Lost tribes of Israel

[Benaiah468]

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will G-d bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of G-d: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess 4:13-18

In the Hellenistic world, parousia was a technical term for the official visit of the emperor or another high official to a provincial town. For political parousia, it was significant that they were announced so that appropriate preparations could be made by the townspeople. The ruler's parousia was answered by apantesis on the part of the townspeople. Both terms are fundamental to the parousia ritual.

In Hellenistic times, when a dignitary (from the government) paid an official visit (parousia) to a city, the leading citizens would go out to welcome him and accompany him on the last leg of his journey. This was called the apantesis.

The word is used in a similar sense in Mt 25:1 .6 and Acts 28:15.

In both passages there are related formations in the Greek text (hypantesin, apantesin).

The Lord is accompanied by His own for the last part of His journey to earth, whereby those who have just been raised from the dead and those who have remained alive are united.

Apantesis means to go out to meet someone who is coming, to meet him on the way and to walk the last stretch of the way back with him. The two biblical passages Mt 25:1ff and Acts 28:15-16 support this interpretation:

For example, the 10 virgins prepare to go and fetch the bridegroom and for this purpose the brothers also go to meet Paul

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom… And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him… And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Mt 25:1ff

And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked G-d, and took courage. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. Acts 28:15-16

This sufficiently clarifies the movement of the parousia event. At the return of their Lord, the church is allowed to go to meet their Savior and pick him up at his return to earth. The Lord does not “turn a corner” that leads upwards again, so that the Lord would return to heaven. That is not written anywhere in this text! Rather, it is the church that “turns a corner” after it has met the Lord. The church is allowed to go to meet its Lord and King, pick him up and accompany him on his way to earth.

The Ten Tribes who have turned back in faith - still scattered among many nations - will be the bride of the Messiah together with Judah/Benjamin who have become believers. But “the church” also has this claim, even though they also call themselves “the body of Christ”.

How does this fit together?

If you take the word for congregation in the Torah, it is the same word in a Hebrew translation of the NT. Unfortunately, the translators never rendered it that way, so it could give the impression that the congregation (church) is something different from the congregation in the Torah.


Here is a most striking comparison to G-d's primary name in the parousia, which is the return of Christ, who else but the G-d who is Jesus would make such a comparison

YHVH
יְהוָֹה

יְהוָֹה
10. י Yud 10
5. ה He 5
6. ו Vav 6
5. ה He 5
Σ 26

Parousia
παρουσια

παρουσια
16. Ππ Pi 80
1. Αα Alpha 1
17. Ρρ Rho 100
15. Οο Omicron 70
20. Υυ Upsilon 400
18. Σσςϲ Sigma 200
9. Ιι lota 10
1. Αα Alpha 1
Σ 862

26+862 = 888

 

[Benaiah468]

If one understands the following, it is not difficult to recognize the connection between Israelites and Gentiles.

The Israelites accomplished a detachment from the ordinances given by G-d. As a consequence, G-d would

And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other g-ds, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even [G-d's of] wood and stone. Deu 28:64

Not only did the Northern Kingdom have to leave the land and was scattered, but G-d made a huge cut: He separated Himself from the Northern Kingdom! He handed over the letter of divorce and was no longer officially considered their husband! It flew out of the covenant that HE had made with His people!

Then said G-d, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your G-d. Hos 1:9

They are now considered a people like any other on earth:

A Gentile nation!

They are also scattered. In all directions on this earth

And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. Ez 36:19

The prophecy, or rather the destiny of Ephraim, is fulfilled in the remotest parts of the world:

The northern kingdom, the ten tribes under the leadership of Ephraim, become the “full number of the nations”. They mix with all the nations of the earth

Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Hos 7:8

A people that is no longer a real people will mix with other peoples, and the number of their descendants will be as the sand of the sea!

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; Hos 1:10a


Ruth's name appears 12 times in the book of Ruth and the first 10 times there is no Alef/Tav את symbol (a reference to the 10 lost tribes, the house of Israel)

It only appears before their name after Boaz has redeemed them. This is a clear indication that the Alef/Tav is a mark of the covenant made through Lord Jesus. Ruth was not part of His lineage until Boaz redeemed her.

It is also noteworthy that in Ruth, when she introduces Boaz to her mother-in-law, the name Boaz is replaced by an את which says: And she showed her mother-in-law the אֵת which she had brought with her

And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. Ruth 2:19b
וַתֹּאמֶר֩ לָ֨הּ חֲמֹותָ֜הּ אֵיפֹ֨ה לִקַּ֤טְתְּ הַיֹּום֙ וְאָ֣נָה עָשִׂ֔ית יְהִ֥י מַכִּירֵ֖ךְ בָּר֑וּךְ וַתַּגֵּ֣ד לַחֲמֹותָ֗הּ אֵ֤ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשְׂתָה֙ עִמֹּ֔ו וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שֵׁ֤ם הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשִׂ֧יתִי עִמֹּ֛והַיֹּ֖וםבֹּֽעַז

The letter of divorce was given to the house of Israel because they had committed spiritual adultery

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; Jer 3:8a

The Messiah has arrived and the former northern kingdom may return to the covenant with YHVH. It is news that the lost tribes never dared to dream of. His disciples pass on this gospel, this good news. To all nations

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mt 10:5-7

For the house of Israel was scattered among these

And I will scatter you among the heathen, Lev 26:33a

And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; Deu 28:64a

The work of the Father will begin among the scattered tribes

And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again. Zec 10:9

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John 10:16

The other sheep are all gentiles.

Fulfilling the prophecy of which G-d promised that Ephraim would be allowed back into the (marriage) covenant does not exclude doing good to other people. After all, salvation has also befallen them

That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. Acts 26:23

His people (house of Judah) and the Gentiles (house of Israel), the scattered, the lost, of whom G-d says, not My people! The term Gentiles is in many cases in the NT an idiom for the House of Israel.

Through His miracles, G-d had already caused many Egyptians to want to go out of slavery with the people of Israel, and they did.

His mission was to seek the lost.

He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Lk 11:23... What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Lk 15:4

Who was lost?

The ten tribes.

Where were they?

They had assimilated among the nations of the Gentiles. For example, they lived among the Greeks

Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles [Greek], and teach the Gentiles [Greek]? John 7:35

Josephus, a Jewish historian, writes of millions of descendants of the house of Israel on the other side of the Euphrates

[There] are but two tribes [Judah and Benjamin, plus the Levites] in Asia … subject to the Romans, while the ten tribes are [to be found] beyond the [headwaters of the] Euphrates [even] now, and are an immense multitude, and not to be estimated by numbers. S.: Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, bk. 11, ch. 5, sec. 2

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

They are His sheep, His bride, for whom the Bridegroom lays down His life!

 

[Benaiah468]

As we will see the story of Jacob is closely interwoven with the story of Joseph on a prophetic level.

These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Gen 37:2

Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, so he made him a special tunic (see Gen 37:3). This tunic was meant to distinguish him as the firstborn among his brothers. And indeed, Joseph, as Jacob's eleventh son, one day found himself in the role of firstborn. For it was he who saved his brothers from certain death by starvation and, as ruler in Egypt, provided them with grain.

In this story we see a parable of Jesus. The firstborn son of the Heavenly Father saves his brothers from certain death in Egypt by leaving his place at the Father's side and coming to the fallen earth (Egypt).

But the connection between Joseph and Jesus becomes even more obvious when we consult the Gematria.

