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07 February 2012 | 14 Shevat 5772 | Yithro

Reunification of Israel / April 2000


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Last September, a group of Messianic believers (Messianic Jews and non-Jews calling themselves Ephraim) joined together in fellowship, calling themselves Messianic Israel. Such a meeting has not happened in more than 2700 years. For me personally, it was a momentous occasion. Dating back more than fifteen years ago, I named my son Ephraim Judah in the hope that he would be part of the rejoining of Ephraim and Judah to become one in the hand of the Lord. The end result would be one people (Israel and her companions in the commonwealth of Israel) who know the true King of Kings and are prepared to make the greater exodus back to the Land of Israel.

What is this spiritual movement that is happening in our generation? Why are more and more Christian brethren ceasing from their labors on Sabbath? Why are brethren that have been taught "Sabbath and festivals have passed away" seeking a seat at a Passover Seder? Why are church brethren wanting to know more about the Biblical festivals and the teaching of the Torah? The answer is really very simple. God said this would happen at the end of the ages. God said He would begin to gather Israel from where she was scattered in the nations and brings others (Israel's companions) back to the Lord. He also said that He would reunify the two Houses within Israel (the House of Judah and the House of Israel). There is a name given to this return. It is not the revival of the church. It is called the Messianic Movement.

The Messianic Movement in Prophecy

Moses first described this return in the last days.

If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me— I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies— or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land. For the land shall be abandoned by them, and shall make up for its sabbaths while it is made desolate without them. They, meanwhile, shall be making amends for their iniquity, because they rejected My ordinances and their soul abhorred My statutes. Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so abhor them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God.
Leviticus 26:40-44

A key component of the return of Israel is the land itself. Listen to the prophet describe the return of Israel that has happened in our day.

For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
Ezekiel 36:24-25

After Israel was scattered into all the nations, a time would come when Israel would return to the land and to the Lord. In 1948, the modern state of Israel was born and became reality. It began small, hanging on by its fingernails, but now has developed strength and we see God's word taking shape. But another kind of return also began, a much more important one. The spiritual return of Israel to her King began. They were first called Hebrew Christians in this century. Some called them “completed Jews.” They taught the Hebrew Roots of our New Covenant faith. Jews for Jesus took shape and a new kind of evangelism directed at the Jewish community began to score successes as never before. A new kind of assembly formed – Messianic Jewish Fellowships and Congregations. They were joined by believing Gentiles and a new kind of dance and music came forth in congregational worship of God. Home fellowships became assemblies; assemblies became congregations; congregations gathered and formed alliances, unions, and conferences. Leaders of many emerged to teach and bring forth things of the old in a new way.

The prophets also joined Moses in describing the phenomena of God=s gathering of His people in the last days. They described a new and clean heart, a circumcised heart, a heart with the commandments of God written by the hand of God, commandments spoken from a mountain to their ancestors. They described the spiritual return of Israel.

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. And you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.
Ezekiel 36:26-28
And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it, declares the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:14
And it will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.
Zechariah 8:13

If we will take just a moment to survey our recent past in this generation, we will have to conclude that just as the prophets spoke, we see the reality of their words. More Jews have come to know their Messiah in this generation than in any of the previous generations since the resurrection of the Messiah. These believing Jews have been joined by an even larger group of Gentiles (non Jews) who have an unction from the Holy Spirit to be part of something.

The “Messy” Part of the Messianic Movement

Participants in this movement are dragging a lot of baggage from their previous religious experience. Like our ancestors, we resemble a group of escaping slaves dragging off idols and traditions from Egypt. We are not sure what to believe, how to observe, or where we are going. Sabbath, kosher, torah are just concepts (Jewish stuff) to some. While others, have become the Sabbath Police, the Kosher Patrol, and Torah Terrorists (an updated version of task masters). Leaders aren't sure whether they should be Rabbis, Reverends, or Elders at the Gate. Welcome to the Messianic Movement. But wait! It gets better!

All those other people (the Gentiles and non-Jews) who are coming and joining with the Messianic Jews, who are they really and why are they joining this mess? The prophets also spoke of them (someone joined to Judah).

say to them, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.’”
Ezekiel 37:19

Repairing the Breach

A long time ago, a division within Israel took place. The northern tribes under the leadership of Ephraim balked and refused to cooperate any further with the leadership of Judah. Thus, the house of Israel rose up against the house of Judah and division within Israel took shape. There are a host of actions that brought this about but maybe the most important point to take note of would be God's purpose. What was God's purpose in allowing such a division? I believe the answer dates back to the story of Jacob and his family entering the land. To protect his family from enemies, Jacob divided his wives and children into two camps. The plan was to enable one to escape should the other be attacked and vice a versa. God warned Israel that we would be scattered into the nations (into the hands of our enemies) if we did not obey. Therefore, I believe the House of Israel and the House of Judah was formed as a way of protecting all of Israel as we were scattered throughout the world. Others may disagree, but I am one who believes that God is still at work, completing His purposes, in spite of our mistakes.

