history, when they were apportioned their lots in the land, Menashe’s territory included Mount Eval (curse), and Ephraim’s included Mount Gerizim (blessing), with the city of Shechem between the two.

But even though Israel’s hands rested on the lads’ heads, he was actually blessing Joseph. “And he blessed Joseph, (emphases mine) and said: ‘the God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the sent one [angel] who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; let my name [Israel] be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth" (Gen. 48:15-16). The first aspect of the blessing was an acknowledgment of the One who will carry out the blessing. The God of his fathers, his shepherd, his redeemer would bless and be that same faithful, loving provider that he had come to know. Through the anointing that was upon this chosen one, God himself was continuing to order and establish His Kingdom in the earth. Jacob holding the offices of king-priest, was simply carrying out his divine duty as a bond servant of the God of his Fathers. Because of years of faulty replacement doctrines there is a vast ignorance of these statutes and ordinances of the Kingdom of God. This is like is like a curse on Israel. May the lesson of Balaam and Balak be learned, by those thus engaged (ref. Num. 22-24, especially the inferences to the blessings of Judah and Joseph in 24:8-9)!

In this portion of the blessing we notice that Jacob is being referred to as Israel, “and Israel laid his hands...” (v. 16), thus passing on the name “Israel” to Joseph and his sons. “May my name live on in them and in their seed”. Could this be the reason that the House of Joseph (Ephraim) came to be known mostly as the House of Israel?

“Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. And Joseph said to his father: ‘Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head’" (vs.17-18). Here is another instance where the firstborn does not receive the blessing of the inheritance.

“But his father refused and said, ‘I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed [descendants] shall become the fullness of the nations’"(v. 19). In this one verse we have a beautiful and powerful prophetic picture of the destiny of the House of Joseph (Israel); as Menashe, they would be a great people (“am”), singular, like in “am Israel”, but forgetfulness (Menashe) would cause them to be oblivious to that fact. This is the mystery of the blindness of Israel. In 722 BC God cut them off (Mount Eval) from the olive tree of Israel by scattering and banishing them. He sowed them into all the nations, but not without first labeling them prophetically: “Jezreel” (God will sow), “Lo Ruchama” (no mercy), and “Lo Ami” (not my people), (Hos.1). Returning to the blessing… Israel continues by turning his attention to Ephraim, upon whom he pronounces fruitfulness, to the degree of becoming the “fullness of the nations”. Here the covenant blessing of multiplicity is being unveiled; God intended on multiplying the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This would not be fulfilled by the House of Judah, but through the house that was called Jezreel. The testimony of how great that sowing was going to be would have to wait for the harvest time. Once the harvest is gathered (a.s.f. or k.v.z), to the place chosen by God, we will know and understand “how great the day of Jezreel” had been. "Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said of them, `you are not My people,' there it shall be said to them, `you are sons of the living God.' Then the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel shall be gathered (k.v.z.) together, and appoint for themselves one head; and they shall come up out of the land, For great will be the day of Jezreel” (Hos. 1:10-11)! Because the people (Am Israel) are “forgetful” regarding their identity, their hearts would have to be turned to their fathers (the patriarchs) by the same prophetic anointing that was on Elijah. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the YHWH. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse"(Mal. 4:5-6).

“So he blessed them that day, saying: ‘by you Israel will bless, saying, `May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!' And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh” (v. 20). Here Jacob seals the relationship between these two aspects of their prophetic future (that is, “fruitfulness” and “forgetfulness”). This blessing is recited over the children on Friday evening, during the welcoming-of-the-Sabbath meal - “kabalat Shabbat”.

Ephraim
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133).

LIKE A MIST

2011-02-06T11:38:00.000+02:00

Dec 2, 1999
This morning as my son and I went out for our morning walk, the dawn was just breaking over the Mount Garazim (Blessing) and Mount Eval (Curse). The clouds were beginning to reflect the deep purple and violet colors of the morning’s glory. As we continued walking, these hues and colors were lending a greater measure of brightness to the clouds, until the light they were emitting illumined the earth below. It was a spectacular sight. But as soon as the sun’s orange rays peaked over the horizon, shining directly on the earth, the clouds began to change and turn a dark gray. Within a few minutes these same clouds actually blocked the sun’s light, casting only their shadow upon the landscape.

My thoughts focused on the Scripture’s description of us, humans, as a mist that appears like these morning clouds; the “cloud of witnesses” (Heb.12:1), so to speak, that for a few fleeting moments embody the incredible testimony of the dawning day. Some of you may recall, from a previous letter, the meanings of the Hebrew words for evening and morning - erev and boker. The meanings of "boker", like "erev", can point to conditions, or interactions between light and darkness. Some of these means are: 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 (ref. letter a-39).

In these days of extreme drought here in Israel, clouds are welcome. But if their sole function is to paint the morning sky with glorious colors, they will be of no benefit to the earth, which will remain parched and barren. These are clouds that hold no rain, and have no water (Prov.25:14; Jude 1:12), and while they may be a precursor to the coming day, that day will be none the better for them. In fact, they may even block the “Son’s” light.

Many of us who have seen the dawning of the kingdom in our earthen vessels, glow with the excitement of the new creation life within, but at the same time can become so heavenly minded, or spiritual, that we are no earthly good, as the saying goes. Yes, we are the people of faith, but without works (rain), we will produce no fruit. Just as James, “a bond servant of the Lord”, writes to the twelve tribes: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces or works patience [a fruit]. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing…. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; but he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed [fruitful] in what he does” (James1:2-4, 21-25). “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). What are these works and how are they connected to “Torah”?

Since the multiple mercies of the Creator and sustainer of life work within the creation, especially in man, and as “He is working all things out after the counsel of His own will” (Eph. 1:11), we must take heed to His “word” that He laid down in the Torah. The statutes, laws, commandments, ordinances and principles are all part of His “judicial” system. His kingdom is governed by “law”, it is not a lawless kingdom. Ignorance of His legal order is certainly no substitute for an ‘anything-goes grace’. “Those whom he loves he disciplines” (Heb. 12:6). Disciplining is a result of disobedience. Disobedience to what? Had there not been any standards or commandments, there would have been no need for discipline. The Kingdom of His beloved Son is a place of divine righteousness, divine justices, peace and divine order.

The great controversy over “grace versus law” mushroomed into religious doctrines that have left the redeemed community impotent, like clouds without rain. It is very easy to be deceived by the religious spirits of this world, as they lead the way into the rational knowledge of good and evil, where axioms such as ‘grace is good and law is evil’, are believed. If we are to know our God, through Yeshua, we must learn of “Him” and “His ways”. He is not only full of grace and truth, but also of justice. The judgments that have come, and are coming upon the earth are a consequence of law (God’s judicial order) and known as the “wrath of the Lamb” (see Rev. 6:16-17). A waving of the proverbial magic wand, of so-called grace, will not make His justice (laws) disappear. Yeshua spent a great deal of His time teaching us about these laws; reaping and sowing, forgiving and being forgiven, being merciful and receiving mercy, etc. For He said: "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one title will pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:17-19). Many are trying to live today as if heaven and earth have passed away. But by keeping, doing and becoming God’s commandments “word” in the earth, is a matter of “LOVE”. “To love YHVH with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength and your neighbor as yourself”(see Deut. 6:5, Matt.22:37-39), is no small commandment to be ignored and covered over by religious clichés. “If you love Me you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.” (1 John 5:2).

The words for grace in Hebrew are “chen“ and chesed”. The latter is translated mercy or loving-kindness. Mercy cannot be understood without law or justice. Grace and law go hand in hand. This is why we pray: “in wrath (which is a result of God’s judgments) remember mercy.” (Hab.3: 2). This has been the case throughout history, as the Torah records. “Remember, YHVH, Thy compassions and Thy mercies; for they have been from of old” (Psalms 25:6). The Tanach introduces us to a beautiful inseparable blend of “law and grace” in the lives of our forefathers, and especially in “their seed”; Israel, as a nation which continues to be the testimony of this dynamic duality. “But let him that glory, glory in this, that he understands, and knows Me, that I am YHVH who exercise mercy, justice, and righteousness, in the earth; for in these things I delight, says YHVH” (Jer. 9:24).

If we view ourselves as these high and lofty beautiful colored clouds and forget that our true nature is more like that of a mist, we might also forget why we are here. The purpose of a mist is to water the earth, so that the seed can grow. “A mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground” (Gen. 2:6). Let us pray that we be not clouds without rain, but a mist that becomes the morning dew or an afternoon shower. “And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples, as dew from YHVH as showers upon the grass, that are not looked for from man, nor awaited at the hands of the sons of men” (Micah 5:7). “Your dead shall live, their dead bodies shall arise--awake and sing, you that dwell in the dust--for your dew is as the dew of light, and the earth shall bring to life its shades” (Isaiah 26:19). May we be, “like the dew of Hermon, that comes down upon the mountains of Zion; for there, YHVH commanded the blessing, even life forever” (Psalms 133:3).

Ephraim
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity, IT IS LIKE THE DEW”(Ps. 133).

THE VISIT

2011-02-06T10:54:00.000+02:00

Nov. 29, 1999
The recent weekly Torah readings (the “parashot”) of Vayetze (“And went out”) and Vayishlach (“And he sent”), present several points that I would like to reflect on. The first is the birth of Joseph (Gen. 30:23-25), and the second is Jacob's prayer in Gen. 32:11-12.

“And she conceived, and bore a son, and said: 'God has taken away my reproach.'
And she called his name Joseph, saying: 'The Lord add to me another son.'
And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban: 'Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country'” (Gen.30:23-25).

During this past week, as I and three Ephraimite guests visited with a couple from one of the settlements in the heart of Israel, our hostess pointed to the importance of the visit “at such a time as this”. She then referred us to the above passage. Tears welled up in everyone’s eyes, as the dust from many generations of blindness was being washed off. The return of the house of Joseph, or Ephraim, to the land was not a threatening proposition to this pioneering lady, in this small town in the heart of Samaria. She had insight into the prophetic picture, in which Joseph’s appearance on the scene is a signal for Jacob to “go out” from the land of his exile. Thus, Joseph’s birth does not only signify the removal of reproach and shame off the wife who had been barren, but also marks the end of “galut” (diaspora) for Jacob, who returns to the “place” that he called his own “country”. At this point we are reminded of Jeremiah 31:15-17: “Thus says the Lord, ‘a voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the Lord, that your children shall come back to their own land’”.

Rachel named her first-born “Joseph” (from the root y.s.f.), so that God may add another son to her. But interestingly, just before she pronounced his name, she exclaimed with relief that God had removed her reproach (a.s.f.). In this context the meaning of this latter word, which sounds much like the former, y.s.f, actually constitutes its opposite. Rachel’s wish ultimately came true, but at the cost of her life. With her dying breath she named her second son Ben Oni - “the son of my strength” (it took all of her strength to give birth to him), but Jacob renamed him Benyamin (“son of the right hand”). This one was the only son to be born in the land, while the rest were all born in Haran. Benjamin was also the only one to be named by his father.

Our fellowship over potato pancakes (latkes) - a traditional treat for the up coming festival of lights (Hanukah) - was for those few fleeting moments a divinely appointed experience, as this very orthodox Zionist family welcomed long lost gentile-looking brother and sisters into their home, bringing to “light” a hidden mystery. The women were all weeping when we left, as if we were close family. Our hostess’s name happened to be Leah. And so, it was Leah from the House of Judah, who was welcoming Joseph the son of Rachel, who is truly being re-born.

Is it be possible that after so many generations of wounded hearts in the house of Jacob, between Leah’s family and Rachel’s, healing is taking place by the love and acceptance shown by the unloved older sister towards her once-despised younger sibling? Is that what were we experiencing in the home of Leah, as she reached out and welcomed into her home the Josephites? Are we beginning to see in today's reality the true working of the Spirit of the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac? Could it be that the kingdoms of this world, with its religious and political institutions, are being challenged, as Joseph's emergence means that Jacob is to leave his land of refuge with his whole family intact (“and Jacob came “shalem” – whole, complete or unharmed– to the city of Shechem…”, Gen. 33:18), and to return to “the place”, Beit El (the house of God), the land that God had promised to him when he lay upon the stone (ref. Gen. 28:10-17)?

This brings us to another point. Jacob's quick departure from his wives' family did not allow time for their father to bless them, and to say his good bye. So Laban pursued Jacob until he caught up with him, only to remind him that everything that he had obtained was actually his. It was after making a covenant that each of them went his own way. Following this episode, Jacob sees angels and names the site “Mahanaim”, which means “two camps” (Gen. 32:2). Having seen the angels and being divinely inspired to name the place as he did, Jacob came to realize, that his own household was divided by God into two camps. So as his brother Esau was coming to meet him, he proceeded to split up his family (as a precautionary measure which also turned out to be prophetic), according to the wives and their children.

Upon dividing his camp Jacob says: "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, `return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you'. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For You said, `I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude'" (Gen. 32:9-12).

Jacob's dilemma is not unlike the one facing us today. The situation appeared grave, as Jacob was engulfed by fear of the reprisal of a brother, whom he thought hated him, and who was now advancing with four hundred armed men. His rational mind went into gear and he came up with a very interesting plan; appease the enemy by giving away one's own belongings. Or maybe put a few fleeces out there to check if God is party to the plan. We, as individuals, resort to these means almost automatically, but what is worse is that this approach does not stop here. We are also acting in this manner on a national level today. This is especially true in Israel, as we continue, stage after stage, to give up more and more land, with the expectation of preserving our life and deflecting the true intent of our brother, thus hoping to enjoy a better future.

Jacob’s prayer to the God of his fathers is quite revealing. On the one hand he fears his brother and asks God for deliverance, but on the other he is reminding God of His promise 20 years hence. He was now trusting in the faithfulness of a God that has yet to become his God. Remember the 'deal' (in Gen. 28:20-22)? In order for God to 'qualify' as Jacob's God, there were several conditions He had to meet, such as bringing Jacob back to "this place". Jacob, praying to the God of his fathers, not his own, is much like Eliezer, Abraham's servant who called upon “the God of my master Abraham”. God was not yet a personal God to Jacob. Many believers today are worshiping the God of the Bible, or the God of the Jews, or perhaps a Christian God, or some faith preacher's God, but yet lack, in their personal experience, a reality which allows for confidence in the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and one's own. We need to come to know Him personally through our God-given experiences in life. Returning to Torah and learning of the faithfulness and the love, which He intends to reveal through and to this generation of the "seed", is a good beginning. Like Jacob we pray, "deliver me"; "heal me"; "watch over me", but ultimately we will cease from the 'me prayers', and worship Him for His faithfulness as a covenant keeping God, especially when He brings us back as one family - "shalem" - to "Beit El", to the land.

Ephraim
"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity"
(Ps. 133:1).

MOUNT OF BLESSING AND CURSE

2011-02-06T10:52:00.000+02:00

Nov 19, 1999

This past week has been quite a full one, as almost every day we have taken people and groups into the heart of Samaria. We have traveled along the Jordan Valley to Gilgal, up the steep slopes of the Ascent of Ephraim to the Mount of Blessing and the settlement of Har Bracha, to Joshua’s altar on the Mount of Curse, east to Mount Kabir and to the settlement of Elon Moreh and then over to Itamar a settlement, one of the largest, area wise, which includes a mountain whose view spans the three seas in Israel, then back to Jerusalem via Shilo. It is hard to express what one sees or feels, as this experience penetrates the very depth of one’s soul. Listening to the young and old residents of these Jewish settlements tell of their lives, their hopes and their dreams in these places is certainly a rewarding and educational happening. All I can say is, come, see and touch this piece of Zion.

Yesterday, as a group of about 20 of us stood on Har Bracha looking west over most of the territory of Ephraim and Menashe all the way to coastal plain out into the Mediterranean sea, this scripture came to mind: “And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, saying, ‘You are a numerous people and have great power, you shall not have one lot only, but the hill country shall be yours. For though it is a forest, you shall clear it and to its farthest borders it shall be yours’” (Josh. 17:17-18).

It was hard to imagine that the bare heights all around us were at one time filled with forests, but as we looked to the north we saw the Mount of Curse looming ominously above the Mount of Blessing, it served as a reminder of a Torah scripture which says: "Now the generation of your children who come, your sons who rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a far land, when they see the plagues of that land and the sicknesses which YHVH has laid on it, will say: `The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which YHWH overthrew in His anger and His wrath.' All nations would say, `Why has YHVH done so to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?' Then people would say: `Because they have forsaken the covenant of YHVH God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt; for they went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they did not know and that He had not given to them. Then the anger of YHVH was aroused against this land, to bring on it every curse that is written in this book. And YHVH uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.' The secret things belong to YHVH our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this Torah’” (Deut. 29:22-29).

