The Cost of a Vision

Shalom Fellow Israelite,

We all know that Yeshua came as a kinsman redeemer to restore the house of Jacob and set up the everlasting kingdom in that house (Luke 1:31-33).  In order to do that he has to bring back the “lost tribes of Israel”, known prophetically as the “stick of Joseph in the hand of Ephraim” (ref. Ezekiel 37:16).  Thus if we are to be his disciples, we must hold to this vision and then to be about His business.

 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it --   lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.  So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:28-33).

These words of Yeshua state very clearly that the price for following Him is inestimable; it may cost anyone of us our life, and He certainly requires, in the very “least”, the “self-life”, that is that one’s faculties would be at His disposal and for His use. Thus, it is no small matter stepping into His Kingdom purposes. In order to follow the beckoning of this vision one has to count the cost.

But what about the converse? What if one ignores the kingdom vision, and thus, by default, makes a decision not to follow it? Or worse yet, what if one decides consciously and willingly to lay aside and reject what he or she had known as a “vision” at some point? Proverbs 29:18 reads: “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint”. The word for “people” in this verse is “am”, that is a unit of people, a nation. This (NKJ) translation happens to be accurate regarding the verb “casting off restraint” – which is “yi’pa’ra” – root pey, resh, ayin. In most other instances this root is used in a similar fashion, that is, “unruly”, “disheveled”, “loosen”, in other words “lawlessness” (see, for example, Exodus 32:25).

Thus, as much as it costs to follow the vision, the opposite (i.e. forsaking it) does not promise a release, or relief; quite the opposite – there may be an even higher price to pay, which is confirmed by the meaning of this verb in Modern Hebrew: “payment of debt” or “getting even”. Thus, when a vision goes unheeded the demand for “payment” will be there, at a great cost and at a great price.

To cite one example - YHVH sent prophets and visionaries to the Jews in the 1800’s, declaring a message of restoration and return to Zion and the land.  At the time the affluent Jewish communities in Germany and other western European countries (and the U.S) were building beautiful synagogues.  Many despised the poor persecuted Jews of the East (Eastern Europe).  Even though there were warnings of “Jew hatred” in publications and newspaper articles (and news of vicious Anti-Semitic incidents and pogroms in various places) the majority of Jews felt that there was no need to pay attention to the Jewish Zionist zealots.  Likewise, most in the Christian world were blind to the literal fulfillment of prophecies that pertained to the Jews returning to the land, which was viewed at most as a silly idea, for the church had replaced them as God’s people.

There were, however, Christian visionaries and prophets who foresaw the (need for the) return of the Jews to the Promised Land, but their voices also went unheeded.  What was the price the Jews and the Christians paid for ignoring the vision of YHVH’s literal fulfillment of His promises to His natural family?  Very few interpret history in light of the sovereignty of the Almighty.  Where there is no vision the people are casting off restraint, which may even border on anarchy.  Nevertheless, as we saw, the debt that the vision demands from its opponents may be incremental.  The events that took place in the course of the 50 years prior to YHVH establishing a nation for the Jewish people, saw millions of Jews and Christians exterminated, suffering loss and displacement, and living in fear for their lives.

During that same time period, however, a remnant of Jews did return and YHVH gave them their land, fulfilling the first part of the famous Ezekiel 37:16 scripture. Shortly after 1967, the year when the nation of Judah took back Jerusalem, the words of the prophets began to rise again, declaring YHVH’s intention to restore the second stick of Joseph/Ephraim. A spiritual anointing, similar to the one that was on Elijah, began to turn the hearts of the sons back to their forefathers - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  There was even a song that that came forth, which became very popular: “These are the days of Elijah”. The non-Jews who were awakening to their roots began to identify themselves as “Ephraim” or “sons of Joseph”, with others labeling them “two house believers”.