Now, here is the punch line. The prophets say that not only will Jews return to the land of Israel and return spiritually to the Lord, but the House of Israel (Ephraim) will be joined with Judah and both (all Israel) will know the King. It further says that they (Ephraim) will give up the idols of the nations, keep the commandments of God, and cease from eating the detestable. To state it simply: they will observe Sabbath, be taught torah, and keep kosher.

And they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God. And My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances, and keep My statutes, and observe them.
Ezekiel 37:23-24

Other past groups have tried to lay claim to be Joseph and Ephraim. From British-Israelism to the Mormons and the Jehovah=s Witnesses have asserted their Joseph (and his sons) identity. But they failed to prove this identity because of their failure to join Judah, holding onto idols, transgressions, and detestable things.

The Breach within the Messianic Movement

Within the ranks of the Messianic Movement, there are those who advocate that the House of Israel is being joined to the House of Judah in our days. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Baruch HaShem! We are all rejoicing and celebrating God's faithfulness to all Israel! Aren't we?!?

Well… not exactly. What do you mean, NOT EXACTLY? You see, the prophets also said that the sons of Israel would have some struggles in returning to their true identity. First, would be the faithlessness of Ephraim. The prophecy said that Ephraim would be so cutoff from God that they would become like Gentiles, Lo-Ami (not My people) Hosea 1:10. For Ephraim to return, he will have to hear God's voice and be moved by His Spirit. Secondly, there is the teaching of assimilation (to remain like a Gentile) that comes from the church. The church has told many brethren that Israel is no more, the church is God's economy for today. Finally, there is the rejection of Ephraim's own Jewish brethren of faith. Jews would take issue with their identity as being part of Israel. And so, we have exactly all of this happening today. Each of you bear testimony to the history of the church and that only in this generation has a believing Jew moved beyond the pedestal and relic of the past. But take note of Yeshua's warning into the future for those churches. The first is to those who would want the sons of Israel to stumble while trying to walk. The second is believing Jews asserting their Jewish identity against another set of believers. Remember, the term Jew only applies to three tribes (Judah, Benjamin, and Levi). The rest of Israel are called the sons of Israel.

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality.
Revelation 2:14
I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9

The teaching of Balaam, the prophet who was called to curse but could only bless Israel, is to cause the sons of Israel to be mixed with the nations (Gentiles) and to lose their true identity in God. The issue of who is a Jew or not has been in the Jewish community for sometime. Was his mother Jewish or was it his father? Was he Bar Mitzvahed? Did he grow up observant? Is he circumcised? The list goes on and on. Now here comes Ephraim (who looks and smells more Gentile than Jew). Instead of living up to our names as praisers of God (Jews), we prefer to wound one another assigning the value of Esau (no birthright) to anyone not exactly like us.

Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie— behold, I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Revelation 3:9

This statement made by Yeshua is pretty offensive to Jewish believers. It says that this asserted Jewish identity issue is the handiwork of Satan. Simply stated, if a believing Jew (who can't prove that he is) resists the sons of Israel in their identity, he is doing the work of Satan by accusing his own brethren. The Lord goes on to describe the rebuke coming. The Messiah Himself will cause the haughty to bow before his own brethren to know where God's affections are. Actually, this verse is a quotation from the prophet Isaiah.

And the sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, and all those who despised you will bow themselves at the soles of your feet; and they will call you the city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 60:14

The Gentiles in the Messianic Movement

But where are the true believing Gentiles in all this? They are also spoken of in the prophecy by Isaiah.

Also the foreigners [Gentiles] who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath, and holds fast My covenant; even those I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples. The Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares, “Yet others I will gather to them, to those already gathered.”
Isaiah 56:6-8

Reunification within the Messianic Movement

The task of reuniting Ephraim and Judah is daunting and formidable. I once heard Bill Cosby (the comedian) describing God's most difficult work. He described how God is trying to peacefully settle different groups. His greatest problem is not making it look like a miracle! This may be part of the challenge for reuniting Ephraim and Judah! Part of the reasoning for the original division is Ephraim's unfaithfulness and Judah's treachery. These issues are still with us today. Let's address Ephraim first. If you remember, Ephraim left first.

Ephraim's Return of Faith

Ephraim's hope is to no longer be cut off and regarded as Gentile (not My people). Ephraim wants to return fully. To do this, Ephraim must retrace certain steps taken by his ancestors and make union with Judah to properly return to the Lord. Thus, Ephraim must accept God’s plan of order. This includes Judah=s call to be a leader and in particular accept Judah=s courts as the courts of the Messiah Himself.