The numerical value of the Hebrew letters of Joseph corresponds to a sum of 156

Yoseph
יוֹסֵף
10. י Yud 10
6. ו Vav 6
15. ס Samech 60
17. פ פּ Pey/Phey 80
∑ 156

However, this sum also applies to words such as Zion or the phrase tent of meeting in the Hebrew text

tsayon (Zion)
צִיוֹן
18. צ Tsadik 90
10. י Yud 10
6. ו Vav 6
14. נ Nun 50
∑ 156

ohel moed (Tent of meeting)
אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד
1. א Alef 1
5. ה He 5
12. ל Lamed 30
13. מ Mem 40
6. ו Vav 6
16. ע Ayin 70
4. ד Dalet 4
∑ 156


These two words alone show that there is a strong connection between Joseph and the Messiah, because he too was a living dwelling place of G-d. Thus, in the prophetic image, Joseph represents a kind of bridge over which G-d can dwell in his people.

In this context, it is also understandable why Judah turned to fornication after Joseph was sold (cf. Gen 38) and the whole clan suffered from the subsequent famine. Without Joseph (Jesus), the sons of Israel fell into strife, fornication and idolatry and could not receive the blessing of the Almighty.

But the blessing returned when the people were reunited in the land of Goshen (cf. Gen 47:27).

When Jacob received the news that his beloved son Joseph had died, he tore his clothes and covered himself in sackcloth. The patriarch fell into deep mourning and thought he was already dead, for he said:

I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. Gen 37:35b

Only when Jacob learned that Joseph had survived and was regent in Egypt did his spirit come alive again

And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: Gen 45:27

Consequently, Jacob's life was largely dependent on Joseph's existence. In other words, as long as Joseph was missing, Jacob was dead. If we look at this on a prophetic level, then Jacob (Israel) can only come back to life as a people when Joseph and Judah come together again. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of this in his vision of the dead bones. For this prophecy speaks of the whole house of Israel rising from the dead

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord G-d; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Ez 37:11-12

Only when the whole house of Israel (Joseph and Judah) are united again can Jacob come to life.

But what part does Judah play in this?

Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. He was far from taking on the role of firstborn. But he was closer to this role than Joseph.

Judah was one of the brothers who took part in the intrigue against Joseph. He was even the one who had the idea of selling Joseph to Egypt

And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Gen 37:26-27

Unlike Reuben, who wanted to return Joseph safe and sound to his father, Judah accepted Joseph's death. He was only interested in his own gain and avoiding direct blame for his brother's death. It is therefore not surprising that Judah became involved with the Canaanite woman and Tamar, disguised as a prostitute, one chapter later (cf. Gen 38). Just as Joseph disappeared in Egypt, Judah also disappeared among the Canaanites. Nevertheless, both brothers were still to play an important role in the salvation of Israel

The Hebrew word for Judah is Yehudah and is made up of the following letters:

Yud - He - Vav - Dalet - He

This corresponds to the numerical values:

Yehudah
יְהוּדָה
10. י Yud 10
5. ה He 5
6. ו Vav 6
4. ד Dalet 4
5. ה He 5
∑ 30

The number 30 has great significance in the Bible. It indicates the age at which the priests and Levites were allowed to begin their service on their own responsibility

From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 4:3

Jesus was also 30 years old when he began his one-year ministry

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Lk 3:23

Furthermore, it was 30 pieces of silver for which Yeshua was betrayed by Judas(!)

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Mt 27:3

Thus the number 30 is associated on the one hand with the traitor and on the other with the Levite. This shows the dual nature of Judah, who on the one hand betrayed Joseph and left him for dead. On the other hand, he took responsibility for Benjamin and gave his life for his younger brother

Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. Gen 44:33

When Judah took responsibility before Joseph, the family of Jacob came back to life. Judah left his role as his brother's traitor and took responsibility. Joseph stepped out of his role as an Egyptian. When both parts were reunited and lived in the land of Goshen, Israel was fruitful and multiplied

And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
Gen 47:27

The tribulation of the famine brought the family together again. And in this unity they were blessed.

It is up to us today to step out of our Egyptian façade and embrace our role as Hebrews. We may gratefully embrace our identity as children of G-d and find our role in the world as ambassadors of the Most High. But for Israel to be complete again, it needs both parts - the priestly 30 of Judah. And as we see in the family history of Jacob, it is ultimately the deeds of Judah that lead to Joseph also being able to leave Egypt. At this time, Judah largely fails to fulfill the role of priest. Judah still banishes Jesus and the brother Joseph from the land. This may be for good intentions, but it is not the goal of G-d's plan.

And so it is our job to prepare ourselves for restoration, to pray for it, and to wait patiently until the time comes when Jesus brings Israel back to life in a body.

 

[Benaiah468]

The doctrine of the Rapture still has a poisonous effect on the lives of many believers today. It goes back to so-called dispensationalism. This is a form of biblical interpretation that emerged around 1830 through the Brethren movement. Rapture essentially states that the Christian community is the new chosen people (and Jews are no longer). This is replacement theology.

Rapture is understood to mean that the Messiah will return one day and take all Christians away from the earth with him. After that, the great tribulation can come, but of course, praise be to the Lord, without us (the Jews will have to go through it again).

In this short statement alone, things like illogic and anti-Semitism stand out.

In addition, important biblical backgrounds such as the divided kingdom of Israel, grafting in, OT end-time prophecies are missing in context (e.g. the tabernacle of David that fell to pieces will be raised up again, i.e. a united kingdom with all 12 tribes in their land) and precisely Hebraic thinking. This always has something to do with deeds.

And that is absolutely contrary to the rapture doctrine, where you can sit back and wait.

If we understand that Judah and Ephraim must become one in the land of Israel, and see that Judah is already there, then the Ephraimites still have a lot to DO! For the majority of them are still scattered all over the world. That means they still have to come back at some point and somehow become one with Judah. A rapture to heaven and after me the flood does not fit into this concept.

The opposite is the case. Judah unfortunately needed a lot of persecution and tribulation to make its way to Israel. Wouldn't it make just as much sense that the great tribulation is there to drive the remaining tribes of Israel home (because most of them won't set out on their own)?

The difference between the Hebrew and the Greek concept of the end times is therefore serious.

In the Hebrew concept, people set out, leave behind what they are used to, come to the Promised Land, settle and cultivate it and seek connection, fellowship and union with Judah. That is pure practice!

In Greek thinking, on the other hand, the Messiah comes, raptures all believers and somehow makes Judah and Ephraim ONE again - preferably by rebuking the others (Judah).

It is also taught that human history was divided into different ages, so that the Torah was valid then but no longer today.

Even if it is still widespread in many churches, the doctrine of the Rapture can therefore be confidently discarded (if only it were that simple).

 

[Benaiah468]

Has the Church replaced Israel?

Scripture makes it clear that replacement theology is at best a misconception and at worst anti-Semitic.

For the early Gentile church fathers, the desolation of Israel in 70 AD and 135 AD could only be possible if G-d had rejected the Jewish people in a final manifestation of his wrath.

Replacement theology was a new theory to make sense of this devastation and the fact that the people of Israel as a whole did not accept Jesus. This new theory of biblical interpretation developed a way of reading the Bible. Passage after passage in the Hebrew Scriptures was read with this in mind: Read church when you read passages that speak of a positive and lasting fulfillment for Israel.

We should note that the opponents of this theology use the term replacement theology, not its proponents. Proponents use the term fulfillment theology or supercessionism (substitution theology), namely that the church has superseded national-ethnic Israel.

After the Nazi Holocaust, most major church organizations officially rejected replacement theology. In fact, this replacement theology was seen as a factor that opened the door to historical anti-Semitism. However, as the impact of the Holocaust has diminished and these churches have been influenced by propaganda about Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, replacement theology is on the rise again.

Replacement theology raises the central question of the authority of the Bible and the interpretation of biblical texts. In interpreting these texts, our two guiding questions should be:

What did the author intend to say or what was his meaning?
What would the target audience have understood?