However, the majority of Christians and the Messianic Jewish leadership openly opposed this “VISION” of the return of the “lost tribes of Israel”, and have not changed their minds thus far.  What will be the consequence of denying, rejecting, and casting aside this present move of YHVH’s Spirit to turn the hearts of the sons of Joseph back to the heart of their forefathers?  According to Malachi, YHVH will lay a curse, or a hunters’ net (see Malachi 4:5-6).  We are already seeing the hunters doing what they are called by the Almighty to do (ref. Habakkuk chapter 1)    What more will happen in the future if the people do not have, or worse, ignore YHVH’s vision of present truth? Will there be a debt to pay when the Almighty, for His part, chooses to loosen and no longer restrain the evil forces?

The second part of our scripture in Proverbs 29:18 says the following: “But happy is he who keeps the Torah”.  Apparently following the vision is construed as “keeping the Torah”. The vision is within the Torah’s precincts and gives direction and guidelines to those who are faithful to walk in its Torah pathway, while those who do not are preparing the way, not of YHVH, but of the lawless one (see 2^nd Thessalonians 2:7-12).    

Shabbat Shalom,

Ephraim and Rimona

Passover and Nationhood

Letter 221 (Passover and Nationhood)                                                             02/04/04

It was over 3,800 years ago when the God of Jacob sent His family down into Egypt to make them into a single nation.  Speaking to His servant Jacob, He said: “I am YHVH, the Elohim of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation [goy] there’” (Genesis 46:3). One of the Hebrew words for “nation” is “goy”.  It is first used in the Tanach in the Covenant that YHVH made with our forefather Abraham, “I will make you a great nation [goy]; I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).   One man, one God, one Covenant, one national identity; this was at the heart of YHVH’s plan for the redemption of the creation.  The God of Abraham set apart a man, and swore by His own name that his seed/sperm would become a great and holy (set-apart) nation.

When Jacob and his band of seventy souls arrived in Egypt, he found another family member already down there - Joseph.  As we can see from the story recorded in Genesis, Joseph and his progeny had lost their identity and connection with their family of origin, and thus in a sense were a prophetic type of the second family (the so called Gentiles, the company of nations) of the house of Jacob.  Perhaps this is why Jacob had to adopt Joseph’s sons (ref. Gen 48:5), even though they were of the same bloodline. The adoption was significant for the restoration of the governmental order and unity of the clan. If they were to become a nation, they had to have their own land, and so since Joseph was in a position to do so, he gave them the land of Goshen, where they multiplied profusely. The Creator blessed them with fruitfulness, as they dwelt in one of the most fertile areas of the land of Ham. 

However, eventually Jacob’s family became slaves to their Egyptian overlords. And while in that state, they lost their vision of being a nation, a family and a people with a purpose and a Divine call.  This is portrayed quite vividly in the scene of the two Hebrew slaves who (much like today’s ‘two houses’) were fighting one another much to their own demise. The seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was now characterized by individualism.  This was only natural, since they were living under extreme conditions where self-preservation became their means of survival.  So where was this great nation that was promised to Abraham?  His seed, now turned slaves, were cursing the day they were born on.  They had become nothing more than dead dry bones in the desert sands of Egypt. So helpless were they that they could not even respond to Moses, when he came to them preaching the good news of their deliverance (ref. Exodus 6:9)!

The Passover story is replete with pestilence, famine and one disaster following another.  But when gross darkness covered the land, there was still light in the tents of the Hebrews (ref. Ex.10:23), as the anointing of YHVH’s covenant word (which “is a light”, ref. Ps. 119:105) was still upon them to become a great nation. How was this going to be made possible?  It certainly was not going to happen by the nation’s own strength. This was going to take a miracle, a Divine intervention. YHVH, therefore, dispatched a man with a message:  “Let My people go”.  Moses was faithful to bring that word to the ruler of the slaves, but YHVH hardened the heart of Pharaoh, just to make sure that His people would know that their deliverance was not going to come by the way or the authority of man. Had Pharaoh given his permission, these Hebrews would have been forever indebted to their slave owner. They would have never been free and could never have taken up their divinely ordained position as the head of all the nations. In this manner, they would have been legally bound to Egypt.

YHVH had another plan to restore these slaves to freedom and to their national identity.  He told His servant Moses to have each family take a lamb: "Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: `On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.  And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats…. Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb….then you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning…. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt ” (Exodus 12:3-5; 21-22; 13). 