The settlers of these areas are keenly aware of these fulfilled prophecies, and that is why they are zealous for the Torah and its strict observance. As far as they are concerned, their obedience will result in YHVH’s blessings, as promised by the prophets of Israel: “Again shalt thou plant vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall have the use thereof” (Jer. 31:5). “Behold, the days come, saith YHVH, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will turn the captivity of My people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be plucked up out of their land which I have given them, saith YHVH thy God” (Amos 9:13-15). “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit, they shall not plant, and another eat; for as the days of a tree shall be the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands” (Isa. 65:21-22). “But now I will not be unto the remnant of this people as in the former days, saith YHVH of hosts. For as the seed of peace, the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. And it shall come to pass that, as ye were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing; fear not, but let your hands be strong” (Zech. 11:11-13).

Are we in the day that YHVH is revealing things that He has hidden, those “dark sayings that were only expressed in parables” (Psa. 78;2). Is it us, who constitute the living, revealed, secret testimony of the covenant keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Remember: “Therefore thus says YHWH, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: ‘Jacob shall not now be ashamed, Nor shall his face now grow pale; But when he sees his children, The work of My hands, in his midst, They will hallow My name, And hallow the Holy One of Jacob, And fear the God of Israel. Those also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, And those who complained will learn doctrine’"(Isa. 29:22-24). "Thus says YHVH: `Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; The city shall be built upon its own mound, and the palace shall remain according to its own plan. Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving, and the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Their children also shall be as before, and their congregation shall be established before Me….’ The fierce anger of YHVH will not return until He has done it, and until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will understand this” (Jer. 30:18-20,24).

I think it is obvious which days we are living in, and why it is important to come and see for yourselves, the testimony, both the blessing and the curse, which remain here as a testimony of YHVH’s faithfulness in the heart land of Israel.

Ephraim
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together (shevet achim) in unity” (Psa. 133).

SOUL AND SPIRIT

2011-02-03T09:07:00.000+02:00

Nov 12, 1999 revised 27/06/03

This week I was forwarded a newsletter from a well-known Messianic leader. Not unlike the message we listened to a short while ago in Jerusalem, the writer of this newsletter also makes the categorical statement, that the heathen gentile nations replaced the ten lost tribes. In his words: "In the prophetic language of scripture, Judah naturally speaks of the Jewish nation, while Ephraim stands for the entire Body of born again believers from the nations. These ex-heathen wild olive branches were plucked out of wild pagan nations and, through faith, were grafted into Israel's cultured tree, taking the place and fulfilling the spiritual promises of the ten lost tribes of Israel's Northern kingdom, Ephraim." He then promises to expound more on the subject in the future. One may ask, "what prophetic language of scripture is he referring to?"

In addition to the (rather common) doctrine that the Jews of today make up all of the twelve tribes, this new 'theory', alleging that the Jews are from Judah but that those of the other tribes are lost and have been replaced by the gentile church, seems to be gaining ground now. As to the first of these two premises, indeed, there has been a mixing of the tribes over the centuries, in both Houses of Israel (that is, Joseph and Judah). But this fact, in and of itself, is not a sufficient fulfillment of all that is prophesied about of the reunion of the two sticks. To dismiss YHVH’s prophetic plan, regarding the "natural" House of Joseph, and to replace it with a 'spiritual' Ephraim or with the Jews only, is to bear false witness to the faithfulness of the covenant-keeping God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is practically the same as calling YHVH a liar, thus taking away the anchor for our soul (see Heb. 6:13-20). There is a vast difference between a person who believes he is a 'spiritual Ephraimite' functioning within the church system, and a redeemed natural "lost sheep of the House of Israel", who lives, or is longing to live, in the land promised to him in the covenant of his now-rediscovered forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Mal. 4:6)!

The House of Joseph was to bear witness to the faithfulness and mercies of the God of Israel. Joseph's prophetic "tree" in the hand of Ephraim (see Ez 37:16) 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 were 'relegated' to a heap of scattered bones in the Valley of Jehosaphat ("God's judgments"). But in spite of living under the "rod of God's judgment", or the blessings and curses, as prophesied by Moses before their ancestors even went into the Land of Israel (see Deut. 29 and 30), YHVH declares (in these same prophecies) that He will not forget the covenant, and will establish it for "His own name sake" (see Ez. 36:22-32).

The great religious deception of the spirit of this world, is the same one that was made manifest in the beginning. While the natural man was, and still is, "a living soul", he was beguiled by the serpent, dwelling in the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, who told him: "You can become like God", who is Spirit. What that subtle creature was in effect saying to man was that he, in his soul, could become a spiritual entity. In 1 Cor. 15, Paul the apostle expounds on that mystery from the Torah. We, as sons of Adam and as sons of Abraham, must keep this issue in perspective. Abraham did not descend from God; he was a descendent of Shem, Noah, and Seth, the latter having been born in the image of his father Adam – “a living soul” (ref. Gen. 5:3). Again “The first man Adam was a living soul” (1 Cor. 15:45).

This 'spiritualization' tactic, which was introduced very early on into the Church by those who were nurtured by Greek philosophy, taught that the natural man was worthless and that only the spiritual man (which to them was god like) had any eternal value (reminiscent of what Satan told Eve); thus deceiving the soul into believing that it was a spirit-being. The religious system has embraced this same idea in a “one new man”, thus presenting the Body of Messiah as only spiritual. However, there are not “many” spirits that make up this body. The apostle wrote over and over that there is only one Spirit in the multi-membered Body of Messiah (see 1 Cor. 6:17), but the expression of the One Spirit is manifest through multitudes of souls that are yielded to His presence and sovereignty in them. “Each individual member (soul) has its unique spiritual anointing, or calling and gifting, according to the will of the Spirit of Holiness. But even though each has this anointing it does not make the soul a spirit. If we believe otherwise, the word of YHVH is made of none effect, (see Heb. 4:12). It also launches the believer onto a premise, which distorts his understanding of the God of the Bible and His covenant with a very natural man (Abraham) and his progeny, not to mention the believer’s understanding of his own identity, as one of those seed, as well as what it means to be a “new creature” in Messiah. This spiritualization also tears apart the temple of YHVH’s Spirit and the prophetic fulfillment of a nation of kings and priests that rule and reign here in earthen vessels, on this earth. “For YHVH, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of YHVH in the face of Yeshua the Messiah. Thus we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of YHVH, and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:6-7).

A firstfruit redeemed Israelite, is called by scripture a tabernacle or temple of the Spirit of Holiness (see 1Cor 3:16). The Spirit of YHVH has taken up residence in the Holy of Holies at the believer's personal feast of Pentecost (Shavuot). This experience marks the beginning of the restoration of YHVH’s relationship with the soul of man in the Holy Place. Scriptures say that the spirit of man is the candle of YHVH’s Spirit (Pro. 20:27). We are thankful that when YHVH separated Himself from man at the so called “Fall”, that “He did not quench the smoldering wick” (Isa. 42:3; Matt 12:20). This smoldering candle is revived by the presence of the Spirit of YHVH, but remains hidden in His Spirit. Therefore Col. 3:3-4 exhorts: "set your mind on things above….." That is to say, the soul, in a posture of worshiping in spirit and in truth, is to face the narrow gate that leads into the Holy of Holies, and to bathe in the Light that is now emanating through the torn veil. But the warning: not to set the mind "on things that are on the earth", tells the soul not to look out, through the wide gate which opens towards the proverbial east, in the direction of "the spirit of this world." Verse 3 continues saying: "For you have died (spiritually) and your (spirit) life is hidden with Messiah in God". Where? In the holy of holies. But in verse 4 we find out that the "Messiah, who is your life (spiritually), when He is revealed, then you also are revealed with Him in glory". Does this make the soul a spiritual entity? No! However, the soul does begin to die to immorality, to impurity, to passion, to evil desire, to greed etc. (see v. 5). Moreover, if the soul sits, walks, and stands in the Light of the Holy One, it will begin to reflect the nature of His Spirit through obedience. It will begin to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience etc, . Has it now become a spirit? Again, no! But it will - eventually - merge fully with the Spirit of Holiness. "Behold I tell you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable and we shall be changed; for this perishable must put on the imperishable and this mortal must put on immortality" (1Cor. 15:51-54). There is no need therefore to be in too big of a hurry to put on the imperishable, especially to do so by looking out the wide gate, as it were, into the religious systems of this world. The latter would be only too glad to cover us with the cloak made up of their spirituality, which is none other than the "beautiful garment of Shinar"-Babylon (see Joshua 7:21).

"It is the Father's good pleasure to reveal His Son in me", (Gal. 1:15-16) wrote the apostle. And it was out of the mouth of one of the least in the kingdom that the following words came: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30), to become a temple filled with His glory and a people for His namesake.

Ephraim

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together (shevet achim) in unity…" (Ps. 133:1).

1976 HIGH ADVENTURE

2011-02-03T08:39:00.000+02:00

November 5, 1999

Back in February of 1976, I had a life changing experience. At the time I was a special education teacher, working with parents of multi-handicapped children between the ages of 6 months to 3 years. I was 33 years old, single, living in California, and a believer only about 3 years. The Catholic charismatic group that I belonged to decided to go on a trip to Israel. I was trying to make excuses, so that I would not have to go to ‘look at a bunch of holy relics’, but nothing seemed to work out, in favor of my staying home. Eventually, I found myself on an El-Al flight heading toward the Middle-East with about 1,300 others, who would be joining us there. The name of the tour was “High-Adventure”. Little did I know it would be a ‘high’ from which I would never come down.

It all started, as the El-Al flight was taxing in over the Mediterranean Sea. I looked out of the window while the people sang “Hevenu Shalom Alcheim” (Peace Unto You). As my eyes caught the little sliver of land out on the horizon, I suddenly started to weep and cry; everything inside of me was saying, “I’m home, I’m home, I’m home.” I thought to myself, “this is crazy,” but what was happening to me was very real and somehow uncontrollable. Later I found out that many Gentiles and Jews were having this same experience as prophesied in Jer. 31:9: “They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them; I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way wherein they shall not stumble; for I am become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My first-born.” During the ten days of touring the Land, I felt as though I had been living here all my life; everything seemed so familiar, especially Jacob’s well, Joseph’s tomb and Shechem, in the heart of Israel.

When it was time to leave and go back to the United States, my heart did not respond to the ‘idea’, it wanted to stay. But I knew that I had to go back. Upon arriving at the Ben Gurion Airport we discovered that there was not enough room for everyone on the flight. Some of us had to wait and catch a later flight. Being single, and not wanting to go anyway, I volunteered to stay behind. Well, twelve hours later we found ourselves on the next available flight back to NY.

I was assigned an isle seat somewhere in the middle of the plane, next to a very new believer and an enthusiastic young lady who was busy handing out tracks to folks on the plane. But I was too overwhelmed with my own thoughts to take much notice. It just so happened that the whole middle section of the plane was full of Jewish businessmen from New York, who had been on an investment trip to Israel. After about an hour in flight, as I was relaxing back in my chair, pondering my feelings about Israel, I noticed suddenly a pair of pants standing next to me. As I glanced up, a very angry-looking man was glaring down at me. As a matter of fact, he was so livid that his whole body was shaking. With his finger pointing right between my eyes, the words he growled with clenched teeth were: “Get up I want to talk to you!” I didn’t exactly know what to say, so I gestured at myself, asking, “Who me?” When he confirmed that I indeed was the object of his attention, I sort of slid out of my seat and stood next to my new acquaintance. The man’s stature towered about 5 inches above my height, and he was about fifty pounds heavier. He looked to his left and then to the right, and as our eyes met, upon their return, he ‘gave’ me a white knuckled fist with the thumb of a hitchhiker, and growled again: “Let’s go to the back of the plane!” He whirled and strutted back to the tail of the aircraft. As for myself, I wanted to sit back down and forget this whole thing, but I found my legs carrying me to the rear. When I arrived at our ‘destination’, I scooted behind the last two seats. I saw the exit door to my right and the bathroom door to my left. A thought ran hurriedly through my mind: “I wonder which one of these doors he is going to throw me through.” Just then He took a step and we were positioned toe to toe, and nose to nose. My ‘friend’ then proceeded to put his finger up in the space left between our respective noses, and said the following words to me: “Why is it that you Christians are always trying to proselytize and change we Jews, when all that we want to be is loved?”

There wasn’t a sound in my head, nothing in my mind. But out of my mouth came these words: “Could you forgive us for not understanding?” Tears began to come into his eyes; tears came to my eyes. We embraced. Saying nothing more he went back to his seat, and I to mine. As I sunk down into the chair I asked in prayer: “Lord what was that all about? What do You mean, can they forgive us for not understanding? What aren’t we understanding?” Well, I didn’t get an answer to that question right then. But a few days later I woke early one morning, and posed that same question before the Lord again. I felt He gave me this answer: “When My people see the love that manifested itself for you, in all of its fullness on Calvary, come forth from your heart to theirs, I will rent the veil and they will see Me as their Lord and Messiah.”

Later, as I was reading Romans 11: 28 which says: “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake,” In that little verse I seemed to discover what we are not understanding. God Himself made the Jews enemies of the Gospel! It does not say that God has replaced or abandoned His divine prophetic plan for them, but just that for a period of time they would be enemies of the Gospel for the sake of those who are from the wild side of the family (Ephraim, known as the “fullness of the Gentiles”). Later they too would be grafted into their own root of Judah, which is natural to them. “Whoso is wise, let him understand these things, whoso is prudent, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just do walk in them; but transgressors do stumble therein” (Hos. 14:9).

Ephraim Frank

“The fear of YHVH is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver” (Proverbs 16:16).

INTERESTING WEEKEND

2011-02-03T08:14:00.000+02:00

October 29, 1999

I ended last week's letter with a request to pray with me as I went to Elon Morah - Shechem to participate in a weekend of celebration. Every year for the past four years the settlement of Elon Moreh has hosted those who wanted to bring their families to read the parasha Lech-Lechah and remember Abraham our father's journey into the land of promise. From Friday afternoon to Saturday evening YHVH had some very interesting experiences for me, both from the personal point of view and from the two houses perspective. I will try and recount for you some of those highlights.

The first thing that happened was the amazing trip from our settlement into the heart of the valley of Shechem. Normally it takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to drive. But for some reason it only took me 45 minutes, which gave me some time to see a friend on another Settlement in the area of Elon Moreh. While this friend took me around the area, to show me how much land there is available for settling and planting even vineyards. My heart was longing for the return of Ephraim to his own mountains to live and work the land and to begin to plant the vineyards. “Again shalt thou plant vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall have the use thereof” (Jer. 31:5).

We went to the highest point from which, on a clear day, one can see the three bodies of water, the Meditrainian sea, the sea of Galilee and the Dead sea. I shared with him about the two houses and especially the return of the House of Joseph. This was not new to him as he responded very positively to the possibility of these Gentile (Ephraimites) returning to the land of their forefathers. But he said it with a big cautious exclamation mark.

I left there and drove to Elon Moreh, just in time to catch the bus to Joseph's Tomb. Because it was Friday the streets of Shechem where empty of people. The only ones that where seen were the Palestinian Soldiers with their Kolashnikov weapons. As the bus came into the area of the Tomb. Palestinian flags greeted us along with large cement blocks stacked up to form a formidable fortress around the Tomb area. Israeli soldiers drove up in a jeep and took position around the buses as the Palestinian soldiers looked on. The bus then drove up as close to the opening as possible and we all disembarked. The inside of the area was like a synagogue with a court area outside and piles of sandbags making little bunkers. We went into pray for about 15 minutes, I stayed a little after to look at pictures and to read about Joseph making his brothers swear to bring his bones back to the land. All of a sudden a settler came in with his two little boys, one about 5 and the other 3 years of age. He walked up to me gave me a pair of scissors and took his youngest son and asked me to cut off some of his long hair. They do not cut the hair of the boys until their third birthday. My interpretation in those moments while standing next to Joseph's tomb, was like little Menashe the 5 year old and Ephraim the three year old were returning to their father Joseph. The cutting of Ephraim's hair was like his first experience in knowing what it is like to have Hebraic roots. I saw this as picture of where Ephraim is today as a nation.

Arriving back to Elon-Moreh, I was surprised to find that instead of staying in a large room with 20 young people and eating peanut butter sandwiches, I was invited into the home of one of the settlers to spend that weekend with them. It was a great blessing to walk through the weekend with him and his six children. We had great fellowship together as YHVH knitted us together through the experiences of the weekend.

On Shabbat morning I went with him to one of the six meeting places on the settlement for the morning service. At the end of the Torah reading they invited me up to pick up the scroll and sit with it while they put back on its covering. As I sat in the chair holding this large parchment against my left shoulder my hands griping the two sticks that it was rolled up on. I could feel the weight of the Torah as it pressed against my heart, and was struck by the meaning of how it must felt for the Jewish nation to carry the scepter of Torah for all these generations. My compassion was stirred in love and appreciation that the house of Judah had to walk through years of persecution for the sake of Torah. Another thought came to me as my sweaty hands griped the two sticks that the Torah was wrapped in, could these two sticks be the sticks of the two houses rapped in Torah. For without those two stick working together in harmony with one another the word of Elohim written on the skin of a lamb or sheep, would be unusable.