I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for Thou art the Lord my God. “Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 31:18,20

To accomplish that restoration, Ephraim must do just as the prophets have said; that is, Show their faith and “no longer defile themselves with idols, detestable things, or transgressions.” Then God says that He will deliver them, cleanse them, and make them His people. He will be their God. This is specifically cited by Ezekiel.

And they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 37:23

Let me make this statement clear and unambiguous. If Ephraim (the hidden and lost tribes of Israel) is really part of the Messianic Movement in these last days, then he must have the faith of his fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Ephraim's true identity will not come forth because of declarations of self identity or because of books and theological arguments of others. It will not be by words; it will be by deeds.

Presently, the Messianic Israel message and its followers are somewhat like those in the past, people who want recognition and acceptance, who want the special identity of being the Sons of the Living God (Ephraim). It takes more than speaking it into existence. If Messianic Israel is really Ephraim coming forth, then let us see the evidence of that identity in deed not words. We need to see Sabbath, torah, and kosher. But, we need to see even more than that. We must see the evidence of things given by our father Jacob, things given only to Ephraim. We must see the evidence of the birthright blessing.

Our father Jacob put upon the head of Ephraim an object of great controversy. It was the source of consternation between Ishmael and Isaac, between Esau and Jacob, between Joseph and his brethren, and is the underlying issue with Judah today. This is where the age old problem has ended in our laps. Who are we and who gets the blessing?

Answering the Great Identity Question

Allow me for a moment to address the deep identity problem within us all. Each of us whether we acknowledge it or not is trying to answer the question, “Who am I?” We have three ways to answer this question. We can listen to ourselves, others, or God. If we take the answer from ourselves, we will either be haughty or depressed. We will over emphasize our good points and diminish our bad. If we are suffering from depression, we over emphasize our bad points and diminish the good. In either case, our judgement is flawed and biased. If we take the answer from others, we see them either patronizing us for gain or being overly critical for self comparison. Again, the judgment of others is flawed and biased. However, if we will allow God to be our judge and answer the question of who we are, then we know His judgment is fair and accurate. He knows our hearts and the secret goodness in us. He is the true judge and his opinion is truth. The answer to our deepest personal question is in the Lord.

Ephraim must trust the Lord and His answer to the identity question. Ephraim must look to his own walk and ensure that he lets the Lord and only the Lord give him his identity. Self-declared identity is worthless. Opposition to your stated identity proves nothing. But if the Lord says you are Ephraim and shows the birthright blessing in you, then you truly are who you are. I trust, brother Ephraim, that the truth has not offended you.

Judah's Turn from Treachery

Judah's problem of treachery is deeply rooted in the envy of the birthright blessing. Sure, we know we are leaders; the scepter was given to Judah. We have held to the torah; our faithfulness is not in question. If you want to know anything about Sabbath, Kosher, or Torah just come to the House of Judah and we will teach you. But, we will also put you in subjection to ourselves, treat you as second class citizens, and complain that your numbers are somehow diluting our pure blood and worship. To ensure that we don=t get too diluted, we Messianic Jews have decided that only we are qualified, preferred, or acceptable to be leaders in the Messianic Movement. We deny that God is the God of non-Jews. In truth, we are just repeating the exact behaviors that caused Ephraim to rebel in the first place. Just as our Jewish ancestors scrutinized the rest of Israel (those not in Jerusalem) and erected the middle wall of partition in the temple, so today some of my Messianic Jewish brethren have decided another wall of despisement and non acceptance should be in the tabernacle of Yeshua in the hearts of His people. “I'm a Jew and you are a bunch of wannabes,” has spewed forth from many Messianic Jewish lips. Those words are filled with treachery and racial bigotry. It is not the position of the King of the Jews and should not be the position of any right thinking Messianic Jew today.

Who are we and by what authority do we exercise the right to deny anyone's birthright, let alone the birthright blessing given by our fathers? We can=t even prove ourselves, yet we would deny others?

Being Offenive or Taking Offense

Reunification is a very difficult task in our days. Most believers view the subject from the idea of not offending someone or to cease from offending someone. Messianic Jews view the two house teaching as another form of assimilation and compromise. They are offended by the “misappropriation” of their symbols and teachings. Interestingly enough, this is the very complaint made by the Jewish community against Messianic Jews. Messianic Israel proponents view the criticism from Messianic Jews as anything but brotherly. They are offended by the questions and personal references.