When you read the texts according to the author's intent and the audience's criticism of the promises to Israel, you come to a very clear conclusion:

These texts promise that the people of Israel, later referred to as the Jews, have an election that can never be lost. This is due to the election of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants. Even though there may be punishment and dispersion, this ethnic-national people can never lose its election, but will always continue to exist as a people (Gen 26:44). Furthermore, there are numerous promises to this people which will be fulfilled and which, on an honest examination of history, have not yet been fulfilled.

What about certain texts in the NT? Yes, the NT applies the language of the Hebrew Bible to the Church in relation to Israel. However, this cannot be a replacement, but a supplement. I actually call this complementary theology. In addition to Israel, G-d has a priesthood that he gathers from all peoples who play a similar role to Israel and have similar promises.

Many Christians are told that the NT reinterprets the OT. However, this interpretation is limited to new insights and applications that do not change the original intention of the text.

Furthermore, we should note that replacement theology is not only unnecessary, but also goes against the clearest passage in the NT that speaks of Israel. It is Romans 9-11.

 

[Benaiah468]

There are so many passages that refer to Israel being restored to its own land and entering into a glory that will not pass away. Here are seven of them.


And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy G-d. Amos 9:15

Does this verse refer to the ethnic-national people or to a metaphorical future people from all nations who will inherit the eternal kingdom, which metaphorically is the land? Would this be a comfort to the faithful ancient Israelites?


But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion. Joel 3:20-21

This passage follows the description of a severe world judgment on the nations that will invade Israel. It is difficult to see how this is to be the church. This has not yet happened.


And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Isa 49:6

There is no legitimate way to confuse the meaning here. The promise is to Israel and includes the salvation of the nations. A new Israel of Jews and Gentiles replacing Israel cannot be the interpretation.

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy G-d. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. Isa 62:1-4

Here, the Jews in exile are comforted by the promise of the restoration of Jerusalem, not by a spiritual, metaphorical Jerusalem in heaven. That would not have been such a consolation.


Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. Jer 23:7-8

Could it be the church? No, the church was not banished. Can this be the return from Babylon? No, it was a small remnant that returned and 500 years later was still a minority of the Jewish people, perhaps less than a third. There was never such a powerful and large return that this language was used, that is, until today. There is more to this verse. This return will make the Exodus pale in comparison. This must be a prophetic word about the literal national people.


Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord. Jer 31:31-37

This is food for thought. The New Covenant is made with national/ethnic Israel. It includes the promise of forgiveness of their sins and that they will all recognize G-d. It includes the promise of their ethnic/national preservation. When Christians hear the words new covenant, they hardly have this context of meaning in mind. So how is it that Christians are part of the New Covenant? Because the salvation of the Gentiles is part of the Abrahamic covenant and the New Covenant makes its realization possible. However, this covenant has only been partially fulfilled. It includes as part of it the restoration of the Jewish people. The confession of the bodily seed in this passage could not be clearer. In no way can the church be seen as the intended subject of the last part of the above quotation.


And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces,... Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee... Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle... and the Lord my G- shall come, and all the saints with thee... And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. Zec 12-14 (Excerpts)

When discussing this passage with proponents of replacement theology, they often simply say that they don't know how it fits together. That's because the passage is so obviously about a real place that is actually on earth. It describes Jerusalem being surrounded by armies and then being liberated. Zechariah is writing after Jerusalem has been repopulated following the first Babylonian exile. It cannot be about the war in the first century because Jerusalem was destroyed then. It can only be about an event associated with the Jewish people at the end of days, when the city is once again inhabited as a Jewish city.

There are so many other places that could have been chosen. However, the passages chosen give us the tenor of the prophets regarding the restoration of ethnic/national Israel and the glory it will attain. Paul's strong words about the irrevocable election and calling of Israel are precisely in the context of these passages. He awaited with absolute confidence the fulfillment of G-d's promises to the ethnic/national people. This fulfillment would bring “life from the dead” to the whole world (Romans 11:15). That the grafted-in Christian people share in the promises by analogy is indisputable, but that the ethnic/national people will enter into their promised inheritance is also indisputable.


In the middle of the second century, replacement theology led the Gentiles to reject the legitimacy of Jewish life in Jesus. The consequences of this development were tragic. For example, a Jewish life community of His followers, had it been accepted by the rest of the church, would not have allowed for Christian anti-Semitism and even the Nazi Holocaust.

 

[Benaiah468]

The story of Lazarus is one of the most extraordinary in the whole NT It is extremely prophetic.

There we read that Lazarus is sick for two days until Jesus says that he has died (John 11:6 .11). In V.3-9 it then says that Lazarus has already been dead for four days. That is, after the sixth day, Jesus wakes him up.

Lazarus here is a picture of the united kingdom of Israel (Judah and Ephraim or the southern and northern kingdoms). At the end of time, Jesus will gather and unite Israel again! It will be one people again. It was dead and will be alive again (cf. Ez 37).


In 2 Kings 11 we read the story of King Joash. Like so many other ‘persons’ in the OT, this king is also a prophetic image for Jesus. Joash is the actual heir to the throne, but he cannot take up his kingship directly. He is hidden for 6 years (2 Kings 11:3) until he begins his reign in the seventh year (V.4).

We also read how the king's enemies will be judged and eliminated (V.15ff).

Jesus will therefore take up His reign as King in the 1000-year kingdom and judge His enemies.


King Solomon is also a foreshadow of Jesus. We find many similarities between them:

Their kingdoms will last forever
They rule over both houses (northern and southern kingdoms)
Solomon was the wisest man in the world (compare with Col 2:3)
Solomon is called shlomo in Hebrew, which means peaceful. He is therefore the king of peace (cf. Isa 9:5)

Solomon's throne is described in 2 Chr 9:18. It has six levels! The throne is on the seventh.

This means that Jesus will establish His kingship. He will come in the Millennium and ascend the throne. The image of the staircase is a sign that His reign is drawing ever closer

Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly. 1 Kings 2:12

Jesus will be given the kingdom by His father! He will reign and His kingdom will be firmly established.

 

[Benaiah468]

The origin of several peoples in the west today is from Israel including the Celts. The area where I grew up and live was founded by the Celts. It says so in Wickipedia

The area was first colonised by Celtic tribes.

The Celtic civilisation was spread across a large part of Europe. The bearers of this civilisation are referred to as Celts. This is a modern term and not what they called themselves. Greek and Roman sources use the terms Galli, Galatae and Celtae for different parts of these peoples on the continent. The three terms may all be alternately derived from the same word root.

They may not all have been from one tribe. However, they shared linguistic and cultural characteristics, and their ruling classes may have come from the same source.

We find among them the name Iber or Hiber or derivatives of it. It appears in place names and ancestors or representatives of the same name. Names with the element Ober, Hiber, Aber, Iber all derive from the word root IBER. It appears to be an ethnonym and to refer to a particular people who were widespread in the Celtic world and possibly ruled over it. In reality, it is derived from the Hebrew word Ibri, which means Hebrew, as will be explained.

 

[ralliann]

View attachment 354861

The origin of several peoples in the west today is from Israel including the Celts. The area where I grew up and live was founded by the Celts. It says so in Wickipedia



The Celtic civilisation was spread across a large part of Europe. The bearers of this civilisation are referred to as Celts. This is a modern term and not what they called themselves. Greek and Roman sources use the terms Galli, Galatae and Celtae for different parts of these peoples on the continent. The three terms may all be alternately derived from the same word root.

They may not all have been from one tribe. However, they shared linguistic and cultural characteristics, and their ruling classes may have come from the same source.