The moment the elders applied the blood and struck the lintels and the doorposts of the Hebrews’ homes with it, the latter were all sealed into their deliverance, freedom and destiny, but even beyond that - their individualism had just ceased to exist.  They were now united behind the one sacrifice, totally dependent upon the powerful right arm of the Almighty to bring them out. “Let My people go!” YHVH had already announced to all the rulers of Egypt who these people belonged to. These were a people who did not belong to themselves, they were and still are today  “My people, [“ami” -singular] says YHVH”.  But now, through the blood of the lamb they were set apart to enter into the next phase of His plan.  “’And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6).     

As we, Ephraim and Judah, YHVH’s two families, the two nations, gather together to honor Him during this year’s Passover, let us leave our individualism and lift the cup of unity. Remember that we were all once slaves to sin and death and bound to the principalities and powers of this world’s (kosmos) dominion. It behooves us to, “purge out therefore the old leaven, that we may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us.   Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:7-8).  May we walk together through the Door that is splattered with the blood of the Lamb, out of the houses of our bondage and into the liberty of the new corporate life of  the restored nation of Israel! 

May you all be blessed during this Passover and Feast of Matzot (unleavened bread) with a sense of national unity!  May the eyes of our hearts be opened anew to the fact that we are “My people Israel” in this generation.

Shabbat Shalom and Hag Same’ach

Ephraim and Rimona

 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there YHVH commanded the blessing--Life forevermore” (Ps. 133).  

The Hunters

Once again this week those whom the world calls terrorists have been at it again.  Last year they only left over 300,000 people dead and far more maimed.  Why?

We all believe that YHVH is sovereign over all the affairs of man, so what is the Almighty saying at this season of the fulfillment of His prophetic timetable?  

We, along with others, have been warning for years that YHVH is raising up the hunters (Jeremiah 16:16).  We have to keep blowing that shofar of warning to His faith people (Israel) as well as those who are “of the Law” (Judah) (see Romans 4:16).  The Words that stand out in the “blowing” are the following:  "Remember the Torah of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.  Behold, I will send you (all Israel) Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YHVH.  And he will turn the hearts of the fathers/forefathers to the children, and the hearts of the children [of Israel] to their fathers/forefathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:4-6).   As I have pointed out in previous letters the word used here for “curse” is also used in Habakkuk where it is translated as “a hunter’s net”.   Please note the red above: the 3 verses form one unit; the all Israel is connected to the “children” and to the “forefathers” of Israel.  

The re-identification and reconstitution of the whole house of Israel back to becoming a nation again ranks high in the priority list of the Almighty One of Israel.  We know from previous restorations that the enemies (both natural and spiritual) will do everything to oppose this prophetic fact.  Religious spirits of Babylon will be at the forefront along with the Prince of Greece, just as they did in the days of Daniel.  Some have observed that the enemy will be using our past to keep us from moving forward. For this reason and other ones our backs must be protected. The following is a dream that was sent to us by Constance Fischer pertaining to the protection of the rear, but as she states “it is also multi-faceted”.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ephraim

Constance Fischer’s prophetic dream – again, multi-faceted. 

 ‘REAR GUARD’

 He had me in this dream – actively part of the dream. This took place in the desert of the Middle East.  Looked like possibly American and/or Israeli military forces, but definitely also represented His own.  

The look was of American, GI Joe forces with that same camo paint on the humvees, or military vehicles we were in.  There was a small convoy of these vehicles in the desert and they had come to a stop.

 I was in a leadership position but not in front, but adjacent to the small convoy.  It was clearly a picture of ‘coming beside’.

 I was standing outside of my vehicle as it seemed we had stopped for some purpose, not revealed to me in the dream – could have been to get our bearings.

 He had me looking back behind us...  it did not appear like that was something I had particular wisdom to do, but He had drawn me to simply look at the rear.  But He also gave me ‘eyes to see’. Right then He showed me something that caused a literal shudder to run over me when the dream ended...