As we walked back to the house I felt to begin to share with my host about how I saw the return of the ten lost tribes and who they might be. How it was at Shechem that the break took place between those two nations and if there was any spot in all Israel that the breach would be restored, it would have to be in Shechem the orginal spot that it was torn apart. As we entered into his house and just before we set down to eat he looked at me with tears in his eyes. And said: "Now you are beginning to understand why we are here." I could not say another word, as we set down at the table (altar) for the shabbat meal.

Later that afternoon the guests were divided into groups and we walked up to a high look out point on the settlement and the guides shared with us about the area and its history.

A couple points that were very interesting was that not only did Abraham first come into the promised land just below were we were standing, but also Jacob returning from Heran with his family came to Elon Moreh-Shechem. Joshua leading Israel out of the wilderness, came to this same place. Another observation from that point, as we looked at all the Mountains round about, is that never have vineyards been replanted on those hills after our forefathers were cast out in 722 BC. Not even Herod, nor any of the occupiers over the thousands of years planted those grapes vines, those bare hills still weep silently for their beloved redeamer watchmen to come and plant and call out “Let us go up to Zion to YHVH our Elohim”.

Ephraim
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133).

SETTLERS

2011-02-03T08:10:00.000+02:00

October 22, 1999

As you know, from one of our most recent letters, on Elon Moreh, our connection and involvement with the settlements in the heart of Samaria has been growing. But the most amazing part of this adventure, beyond involvement with the heart of our land, is the insight into the heart of the Orthodox Jewish Zionist settlers. In coming to know them and their way of life, I believe I have seen the faith of Abraham manifested on a level quite different from what I had observed in other circles of the faith community. In these settlers I detect what may be defined as the Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego type of faith. We must remember that the faith of Abraham is still apparent in his progeny. YHVH blinded the eyes of the members of the House of Judah to the Gospel's message, for the sake of the other House of faith (Joseph's). But that does not mean that their faith and trust in Elohim is not genuine.

Let us pause, and recall the story of Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. They were Jews living in Babylon during the days of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar. These three were not willing to compromise Torah, nor to bow down to foreign gods. Their faith life style was not just based on tradition but rather on a genuine walk, in obedience to the Word of Elohim. They trusted in the Elohim of Israel, the Elohim of their forefathers and in His Torah. But what was remarkable about their faith, is that they seemed to know the sovereignty of their Elohim and the limit of man's authority and control. Listen to their straight forward conversation with the king of Babylon: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my Elohims or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the Elohim who will deliver you from my hands?"

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our Elohim whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your Elohims, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.'" (Dan. 3:14-18).

The three Hebrews did not deliver to the king a theological treatise, or charged him with injustice; neither did they make claims to human rights, and nor did they try and finagle their way out by calling on some religious or political leader. Their unequivocal answer was simple and direct: "We have no need to answer you in this matter, our Elohim is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and from your hand. But…" please note this next statement, "But if not…" Many would say, 'well that’s not faith! They have to keep that positive confession that Elohim will deliver, and thus armed with that confession, that is what He will do.' However, as far as they were concerned that little "but if not", was a recognition in Elohim's absolute sovereignty in all of life's circumstances. They were safeguarding their faith, regardless of the outcome. This rendered them confident and able to address the king with the boldness of a faith that entrusted their lives to the unseen Elohim of Israel. "Let it be known to you, O king that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." In other words, "you may put us into the furnace".

Now back to the settlers. The other day I was given a map of the latest partitioning of the land, following the Sharm el Sheik agreements. What I saw was shocking, to say the least; what is left of the heart of our country are but a few trails to three or four settlements, Elon Moreh being one of them. I spoke over the phone with a couple from one of the settlements, and I asked them a straight forward question about the decisions that were being made by our political leaders, along with the United States and the United Nations. Their answer astounded me: "Have you not read the word of Elohim? We see our lives here in accordance with Elohim's covenant! This land is ours and we do not recognize any other plan. We must trust, even with our lives, the Elohim of Israel." I began to realize that this is not just a "mere" Zionistic ideal. These people are genuinely living out of their sustaining faith, even to the point of entrusting the sovereign unseen Elohim of Israel with their lives and the lives of their children.

This past week's Torah portion was the story of Noah, who was also a man of faith. He did not have to walk through fire, but through water. Later YHVH would comfort Zion by assuring her that just as He swore to Noah, that He would not flood the earth again, so would He not remove His loving kindness from her (Zion), nor would His covenant of peace be shaken, or His compassion. (see Isa. 54) He did not say it would be easy for her; nevertheless, His faithfulness to His bride would be unchangeable. The Haftarah reading from Isaiah 54 spoke volumes about the Holy One of Israel; as a husband, Redeemer, and Maker of Israel (Zion). Let us keep in mind this concluding verse, as we walk ("Lech Lechah") with our Father Abraham to Elon Moreh (Shechem) in the land that was given for our inheritance. "No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants (Israel) of YHVH" (Is. 54:17). May those who are out in the Golah (diaspora) begin to return to the inheritance, not just by lip service, but by seeking YHVH on how we (especially the Ephraimites) can walk with our brother Judah in the land. For YHVH said in Ezekiel 37 that He would make us ONE IN THE LAND. In conjunction with the Torah portion Lech-Lechah, there will be a prayer rally weekend in Elon Moreh. It will begin at the tomb and property that Jacob bought Joseph. I will be going on Friday to walk and be with them on this special Shabbat. Please join us in prayer, as a prophetic statement of the faithfulness of our covenant-keeping Elohim.

Ephraim

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unit." "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, `You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your Elohim. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Ps. 133:1; Isa.40:8-10).

WORTHY IS THE LAMB

2009-10-25T07:49:00.000+02:00

October 23, 1999

"Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice: 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?' And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals" (Rev.5:2-5).

The strong angel was looking for the one qualified to open, read, or even look at the scroll. In the last couple of weeks we looked at some of the legal requirements incumbent upon a redeemer regarding that scroll. It seems almost inconceivable that no one in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, could be found. John was so shattered over this that he fell on his face and wept. But then one of the elders comforted him and told him not to weep, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has succeeded in fulfilling all the requirements written on the scroll. It was He who was now able to loose the seals and to disclose the text written on the other side. What was it that was written there? What are the property rights?

Before getting into this, let's take a moment to listen and to view the courtroom scene of heaven, which is here before us. The Father Yahoveh is sitting on the judgement seat, with a scroll in His right hand: there are angels, four living creatures, twenty four elders and a myriad of other angels all around. But those are not the only ones present in this courtroom. We hear the proclamation about the Lion of the tribe of Judah. But lo and behold! Instead of a Lion we see a Lamb who looks as though it had been slain, with seven horns and seven eyes. What a grotesque animal! Is there some confusion here? No! As we watch this slain, sacrificial lamb go up to the Father and take the scroll out of His right hand, all those around the throne fall down and begin to SING A NEW SONG: "You are worthy, you have succeeded, you have prevailed, you did it, you qualified (according to all that was written on that legal document)! You have redeemed us and saved us from the wrathful judgements of Yahoveh. But not that only, you are also making us into a royal priesthood, a holy nation."

Who, we might ask, is the "us" referring to? Just the four living creatures and the twenty four elders? They were already in the heavenly courtroom sitting on thrones, dressed in white garments with crowns on their heads. Why were they not qualified to take the scroll and open the seals? Were they not of import and stature? However, whatever righteousness they attained through their faithfulness to Yahoveh, they still saw themselves as part of the redeemed of the Lamb. Something greater has taken place. So awesome was this work that they fell down and cast their crowns before the throne of Yahoveh, and sang a new song! But who else was to be redeemed by this lamb? It was the "us" from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. But who are those?

Remember that there were two sides to the scroll. On the one side were specified the qualification of the redeemer, and on the other side was the description of the inheritance. Whose inheritance? The Father's inheritance, which was made up of those who were to be redeemed. Therefore, it is their names that were written on the scroll. These are the ones who are to become kings and priests unto our Elohim, and they shall reign on the earth. Yes, it is hard to believe that the redeemed were foreordained, predestined, according to the will of the Father and inscribed on the scroll, and that this legal document was already written before the foundations of the earth. We all have this document in our library. It is called the Holy ("set apart") Scriptures. However, it is sealed with seven seals, so as to make it not entirely comprehensible. Not only are there seals, but there are also veils over our minds, which block our understanding. Only Yahoshua can open the seals and lift the veils, just as He did to the two men on the road to Emmaus, or to the Ethiopian eunuch. Therefore, as long as we see through a glass darkly we need to pray: "Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your [legal document] the Torah" (Psa.119:18).

Back to those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life from the foundation of the earth. Do the Scriptures give us any indication as to who they might be? Well, for one thing the Redeemer would have had to be of the same family, a kinsman redeemer or an elder (first born brother). Yahoshua was of the family of David, of the tribe of Judah, son of Jacob. These people, therefore, would have to be of his family, and would have to have a calling to become a kingly-priestly nation (as was promised). There is only one nation that had that calling upon it - Israel. These people become Yahoveh's inheritance by fulfilling the statute of first fruit, or first born. Since the latter, according to the Torah ordinance, all belong to God, Israel was declared to be Yahoveh's first born nation. They were His inheritance. The redeemed, Israel, having been extracted from every tribe and nation, would have needed to be sown and mixed into all these people groups on the face of the earth. They would also have to be those returning to Zion: " Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return to Zion and come with singing…." Will they be singing this new song?

Did not Yahoveh see to the scattering and dispersion of the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob into all nations? There is not any one skin color, eye color or hair texture that characterizes them. Only two attributes identify them: the faith of their father Abraham and a love for the Torah (see Rom 4:16). Oh yes, and one more… their names are written on the scroll.

Ephraim

The redeemed of the Lord shall come with singing: "Worthy, worthy is the Lamb, the All Mighty’s prevailing right hand, to take the two families of Judah and Ephraim and make them one in the land."

SEEK FIRST

2009-10-25T07:40:00.000+02:00

Oct. 9, 1999
Last week marked the beginning reading of the Torah, as once again the yearly cycle, according to traditional Judaism, starts. It is believed that at the time of Yeshua the Torah was read in a three-year cycle. But whether it was read through in the course of a year, or in three makes little difference if one does not understand what these Divine Scriptures say. Yeshua said, "if you don't believe Moses how will you believe me, for he spoke of Me?" (John 5:46). And when Paul went out to the nations, he too went to teach and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and Yeshua from the Torah and the Prophets (see Acts 28:23).

One of Yeshua's greatest dissertations, or explanations of the Torah, can be found in Matthew Chapters 5 through 7. He did not lay down rules and regulations, but rather explained the very nature and heart of the Torah. That is to say, the nature of the new creation life that was to be written on the heart of the New Covenant redeemed Israelites. Within the context of the teaching He taught His disciples to pray: "Our Father", as a point of personal family identity (both as an Israelite and as an individual). "Doubtless You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not recognize us. You, YHVH are our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is Your name" (Isaiah 63:16). "But now, YHVH, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand" (Isaiah 64:8). Next, Yeshua tells us that our Father is in the heavens. Please note the plurality of heavens. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me" (Psa.139:7-10). Then Yeshua sanctifies the name of our Father, acknowledging not just the 'letter of the name', but the very nature of His name - "Holiness", set apart. After giving glory to the Father, He sets in order the priorities, first and foremost His Father's Kingdom and His will; "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done". Where? “On earth as it is in the heavens”. "As it is in the heavens" seems to indicate that there is no problem with His will being done there. But the earthly protocol of His Kingdom is the point at which He was driving. That is, the redemption of His inheritance, Israel, and the irrevocable call that is upon them as a nation, those who are predestined to become His royal priesthood in the earth - His Kingdom. This is why in Matt. 6:33 He exhorts his followers to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness". What does it mean to seek His Kingdom? Where do we look, and what do we look for?

Many possibilities present themselves in this search for the Kingdom of God on earth. But it seems that the search calls for a certain order. Perhaps to start with… The angel Gabriel, in announcing the birth of the Messiah, declared that this one, who was to come, would set up His Kingdom in the house of Jacob (see Luke 1:33). Later the Messiah's disciples, expecting Him to establish this Kingdom in Israel, asked Him when He was going to "restore the Kingdom to Israel" (Acts 1:6). They had been extremely disappointed that Yeshua had not accomplished what they felt the prophets had foretold. However, Yeshua's answer to their question was a little evasive, "just hang in there for it will soon come," (and with that He promised that they would receive the power from the Spirit of Holiness to be His witnesses of that Kingdom. Acts. 1:8). They had thought that there would be an outward manifestation to this Kingdom, with the Messiah sitting in Jerusalem on the throne of David. But Yeshua said that He was going to heaven to sit at His Father's right hand until all His enemies were dealt with (Luke 20:41-43). From that position of authority He would send the Spirit of Holiness and baptize the believing Israelites with fire, to purge and restore righteousness, peace and joy to the heart of His people.

"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them”…(Eze. 36:27, 37:14);

The Kingdom, along with the King, would take up residence in the House of Jacob. But rather than it being an outward Kingdom, it would be an internal spiritual one. Since the House of Jacob is made up of the two houses, and the two houses are made up of His people, it is the people who make up the house and have His Kingdom in them. In this way they are fulfilling what the Messiah came to do; to set up His divine authority in the life of the Israelites.

What does that Kingdom, residing in us, look like? It is a Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy (Rom. 14:17) fully explained by Yeshua in what have been called the "Beatitudes" (Matt. chapters 5, 6, and 7). When we read these so-called Beatitudes, they are not there for our doing, but, rather, they define our state of being (be-attitude). They are a revelation of the nature of His life which is in us. That is the true nature of Torah. Remember that on the first day of creation, the Word came forth out of the Elohim as Light. This Light is the true nature of the Creator and Father of us all (James 1:17). We have His nature in us, just as the Father was in Yeshua. Through receiving by faith (the faith of Abraham that is in us, see Romans 4:16) the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom a new birth takes place, and we are given a new spirit life (the life of the Spirit of Holiness, ref Ez. 36:26). Thus we are able to see the Kingdom and to know the power of the age to come.

The lesson that our forefather Abraham taught us was that by faith we are declared righteous, but through obedience we receive the blessing of the inheritance of His Kingdom in our own earthen vessel. But we must remember when teaching and learning "Torah", that it is not the letter of the Word which has life, but that this life is in the nature of the Spirit of Torah (the Spirit of Holiness).

Be blessed in knowing that it is no longer you, the believer, that lives but the Anointed One of Israel that lives in you (Gal.2:20)! “For you have died and your life is hidden in Him, but He who now is your life, when He is unveiled to you [by revelation of Torah] then you will know who you are as well" (Col.3:3-4), with some of our paraphrasing). “For greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Ephraim

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brothers to dwell together in unity…" "In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together…to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers"
(Psa. 133:1, Jeremiah 3:18).

JOSEPH'S BONES

2008-07-13T15:08:00.000+03:00

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

2008-07-04T17:18:00.000+03:00

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

2008-05-16T17:00:00.000+03:00

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

2008-05-12T16:46:00.000+03:00

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

2008-04-11T17:12:00.000+03:00

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

2008-03-24T16:59:00.000+02:00

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

2008-02-29T12:35:00.000+02:00

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

2008-02-08T18:02:00.000+02:00

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

2008-01-08T14:03:00.000+02:00

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

WHY YESHUA CAME

2007-08-31T17:45:00.000+03:00

June 25, 1999

When the angel Gabriel, who had been sent to earth by YHVH, arrived in a little Galilaean town called Nazareth he announced to a young girl that she was to conceive a son by Divine intervention. This young maiden was to name her baby Yeshua (salvation). Keep in mind that this was not the first time that YHVH, blessed-be-His-name, intervened in a woman's womb so as to bring forth His purposes.

Isaac's was another miraculous birth, as his mother and father were too old to have children. Not only was his mother too old, but she had also been barren all of her life. Jacob's mother, Rebecca, was barren too, and in need of the touch of the Spirit of the Father. And of course Jacob's beloved Rachel, who became the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, needed that healing touch as well.

However, the situation was a little more dramatic in Miriam's case, as she had not had sexual relationships with a man. Today we do not think much of the status of a virgin, but in those days a maiden could lose her life by stoning, if her husband found her to be without blood on the wedding day. In the case before us, YHVH Himself was to supply the life force that would become His only begotten Son. He therefore sent a messenger to announce the purpose for bringing forth this son at that time.

"You shall call his name Yeshua, which means salvation, and He would be great, and He will be called the Son of the Most High Elohim, He will be given the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, for His kingdom will have no end." (Luke 1:31-33).