We find among them the name Iber or Hiber or derivatives of it. It appears in place names and ancestors or representatives of the same name. Names with the element Ober, Hiber, Aber, Iber all derive from the word root IBER. It appears to be an ethnonym and to refer to a particular people who were widespread in the Celtic world and possibly ruled over it. In reality, it is derived from the Hebrew word Ibri, which means Hebrew, as will be explained.

Ge 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
Ge 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. {he that is eight … : Heb. a son of eight days }
Ge 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Ge 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

What criteria are you using to determine Israel?

 

[Benaiah468]

Ge 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
Ge 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. {he that is eight … : Heb. a son of eight days }
Ge 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Ge 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

What criteria are you using to determine Israel?

Circumcision concerns all sons and this instruction does not only apply to the House of Judah, but to all tribes and the foreigners. YHVH says: One law (one Torah), to the Israelites and the strangers (i.e. those who then belong to it. The tribe of Judah was then the only one to keep this instruction. When YHVH decrees this, He has something in mind. If you approach it in faith and in view of Him, He gives strength to follow the commandment of circumcision, realising that the outward sign of circumcision does not make anyone righteous. We understand that our righteousness is created through Jesus, the Messiah.

#73

 

[Benaiah468]

In Hebrew, the name Hebrew is derived from the root Ibr. This can result in forms such as over, aver, aber, ober, iber, iver etc. This root means over, different, across, other side, etc. The word could refer to those who wander, i.e. are nomadic, wandering [the English words over and other also come from the same source].

The word Hebrew in the Hebrew language could be pronounced like Iber or Ivri. As the vowels in Hebrew are somewhat elastic, it could also have taken the forms hiberi, eberi, oberi, aberi. The b sound could also have been pronounced as a v or a p.

The word abar in Hebrew can also mean transgression.

In Hebrew, the prefix Ha- is the equivalent of the definite article the, so that Ibri and Ha-Ibri (Hiber) mean the same thing.

 

[Benaiah468]

The ancient Israelites called themselves Hebrews.

As far as we know, this name was unique to them. We interpret the word Hebrews in the Bible to refer only to Israelites.

There is also the Egyptian word Apiru, which was interpreted to mean Hebrew and was also the equivalent of Habiru.

Habiru or Apiru or ˁpr.w (Egyptian) was the name given by various Sumerian, Egyptian, Akkadian, Hittite, Mitanni, and Ugaritic sources (dated, roughly, between 1800 BC and 1100 BC) to a group of people living as nomadic invaders in areas of the Fertile Crescent from Northeastern Mesopotamia and Iran to the borders of Egypt in Canaan.
S.: wicki

From a historical point of view, it does not matter where the word Hebrew comes from, if we accept the fact that it had already become a synonym for the word Ibri (Ha-Ivri) in the sense of Israelite in biblical times

And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew [עִבְרִי (Ibri)]; and I fear the Lord, the G-d of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. Jona 1:9

 

[ralliann]

Circumcision concerns all sons and this instruction does not only apply to the House of Judah, but to all tribes and the foreigners. YHVH says: One law (one Torah), to the Israelites and the strangers (i.e. those who then belong to it.

No circumcision, no Israel. For sons, or foreigners.
Ge 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

The tribe of Judah was then the only one to keep this instruction.

Where do we find this?

When YHVH decrees this, He has something in mind.

Yes, the Abrahamic promises of that covenant
Ex 32:11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? {the LORD: Heb. the face of the LORD }
12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

If you approach it in faith and in view of Him, He gives strength to follow the commandment of circumcision, realising that the outward sign of circumcision does not make anyone righteous.

It makes them keeping a covenant, by circumcising their sons on the eighth day, or themselves if a convert.

We understand that our righteousness is created through Jesus, the Messiah.

#73

A new covenant, where the fleshy commands, do not literally apply.
Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

 

[Benaiah468]

As I see it, circumcision still applies to all males today. It is an outward sign of something that is to happen on the inside, namely the circumcision of the heart. Circumcision is a prophetic sign for the 8th millennium, because then all people really will be circumcised at the heart. But even before that, in the 1000-year kingdom, no one can enter the temple with an uncircumcised heart AND with uncircumcised flesh:

Thus saith the Lord G-d; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel. Ez 44:9

Does it make sense that circumcision is abolished today in order to reintroduce it in a few years' time (for the 1000-year kingdom)?

But we also see how the people of Israel in the desert had not circumcised their sons. But they had to make up for it BEFORE they could enter the Promised Land:

At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. Jos 5:2-5

A new covenant, where the fleshy commands, do not literally apply.

The question does not even arise for me. For example, how can you keep the Sabbath spiritually if you don't keep it physically?

Commandments cannot be cancelled. And if we think it is only to be seen spiritually and not literally, then we have a problem with adultery, murder, stealing, etc. I don't believe that we can choose which commandments are to be taken spiritually and which literally. Exclusively spiritual does not work either. The Council of the Apostles also gives a good indication of this. This is about people who want to try to be saved by keeping the law. But Paul is not teaching against circumcision in general. So what does Paul mean when he says that being circumcised is nothing, but keeping the commandments? Well, surely not that you no longer need to keep the commandments (which includes circumcision), because that's what he says in the same sentence, isn't it?

 

[ralliann]

As I see it, circumcision still applies to all males today. It is an outward sign of something that is to happen on the inside, namely the circumcision of the heart.

The way I see it, Scripture says it is a sign and seal, Of Abraham's faith that he had before he was circumcised. It speaks first and foremost to a covenant made before Moses law, which Moses law cannot disannul.

Circumcision is a prophetic sign for the 8th millennium, because then all people really will be circumcised at the heart. But even before that, in the 1000-year kingdom, no one can enter the temple with an uncircumcised heart AND with uncircumcised flesh:

Thus saith the Lord G-d; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel. Ez 44:9

Does it make sense that circumcision is abolished today in order to reintroduce it in a few years' time (for the 1000-year kingdom)?

Circumcision is a sign and a seal of the Abrahamic covenant promises.

But we also see how the people of Israel in the desert had not circumcised their sons. But they had to make up for it BEFORE they could enter the Promised Land:

At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. Jos 5:2-5

Bore their whoredom forty years...Uncircumcised.
Nu 14:33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.

As we see needed Circumcision to enter the inheritance promised them in the Abrahamic covenant. To enter the rest of it.
Ex 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
18 And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war. {meet … : Heb. sons of power }
19 But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, (for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you;
20 Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.

De 12:9 For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.
De 12:10 But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;

The question does not even arise for me. For example, how can you keep the Sabbath spiritually if you don't keep it physically?

Before the rest of their inheritance they were keeping the weekly Sabbath....
Le 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.
Their rest in Joshua ( Jesus in new covenant scripture of Hebrews)
Jos 1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
Jos 1:15 Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

Jos 21:44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

Jos 22:4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.
Jos 23:1 And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. {stricken … : Heb. come into days }

Commandments cannot be cancelled.

Heb 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

The weakness and the unprofitableness is the restriction to the carnal application only.


Deut 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

The way I see it the carnal circumcision (only) is for the earthly worldly heirs of inheritance. Why they are back in the land today......It still hold earthly things, from Abraham to Jews.....

 

[Paul Shunamon]

The Bible is a history book by and for Israel!

The descendants of the so-called "lost 10 tribes" of the northern house of Israel can be found in the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic and related peoples of today. The people of Israel? Not Jewish, but Anglo-Saxon!

The identification of one of the twelve tribes of Israel with a country or a population is not new: for generations there have been Britons who have drawn a parallel between Ephraim and England. This has been said about Manasseh and the United States. It is also said between Dan and Denmark, Judah and the Jews.