Let me restate one particular point about being offended. The mistake is not so much that someone offends; the mistake is that someone takes offense. Yeshua spoke the truth in love to many people. However, many were offended them with the truth. The mistake most commonly made by people of faith is taking offense with the truth. Messianic Jews are right that they should remain a distinct and separate people. God wants all His people to be separated only unto Himself. Wise men of God will not be offended by the separation (the sanctification) of God. Messianic Israel is right when they say that God will not forsake the House of Israel. The Messiah, Himself, said that He had come to save the lost sheep of the House of Israel. This is why He ministered first in Galilee (so Ephraim would not be forgotten). The promise of the New Covenant is specifically stated as belonging to the House of Judah and the House of Israel. Wise men of God will not be offended by the younger son being restored by the Father, even though the older son has been more faithful. The Messiah even taught a specific parable about the prodigal son being restored. So, let's make sure that we don=t get offended when truth slaughters one of our sacred cows on your side of the fence.

Judah's Special Role in Reunification

If Judah and Ephraim are to be truly rejoined just as the prophets have said, then something dramatic must happen to Judah. Judah must humble himself and see that Yeshua is really gathering all Israel at the end of the age. Judah must cease from vexing his brother Ephraim. It will have to be dramatic and powerful. It will have to be like Judah's repentance before Joseph (the father of Ephraim). You know the story of Joseph and his brethren being reunited in Egypt. Judah will have to offer his life on behalf of Benjamin (the son of my right hand) [sounds like Yeshua, right?]. And then Ephraim's Father [sounds like our heavenly Father, right?] will then restore us properly. Judah must see the hand of the Lord through the heart of Joseph. Complementing Judah's effort, Ephraim must follow the example of his father Joseph and see God's real purposes. Ephraim must join Judah to be a preservation of life (to serve others and not himself).

Are these the days of Judah returning to the Lord? Yes, I believe so. I can see many of my Jewish brethren giving testimony of Yeshua as Messiah. But who are all these joining with them to worship the Lord as well? Are these the days of Judah and Ephraim becoming one in the hand of the Lord? Yes, I believe so. I can see many of my Messianic Israel brethren observing the sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Sabbath), I see them learning Torah and taking their rightful seats at the festivals of the Lord, and I can see them ceasing from the unclean and the detestable. I sense something in them that is within Judah B a new heart and a new spirit B just as the prophets foretold.

Some have characterized the reunification of Ephraim and Judah as similar to the partnership of spirit and truth. Spirit without truth will suffer great error and disappointment. Truth without spirit will be choked to death for lack of breath and life. Both are needed. For the Whole House of Israel to be truly fulfilled and returned to the Lord, both houses must participate.

The Reality of These Days

Brethren, the reality of these prophecies are upon us in these days. It is not for others to do. It is not for us to watch and see others do. We are the principles in this day, and I believe we are the brethren of the promise. As only one Messianic Jew in many, I call upon my Messianic Jewish brethren to lay down our pride and positional authority to submit to God's great plan. I ask my Jewish brethren to join me in welcoming all of Israel, including our Messianic Israel brethren. To my Messianic Israel brethren, I ask you to join the tents of Judah. Prove your identity not by speaking it into truth, but by walking uprightly before the God of Israel. Show your love and faithfulness to the Messiah by your love of His brethren, and let Him declare that you are His people. Your brother Judah will also testify to the truth and speak the words of Hosea.

Yet the number of the sons of Israel Will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and it will come about that, in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.”
Hosea 1:10

As I said before, our messianic movement is pretty “messy” right now. Some of the confusion and frustration has produced a new dimension of “misery” as well, but be encouraged brethren. Our enemy, Satan, does not want Israel to know the Messiah, and he does not want there to be any return or any reunification of Israel. Saving the tents of Judah and then joining the rest of Israel to those tents is the path to victory over him. This is the Lord's doing. Therefore, let us be those who can not be offended by truth or by our brothers, and let us not be accusers of the brethren. Abraham Lincoln once said that if you look for the bad in a man, you will always find it. I believe if we will look for the Messiah in the Messianic Movement, we will find Him there even stronger. And if God is with us, who can be against us. Let us look to the good and be about our father's work.

Just like last year, another conference will convene in Orlando, Florida, labor day weekend. The bonds of unification will again be tied bringing Judah and Ephraim together in worship and fellowship of Messiah Yeshua. Registration information is included in this newsletter. I encourage you brethren to join with me in fellowship and teaching as all Israel comes together to be AMI (My People), the people of God. Whether you are Judah, Ephraim, or our companions of the Nations, let us demonstrate our love one to another.

Passover season is again upon us. Just as springtime brings renewal to the earth, so Passover refreshes and renews the work of redemption brought to us by the Lamb of God, Messiah Yeshua. Each year at this time, more and more brethren are joining and taking their seat at the feast of redemption, the feast of freedom. Maybe this is your first year. Maybe last year was your first. It really doesn't matter when you began to keep this holiday. What is important is that you are part of a growing movement of His Spirit.

As for this Passover season, let Judah and Ephraim come together and tell the ancient story of our deliverance and salvation.

How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity.

Let us sing the song with a new heart and new spirit.


Monte

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