It is not the promise that Yeshua would succeed to the throne of David which is puzzling, but rather the wording: "throne of His father David," is what makes this announcement somewhat curious. How could Yeshua be David's son, when we know that He was not of the sperm of natural man? His mother, who was Jewish, had relatives connected to the priesthood, which most likely made her a Levite (see Luke 1:36). Joseph, the man she was betrothed to, was of the seed of David (Luke 1:27). However, as you know, he had a bit of a problem with this bride of his, who (just happened) to be pregnant before their marriage was consummated. Being a righteous man, Joseph was ready to take the necessary steps and have her put away according to the Law. However, in another angelic visitation he was told to take Miriam as his wife. By doing so he in essence adopted the child that she was carrying, as his own. Thus, through adoption, Yeshua entered the lineage of David, who, in a very real and legal sense, became his (fore)father, just as we, who are sons of Abraham, become sons of Elohim through adoption (see Rom 8:15, 9:4; Gal. 4:5).

Why was it so important that Joseph adopt this child? Couldn't redemption have been accomplished anyway, say through a Levite, or a Benjamite or for that matter through a Syrian? As we know, Yeshua came to redeem a lost inheritance. Whose inheritance? His Father's. What or who belonged to His Father and had gotten lost, so as to be in need of redemption? At some time or another YHVH must have owned something. In the Torah we see the principle that all first fruit belong to Him (see Ex. 22:29-30, 23:16-19; Deu. 26:2 and many more). Because these first fruit belong to YHVH He places His name on them, marking them "for His name sake."

The following scriptures indicate that the entire nation of Israel was (and still is) YHVH's possession and inheritance. "But YHVH has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance as you are this day," (Deut. 4:20). "Yet they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your mighty power and by Your outstretched arm," (Deut. 9:29). Not only were the people His inheritance, but so was a place called Mount Zion. "You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, In the place, O YHVH, which You have made for Your own dwelling, The sanctuary, O YHVH, which Your hands have established" (Ex. 15;17).

In order for Yeshua to become the redeemer of His Father's inheritance, in this case Israel, He would have had to have a very specific legal status in the family. He could not be a son randomly chosen, from 'any old' family in humanity because YHVH is a law-giver, and everything that has been created in the heavens and the earth is governed by His laws. This is especially true concerning the laws of redemption. Regarding our justification we are not under Law, yet the Law should be under us, as it were, giving us a firm foundation!

In the book of Revelation we see YHVH the Mighty One sitting on His throne with a scroll in His hand (Rev. 5:1). It says about this scroll that it was inscribed on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. What was this seven-sealed document? It must have been extremely important, as the legal qualifications to open it were so high that no one could be found, in heaven or on earth, worthy of taking it and of opening its seals. The thought of no one qualifying was so grave, that it caused the prophet to weep uncontrollably. Most scholars agree that this scroll was the scroll of redemption. Such a scroll was seen when Jeremiah redeemed a piece of property by purchasing it (Jer.32). A scroll of redemption was usually written on both sides; the one side had the title deed to the property and the other, the qualifying requirements of its redeemer. Please notice that the Father had the scroll in His hand. He was like the judicial guardian over that inheritance, until the one qualified would come and take the scroll.

The question is: What was written on the scroll? What were those regulations that qualified the Redeemer to take the scroll and open its seals? What does all of this have to do with us?
Ephraim

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

THE FATHER'S PURPOSE

2007-08-24T17:44:00.000+03:00

June 18, 1999

Why did YHVH bring 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 religious expression called Judeo-Christianity? 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 Zachariah the priest, when filled with the Holy Spirit. Both announced the Father's purposes:
- 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, 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; 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 YHVH 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 to be a servant and one who would "listen, watch 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," (Psa. 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 Elohim that takes away the sin of the world," (John 1:29). "YHVH was in Messiah reconciling the world to Himself, 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 Divine 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 YHVH 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 Divine relationships and national identity. Be separate and wait for the Lord 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).

JUDAH AND EPHRAIM'S RELATIONSHIP

2007-07-25T17:34:00.001+03:00

May 14, 1999

Continuing the scene from the letter two weeks ago (2 Sam.19), we have arrived at the point where the Two Houses meet at the fords of the Jordan. Did love and mutual cooperation unite the two brothers, and did they bring the king back together to Jerusalem? Oh no! Having David as their king was not enough! The old old story of resentment and jealousy immediately irrupted. A remnant from the northern tribes, as we mentioned previously, went down in humiliation to invite the king back. From this we may infer that they did not humble themselves, but rather that they had “egg on their faces” and were embarrassed by the defeat of Absalom, their chosen leader. Their only alternative was possibly to select another king. The defeat was extremely degrading, not because David's army was more powerful and clever, but because the forests of Ephraim claimed more lives than did the actual fighting. This may have caused them to deduce that Elohim's hand was in the matter, therefore they had no alternative but to reinstate David. What's more, Absalom, their leader, was also “overcome” by a large oak tree, as he hung by his head and long hair in its branches (2 Sam.18:9). In scripture trees are sometimes connected to Elohim's righteousness: "That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of YHVH, that He may be glorified" (Isa. 61:3). In our day and age, many leaders in the Church system are also finding these oak trees dangerous, especially the longer the "hair" of self-exaltation, or self-glorification is.

After their defeat, the tribes of Israel all fled to their own tents (congregations), and spent the time disputing, arguing and quarreling amongst themselves (2 Sam.19:9-10). What were they fighting over? They had remembered how David delivered them from their enemies, and saved them time and time again from the hand of the Philistines. But they could not understand why he would flee and leave them alone, under the rule of a rebellious son. Did they have a choice in the matter, could they have stood up and opposed this would-be leader? Instead, they had chosen to serve Absalom whole-heartedly, and were even willing to fight against some of David's faithful servants. (Is this reminiscent of Church history?) However, after the defeat, a remnant of them decided to go and ask the king to return. But lo and behold, the king ignored their request. (2 Sam. 19:10-11)! These perplexed Israelites were further embarrassed when David sent for Judah to come down to Gilgal. Judah, than, quite typically, resented that fact that the Israelites were there.

Please take note of the following small, but yet moving, episode (v.16-20). When the time came for David to cross over, a repentant man by the name of Shimei (root of "to listen") of “Benjamin, from the house of Joseph,” along with other of Saul's servants, went with Judah. This group of Benjamites was made up of those who were mocking, cursing and throwing stones at David when he left Jerusalem, (2 Sam. 16:5-8). However, now they were truly repentant, and "rushed down to the Jordan and brought across all the king's household, and did what was right in the eyes of the king". This small company of Benjamites, ("listeners" from the "son of the right hand") of the house of Joseph (v 20), were not only the first to see the king of Israel, but were also the ones to experience his heart first hand.

Meanwhile, more and more of the Israelites were coming down to watch the procession crossing the Jordan. Their internal quarreling had stopped, but now they were incensed with Judah. When the latter escorted the king across the river, the jealousy of Ephraim (Israel) finally broiled to the surface. "Then all Israel came to the king and said, 'why has our brothers from Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household and all David's men with him over the Jordan?'" (2 Sam 19:41). Ephraim did not want to be left out, or should I say, pushed out, or be bullied out by His older brother. So, he lodged his complaint: "that’s not fair! It was my idea in the first place to bring the king back!" (v. 43); a mere logical conclusion, right? Unfortunately, Ephraim’s sense of inferiority demanded a touch of favoritism, and measure of recognition. Having failed in his attempt to get his way, he flared up in anger.

What was Judah’s reply to this emotional attack? "… The king is a close relative of ours. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we ever eaten at the king's expense? Or has he given us any gift?" (2 Sam 19:42). Does this response have anything to do with Ephraim's complain? Poor Ephraim, always outwitted by his Jewish brother! Indeed, there did not seem to be any favoritism on the king’s part toward Judah, yet Ephraim's hurt feelings of pride, jealousy and anger surfaced, and not altogether without reason. Judah was not willing to walk with that remnant of Israel to escort David across the Jordan. In fact, Ephraim's very presence, as already pointed out, gave rise to Judah's contempt. Still confused over Judah’s remarks, Ephraim made his next mistake by a business-like approach: “And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, 'we have ten shares in the king; therefore we also have more right to David than you. why then do you despise us?’" (2 Sam 19:43). We have ten shares in the king, they boasted. “Big deal!” So what's that to Judah? He can take his two shares and make them into one hundred before Ephraim even begins to think about investments. “Yet the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel"(2 Sam 19:43). The argument must have been quite intense, but the lion's roar won over the conflict, and left Israel even more frustrated and devastated. Thus, their only recourse was to disassociate themselves from Judah. With these words they were going to teach Judah a lesson: "We have no share in David, nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; Every man to his tents, O Israel.” Bear in mind that this all took place in front of the returning king.

Following this, they found themselves another leader, a worthless man, a Benjamite. This was just like Ephraim, who, when rejecting Judah's legitimate position of leadership in the family, always ends up with leaders who will be happy to take him up every mountain, as long as it is not Mount Zion. (see Eze 34).

Today, as back then, a remnant of the lost sheep of the House of Israel has been longing for the return of the Messiah, waiting at the fords of the Jordan for Him. But lo, here comes the Judeans, the natural branch, kinsmen of the Messiah. They have “gotten their act together” and they are coming down as "one man" to Gilgal.
What will happen this time? Will the New Covenant love, the Torah written on the heart win out? Will Ephraim call out: “let us return to Zion,” or will he call out "we have no share in David, nor do we have an inheritance in the son of Jesse, every man to his tents, O Israel"?. Will Judah continue to persist in their rejection, and despise Ephraim's presence and newly-found identity? We don't need your help in bringing the King back, nor do we need you to return to the land! THIS LAND HAS BEEN GIVE US AS A POSSESSION!" (see Ezk. 11:15).

Will the two brothers love one another, and accept each other’s role in this chosen generation in the family of Jacob, in the family that has been called to become a royal priesthood and a holy nation; the one new man, the first fruit of the new creation, a light to the nations? Or will their testimony to the nations continue to be enmity, strife, jealousy, resentment, hatred and divisiveness?

Redeemed of the Lord, from Ephraim and Judah, if we do not accept God's prophetic plan, which has been summed up in the New Covenant, and repent of these ancient attitudes, our eventual togetherness and unity will come forth only as a result of the following warning: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent”(Rev.3:19).

Ephraim

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

RETURN

2007-07-15T20:22:00.000+03:00

May 7, 1999

"'What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!' So Israel departed to their tents" (1 Kings 12:16).

These words were said by the people of the House of Israel to the people of the House of Judah, on the day that YHVH decided to divide the United Kingdom of Israel after King Solomon's reign. However, this was not the first time that Israel had addressed the House of David in this way. As we know, before all Israel accepted the leadership of David's rule, David had reigned for 7 years, from Hebron, over the House of Judah. Interestingly, it was only after he had conquered the Jebusite city of Jerusalem, that Israel joined Judah and the House of David's regime. But David's rule was interrupted, and he stepped down allowing his rebellious son Absalom to take the scepter in Jerusalem (2 Sam 15:14). At this juncture, David fled and stayed beyond the Jordan, in the city of Mahanaim, which means "encampment" (this may have been the place where Israel camped before entering the Land). David waited there, and did not go out with his army against his son. But even after the war and his son's death, he still did not go up to reclaim his rightful place in Jerusalem. Why?

Absalom's army was made up mostly of the Israelites of the North, who after their defeat fled each to his own tent. We are also told that all the tribes were quarreling amongst themselves (2 Sam.19:9). They had anointed Absalom king, but now he was dead, so what were they to do? They had committed mutiny "big time." They had rejected God's anointed one and anointed their own king. How then could they face David?

Unfortunately, this scene reflects the state of the Body of Messiah today, as many have appointed or hired for themselves men as "overlords", while Yeshua, has to flee and wait, until this war with religious flesh is over. What's more, this condition is usually conducive to quarreling. In spite of this, Yeshua, by His loving faithfulness, occasionally knocks at the door of the rebellious heart and beckons it to turn around and repent (Rev.3:20).

According to the account in 2 Sam.19, a remnant of the House of Joseph went down in humiliation and invited David to return. However, he still had not come up. His reasons for not doing so may reveal, by inference, why the Messiah King of Israel, Son of David, also tarries at the gate of the "encampment," in the wilderness beyond the Jordan, and will not come back to reign in Jerusalem. In David's case, it was only a remnant of the House of Joseph who had invited him to return. Praise God for the remnant!

David then sent his two priests, Zadok and Abiathar, to speak to the leaders of Judah. Listen to what these two had to say to David's kin: "Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, you are my brothers, are you not my bone and my flesh?"(2 Sam. 19:11-12) Amazingly, these words turned the hearts of all the men of Judah. I pray that this would be true of the House of Judah in our generation; may they likewise acknowledge the greater Son of David and invite Him back to Jerusalem.

The elders of Judah then sent word for the king to return, but David only came up as far as the Jordan. He waited for Judah to come down to Gilgal, which they did as "one man," in order to meet the king. Gilgal was the place of the second circumcision, and the rolling back of the reproach of Egypt. (Josh. 5:2,9). Could it be a pattern for today, as the Messiah will wait for the House of Judah to first realize that they are "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh"? (Rom 1:3, 2 Tim 2:8). In other words, Judah, you are the natural branch, (Rom 11:21) for the Messiah was from the shoot that sprang from the root of Jesse in the house of Judah (Isa.11:1).

Judah's recognition of their ancestral ties to the king caused them to act as "one man," to repent and come down to "Gilgal". However, natural lineage was not the only reason for David's return to his house in Judah. Judah's kingly position, scepter and leadership in the family also had to be respected and honored ("the Jew first"). As mentioned above, David first ruled in Judah. David also knew that if only one house recognized his God-given anointing, the kingdom divided would not stand. Could it be that until the Messiah has a United Kingdom - when Judah and Ephraim are willing to walk together under His Kingship, His rule and His divine order in the family - He will have to stay "put", just as it written about Him, "whom heaven must retain until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets from of old”? (Acts 3:21). This also applies to Ezekiel 37, and also to other many unfulfilled prophecies.

Is it possible that Messiah's return is contingent upon the Two Houses humb ling themselves, repenting and forgiving each other for the years of jealousy, enmity, strife and murder? Is He waiting for them to come down to Gilgal? Is he waiting for Ephraim to repent of his anti-Semitism towards Judah, his very own Semitic brother, the brother about whom Ephraim declared not to have any part of? Is He waiting for Judah to repent of their arrogant pride and self-righteousness, thinking like their forefathers did, when Ephraim (the House of Joseph with its ten portions) was banished and rejected? For Judah boisterously said to this idolatrous house that they should go far from YHVH, "THIS LAND HAS BEEN GIVE US AS A POSSESSION" (Eze.11:15). Have these traits of possessiveness and pride been carried over to this very day? Has Ephraim become, in the eyes of a remnant of Jews, but a ghost of the past, an enigma to be erased from memory because they were an embarrassment to the family? The prophet Amos, speaking to those who were at ease in Zion (Amos 1:1), warned them that judgment was near because they were sitting idly listening to the sound of stringed instruments, inventing for themselves musical instruments like David, drinking wine from bowls, and anointing themselves with the best ointments, but were not grieved over the affliction of Joseph (see v. 4-6).

Maybe Ephraim's brother wanted to forget, but YHVH said that he had not forgotten Ephraim (Jer. 31:20). And just as a little reminder to Judah, this is what YHVH had spoken to you about the House of Ephraim: "Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary to them in the countries where they have gone"' (Eze. 11:16). Has not Messiah Yeshua, the rock of Israel, been their sanctuary for these past two thousand years? Or have they stumbled over the stone along with Judah, as recorded in Isaiah 8:14? "He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel." In light of this, it may be a good idea to pay attention to what YHVH said to the House of Joseph in the following prophecy, a word that came right on the heels of the Jewish leadership staking claim to the entire land.

"Therefore say, `thus says YHVH Elohim: I will gather you [House of Joseph or Ephraim] from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel."' In the following verses the prophet turns directly to Judah and gives a prophecy to them about what will happen to Ephraim. "And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there". Can you imagine Ephraim doing that? "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God" (Ez. 11:17-20). Later, these very same words were spoken to both the Houses of Israel (Eze 37 and Jer.31). To be continued.

Ephraim

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

HEAR O MY PEOPLE

2007-06-14T04:49:00.000+03:00

April 30, 1999

Listen to Me, My people; and give ear to Me, O My nation. For the Torah will proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, and My arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands will wait upon Me, and on My arm they will trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look on the earth beneath, for the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner. But My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished ( ref. Isa.51: 4-6). Even though the present heavens and earth are now preserved by the same word, they are being kept for the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. For there will be a day that I will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (ref. 2 Pet.3:7, 10). So pay attention, and listen to Me, you who know righteousness, in whose heart is My Torah (ref. Isa 51:7). Yes, that means you, for did I not declare to you, oh house of Israel and house of Judah, that I would write My Torah on your heart, so that you might know Me (ref. Jer. 31:33). Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults… I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? For I am Ya'hoveh your Elohim, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar--I am YHVH the commander of the mighty multitudes of the army of Israel, that is My name.