Zebulun is the youngest son from the marriage of the patriarch Jacob and the matriarch Leah. He is their sixth son. His older brothers are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah and Issachar

And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of G-d blessed the children of Israel before his death... And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand. Deu 33:1 .18-19

A long time ago, Helene Koppejan from Zeeland wrote the booklet: "Strange parallel: Zebulun - the Netherlands, a tribe of Israel",

https://up.picr.de/42255423lr.jpg

which puts forward the theory that the Dutch are one of the "Ten Lost Tribes" and as such an important part of Joseph-Israel's family,

https://up.picr.de/42255996xt.jpg

which merged with this empire after the conquest by the Assyrians in the 7th century BCE

https://up.picr.de/48237966yp.jpg

The book explains that the 10 lost tribes, which were annexed by the Assyrians, arrived in Europe through migrations. More precisely: north-west Europe. Because the prophecy from the Bible is still in force and because G-d keeps his promises, these nations still fall under the Mosaic covenant. And not just the tribe of Judah. Mentioned in connection with the Assyrians are the Khumri, sons of Omri, which in turn is the tribal name of the Kimbrians, the people who settled in Jutland as Kelto-Germanic and Scythians. The book explains that the 10 lost tribes of Israel (who were not "Jews" at the time, because that is what the Judeans were) were migrating Celts who arrived in north-west Europe around 600 BCE thanks to migration from the Black Sea region. At the time of the Cimbrian Flood described by the Romans (2nd century BCE), these Cimbrians migrated southwards from southern Scandinavia to the Rhineland.

A film entitled 'Wondere Parallel' (1971) was also made, in which the similarities between the Seelanders (derived from Zebulon) on the Dutch west coast and the promises of Jacob to this son in particular are examined. The Dutch and thus their ancestors, the Frisians, would then be descended from the tribe of Zebulun, named after the son of Jacob (= Israel, who wrestled with G-d).

In all of history, no nation can be found that has fulfilled the Zebulunian promises more clearly in its national behaviour than the Netherlands on the North Sea. The harbour-rich area with its seafaring and circumnavigation, the draining of lakes from which the "hidden treasures of the sand" are harvested today as rich agricultural products, all this and much more points in only one direction: Holland-Sebulon.

Kimswerd is a village in the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân in the Dutch province of Friesland. Kimswerd could be a reference to the Cimbri, a Germanic tribe from northern Jutland, which would then refer to Omri's sons Khumri. Together with the Teutons and Ambrons, they moved southwards from their settlement area in the north of Central Europe around 120 BCE. The Assyrians called the Israelites Ghimri or Khumri after the name of their king Omri. The Babylonians called them "Gimmirai". Deriving from this name, the Greek historian Herodotus called them Cimmerians, others Cimbri or Cymbrians.

Kennemerland, a region in the Dutch province of North Holland, could at least be a reference to Khumri.

The symbol of Holland was a ship in popular tradition and a ship was the symbol of the former Dutch Republic. According to the Midrash, the Jewish interpretation literature, a ship was also the symbol of Zebulun. In Jewish synagogues, the various symbols of the Israelite tribes can often be found on the walls or on the curtain or door. Zebulun is always represented by a ship. Israeli stamps with the tribal symbols show a ship as the symbol of Zebulun

https://up.picr.de/48238173ni.jpg

In Jewish literature, Zebulun is portrayed as a merchant seafarer, which is true of the Dutch. The Dutch were among the world's leading seafarers from the 16th century to the present day. The Dutch empire was spread all over the world. At one stage it included territories in North America. New York was founded by the Dutch. Peter Stuyvesant was a Dutch governor of New Amsterdam. Dutch rule over Ceylon, harbours in India, places in South America and Indonesia, etc. The Dutch harbours were also very important. Rotterdam was for a long time the largest and busiest harbour in the world. Rotterdam is still the most important harbour for the whole of Europe.

Jacob prophesied:

Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. Gen 49:13

Only the Dutch live "on the coast of the sea", as the Dutch are descended from Zebulun!

Friesland and Holland can be identified with Zebulun. According to the geography of Ptolemy (ca. 100 CE, but based on material from several centuries earlier), the area of southern Scandinavia and northern Friesland was occupied by the Sabalingoi. The name Sabalingoi (Sebulon-goi) means "people of Zebulun".

Pytheas (ca. 325 BCE) is reported to have described the Dutch region as being inhabited by Scuthai (i.e. Scythians).

Each tribe of Israel had its own stone on the breastplate of the high priest. Zebulun's stone was a diamond. Today, South Africa produces most of the world's diamonds, most of which are processed and traded in Antwerp, Belgium, in the Flanders region, whose inhabitants are at least partly of Dutch descent. Before Antwerp, Amsterdam in Holland was the most important centre for diamonds. South Africa, where the diamonds come from, is dominated by the Boers, who are partly descended from Dutch settlers and whose language is based on an old Dutch dialect.

Holland's theory of descent is consistent with the earlier apocryphal Frisian historiography collected, for example, by Waling Dijkstra, a Dutch writer

https://up.picr.de/48238516me.jpg

Since the Frisians, Angles and Saxons jointly conquered the British continent from the Celtic Britons and then gave it their name and language, this view need not conflict with the Zebulun theory

https://up.picr.de/48238894vi.jpg

Ultimately, the DNA of the men from East Anglia and Northumbria hardly differs from that of the Frisians. Old Frisian was also almost identical to the old Anglo-Saxon language.

The name Saxon comes from the name Isaaks-sons (= sons of Isaac, the son of Abraham with Sarah; Isaac = Hebrew Yischaq). If we omit the I, we get: Saaksons, or Saxons, or Saxony, who were known in antiquity as the Celtic-Scythian tribe of saka or sacae. Saxons sit on the English royal throne. They are descended from the "Saxe-Coburg-Gotha" family, and as anything German was not very popular outside Germany during the two world wars, they renamed themselves "Windsor". Today, all European high noble families are practically related to each other, which also emphasises the family ties between the European peoples.

The Scottish Declaration of Independence of Arbroath from 1320 refers to the origin of the Scots from the 10 tribes of Israel. The national anthem of the Netherlands also refers to the ancient roots, stating:



It is obvious with the Danes, who still bear their origins as the tribe of Dan in their name today: Danmark. Túatha Dé Danann, as they called themselves before settling in Ireland around 800 BCE, means "tribe of Dan". The clues are everywhere. Words have a meaning!

Britain, on the other hand, means berith = covenant; ayin = without, so "without covenant".

Some scholars now say, "There we have it! The British can't belong to Israel because Britain in Hebrew means "without covenant"!". They forget that Israel committed the sin of Jeroboam, which was to abandon the covenant with G-d and instead worship the "sun-G-d" Baal - thereby becoming a people who have broken the covenant with G-d, and are therefore now "without covenant".

To prevent the Israelites of the northern kingdom from rejoining Rehoboam, as they had to go to Jerusalem at least three times a year to attend the religious festivals, Jeroboam founded a new religious system, the two centres of which were Bethel in the southern northern kingdom and Dan in the north of the kingdom. There, the Ten Tribes worshipped golden calves.

And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy g-ds, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. 1 Kings 12:26-30

This system was a typical example of syncretism as practised by most churches to this day. It contained elements of true G-d worship mixed with pagan idolatry and pagan rituals. Above all, the basis of this system was fundamentally wrong. G-d had promised Jeroboam kingship over the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel

And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the Lord, the G-d of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: 1 Kings 11:30-31

The king did not need to use human wilfulness to protect what G-d had promised. An unknown prophet warned Jeroboam of his idolatry, but he would not listen. The judgement of G-d struck Jeroboam and his family because of the idolatry he had seduced Israel into. Jeroboam's son Abijah fell ill and later died

At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick... Moreover the Lord shall raise him up a king over Israel, who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam... For the Lord shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the Lord to anger. And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin. 1 Kings 14:1 .14a .15-16

Since the days of Jeroboam, the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom worshipped Baal - and they did so not only until the empire was conquered by the Assyrians and the surviving people were led into captivity in Assyria in 722 BCE. Even after their flight from Assyria in 612 BCE, they held on to it - indeed, today they are no longer aware of their identity and unknowingly continue to worship Baal to this day!

The division of the Celts into tribal groups was not the only thing they had in common with the 10 tribes of Israel, but also Baal worship, as archaeological finds confirm. Vertically erected memorial stones, so-called mono- and megaliths, some with inscriptions, can be found today not only in the areas of the former southern and northern kingdoms, but also around 40,000 of them scattered throughout western and northern Europe. The stones were erected in honour of the "SunG-d" Baal and bear witness to the idolatry of the "Celtic" Hebrews: the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Stonehenge is probably the best known of these numerous places in Europe where the worship of Baal was celebrated by the immigrant Israelites. If we want to search for the 10 tribes of Israel, then the Baal altars will show us the way unerringly - all the way to the Babylonian idolatry of the great churches of modernity. Israel still worships Baal to this day - quite consciously then, without realising it today!

The idea that the "State of Israel" is synonymous with the biblical people of Israel prevents us from understanding biblical end-time prophecy. Before 1948, this landscape was called Judea, and that is where the truth lies. Today's State of Israel is inhabited in part by members of the former Southern Kingdom of Judah - but the House of Israel, which never returned from the Assyrian captivity to the land of the fathers, are today's descendants of the Judeo-Christian Gentile peoples of Western and Northern Europe.

Interesting. Have you ever noticed that when we go to Genesis 48:19 and Jacob switches his hands, and gives the double portion blessing to Ephraim, and prophecies concerning him as he who would inherit the stick of Joseph, i.e., the latter “House of Israel”, he says Ephraim would become “melo ha’goyim”. The exact parallel phrase in the Greek (in Romans 11) rightly interprets “the fullness of the gentiles.”






So since it is the same phrase as the one in the Old Testament passsage, why put it into a different light? This is because the phrase “melo ha’goyim“ in Genesis 48:19 doesn’t actually mean merely a set number of gentiles, or a “multitude of nations” but rather literally means exactly what Paul said, “the fullness of the gentiles“.

This was also referring to the then as yet yet future peoples of Ephraim, not just a set number of some unknown or particular gentiles. I believe that Saint Paul is making a direct Rabbinical connection to this scripture, and thus to the Ephraimites of the diaspora, who had been sown or mixed in among the gentile nations, letting them know that they are still seen as “lost sheep“. It is clear to me that the lost or intermingled Ephraimites (biologically as well as sociologically) ARE this “fullness of the Gentiles”, and now, hopefully, you do as well.

In our time, the melo ha’goyim (the Israelite roa/nokri), and the present day unbelieving Jewish people that are the recognized as Jewish people, together constitute what Y’shu/Jesus would call “the lost sheep“! We wild olive branch gentiles bringing them back (bringing Jacob back) is a priority purpose of the great commission. All the Apostles were instructed to go first to the “lost sheep of the House of Israel". This was the plan whenever they went into a new territory. I personally have searched and searched, and in all of the scriptures I have never seen where that plan changes. We are to preach Messiah, and Him crucified, among the gentiles, but I now believe a major purpose is to recover the “lost sheep” from among the unbelievers. We are also to give the gospel to the unbelieving Jewish community which actually is quite large in our time. In fact, most of those I have spoken to follow Talmud not Torah, and many do not REALLY BELIEVE in YHVH, nor do they believe in the Exodus, and much more. And, in my opinion, this is a problem. Jesus said that because they do not believe Moses, they cannot believe Him, because Moses spoke of Him (only not by the name Jesus).

As a result of this process,

1. when the elect number of gentiles will of course respond in faith,
2. the fullness of the gentiles or intermingled Israelites will come in
   

Is this fulfillment of Biblical prophecy of paramount purpose in the eschatological scheme of human history. The lost sheep of Israel? Ephraim and Judah as one stick in Messiah's hand? Hmmm?

 

[Benaiah468]

Let us look at the two tribes of Ephraim and Judah, which are representatives of the two houses: The House of Israel and the House of Judah.

Judah and Ephraim appear side by side in many Bible verses. Reference is often made to the two houses. This is also the case here, for example

Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord G-d; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. Ez 37:19

We know that Ephraim and Judah received outstanding blessings and are responsible for the two great tasks of Israel: searching the Scriptures (Judah) and spreading the faith (Ephraim).

So let's look at Ephraim. Ephraim was actually a grandson of Jacob, but was adopted by Jacob, so to speak. Jacob thus ensured that the birthright (the double blessing) went to his favourite son Joseph. Because his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, each received an inheritance, Joseph received the double blessing.

But Ephraim received not only an ordinary portion of the blessing, but a whole abundance of blessings.

And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. Deu 33:13-17

Ephraim was assigned a huge potential. He received material blessings, special gifts, martial skills and also a leadership role in the family of Israel.

Military power is not only mentioned in the above verses. We also find it in the prophetic blessings of Jacob:

The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong Gen 49:23-24a

The blessing of the many descendants also stands out:

And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he [Manasseh] also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Joseph's colourful coat could be a reference to these many different peoples.

Ephraim was given an important leadership role in the world (though less so within Israel). For example, it is no coincidence that Joseph himself ruled over Egypt (and the family had to bow to this rule), but Judah led within the family of Israel.

In this sense, it is also interesting to note the connection to the Kingdom of England, which very probably descended primarily from descendants of Ephraim. For they too were THE world power for a long time.

The wars against France (Reuben) also appear in a completely new light, as Ephraim received the birthright from Reuben:

And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. Gen 48:5

So are the wars between France and England essentially Israel's battles for power?

Because what emerges with England is a character trait of Ephraim: The quest for power and domination!

Ephraim has a mission in the world. They were to go out and bring faith in the one G-d to the world. We know from the times of King David and King Solomon how this actually happened.

In this era, Israel shaped the then known world (and even beyond). Supported by the Phoenicians, they had dominion over the world's oceans and exerted influence on many other peoples.

It would be extremely interesting to know what would have happened if Israel had not deviated from the ways of G-d in the following centuries. One can only begin to imagine how Israel would have shaped the world with precious knowledge and true faith.

But things turned out differently. For not only was there division from the kingdom of Israel, but also apostasy. As a result, Ephraim was unable to fulfil his mission as he should have.

Unfortunately, Ephraim was also decisively involved in both processes.

Ephraim has a leadership function for outside Israel - but less so for inside. Judah has the leadership role there. And that makes it not only complicated, but also extremely challenging.

You can see from some incidents in Israel's history that Ephraim and the tribes that followed him had one or two problems with this.

For example, King David endeavoured to unite the tribes under him. However, this did not work immediately. While it was initially the royal house of Benjamin that largely prevented the other tribes from joining Judah and King David, an internal division of the people can still be observed in later years:

And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift? And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. 2 Sam 19:42-44

In this incident - King David has just returned from his flight from Absalom - there is a dispute between 10 tribes and the tribe of Judah.

Immediately after this incident, another Benjamite (Sheba) tries to divide the people (even now).

And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. 2 Sam 20:1-2

But this rebellion was quickly put down.

However, just a few decades later, Ephraim is ‘more successful’ in this regard and actually instigates a rebellion that results in the division of Israel.

It is interesting to note that the same words are used that Sheba had already used:

So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 1 Kings 12:16

The leader of this rebellion is Jeroboam, an Ephraimite.