I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may truly plant the (new) heavens, and lay the foundations of the (new) earth (ref. Isa.51:7, 15-16). For you have been born again into a living hope, redeemed by the blood of My son, Yah'shua, and have become the first fruit of the new creation; the old things are passing away, but behold new things have come. Have I not promised you a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (ref. 2 Pet. 3:13)? Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy (ref. Isa. 65:17-18). Have I not made it clear to you that, `You are My people.' Therefore because you are My people, a royal priesthood and a holy nation, you shall return from all the other nations where it was said of you ‘you are not My people’ (ref. Hos.1:10), and return to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on your heads. You shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away (ref. Isa. 51:11).

Zion, you thought that I YHVH had forsaken and forgotten you. But I say to you my beloved bride: Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. Your walls are continually before Me. Your sons shall make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste shall go away from you and those who swallowed you up will be far away. Lift up your eyes, look around and see; all these your children will be gather together and come to you. (ref. Isa. 49:14-18). For I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself, grieving over the sin of his youth and smiting his thigh in repentance: `You have chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf restore me, and I will return to Zion, for You are Ya'hoveh my Elohim (ref. Jer. 31:18). As I live Zion, you shall surely clothe yourself with them all as an ornament, and bind them on you as a bride does. For your land that was left wasted and desolate will even now be too small for the inhabitants. Even these children of Ephraim that you did not know you had, that you thought you had lost, will say again in your ears, `The place is too small for me; give me a place where I may dwell' (ref. Isa. 49:19-20). Have I not saved the House of Joseph (ref. Zech 10:6). Did I not promise you that I would also save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west, and that I would bring them back to their land, to be My people and I their God, in truth and righteousness.'(ref. Zech 8:7-8)? Even 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; and their heart shall rejoice in YHVH. I will whistle for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them through the precious blood of My Son, I have multiplied them as the sand of the sea, and have sown them among many peoples, they have become ‘the fullness of the Gentiles’ (see Gen. 48:19). Remember, this was a portion of their birthright. Therefore they also shall remember Me in far countries; they shall live, together with their children, and shall return (ref. Zech. 10:7-9).

For in that day I will pour out My Spirit and turn their hearts to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (ref. Mal.4:6). They thought that I had abandoned them and left them orphans (ref. Lam 5:3), but I was watching faithfully over My Word to perform it (ref. Jer. 1:12). There is a time and season for all things under the sun, a time to break down, destroy, and to scatter, but there is also a time to sow and to harvest, to build up and to restore (ref. Ec.3:1). Therefore in keeping with My word, I will bring the House of Joseph (Ephraim) 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. (ref. Zech 10:10). Yes, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth, the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labors with child, a great throng shall return there. (ref. Jer. 31:8). So great will be the return that they will not even remember their first exodus out of Egypt. For as I live, I will surely bring the sons of Israel (Joseph) from the land of the north and from all the countries where I had banished them. I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers (ref. Jer 16:14-15). They shall come with weeping, and with supplications, I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble, for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn… Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he not a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him. For there shall be a day, when the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, `Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to Ya'hovah our Elohim' (ref. Jer.31:8-9,20, 6). Watch! I will do this miracle before the eyes of the nations. I will assemble the outcasts (or banished) of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah (the Jews) from the four corners of the earth. The envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim (ref. Isa. 11:12-13). In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north, to the land that I have given as an inheritance to their fathers (ref. Jer. 3:18). For I will take the wild branches of the olive tree of Joseph which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them to the trunk of Jesse (ref. Isa.11:1), of the tree of Judah, and make them one tree and they will be one in My hand. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; just as Gabriel the angel was instructed by Me to announce, to Miriam, after she was with child. That this one that is in her womb will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; for I will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end (ref. Luke 1:32-33). Therefore those two houses, shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again (ref. Ezekiel 37:19,22).

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 (Psa. 133).

YHVH SPEAKS)

2007-06-01T13:14:00.000+03:00

April 23, 1999

These scriptures I compiled in 1984 as part of a manuscript "Thus Say's YHVH".

“Behold, the days are coming, that I will bring you back from captivity, for you are My people Israel and Judah,' says YHVH `And I will cause you to return to the land that I gave to your forefathers, Avraham, Isaac and Ya'acov, and you shall possess it'” (Jer. 30:3).

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that you may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come (Hab. 2:2-3). You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that My word is fulfilled" (Jer.1:12). "None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done" (Eze 12:28). "Look among the nations and watch--Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you might not believe, even though it were told to you" (Hab. 1:5). "For in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, My mystery, the mystery that I declared through My servants the prophets will be finished" (Rev.10:7). "Surely I do nothing, unless I reveal My secrets or mysteries to My servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).

"When one hears the roaring of a lion, will they not fear? Just so, when I YHVH your Elohim speak! Who cannot but prophesy?" (Amos 3:7-8) "Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy them but to fulfill them. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one vav or one Yod will by no means pass from the Torah till all is fulfilled (Matt 5:17-18) "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25)!

"Thus says YHVH, the King of Israel, and His Redeemer, Adonai of hosts: “I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no Elohim. If any can proclaim as I do, then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, since I appointed the ancient people (Israel). For the things that are coming, shall come" (Isa. 44:6-7). "Proclaim and bring forth your case; yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, YHVH, for there is no other Elohim besides Me, a just Elohim and a Savior; there is none besides Me" (Isa. 45:21).

"Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a Elohim besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one" (Isa. 44:8). "Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands" (Isa 45:11). "For you, who are reading this with understanding, are the redeemed of Avraham, the seed of Ya'acov, the work of my hands" (see Isa. 29:22-23). "Hear, O My beloved, and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify in you; that I am Elohim, your Elohim" (Psa. 50:7)!

"I created the heavens, I am Elohim Who formed the earth and made it, also I established it, and did not create it in vain, but formed it to be inhabited: I am YHVH, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to you, the seed of Ya'acov, `Seek Me in vain'; I, YHVH speak righteousness, I declare things that are right" (Isa. 45:18-19).

"Look to Me, and be saved, all you of Israel's seed, you are the ones that I have sown and scattered to the ends of the earth! For I am your Elohim, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear…. that Yeshua is Messiah and Lord to the glory of the Father (Phil 2:11). You shall say, `Surely only in YHVH, through the blood of Yeshua, do I have righteousness and strength. For it is only to Me that you shall come, but to all who are incensed against Me they shall be put to shame. Only in Me shall all the descendants of Israel be justified, and glorified.' (ref. Isa. 45:22-25).

"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek Me. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Avraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and multiplied him" (Isa. 51:1-2). YHVH scattered him into all nations, for the life of the father is in his off-spring, his progeny, YHVH even made nations of him. But now the time has come for the harvest and YHVH will gather you from the north, south, east, and west, and bring you into your own land, so that you might become that light of His Glory to the rest of the nations (ref. Isa.49:6)

"I do not do this for your sake, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; then the rest of the nations shall know that I am YHVH, when I am revealed, IN you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your Elohim" (Eze. 36:22-28). "Therefore I will gather you from the places where it was said 'you are not my people', and I will call you the sons of the living Elohim, and the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together for great will be the day of My sowing" ( Jezreel) (Hos. 1:10-11).

Ephraim

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together (Shevet Achim) in unity…for in this I command the blessing of life eternal" (Psalm 133)

THE EARTH IS YHVH'S

2007-05-20T11:16:00.000+03:00

April 16, 1999

"The earth is YHVH's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein." (Psalms 24:1). This past week we went to a burial of a neighbor (Tzvika). His daughter is in the same class as our daughter. He was 47 years old.

The gathering at the cemetery was large; people from our settlement and from the surrounding towns (both Arabs and Jews) were present, and of course close family.

As we walked down the side of the hill towards our destination I looked up and with the graveyard in the foreground, I saw the panoramic view of the green rolling hills of Samaria. Large stones and olive trees dotted the gently descending slopes down toward the long Sharon valley below, with its towns and cities sewn into the patchwork of green and brown fields. The misty blue of the Mediterranean Sea was like a velvet frame along the boarder of the land. For some reason the view had a special meaning at that moment, as the white-shirted burial team took the body from back of a plain gray colored service van. Tzvika's wife, who had been holding on to her 12 year old daughter's hand, put her arm around her and drew her into a close embrace. The crowd then pressed in around them, as we all shuffled slowly into this small cemetery. I saw the mayor of our settlement pause briefly, as he passed the large granite stone bearing the Hebrew letters of his 19-year-old daughter. She had been killed two years previously in a car accident. There were other epitaphs, engraved in stone, lining the small and relatively new burial ground; for instance, the two soldiers tragically killed along with 71 others, when the two helicopters kissed in mid air, and plummeted to the ground burning to death the fear-filled, screaming soldiers inside. As I stood next to my wife, behind a wall of assorted colored clothes, I could not see the actual entombment. However, having attended such sad events in the past, the sounds were very familiar; the weeping of the mourners, the whispers of those that had gathered, who perhaps hadn't seen one another since the last occasion, like a Brit, a Bar-Mitzva, or a wedding. Soon I could hear the Rabbi chanting the prayer as the cement lid made its soft drum-like sound deep in the ground, closing the body into its final resting place. Then the shovels, manned by Tzvika's teary-eyed and somber friends, hurriedly scratched the stone-laden earth back to its original place. The hollow thuds of the first few throws left the feeling that it was almost over.

I happened to look to my right, and there was a man standing unobtrusively in the back, with a beautiful wreath in his one hand, wiping his eyes with the other, trying to hold back from crying as he took a deep breath. I knew that he was an Arab from a near-by village. I couldn't help but observe him, in his sorrow. Finally, not able to hold back my own deep feelings of compassion for him, I walked over and put my arm around him. He was surprised at first, but as our eyes met I said to him in Hebrew, "he was your good friend". As he gathered his composure, he replied in a broken voice: "No, he was like my brother. We were very close, he would come to my house in Kalkilya (not a friendly town towards the Israelis), and I would come to his house here in Alphe Menashe." As we stood together silently watching the last shovels of earth being scraped into place over his "brother" and my neighbor, I was struck by a sudden reality. With this in mind I said to him: "Do you see that mound of earth? Does it belong to the Jew? Does it belong to the Arab?" As we both stared at the reality, I continued my thought "I think here lies the answer." He nodded in agreement. As the last mourner laid his shovel down and the people began to embrace the bereaved family, that little mound of earth seemed to say back to us, both Jew and Arab, "Ultimately you all belong to me."

As we walked up to Tzvika's widow to pay our condolences, she made a very interesting observation and comment. "Only now in his death did he bring together so many who had broken relationships." We were some of the last ones to leave the site. As we silently returned, walking up the hill with our backs to the scenery, my thoughts were on the futility of our conflicts over this earth and our pride of who we might think we are: Serbs, Bosnians, Palestinians, Israelis, Americans. Where are the Moahbites, Ammonites, or Romans? The earth, generation after generation, still holds the answer, "you all belong to me and I belong to YHVH".

A part of the prayer that had been chanted over the grave, goes something like this: "May his resting place be in the Garden of Eden - therefore may the Master of mercy shelter him in the shelter of His wings for eternity, and may He bind his soul in the bond of Life. Hashem is his heritage, and may he repose in peace on his resting place" (Siddur). Ironically, it was out of the earth that Elohim created man, and it was in the garden of Eden that Elohim pronounced man's ultimate destiny: "Till you return to the earth, for out of it you were taken; For dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Gen. 3:19). But this is not the end of the story, Yah'shua the Messiah of the Jews and of the Arabs and of anyone else who has the faith to believe, rose from that mound of dirt, death did not hold him, because of the greatness, power, and faithfulness of the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Creator of this earth, and the one about whom the Psalmist declares. "The earth belongs to YHVH, and the fulness there of."

Ephraim

P.S. "YHVH, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how transient I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You; Certainly every man in his best state is but vapor. Selah (Psa. 39:4-5).

YHVH'S OATH

2007-05-11T16:00:00.000+03:00

March 19, 1999

"For when Elohim made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, 'Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.' And so, after he had patiently endured, Abraham obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all disputes. Thus Elohim, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for Elohim to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Yah'shua, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:13-20).

Is it possible for Elohim to lie? If it is then we have no hope, and our faith has nothing to draw from. Elohim made one oath, and that was to Abraham. This oath is the testing ground of Elohim's very own nature. If He does not remain faithful to this promise, He must relinquish His claim to holiness, righteousness, and faithfulness.

According to the above quoted scriptures, there are two immutable, unchanging, permanent things that Elohim has ordained, predestined, sealed and finalized, and they are: "blessing I will bless and multiplying I will multiply you [Abraham]." Elohim's faithfulness to this covenant is our hope, which is an anchor for our soul. There are many souls today who are drifting on the sea of the doctrines of men and of demons (lying spirits). They make a claim to the truth, but in the same breath make Elohim out to be a liar. Elohim, knowing the pride of men, made an oath and swore by His own name or nature, so that the promise could not fail. One of the most hotly contested truths in the body of the Messiah today, is this mystery of Elohim's sowing, or the multiplying of the natural seed of Abraham. Did Elohim multiply and bless the seed of Abraham (father of multitudes), Isaac (son of promise) and Jacob (a chosen nation), or did He throw out that idea for a more spiritual one?

Our faith, along with the understanding, must face or come to grips with these two perpetual things, so that it (that is, our faith), together with hope and trust, may be encouraged. Many are weak today because their souls have been told that Elohim is not interested in the nephesh (soul and body, or natural man), but just in spiritual things. I have even heard sermons preached on the soul having to die. This kind of nonsense comes from the Hellenistic mind-set of Platonic philosophy, but the beauty of the Hebraic thought is that Elohim so loves me (spirit, soul, and body), that He gave His life to save, redeem, and restore my soul, not to kill it. He had to resurrect my dead spirit, and now my spirit is alive in Him but hidden in His, and He has become my life (see Col. 3:1-3). However, my soul could not draw life from a dead spirit, so it tried to satisfy its needs from the spirit of this world, through materialism (lust of the eyes) pleasures (lust of the flesh) and success (pride of its life). But now, through the Gospel, the indwelling Spirit of Elohim and the redemptive blood of the Messiah (Lamb), my soul, by obedience of faith inherited from my father Abraham, is learning that it has been set free from its bondage and slavery to the "law" of sin and death.

Praise YHVH for the testimonies of those who believed Elohim, a small list of whom can be found in the book of Hebrews chapter 11. Just to make mention of one of them, "by faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised" (Heb. 11:11). Sarah trusted in the faithfulness of Elohim to stay true to His word. Thus, she conceived and experienced the power of resurrection life. Today we have the privilege of being doubly blessed, as we see the faithful testimony of Yah'shua, Messiah of Israel, and the greatness of the day of Jezreel (Elohim will sow). We are a testimony, an example, a witness, a first fruit of the harvest of this Abrahamic seed that Elohim has been sowing for over 4,000 years. "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, `You are not My people,' there it shall be said to them, `You are sons of the living Elohim.' Then the children of Judah [House of Judah] and the children of Israel [House of Joseph] shall be gathered together, and appoint for themselves one head; and they shall come up out of the earth, for great will be the day of Jezreel" (Hos.1:10-11)!

Those who have ears to hear and eyes to see are those who have been chosen from this generation to bear witness to the faithfulness of the Elohim of Israel. So, if we are of the seed (heirs of promise), let us sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb: "Just and true are Your ways" (Rev.15:3). "Who is like You, O YHVH, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? You stretched out Your right hand; the earth swallowed them. You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation" (Ex. 15:11-13).

If we are to traverse this wilderness and reach the final destiny of our inheritance, we need to be encouraged by believing that Elohim has been faithful to the oath that He made to Abraham, "surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." In this way our souls will have an anchor of hope for the future, and an encouragement for the present. May we, along with the Psalmist, declare that we have not forgotten our Elohim, nor have we dealt falsely with His covenant. (ref. Ps. 44:17).

Ephraim

I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly (Ps. 40:10).

HIS REALITY IN YOU

2007-04-23T14:08:00.000+03:00

March 12 1999

What makes us Messianic? What is it that constitutes the life of a believer in Yeshua?