Some may argue that this division was ordained and willed by G-d, as we read in 1 Kings 11 how a prophet from Shiloh promises this division to Jeroboam.

Yes, of course the division was willed by G-d (otherwise it would not have happened). It was a punishment for Solomon's sins. But that doesn't change the fact that Jeroboam instigated a rebellion against the king of Israel.

Just because a prophet promises something does not mean that the actions that follow are good!

The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria. Isa 7:17

Ephraim has fallen away from Judah. And with Ephraim nine other tribes who orientated themselves towards Ephraim.

We see how Ephraim abuses his leadership talent within the family of Israel at this point. And this is a realisation that is very critical, as much is at stake.

Israel has a great mission for the world and this can only be achieved if everyone fulfils their tasks and Israel acts as a community.

Ephraim has been blessed more than almost any other tribe. And with these great blessings and gifts comes great responsibility! And this also applies to the other tribes, who followed Ephraim more than Judah, the actual leader of the family.

 

[Benaiah468]

In addition to this problem of power, there is another one with which Ephraim is strongly confronted (and challenged): idolatry!

If we follow the story of Jeroboam, we quickly come across this problem. For Jeroboam made decisions only shortly after taking power that were to have an extremely strong influence on the future (cf. 1 Kings 12):

He introduced new holy places.
He introduced new priests.
He introduced new feast days.
He introduced two golden calves.

It is almost obvious how these things were repeated in later Christianity.

But the story of the ten tribes got worse. Not only did these ‘sins of Jeroboam’ continue, but under Ahab heinous atrocities were added:

And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord G-d of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. 1 Kings 16:29-33

Under Ahab, the northern kingdom (under the leadership of Ephraim!) left the G-d of Israel behind and now served other gods. This was only to change temporarily and for a short time until the exile by the Assyrians.

In the end, the devastating judgement remained:

And they left all the commandments of the Lord their G-d, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. 2 Kings 17:16-17

One could summarise this time, in which Ephraim led the other nine as a tribe, with the realisation that there is no blessing in Ephraim ruling (alone!?) over Israel. You can clearly see the direction this took.

Perhaps some people think that this course of events is unique in the history of Ephraim. But unfortunately it is not.

One of the worst incidents in Israel's history can be found in Judges 17 and the following chapters.

There we meet a man, Micah, from the mountains of Ephraim, who makes himself a household idol and hires his own Levite for this idolatry. According to tradition, many, many Israelites were ‘infected’ by this idolatry.

And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah... and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah. And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there... And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in... And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah. Judges 17:1-12

Once again, we recognise a connection between Ephraim and idolatry.

But this can also be observed in the Christian era. Many elements from pagan idolatry have found their way into countless (probable) descendants of the Ten Tribes.

And this is no coincidence. Many years earlier, G-d had already threatened that the people of Israel would worship idols if they departed from living with the Torah. And that is exactly what happened.

And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other g-ds, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even [g-ds of] wood and stone. Deu 28:64

We also recognise here the great danger inherent in Ephraim's task. He was called to exert influence in the world. But if you are outwardly active, it can easily happen that you are also too strongly influenced by the world - especially if you do not have the ways of the Torah clearly in mind. (Were these the effects of the missing Levites who were responsible for teaching the Torah?)

And so it was not only prophesied for Ephraim, but it actually happened:

Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Hos 7:8a

Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure. Hos 8:8

I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. Hos 8:12

You get the feeling that Ephraim doesn't come off particularly well in this story. But we must not forget that Ephraim's enormous blessings mean that the claim is also huge.

Furthermore, we must not forget that the Ten Tribes definitely had a great influence on the Western world. And it was by no means exclusively negative. But we will realise later on what a wonderful role Ephraim will play in history.

Before we continue to focus on Ephraim's role, we will first conclude the story of idolatry. Because one thing is important in this regard:

On the way back to the land - which the ten lost tribes will also take one day - the call will come to put away all remaining idols. It is interesting to note that the prophetic journey to the Promised Land supports this.

Next we come to the relationship between Ephraim and Judah. Because this is anything but relaxed due to the experiences and the special constellation.

It is certainly very much about the aforementioned striving for power and rule by Ephraim!

Many events - especially the division of Israel - make it clear that Ephraim has difficulties accepting Judah's leadership role. This can be described as jealousy and envy:

The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. Isa 11:13

But it is not only in this prophecy that it becomes clear that there will be a restoration in this relationship.

In any case, it is interesting that at that time (as today) there were people from the tribe of Ephraim who recognised the huge potential in a joint relationship between Judah and Ephraim. For this reason, some Ephraimites moved to the southern kingdom so as not to join in the rebellion against Judah:

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his G-d was with him. 2 Chr 15:9

So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;
1 Chr 9:1-3

It is no coincidence that the reunification of Judah and Ephraim is also part of the massive restoration process. For if Judah and Ephraim carry out their tasks hand in hand, they will rush from victory to victory:

When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. Zec 9:13

We also recognise in spiritual terms how the two tribes could support each other and should actually benefit from each other.

Jeremiah repeatedly called on the house of Judah to learn from Ephraim and the events in the northern kingdom (after the conquest by the Assyrians):

But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. Jer 7:12-15

Shiloh, the place where the Ark of the Covenant stood for 369 years, was one of the most important cities in the tribal area of Ephraim. Shiloh was the capital of Israel in the time of Joshua and the Judges. But because the people lived less and less in the ways of G-d, Shiloh was destroyed.

According to Jeremiah, Judah (Jerusalem) should take this as a warning example and repent.

He also clearly refers to the events that the northern kingdom had to experience at the hands of the Assyrians:

The Lord said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord. Jer 3:6-10

The house of Judah should learn from the northern kingdom: turn back, otherwise something similar will happen to you like your brothers in the north!

But Judah was too proud and too entangled in idolatry to take this warning to heart (at least most of the kings of Judah).

On the contrary! Instead, they adopted the idolatry that had been practised in Ephraim and the other tribes years earlier:

Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord his G-d, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 2 Kings 16:2-4

So while Judah was supposed to learn from Ephraim in biblical times, the picture has changed. We read about this in the prophet Zechariah about the end of times:

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that G-d is with you. Zec 8:23

Ten from the Gentiles (ten as a reference to the ten lost tribes and Gentiles to Ephraim, which has mixed with the Gentiles) seize the Tzitzit of the Jews.

This is not just a reference to ‘we want to learn Torah from you’, but it goes even further. The verse says ‘we will to go with you!’

And what does the prophet Amos say about ‘walking together’?

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3

 

[Benaiah468]

The goal is for the two houses to become one: the House of Judah and the House of Israel under the leadership of Ephraim. It is a milestone on the path of restoration!

Unfortunately, however, even today Ephraim still very often faces an obstacle in the way of taking steps towards Judah: Rebellion, jealousy and pride!

But if Ephraim overcomes this... then a lot can happen!

We are living in extraordinary times. A revolution has begun. Ephraim is increasingly remembering its roots and starting on the path of restoration.

G-d cleanses his people, he cleanses the lost tribes:

For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. Hos 2:17

Ephraim learns to distinguish between evil and good:

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord G-d of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:15

And in this process, the eyes of Ephraim (and the other tribes) are also opened to his brother Judah. Jealousy, rebellion and other obstacles begin to crumble. And thus begins an ever stronger alliance between two tribes (or houses/all tribes), which will allow the full potential of Israel to unfold.

And then Ephraim will also be able to fulfil one of his great commissions: The return of the tribes!

Please what?

Yes, just as Ephraim had a great responsibility in bringing the ten tribes into exile, Ephraim will also have a huge part to play in bringing the tribes back.

And - perhaps this is the next wake-up call - it was almost time! Ephraim was about to join Judah in heralding the return and founding the new kingdom of Israel...