Sometimes we take things for granted and assume that we know what the life of faith is all about. We wear labels and focus our identity on the nature or character of the group that we belong to. But what is our scriptural reality? If we believe the truth of the Gospel, then we must admit and confess “that we have been crusified with Messiah”1 therefore, “we have died and our life is hidden in the Messiah in Elohim”2 It does not say “we will be”, future tense. No, this here is a definite fact, preceded by "we have". Faith agrees with the work of Grace and brings us into the revelation knowledge of truth. Thus we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, “that our old man was crucified with him.”3 However, we not only have died, we have been buried with Him through our baptism in water4, and therefore we have been raised with Him into newness of life.
“If then you were raised with Messiah, seek those things which are above, where Messiah is, sitting at the right hand of YHVH. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”5

Now the question is, where is this new life? The answer is obvious “in Messiah Yeshua.” Where is the Messiah? In heavenly places. Where are those heavenly places? What does it mean to set our mind on things above? Is it somewhere beyond the stars and far in the galactic outer space, somewhere in this universe? No! Paul, or Rav. Shaul, challanges us to “examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith, for do you not know this about yourselves that Yehshua the Messiah is IN YOU.”6 “Do you mean to say that those heavenly places are IN ME? Yeshua is seated in me?” Oh yes, if we are in the faith we must recognize this about ourselves: that “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.”7 One of the reasons why it is so difficult to see this reality is because many have not had the Torah to explain or give the picture of this truth to them. Yehshua said , “if you would believe Moses you would believe me for he spoke of Me.”8

When our forefathers arrived at Mount Sinai in the third month, just around the Feast of Firstfruit or Pentecost, an amazing thing happened; YHVH descended like fire on that mountain in the wilderness; His voice was heard; the mountain shook; the Torah was given; a marriage took place, and the tabernacle in the heavenly was seen and described in great detail. Paul tells us that these things happened to them for our instruction or example9, and thus we are to pay close attention to these details.

In light of this, let us take a look at only one from among the phenomena of Mount Sinai, "the Tabernacle". What does the Tabernacle or sanctuary have to do with us? The Apostle writes, "For you are the sanctuary of the living Elohim. As YHVH has said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people’."10 "Do you not know that you are the sanctuary of Elohim and that the Spirit of YHVH dwells in you? If anyone defiles the sanctuary of Elohim, YHVH will destroy him. For the sanctuary of Elohim is holy, which you are."11? "Or do you not know that your body is the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from YHVH, and you are not your own?”12

As living stones we are being built corperately into a temple, but while in this wilderness journey we individually look like the tabernacle. "Behold, the tabernacle of YHVH is with (in) men, and He will dwell with (in) them, and they shall be His people. YHVH Himself will be with (in) them and be their Elohim.”13 With the picture of the tabernacle we have a revelation of what we look like on this earth, or wilderness. Without going into great detail, the emphasis is on the fact that our Heavenly Father is IN us, and the Messiah is IN Him and our spirit man is HIDDEN IN the Messiah. This is what our holy of holies looks like; it is full of His nature of life and light. However, our soul, which is a picture of the holy place, is in the process of being restored that it might reflect the glory of the nature of the Spirit of Elohim.

"For this reason we bow our (soul) knees to the Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant us according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Messiah may dwell in our hearts through faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Messiah which passes knowledge; that we may be filled with all the fullness of Elohim”14

Yeshua is in us and His desire is to be merged with our soul. Thus He
is standing at the door of the heart of the believers and knocking (see 15), asking them to repent or turn around. Why? Because His people have been worshiping out at the front gate, looking east, into the wilderness of this world’s religious systems. The soul must turn around and look to the holy of holies within the tabernacle and "worship in spirit and in truth."16

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the congregation by Messiah Yeshua to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."17

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity…for in this YHVH commands the blessing "life eternal"18

1Gal. 2:20, 2 Col. 3:3 3 Rom 6:6 4Rom.6:4 5Col.3:1-2 62 Cor. 13:5 71John4:4 8John 5:46 91Cor.10:11 102 Cor 6:16 111 Cor.3:16-17 12 1 Cor 6:19 13 Rev 21:3 14 Eph. 3:14-19 15Rev. 3:20 16John 4:23 17Eph. 3:20-21 18 Ps. 133

REAL-A-STATE

2007-04-07T19:27:00.000+03:00

March 5, 1999

The expression "Jack of all trades, master of none" is a familiar one. This saying, with all due respect, fits YHVH,’s ‘professions’, although He is undoubtedly not only a “Jack of all trades” but a Master of them all. Many people today are dabbling in real estate to earn a little extra money on the side. Well, wouldn't you know it, YHVH is into that business also! He is first seen creating the property that He will own, and then taking possession of it. Psalm 24:1 states: "The earth is YHVH's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” In Psalm 89:11, we read: "The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them”. 1Corinthians 10:26 says: "The earth is YHVH's and all its fullness."

In these scriptures it is evident that YHVH has never lost the title deed of ownership of the earth to any devil. However, we do see Him dividing it up and giving it to men. "Then Elohim said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’" (Gen.1:26).

According to these scriptures, it is evident that man, "Adam" (both male and female), had an equal role in overseeing, ruling, or subduing all living things. Subduing does not mean exploiting, but actually just the opposite - imparting life and light to the living creatures. However, nothing was said about property rights until after the nations (goyim) where divided. We read in Genesis 10:32: "These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood." Genesis 10:25 says: "To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided." And, "When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel" (Deuteronomy 32:8). Now why would the Creator do that? Israel was not even around at the time of Peleg (or was it?). Peleg was the son of Eber, whose name is carried by the Israelites – Hebrews - and is one of the forefathers of Abram (a firstborn).

Right from the start Elohim began to put in order the true intent of His plan, which is seen later in the covenant that He made with Abraham the father of Israel. "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land [eretz] which you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth [eretz]; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk on the land [eretz] through its length and its width, for I give it to you" (Gen.13:14-17). Ownership was given simply by being the one that YHVH would chose and then to be present or take up residents on that property. This is somewhat like the old Ottoman (Turkish) law that determines that planting trees or putting up buildings on a given piece of land entitles one to ownership of that ground.

Abram was living somewhere between Ai and Bethel when YHVH spoke those words to him. I would like to take the liberty to expand the meaning of this blessing based on its context. "Arise walk in the earth through its length and its breath and I will give it to you." The Hebrew word "eretz" can be translated earth, land, field, or ground. It is legitimate for a translator to use any of these English words at their discretion according to the context. My understanding of the context, in light of the massive blessing of multiplicity, is that the seed would be as the dust of the earth (“eretz”), and dust, as we know, usually covers everything. I believe that the Holy One did not limit this blessing to Abraham only and to a specific land (Canaan), but also to his seed and to the entire earth. YHVH’s intent was to sow the seed into all the earth (“eretz”), thus continuing the blessing that He made with Adam and with Noah, "to fill the earth and rule over it [or subdue it]."

Later on in the life of Abraham we hear YHVH saying that his seed would be like the stars of heaven. (ref. Gen.15:5). Again, He is talking in terms of numbers, but here also of position, as the stars were put there to rule the night, along with the moon, and to be for signs and for seasons (stars can be seen in the night skies from any one point on the face of the earth).

Abraham was also told that he would be a nation (“goy”), in the form of his own multiplied seed, and that this goy would be a goy made up of kings and priests. “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel…” (Exodus 19:6): "YHVH will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath” (Deut. 8:13). The irrevocable destiny of the life of the forefathers was to have dominion and to subdue and rule this planet earth.

The Patriarchs are very much alive today in their progeny, whether their children know it or not. For did not YHVH say that He is the "Elohim of Abraham, Isaac an Jacob, the Elohim of the living" (Matt. 22:32)? This is why we need to have our eyes open to present truth, or reality.

YHVH is a covenant-keeping Elohim, and in this generation we are the witnesses to that faithfulness, loving-kindness and mercy. That being so, not just by what we say, but more so by whom we are. Worshiping in spirit and in truth is being who Elohim has created us to be, and recognizing ourselves to be this incredible living truth - "the work of YHVH." “But when he [Jacob] sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will worship by hallowing My name, hallowing the Holy One of Jacob, and fearing the Elohim of Israel”. We are His living stones, hewn from the rock, which is made up of "Abraham our father and [of] Sarah who gave birth to us in pain" (Isa. 51:2). "For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The counsel of YHVH stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations… Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is YHVH, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance" (Ps. 33:9,11-12 8). "Because YHVH loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, YHVH has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of [spiritual] bondage” (Deut.7:8). Why did He do that? That we might be filled with His Spirit, and be that channel of His life and light to the creation. What good is a star if it has no light?

We, in this generation of the seed of Abraham, are incredibly blessed to not only have Yeshua as our Messiah, but to be a witness to the restoration of the nation that will be His light to all the nations and to the earth. Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our very eyes, as the Spirit of Elohim is restoring the second stick or nation of “Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim” of Ezekiel thirty-seven.

"Look among the nations and watch -- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you” (Hab.1:5). Not many believed that the first stick (Judah) could be gathered by YHVH and restored as a national entity on this earth. But now that it has, the nations far and wide are taken aback. Judah/Israel is like a thorn in their side. But while they are still deliberating on how to solve this one dilemma, there is still another nation to be gathered; and this one is even more difficult to recognize as it has been hidden. In Ezekiel thirty-seven YHVH says that these dry bones of the lost tribes are in their graves of non-recognition. That means that they will only be seen when YHVH raises them up through resurrection power. “Awake O Israel put off your slumber, and the truth will make you free…”

Nation of Ephraim, are you wakening up to your national identity? Are you, as the first fruit/firstborn of the new creation, willing to be your brother’s keeper? We can only be that to another nation if we ourselves are the resurrected/re-gathered brother/nation. YHVH wants to make one nation out of the two, but first He wants two nations, two trees, in His hand.

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers [two nations] to dwell [shevet Achim] together in unity…in this YHVH commands the blessing life eternal” (Ps. 133:1,3b).

POTTER AND THE CLAY

2007-04-05T12:21:00.000+03:00

February 5, 1999

In last week's letter we were developing the thought about the "work of YHVH" as seen from Isaiah 29:22-23; "Therefore thus says YHVH, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: "Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale; when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the Elohim of Israel." This week let's take a look at the another analogy “the potter and the clay."

"But now, O YHVH, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; and all of us are the work of Your hands."1 "The vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says YHVH. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!"2 "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?"3 Are we not a mercy vessel, made from the same lump of clay, O house of Israel? Just because He has reshaped us, it doesn't mean that we have a different ancestry. No, we are still the same clay from the same lump!

"If you are of Christ (then this is proof positive) that you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."4 Being in Christ does not make you a seed of Abraham, it simply proves that you are already from that genus of faith. Paul says it quite clearly in his letter to the Romans "so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all"5. "For indeed He does not take hold of angels, but He does take hold of the seed of Abraham."6 We have all come from the same lump of clay. The first vessel that He made was for dishonor (no mercy) "Lo-ruhamah" (see Hos. 1:6). Why would a loving father do that? "For Elohim gave them all up into disobedience that He might show mercy on all"7. Thus, we see the potter Himself determining, according to His will, what vessel He will make for what purpose, and yet if He decides to change the design He can do so without obtaining our permission. "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.'8 "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of Elohim who shows mercy. Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens, that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory."9

What vessels did He prepare beforehand for His glory?

It is almost unbelievable that the Most High Elohim would create something corruptible, defilable, weak and without glory. That He would even chose a people, Israel, who could not be faithful, who learned from the heathens about idolatry. Being married to Yahoveh at Sinai, they played the harlot, and in turn, demonstrated to the heathens how to commit spiritual adultery. Why would Elohim form such impure vessels if through them He was to deminstrate His mercy and glory?

"But now, thus says YHVH, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."10 "Thus says YHVH who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: `Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen."11 Thus says YHVH, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: "I am YHVH, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself."12

Luke (records and) sheds a ray of light on the identity of these people, who are called for "His name sake"out in the nations, when he describes the restoration of the fallen booth of David: "Simon has declared how Elohim at the first visited the Gentiles (nations) to take out of them a people for His name. With this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: `After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek YHVH even all the nations who are called by My name, says YHVH who does all these things. Known to Elohim from eternity are all His works."13 He knows the nations that He brought forth from the loins of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is His work, for His name sake and for His glory. Just think: you and I, who are of that unrighteous stock of Israel's race, have been redeemed through the blood of the Messiah and are recreated or reformed so that we can contain His righteousness, His Holiness, and the glory of His life! "Remember this, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."14

How wonderfully comforting it is to know who we are, where we came from, and what His Word assures us of regarding our future. In the near future we will have a need for this revelation-understanding, as we, the redeemed of YHVH, will be joined into one stick, or like a bow and an arrow, become a mighty weapon in His hand.

The potter is well aware which vessels are for His glory, for He says to Jacob “His chosen” and to Israel “His servant”: “You, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions…`You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your Elohim. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."15 "Behold! My servant whom I uphold, My chosen one in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit in him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. I am YHVH that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."16 "Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, `Give them up!' And to the south, `Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth. Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed you, yes, I have made you."17

"When Jacob sees his children, the work of My hands…"18 and when Jacob's children see that they have been, and still are, the works of His hand, they will praise Him just as it its written: "All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your saints shall bless You."19. "O Lord Elohim, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what Elohim is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?"20

When everything is said and done we will "sing the song of Moses, the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord, Elohim Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!"21

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (shevet achim) together in unity…in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal."22

1(Isa. 64:8). 2(Jer. 18:4,6); 3(Rom. 9:21); 4(Gal. 3:29); 5(Rom.4:16); 6(Heb. 2:16); 7(Rom. 11:32); 8 (Ex. 33:19); 9 (Rom. 9:15-16;18,23); 10(Isa.43:1,7); 11(Isa. 44:2); 12(Isaiah 44:24); 13(Acts 15:14-18); 14 (Isa. 44:21-22); 15(Isa. 41:8-10); 16(Isa. 42:1, 8-9); 17(Isa.43:5-7); 18(Isa. 29:23); 19(Psa 145:10); 20(Deut. 3:24); 21(Rev. 15:3); 22(Psa. 133).

WORKS OF MY HANDS

2007-03-31T20:20:00.000+03:00

January 22, 1999

"I was glad when they said to me let us go up to the house of YHVH" (Psa.122:1). "For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, `arise, and let us go up to Zion, to YHVH our Elohim" (Jer.31:6). In last week's letter I wrote to you about what I thought, or whom I thought, the house of YHVH might be. If it is true, and the house of Jacob, Israel, Judah, and David, all make up this dwelling place of the Most High Elohim, then their restoration would become very important to understand, especially in light of "the works of YHVH." For "unless YHVH builds the house we labor in vain" (Psa. 127:1).

When I read about "the work of YHVH," I usually think about the creation, or the great deliverance of our forefathers out of Egypt, and how YHVH took care of them throughout the wilderness journey. But in Isaiah YHVH points out another aspect of His work. "Therefore thus says YHVH, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: "Jacob shall not now be ashamed, Nor shall his face now grow pale; when he sees his children, The work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the Elohim of Israel" (Isa. 29:22-23). How are these children of Jacob the "work of His hands"?

Elohim the farmer

One of the first things we see Elohim doing, in keeping covenant and in working things out after the council of His will, is sowing a seed. "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" (Zech. 10:9). A farmer or husbandman, takes seed in his hand and with a throwing motion scatters it upon the ground. Then, at the end of the growing season, He will bring in the harvest. "Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, when I return the captives of My people" (Hos. 6:11). "I will winnow them with a winnowing fan in the gates of the land" (Jer. 15:7). "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17).

Another work that a farmer does is to plant shoots or branches in the ground. "Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever. The branch of His planting, the work of His hand, that He might be glorified" (Isa. 60:21). Pruning and grafting form another aspect of the work of his hands. "For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away the cut down branches" (Isa. 18:5). This work becomes more evident as Jacob was called an olive tree, "YHVH called your name, Green Olive Tree, lovely and of good fruit. "With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, and its branches are broken off, for the Lord of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced doom against you for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke Me to anger in offering incense to Baal" (Jer. 11:16-17). In these verses we see the reason why the olive branches were cut off. The Apostle Paul picks up on this typology in his letter to the Romans. How is it, that he uses the concept of the wild and the natural olive branch? As we see, branches were broken off from both trees, and scattered into all the nations. However, ultimately a day was to come when a root would shoot up from the tribe of Judah, and the house of David. "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people" (Isa. 11:10; Rom. 15:12). This root was the only one that was preserved from the original stock, and the only one that the scattered branches could be grafted into. Olive branches need an olive root to be joined to, in order to live and produce fruit.

"Oh, give thanks to YHVH, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, O seed of Israel His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones (the work of His hands), He is YHVH our Elohim" (1Chr. 16:8-9,12-14).

When everything is said and done we will "sing the song of Moses, the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, YHVH, Elohim Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints" (Rev. 15:3).

This theme "the work of the Lord" will be continued next week

Be encouraged, your in good hands, YHVH is conforming you to His image and likeness in Yah'shua the Messiah. He is also gathering us and will build us into the temple of His rest, into the city where the Lamb is the light, and the nation that will be His light to the nations.

Ephraim Frank

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

HOUSE OF YHVH

2007-03-23T16:07:00.000+02:00

January 15, 1999

This morning as I was reading Psa. 23, I was struck by the last statement: “that I may dwell in the house of YHVH forever” What does it mean to dwell in the house of the Lord? Is it a future event that takes place after death? Is it some building on the corner of Church Street? “One thing have I desired of YHVH, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of YHVH all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of YHVH, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalms 27:4).

What and where is the “House of YHVH”?

King Solomon prayed upon the dedication of his temple, “But will Elohim in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built” (1Chr. 6:18). King David recorded for us another perspective, “Where shall I go from Your Spirit, or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, You are there, if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea" (Psa. 139:7-10).

So where is the house of YHVH?

Again, David gives us a clue, “For YHVH has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell for I have desired it’” (Psa. 132:13-14). “The hill (Mount Zion) which Elolim desires to dwell in; YHVH will dwell in it forever” (Psa. 68:16). This provided me with a lead to Elohim's (possible) dwelling place, albeit only in a form of a mountain, and not a house.

"I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of YHVH. Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together; where the tribes go up, the tribes of YHVH, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of YHVH. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Seek for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within your walls (or armies), and prosperity within your palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of YHVH our Elohim I will seek thy good" (Psa. 122:1-9).

Thus far we see that Mount Zion, Jerusalem and the house of David are all connected to the dwelling place of YHVH, or to His house. However, there is another possibility mentioned in the Gospel of Luke: “and He (Yah'shua ) will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:33). “That men may know that Elohim rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth” (Psa. 59:13). In addition, mention is made in scriptures of YHVH dwelling in the House of Judah. Remember the two sisters, Oholah (Samaria) in Ephraim and Oholibah (Jerusalem) in Judah (Ez. 23:4). Here we can see "what's in a name". Oholah means: "her tent". but Oholibah means, "My tent is in her". Elohim declares that He will dwell in Judah's tent, or house.

So after all this running around what have we discovered about the house of YHVH? In an all-encompassing dimension, the house of YHVH is the house of Jacob, but within the house of Jacob is the house of Judah, and within the house of Judah is the house of David (where the throne is). So like any tabernacle/ temple this one too, has three parts; an outer court (Jacob), holy place (Judah) holy of holies (David). A house within a house, makes up the house of YHVH.
What does His house look like?

The New Covenant answer to this question would be the "believers". "What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have of Elohim, and you are not your own?" (1 Cor 6:19). "What agreement has the temple of Elohim with idols? For you are the temple of the living Elohim; as Elohim has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor. 6:16) (Ez.37:27). In this scripture (quoted by Paul), the restored house of Jacob, or the whole house of Israel, under the new covenant, is being addressed: "I will dwell IN them, and walk in them". Peter refers to these as living stones. "You also, as living stones are built up a spiritual house" (1Pet. 2:5). "In whom all the building fitly framed together grows into a holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21). But where is the quarry from which these stones have come? "Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you" (Isa. 51:1-2). What happened to the stones? "How dark the gold has become, how the pure gold has changed, the sacred stones are poured out at the head of every street… regarded as earthen jars in the hands of the potter” Lam. 4:1-2). I can see and hear the enemies of the Messiah scoffing as they did in the days of Nehemiah. “Can they revive the stones from the heaps of dust and rubble even the burned ones…if a fox should jump on it he would break their stone wall down” (Neh. 4:2-3). Elohim has not forgotten His tender mercies, even though He Himself burned and tore down the former house, because of inequity and sin. But now, will He not build the latter house and will it not be much greater? "The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says YHVH of hosts. `And in this place I will give peace" (Haggai 2:9). Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is actually praying for the restoration of the house of Jacob.

We know, “unless tYHVH builds the house we labor in vain”. We are those precious sons of Zion, redeemed, and restored living stones that Elohim has brought up out of our dusty graves to be built into His dwelling place. Yah'shua being the chief corner stone. "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, (1Pet. 2:6) (Isa. 28:16). We the restored stones of Zion, are being built into a city whose builder and maker is Elohim (Heb. 11:10). The city that Abraham was seeking for would ultimately be built from his very own seed.

"For YHVH has built up Zion, He has appeared in His glory” (Psa 102:16). The chief corner stone was put into place, when the Father raised Yah’shua the Messiah from the grave. In like manner He is restoring us, gathering us, and will one day bring us to the place which is called for “His name sake” and there He will build His dwelling place, His house, His city, His nation, that will manifest His light and His glory. We will be His resting place.

"Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of YHVH's house, shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it (Isa. 2:2) (Mic. 4:1). "For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of YHVH our Elohim I will seek thy good" (Psa.122: 8).

Ephraim
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity, (shevet achim)… for in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal (Psa. 133).

THUS SAYS THE GREAT I AM

2007-03-17T22:24:00.000+02:00

January 8, 1999

This letter was taken from my manuscript "Thus says YHVH" (1983-84).

"Will YHVH cast off forever? Will He never be favorable anymore? Is His lovingkindness gone forever? Has His word failed for all generations? Has Elohim forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up his tender mercies?" (Psalm 77:7-9).

Just as these questions raced through the heart and mind of David king of Israel, thousands of years ago, so too they have been on the hearts and minds of many generations of Elohim's people. Even to this very day, both Jew and Christian, who believe in the Elohim of Israel, the Elohim of the Scriptures, are wondering and searching in order to know and understand the mysteries of their Elohim. Especially when the pressures of life's circumstances begin to build up, and the sky seems like brass and tiredness and hopelessness is the order of the day. Where is Elohim in all this? Although it is quite natural to experience such times, and king David was no exception, but I do believe that he posed those questions from a heart whose sole concern was to see the restoration of all Israel.

If you too have been asking those questions, perhaps the following compilation of scriptures may help shed a ray of light or hope, assuring you personally and nationally that our Elohim is who He claims to be, namely the faithful covenant keeping Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: "But now says YHVH that created you, O Jacob, and He that formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; thou art mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you, when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you. For I am YHVH your Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior'." (Isaiah 43: 1-3)

"Since you are precious in my sight, you are honorable, and I love you, therefore…Fear not: for I am with you: I will bring you from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, give up; and to the south, keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth, even you, who are called by my name (vs 4-7). You are my witness and My servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no Elohim formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am YHVH and beside me there is no savior…you are My witness, says YHVH, that I am Elohim (vs 10-12).

"Yes, before the day was I am He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand; I will work, and who shall reverse it? I am YHVH, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King (vs 13; 15)... "Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen" (Isaiah 44:1)…"Thus says YHVH, the King of Israel, and His redeemer YHVH of hosts; "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no Elohim. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people, and the things that are to come, shall come" (v 7)…. "Fear not, neither be afraid; have I not already told you, and have I not declared it? You are even my witness. Is there a Elohim beside me? Is there any other Rock? I know of none" (v. 8).

"Remember this, O Jacob and Israel; for you are My servant: I have formed you, you are My servant. O Israel, you shall not be forgotten of Me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins. Return to me; for I have redeemed you" (21-22)… "I have even called you by your name (Jacob): I have surnamed you (Israel), though you have not known me. I am YHVH, and besides Me there is no other, there is no Elohim beside Me: I girded you, even though you have not known me…I am YHVH, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:5-6).

"I form the light, and create darkness, I make peace, and create evil, I YHVH do all these things" (v.7)…. "Therefore, ask Me of the things that are to come concerning My sons, and concerning the work of my hands…I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded" (vs.11-12)…. "I am YHVH and there is none else….there is no other Elohim beside Me; a just Elohim and a Savior; there is none beside me" (v.21).

"Sing, ye heavens; for YHVH has done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for YHVH has redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel (Isaiah 44:23)."

Be encouraged today fellow Israelite, YHVH will do what He says He will, "for He works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11). "In the same way Elohim, desiring even more to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath" (Hebrew 6:17). "Therefore thus says YHVH who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. But when he sees his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the Elohim of Israel. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine" (Isa. 29:22-24).

Ephraim Frank

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity…for in this Elohim commands the blessing life everlasting" (Psa.133).

LIVING BONES

2007-03-17T21:05:00.000+02:00

December 30 1998

In this day and age we are especially privileged, having a unique opportunity of watching and witnessing the ending of a millenium, a century, and the year 1998. In this era of communication the entire story of humanity can be placed on a microchip, and be sent out in a matter of seconds all over the world. What are your thoughts, as we head into the future? Are they full of hope and expectations of great and wonderful things? Do you have our Elohim's prophetic perspective on the future? Has your excitement risen with the thought of the Messiah's imminent return?

This week's Parasha (Gen 47:28-50:26) reading could not have been more appropriate for the occasion of the end of the common year. "Vayechi," means "and he lived." What a seeming contrast this is to the deaths of two of our greatest Patriarchs, which this Parasha recounts! But yet, right in between the records of those deaths, we find the blessing and promise of "life."

In the beginning of the Parasha, we see Jacob calling his son Joseph who was to be the recipient of the birthright, to his side. He asks him to put his hand under his thigh and to take an oath that he would carry his body out of Egypt and bury it with his fathers, in the land of Israel. Jacob knew prophetically that someday his seed would come out of Egypt and return to the land of promise. This act, of putting the hand under the thigh we already witnessed in a previous Parasha, where Abraham asked his senior servant to go and carry out his request of getting a wife for his son Isaac (Gen 24:2). This symbolic act was a commitment to carry out a very important directive, to the best of one's ability; as the thigh represents the strength of man and the hand is that which accomplishes the work. When sealed by an oath, which denotes faithfulness, the thigh and the hand unite in one purpose.

Just before Jacob dies, he imparts the blessing of the family birthright to Joseph and to his sons. He gives to them his name and national identity - "Israel"- along with the covenant promises of fruitfulness (Ephraim); "the fullness of the nations." Years later when Joseph is about to "lay down with his fathers", he calls his brothers together and prophesies the future of the nation. Interestingly, after all that Joseph had endured and had gone through in his life, it was this final prophetic proclamation which gained him recognition in the renowned "hall of fame of faith." "By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones" (Heb 11:22). May our faith also meet the challenge of the prophetic word in like manner.

Both Jacob and Joseph were embalmed, Egyptian style, and as we know leaves the corpse recognizable, albeit in a very dry state. Thus, Jeremiah's appalling prophetic description of Israel-Zion, because of sin and Elohim's righteous judgments come to mind: "Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaves to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick" (Lam. 4:8). Perhaps it is in light of this scripture that we should re-examine the two "sticks" in the valley of the dry bones (Eze. 37).

In keeping to the promise that the children of Israel made many years before Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for Joseph had made the children of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "Elohim will surely visit you; and you shall carry up my bones with you" (Exodus 13:19). What a prophetic picture of the Messiah of Israel taking the dead dry bones of the whole house of Israel with him to the cross, and then carrying them to the grave. But now through the same power that raised Him from the dead, He is raising them up into newness of life - "Vayechi"! Yes, and as all good stories end, "and he lived" (happily ever after) but not in Egypt. As we follow on in the scriptures, the story continues with Joshua bringing these bones out of the wilderness and into the land of promise. "And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, they buried in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph" (Josh. 24:32). Here is another beautiful prophetic picture of our Messiah's ultimate objective, to restore and bring back to the land the whole house of Israel.

The New Covenant establishes the conditions upon which the fulfillment of all the Torah and the Prophets depend, the sovereignty of the "I will" of Elohim Almighty "I will open your graves, I will cause you to come out, I will cause breath to enter you that you may live, I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, and cover you with skin, I will pour clean water on you, I will put my Spirit with in you, I will write the Torah on your hearts, I will bring you back to the land where you will live securely, with one Shepherd and one King over you. Why is Elohim doing all this? 'I do not do this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the heathen, whither you went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am YHVH, saith YHVH ELOHIM, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:22-24). This was not only a testimony to the heathens, but also that "you might know that I am YHVH your Elohim" (Ezekiel 37:6).

“So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived - "Vayechi" - and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army” (Ezekiel 7:10).

Ephraim

"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" (Psalm 133).

TO BE WISE

2007-03-13T08:21:00.000+02:00

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).

THE TORAH OF MOSES

2007-03-13T07:54:00.000+02:00

December 11, 1998

When I hear the word “Toro”, my mind immediately conjures the picture of a big and fierce black bull, pawing up dirt and getting ready to charge the red cape of a matador. A similar scene is played out by some, upon hearing a word of a very similar sound: “Torah”. To these individuals this word is much like the red cape, dangling within a few feet of the bull. “I am not under law!” they exclaim emphatically, as their reasoning leaves them, charging forth into the proverbial
red cloth. Why is there so strong a reaction to that one little word? Might it be some sort of insecurity and fear of loss? Could it be something more ancient working deep in the heart? Is it a spiritual issue, or perhaps some other matter?

If Torah is equated with law, meaning “legalism” which imposes action (works) for salvation, it would indeed be a shift, away from the New Covenant gift of grace and from our spiritual heritage. Let us review a few scriptures which pertain to this topic: “For sin over you shall not have lordship, for ye are not under law, but under grace” (Romans l6:14). This is speaking very clearly about sin, or the ‘law of sin and death“, lording it over us, and not about Elohim’s Loving Instructions. The Torah declares that disobedience to Elohim, or to His Word (which includes the first five books of the Bible), will bring about death. But to hear and obey the voice or word of YHVH is life (Deuteronomy 30:19). “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Let it not be!” (Romans 6:15). This is referring again to being under the rule, or dominion, of sin. It is impossible to sin, and at the same time to be under grace. If sin is lording over you, you will be under the law that governs sin (that is the curse). If you are practicing righteousness, you will be under the law that governs blessings. Is the goodness of YHVH, seen in the Torah, that leads to repentance, pointing us to the grace that is in the New Covenant. “The Law has become our tutor to lead us to the Messiah” (Galatians 3:24), but if I may add, not only to Him, but further, to know Him in the height, length, breadth and depth.

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, says YHVH, I will put my Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their Elohim and they shall be my people and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying know YHVH for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them” (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

Chapter four of the letter to the Galatians is one of the most difficult to understand, because it can be interpreted in many different ways. My opinion is that this chapter deals with our level of spiritual maturity, rather that with the Law-versus-Grace issue. It is impossible not to be under some type of law, whether it be reaping and sowing, cause and effect, blessings and curses or gravity. There are laws that govern the physical realm. There are also laws which influence the soul, and of course there are laws which affect the spiritual domain. Therefore, actions, attitudes, thoughts and words are not without their varying consequences, whether one is a believer or not.

To live in the flesh, or to sin, is to live in a state of rebellion, missing the mark of Torah, which is a revelation of Elohim’s divine order. “If by the Spirit you are led, you are not under law of sin and death but under the law of Elohim or life in Yeshua” (Galatians 5:18). To walk in the Spirit is to walk in obedience to Elohim’s commandments, His statutes, ordinances, and principles that are in the Torah and are now being written on our hearts.

Torah, as understood by the early Apostles, refers to the first five books of Moses. It was viewed as the prophetic root of the full counsel of Elohim, the blueprint for the redemptive plan. All through the book of Acts, and the other writings, the Apostles quote from these scriptural sources. Does that mean that they were “under law”?

Paul himself preached and taught from morning to evening from the Torah of Moshe and the Prophets. “So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of YHVH, persuading them concerning Yeshua from both the Torah of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening” (Acts 28:23). Was he under law? Paul was a Torah-practicing Jew. Did that make him a hypocrite? The Apostles used the Torah for building the foundations of the Gospel of the Kingdom and proving that Yeshua was the Messiah. Were they “under law”?

YHVH promised that in the later days we would understand the things which have been written in the torah of Moshe and by the Prophets. “The fierce anger of YHVH will not return until He has done it, And until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will consider it” (Jeremiah 30:24). Is this why we, as the redeemed of YHVH, as the returnees to Zion and to our Israelite heritage, must take seriously the exhortation in Malachi 4:4-6: "Remember the Torah of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YHVH, and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."

What is this “fierce anger of YHVH” and His “great and dreadful day” in which He smites the earth with a curse? Remember what He had to do to the Egyptians when He sent those horrible ten plagues in order to bring His people back to the land. Why such devastating judgments?

Because YHVH is a jealous Elohim, and that which belongs to Him He desires to possess. “YHVH’s portion is His people, Jacob is the lot of His inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). Absolutely nothing is going to stop our Elohim from fulfilling all that has been spoken by His servant Moshe. As a matter of fact, even Yeshua said: “If you believed Moses, you would also believe me; for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words” (John 5:46-47). Just a few verses prior to that statement, Yeshua exclaimed: “You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me…I have come in My Fathers name, and you do not receive Me; if another shall come in his own name, you will receive him” (John 5:39, 43). We must be careful today because many are coming in His name, but without knowing the Yeshua of Torah, in ignorance they will give glory to man. “How can you believe when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only true Elohim?” (John 5:44).

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians speaks of hardness over the mind, and a veil over the heart, that when the Tanach (Old Testament) is read, even to this day, those who read it cannot understand what is written there. But when we come to the Messiah it becomes life, for the Holy Spirit has been given to lead and teach us into all truth (ref. 2Corinthians 3: 14-15, 18; John 16:13). But if we have discarded the whole counsel of Elohim in Torah, we will still remain ignorant of what is written for our edification, especially “that we might know Him the only true Elohim”; “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1John 5:20; 2:3). Does knowing Him and keeping His commandments put us under law or does it transform us into His image and likeness from glory to glory?