But unfortunately things turned out differently.

What am I talking about?

The British Empire.

The British Empire is primarily descended from the tribe of Ephraim.

And in the early 20th century, the Kingdom of England was at the height of its history. It ruled countries on every continent in the world. It was also known as ‘the empire where the sun never sets’. It was a world empire like few before it.

One of the English colonies became a small country in 1917, which was then called ‘Palestine’. The English conquered it from the Turks, bringing 400 years of Ottoman rule over ‘Palestine’ to an end.

But at this time, another movement was already in full swing: Jewish Zionism! Jews from more and more countries were making their way back to the Promised Land. It started in dribs and drabs, but the movement grew bigger and bigger.

While at the beginning there was a lack of work, the adverse conditions in the country and the cultural difficulties between Turks, Arabs and Jews, another problem soon arose: the English regulation of immigration!

It could all have been so good! The English (Ephraim) ruled the country. Together with the Jews (Judah), they could have built a strong and glorious Israel.

This would not only have resulted in a strong country of Israel, but could also have spared hundreds of thousands of Jews the Shoah and thus saved their lives. Because there were an extremely large number of Jews who desperately sought visas for other countries but were not granted them.

This would not only have resulted in a strong country of Israel, but could also have spared hundreds of thousands of Jews the Shoah and thus saved their lives. Because there were an extremely large number of Jews who desperately sought visas for other countries but were not granted them.

Unfortunately, the time was not yet ripe for a restored Israel!

The British sought the goodwill and favour of the Arabs (and above all Arab contacts to oil suppliers!) and regulated Jewish immigration for this reason. Many ships with thousands of refugees were turned away, taken back to Europe or not allowed ashore, so that they were shipwrecked.

It is the old problem of Ephraim: The quest for power and the unwillingness to submit to Judah were the things that stood in the way of the English here. But much less would have been needed to create good co-operation between Judah and Ephraim.

However, it should also be noted that many Englishmen naturally cared about Jews and were in favour of an Israeli state! It was a not-so-small remnant that even then recognised its responsibility towards Judah.

In any case, Ephraim already played a very decisive role in the founding of the state. And that is very interesting. It is also remarkable that it was the English (Ephraim) who drove the Turks out of Palestine.

Ephraim has a great mission in bringing back the tribes. True, the Bible does not say much about exactly what Ephraim's role in the repatriation will ultimately be. But we have one person in the biblical story who impressively shows that Ephraim is crucial to this huge exodus:

Joshua Ben Nun.

Joshua, the successor of Moses, was an Ephraimite and a prophetic figure for our Messiah.

He led the people into the Promised Land - and did so with many signs and wonders. He followed the stages of the prophetic journey to the Promised Land and brought each tribe to its tribal territory.

Joshua is, so to speak, the sanctified Ephraimite. An Ephraimite who fulfils the calling of the tribe.

And we recognise a wonderful interplay between Levi, Ephraim and Judah:

Levi teaches the Torah in exile and points to the return to the land.

Ephraim (especially our Messiah [Ben Joseph]) leads the tribes back to the land.

And Judah takes over kingship here in the land - ultimately as the Messiah Ben David!

 

[David Lamb]

The goal is for the two houses to become one: the House of Judah and the House of Israel under the leadership of Ephraim. It is a milestone on the path of restoration!

Unfortunately, however, even today Ephraim still very often faces an obstacle in the way of taking steps towards Judah: Rebellion, jealousy and pride!

But if Ephraim overcomes this... then a lot can happen!

We are living in extraordinary times. A revolution has begun. Ephraim is increasingly remembering its roots and starting on the path of restoration.

G-d cleanses his people, he cleanses the lost tribes:

For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. Hos 2:17

Ephraim learns to distinguish between evil and good:

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord G-d of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:15

And in this process, the eyes of Ephraim (and the other tribes) are also opened to his brother Judah. Jealousy, rebellion and other obstacles begin to crumble. And thus begins an ever stronger alliance between two tribes (or houses/all tribes), which will allow the full potential of Israel to unfold.

And then Ephraim will also be able to fulfil one of his great commissions: The return of the tribes!

Please what?

Yes, just as Ephraim had a great responsibility in bringing the ten tribes into exile, Ephraim will also have a huge part to play in bringing the tribes back.

And - perhaps this is the next wake-up call - it was almost time! Ephraim was about to join Judah in heralding the return and founding the new kingdom of Israel...

But unfortunately things turned out differently.

What am I talking about?

The British Empire.

The British Empire is primarily descended from the tribe of Ephraim.

And in the early 20th century, the Kingdom of England was at the height of its history. It ruled countries on every continent in the world. It was also known as ‘the empire where the sun never sets’. It was a world empire like few before it.

One of the English colonies became a small country in 1917, which was then called ‘Palestine’. The English conquered it from the Turks, bringing 400 years of Ottoman rule over ‘Palestine’ to an end.

But at this time, another movement was already in full swing: Jewish Zionism! Jews from more and more countries were making their way back to the Promised Land. It started in dribs and drabs, but the movement grew bigger and bigger.

While at the beginning there was a lack of work, the adverse conditions in the country and the cultural difficulties between Turks, Arabs and Jews, another problem soon arose: the English regulation of immigration!

It could all have been so good! The English (Ephraim) ruled the country. Together with the Jews (Judah), they could have built a strong and glorious Israel.

This would not only have resulted in a strong country of Israel, but could also have spared hundreds of thousands of Jews the Shoah and thus saved their lives. Because there were an extremely large number of Jews who desperately sought visas for other countries but were not granted them.

This would not only have resulted in a strong country of Israel, but could also have spared hundreds of thousands of Jews the Shoah and thus saved their lives. Because there were an extremely large number of Jews who desperately sought visas for other countries but were not granted them.

Unfortunately, the time was not yet ripe for a restored Israel!

The British sought the goodwill and favour of the Arabs (and above all Arab contacts to oil suppliers!) and regulated Jewish immigration for this reason. Many ships with thousands of refugees were turned away, taken back to Europe or not allowed ashore, so that they were shipwrecked.

It is the old problem of Ephraim: The quest for power and the unwillingness to submit to Judah were the things that stood in the way of the English here. But much less would have been needed to create good co-operation between Judah and Ephraim.

However, it should also be noted that many Englishmen naturally cared about Jews and were in favour of an Israeli state! It was a not-so-small remnant that even then recognised its responsibility towards Judah.

In any case, Ephraim already played a very decisive role in the founding of the state. And that is very interesting. It is also remarkable that it was the English (Ephraim) who drove the Turks out of Palestine.

Ephraim has a great mission in bringing back the tribes. True, the Bible does not say much about exactly what Ephraim's role in the repatriation will ultimately be. But we have one person in the biblical story who impressively shows that Ephraim is crucial to this huge exodus:

Joshua Ben Nun.

Joshua, the successor of Moses, was an Ephraimite and a prophetic figure for our Messiah.

He led the people into the Promised Land - and did so with many signs and wonders. He followed the stages of the prophetic journey to the Promised Land and brought each tribe to its tribal territory.

Joshua is, so to speak, the sanctified Ephraimite. An Ephraimite who fulfils the calling of the tribe.

And we recognise a wonderful interplay between Levi, Ephraim and Judah:

Levi teaches the Torah in exile and points to the return to the land.

Ephraim (especially our Messiah [Ben Joseph]) leads the tribes back to the land.

And Judah takes over kingship here in the land - ultimately as the Messiah Ben David!

As an Englishman, I don't count myself as being of the half-tribe of Ephraim, and as a Christian it would make no difference anyway, because we read:

“27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you [are] Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Ga 3:27-29 NKJV)