Ephraim

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity…for in this Elohim commands the blessings – life eternal" (Psalm 133: 1-3).

RESTORATION

2007-03-08T14:54:00.000+02:00

December 4, 1998

We hear a lot today about renewal, restoration, and revival. We see and hear about the move of YHVH’s Spirit from many corners of the globe. Over night some obscure ministries catapult into fame and fortune. They become the authority “on-how-to-get-Elohim-to-move-in-your-life.” Is this the restoration that YHVH is speaking about in His word, or is it a refreshing experience, like a visit to an oasis in the wilderness? It appears to be a move of YHVH’s grace. “Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of YHVH; and that He may send Yeshua the Messiah appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the periods of time of restoration of all things about which YHVH spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient times” (Acts: 3:19-21).

As we journey back to the “ancient times,” we find the prophets quite consistent about a “restoration,” especially of the house of Jacob. One of the first assignments given to the Messiah, for example, was: “to bring Jacob back inorder that Israel might be gathered to Him...to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel and then to make them a light to the nations” (Isa. 49:5-6). “I will restore the captivity of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwelling places” (Jer.30:18). “I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land” (Ez.36:24). It is very interesting to note that the Hebrew word for restore, is the same as for “repent:” “Shoov.” It also has other shades of meaning, such as: to turn back to a starting point; to come back home; recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, requite, rescue, retrieve, reverse, and reward. The restoration of the fallen booth of David (a united Israel) in Acts 15:16, is another example of Jacob’s restoration as a national entity. Also the angel announced to Miriam that He (Yeshua) "would be great, and would be called the Son of the Highest; and the YHVH would give Him the throne of His father David. And that He would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33).

The last verse written by the last of the prophets from of old, Malachi, has to do with restoration: “He will restore, or turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse” (Mal. 4:6). Who are the children? Who are the fathers? In the Tenach the word “fathers” almost always refers to the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the word “children” to their progeny, or seed.

Throughout the scriptures we see YHVH working or doing things in secret or in mystery, things that are hidden from the eyes of our understanding. Even as YHVH multiplied the seed of Abraham, He did it without the Patriarchs even knowing, as we see in these scriptures. “Though art our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not recognize us, yet though art our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Thy name” (Isa. 63:16). “Therefore thus says YHVH, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, “Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now turn pale; But when He sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will sanctify My name; indeed, they will sanctify the Holy one of Jacob, and will stand in awe of YHVH - Elohey Israel, and those who err in mind will know the truth, and those who criticize will accept instruction” (Jer.29:22-24). “Remember, O YHVH, what has befallen us; Look, and see our reproach! Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to aliens. We have become orphans without a father, our mothers are like widows” (Lam.5:1-3). In YHVH’s prophetic time, He will reveal, lift the veils, and bring to light that which He Himself has hidden. Are we in that great hour of revelation-restoration, when the sons of Zion arise and shine with the light that comes from the glory of YHVH? (see Isa 60) Are these the times of the restoration of the two sticks, the two nations, the two families? Are the children yearning for their true identity? Are they looking for their roots and desiring to return home without even understanding why? Is this the time that YHVH Himself is acting upon the hearts in answer to the prayer of our forefathers “Restore us to thee, Oh Soveriegn One, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old,” (Lam.5:21)?

“I have surely heard Ephraim grieving ‘Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, For Thou art YHVH my Elohim” (Jer. 31:18). "Heal me, O YHVH, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for Thou art my praise” (Jer. 17:14). Is this the time when Elohim’s blazing judgements upon the house of Joseph ends and His lovingkindness and compassion begins. Ephraim (the whole house of Joseph) was called “a gentle” “not my people” an outcast, banished ones and an orphan. But now, in the Messiah, they are called: “vessels of mercy” “watchmen” “priest of the most High Elohim” and “sons of the living Elohim” (Hos. 1:9-10).

“Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, Thou who dost lead Joseph like a flock; Thou who art enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth! Before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Thy power, and come to save us! O Elohim, restore us and cause thy face to shine upon us, and we will be saved” (Ps. 80:1-3).

“Is not Ephraim my dear son? I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. I will gather you from the remotest parts of the earth, with weeping you shall come, with supplication I will lead you; a great company you shall return here (to the land). For YHVH has ransomed you, and redeemed you from the hand that was stronger than you (remember Pharaoh and his army?)...You shall come and shout for joy on the height of Zion (Elohim’s resting place), you shall be radiant over the goodness of YHVH... Set up for yourself roadmarks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your heart to the highway, the way by which you went and return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities” (from Jer.31).

“Therefore behold days are coming,” declares YHVH, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As YHVH lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but ‘As YHVH lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them, for I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers” (Jer.16:14-15).

“In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel (Ephraim) and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave their fathers as an inheritance” (Jer. 3:18).

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).

DO NOT FEAR

2007-03-08T14:24:00.000+02:00

November 27, 1998

“Pharaoh and his army drew near...the sons of Israel looked up...they were filled with fear and cried out to YHVH” (Ex,14:10).

Do you sometimes feel that the kingdom of “sin and death”, which ruled over you as a slave, is breathing down your neck again? You may feel that the ruler of this world and his armies are drawing ever nearer to you. At times like these we may wonder, Why did Elohim bother to take us out of Egypt in the first place? “Were there no graves in Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11).

Is your personal situation and circumstance so trying, that you wish Elohim would just remove you from this life? “Oh Elohim, just take me back to Egypt, spare me of this wilderness trial, or please just whisk me off to the promised land!” Times like these enable us to better identify with our forefathers. They too, daily faced real life situations, which were loaded with real needs and fears. Elohim’s Word records these examples for us to learn from. They are a living blueprint and may serve as roadmaps for us as we learn to walk in faith. Even in life’s darkest valleys the still small voice of YHVH is always with us. However, we must still, read the Word, and pray if we are to hear these words of YHVH: “DO NOT FEAR! Stand by and see the salvation of YHVH which He will accomplish” (Ex. 14:13). “YHVH will fight for you while you keep silent” (v.14).

Oh yes, there are times for loud praises, crying out in praying or doing many exploits, but there is also a time for the Holy One of Israel to speak these words from the mouth of the prophet: “In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isa.30:15). We have no choice, we cannot turn back. But, can we hear the voice of YHVH saying to us: “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward!” (Ex.14:15).

The words: “Fear not”. to include “Have no fear” occur over one hundred and seventy times in the scriptures. The only “fear” we are instructed to develop is the, “fear of YHVH”. With this perfect fear comes wisdom: “The fear of YHVH is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pro. 9:10). Thus to know Him is perfect love “and there is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

Ten of the twelve spies came back with an evil report and all of Israel was infected. This resultant fear made it necessary for all of Israel to wonder around in the desert for forty years. We must not let the fear of man deny us of our inheritance, nor to keep us out of Elohim's will. Interestingly the two leaders with the good report were, Caleb of the Tribe of Judah and Joshua the Ephramite. Let us today who are inheritors of the covenant promises be like Joshua and Caleb, a true Ephramite and Judahite, positive and fearless examples of leaders who can take that which Elohim is giving to us. Even Caleb who had served YHVH fourty-five years and was at the youthful age of eighty-five said these words “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me, as my strength was then so my strength is now for war and for going out and coming in. Now then give me this hill country about which YHVH spoke...” (Jos. 14:11-12)! Come let us be those watchmen on the hills of Ephraim who call out “Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to YHVH our Elohim” (Jer 31:6). Therefore, just as Joshua was an Ephramite let us also remember these words that were spoken to him: “Be strong and courageous! Do not fear, tremble or be dismayed, for YHVH your Elohim is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9).

“Is not Ephraim my dear son? I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. I will gather you from the remotest parts of the earth, with weeping you shall come, with supplication I will lead you; a great company you shall return here (to the land). For YHVH has ransomed you, and redeemed you from the hand that was stronger than you (remember Pharaoh and his army?)...You shall come and shout for joy on the height of Zion (Elohim’s resting place), you shall be radiant over the goodness of YHVH... Set up for yourself roadmarks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your heart to the highway, the way by which you went and return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities” (from Jer.31).

“Therefore behold days are coming,” declares YHVH, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As YHVH lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but ‘As YHVH lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them. For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers” (Jer.16:14-15).
“In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel (Ephraim) and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave their fathers as an inheritance” (Jer. 3:18).

Ephraim

GATES

2007-03-05T13:11:00.000+02:00

November 20, 1998

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalms 24:9: In these days we hear a lot about “gates.” Gates seem to be very important to YHVH, as He told Israel that they should write His commandments on the gate of their tents and houses: “Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, and thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates” (Deu. 11:8,20). The Israelites were told to bring in the tithes every three years and place them in their gates. The elders, judges, officers were to sit in the gates and conduct the affairs of the city. Thus, whoever was in control of the gates commanded all that went on in the city or the nation. They had dominion over all the affairs of the kingdom. Armies knew that if they could not take the gate they could not take the city.

I have often wondered about the significance of the word that YHVH had spoken to Abraham, after he brought Isaac down from the aborted sacrifice on Mount Moriah: “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies” (Gen. 22:17). Before leaving her family to join Isaac, Rebekah’s relatives blessed her: “Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them” (Gen. 24:60). Isaac and his seed were given a double blessing; YHVH was giving them a prophetic mandate to possess, control or rule by force the gates of those who hate them.

Isaac’s progeny was given a position of authority in the earth. Can this fact be detected in the words that YHVH used to describe the multitudes which would come from the forefathers: “stars” (designed to govern the night Gen.1:16), “sand of the sea” (boundaries for the waters (of humanity)? “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel, for YHVH’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance” (Deut.32:8).

YHVH is speaking about His faithfulness to the covenant of multiplicity, but He is also indicating that Isaac’s chosen seed (Jacob) would have a position of dominion and authority. They were to be the head of the nations, the boundary for the peoples, and the spiritual gates that would either protect or allow the spiritual enemies of Elohim to enter and control the rest of the peoples. YHVH had giving them exclusive rights to His scepter when He calls them after the order of Melchizadec; a nation of princes and priests. There are twelve gates into this earth realm from the spiritual realm. The names that are written on those twelve gates are the twelve tribes of Israel. These gates have been given to Israel in order to govern and protect the city and kingdom of their Elohim. However YHVH’s chosen nation has been taken by force by the enemies of Elohim.

When Israel gave up their Elohim as king, the prince of this world, Satan (the dragon) took over and entered in and gave his ruling power to the beast (the flesh of man): “the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority” (Rev. 13:2). The beast is worshipped (humanism) and becomes so great that nothing is to be compared to him: “who is like the beast?” He becomes so powerful that it is said of him: “who can make war with him” (Rev. 13:3-4). Yet, in the midst of this greatness we see a little stone hitting this beast on his feet of clay, and growing into a large mountain until it consumes the whole earth (see Dan. 2:35). We know that this little stone is YHVH’s ruling Son Yeshua and that when he came and gave His life, the gates of hell can no longer prevail.

The angel of Elohim Gabriel, when first appearing to Miriam, said to her that the one to be born of her would set up the kingdom of Elohim in the house of Jacob: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and YHVH shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

It is very clear where the Messiah would set up his kingdom. Perhaps this is why the disciples of Yeshua, asked him just before he ascended into the heavens to sit at His Father’s right hand: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6b).

The usage of the word “restore” must mean that it was there sometime in the past. A good indication of this was during the time of the prophet Samuel. Samuel was complaining to YHVH that the people were not listening and they wanted a king to judge them like the other nations (1 Sam. 8:5). YHVH answered the prophet in these words ”they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as king over them” (1 Sam. 8:7) (1 Sam. 12:12). The number one characteristic of a kingdom is that its government is headed by a king. Thus for YHVH’s kingdom to be restored to Israel, a king must be enthroned over the nation. From Gabriel’s message we should have no doubt as to who that is.

When we look at the Messiah’s response to the disciples question we can see that His intention was to make them witnesses to this kingdom. How? “when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you shall be my witness...” What is the kingdom of Elohim? Paul tells us very clearly in his letter to the believers in Rome: “the kingdom of Elohim is not eat or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit of Holiness” (Rom. 14:17) It is the nature of the Father in the life of the new creation man. The main reason for the power from on high to come into the life of the believer was for Elohim to set up His dominion, that is the Lordship of the Messiah in and over the life of every one that was redeemed. But even more so as it would altimately be seen in the coorprete House of Jacob and the 12 tribes of Israel. This is why the restoration of all Israel as a single nation will be apposed by the principalities and powers in heavenly places. They have been the controling forces in the gates (twelve tribes). But as the Holy One through the power of the His Spirit cleanses the gates and comes into them as the King of glory, Satans rule on this earth will be cast down and the malanial reign of the Messiah will begin. But first Yeshua must restore those twelve gates. These gates are also seen as His sheilds in the earth. “The princes of the people are gathered together, the people of the Elohim of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto Elohim: He is greatly exalted” (Ps 47:9).

The apostle again says that we have been taken out of the kingdom of darkness and transfered to the kingdom of his beloved son (see Col. 1:13); this is not something that is yet to come, it happens to every believer that has received the “Holy Spirit” the power from on high. It is His power which witnesses to righteousness, peace and joy in the life of the believer. It is the nature of the new life, with His Torah written in the blood of the Lamb on the doors and gates of the heart. The fullness of the Torah was in the life of the Lamb, and the life of the Lamb was in the blood and in Yeshua’s blood was righteousness, peace and joy. Thus resident in the life of the believing nation the redeemed twelve tribes, is the authority to sit in the gates of every nation and rule those nations with a rod of Iron, but not only to rule, but also to sit to judge with equity the sons of men and to witness the eternal light the shekina glory of the Son.

Our warfare is not with flesh and blood nations, but with the principalities and powers of this evil world. We as redeemed Israelite believers must become mature in holiness, even as our Heavenly Father is Holy. If we do not defeat this power of sin in our personal life how are we going to do it when it comes to nations. May those gates now say: “But thou, O YHVH, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Ps 3:3).

Ephraim

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity… for in this Elohim has commanded the blessings – eternal life."

PRAYING THE PSALMS

2007-03-05T12:59:00.000+02:00

November 13, 1998

This letter is going to be a little out of character, as I would like to share some scriptures that YHVH gave us in the midst of troublesome times. I am sure if Elohim is working in your lives, as He is in ours, you need some encouragement. We usually read the Psalms daily, according to the day of the month; for example on the 6th of Nov., we read Ps. 6, 36, 96 and 126. When we woke up that particular morning, my wife said to me that she felt as if she was preparing for her own funeral. I felt the same. A cloud of gloom and doom hung over us. One cannot help but talk to Yeshua at such times, because the enemy is also going to put his “two cents” into these situations if he hasn’t already.

We opened our bibles to His word and this is the way He led us to pray:
“O YHVH, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O YHVH; for I am weak: O YHVH, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O YHVH, how long?
Return, O YHVH, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxes old because of all mine enemies.
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for YHVH has heard the voice of my weeping.
YHVH has heard my supplication; YHVH will receive my prayer.
Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly” (Psa. 6:6-10).

“Thy mercy, O YHVH, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O YHVH, thou preserves man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O Elohim! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise" (Psa. 36:5-12).

“O bless our Elohim, you people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holds our soul in life, and suffers not our feet to be moved. For thou, O Elohim, has proved us: thou has tried us, as silver is tried. Thou brought us into the net; thou laid affliction upon our loins. Thou has caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but you brought us out into a wealthy place.
Blessed be Elohim, which has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me"(Psa.. 66:8-12,20).

Psa 96 was up lifting as we worshipped and then in Psa. 126 he reminded us of our calling, this Psalm really spoke to our heart, and the desire to proclaim what great things our Elohim, the Elohim of our fathers, the Elohim of Israel has done. “When YHVH turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, YHVH has done great things for them. YHVH has done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O YHVH, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psa.126:1-6).

The Messiah Yeshua stands with the winnowing fork in His hand to bring in the harvest of a seed (the seed of Abraham), that the Father had sown into all the earth. What a privilege to be a part of this great company of those who are redeemed by His blood and now returning to Zion to give testimony of the great things He, the Elohim of Israel has done!

"For, lo, the days come, saith YHVH, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith YHVH: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it" (Isa,30:3).

"Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith YHVH; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid" (Jer.30:10).

Please note: Jer. 30:24: "The fierce anger of YHVH shall not return, until he has done it, and until he has performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days you shall consider and understand it."

Be encouraged, nothing, NO NOTHING can separate us from the love of Elohim that is in our Messiah Yeshua.

Ephraim

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity... for in this Elohim commands the blessings - life eternal" (Ps. 133: 1-3).