Suddenly He showed me invisible entities – their big boot prints were the only things making any visible manifestation as they pounded unheard onto the desert floor kicking up dust... There were a number running up behind us – very swiftly with deadly, targeted intent – again, kicking up dust as their boots pounded the ground of the desert as He allowed me to clearly see the imprints and depression of their feet/boots... They were moving very FAST and were quickly and precisely descending upon their prey from the ‘rear’. They were invisible, unseen with the natural eye, with the exception of theirdeep boot prints and the dust they were kicking up.  They were large...

Let me interject here that one facet of this is to not let our past stop our move forward... by the invisible entities of the enemy coming to stop His own.  The enemy wants to ‘kick up the dust’ of the part of us that is but dust.  The hour is late. Selah 

Hos 2:14  “Therefore, see, I am alluring her, and shall lead her into the wilderness, and shall speak to her heart,

Hos 2:15  and give to her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Akor(‘disaster’) as a door of expectation...” 

This points to the sin of Akan (‘trouble’ – how He has spoken to us so often now “Let not your heart be troubled”)... the trouble that comes from trying to hold onto the ‘covering/garment’ of ‘Babylon’... ‘how long will you hop between two opinions?’... He knows... time to ‘come out of her My people’... time to go forward.  

Then before us will be the open door of HATIKVAH... ‘attached to Him in expectation, hope’ of all the good He will do.

Back to the prophetic dream.  Know this is also a clear warning about praying for those in military positions in the Middle East.  We are aware that the enemy is surrounding the position where US Military are currently stationed to train Iraqi troops. The entities attacking were invisible by the natural eye but by His Spirit He showed that they were darkly clad (I think we know what this represents regarding the evil one and those who are killing wantonly in the desert... that blood is crying out to Him) and they were carrying dark weapons – automatic, deadly guns.  (We also know that US military arms and munitions ‘left behind’ have now been confiscated and are being used by these darkly clad ones). They were well trained and again, running swiftly, descending on their prey... targeted and precise.

If not for Him causing me to look back at the rear they would have arrived at their goal unseen and unperceived unless He had given sight.  He must be our REAR GUARD, but that also means praying and allowing Him to show what is coming. Because He had me looking back, behind to the rear, I saw them and then I yelled with a loud voice and in His authority:

‘GET IN THE CAR!’  And I did, with the intent to get out of there!  To keep going!  Most were in the vehicles but the one who He had sent to come beside and was out of the vehicle as ‘watchman’ also needed to move now.  Selah

End of dream – and then full awakening and that shudder and I knew that this was very real

Congress Alert V - Town Hall Meeting Report

A few weeks ago a suggestion was put forth for what is termed “Town Hall Meetings” to take place in the Israelite/Ephraimite communities around the world.  The idea was to begin to discuss some of the proposals that were laid out for the Etz Bney Yosef National Congress.  We are very happy to inform you that some have taken this step and had their first meetings.  One such Israelite community in the host nation of the USA sent the following report: 

“Sunday evening we held the first Town Hall in our area. We had in attendance 9 adults. We spent approximately 90 min talking about the process of forming a Nation and the outline you provided.

 First, the item with the greatest consensus was the need for a “NAME” to call ourselves and to rally around. Most felt because the Jews have laid a foundation of Zionism from the early 1900’s, that we should build upon that. The Zionist’s Congresses that were held in Europe helped to establish an international political movement and national identity for the Jews along with a cry for a Jewish state. The historical evidences of a people group that were taken out of the land and dispersed into Assyria and beyond are identified in archeological and historical accounts as being called Israel, or the House of Israel. We are lacking historical weight behind the names, Ephraim, B’ney Yosef and others that are used in many of the Fellowships around the world. We are Israelites, plain and simple. History talks of us as Israel, the Bible talks of us as Israel and the House of Israel. We believe the Nations will receive us easier as the House of Israel and us as a people known as Israelites. With this identity the call can then go forth for those that want to stand with the House of Israel, as Israel, and build a National vision. Once this is decided and established, national cohesion will follow and the global network will grow out from the central hub in Israel. There was strong input on this at our meeting. 

 Secondly, we talked about a Charter for soon-to-be established chapters around the world where the scattered can connect without being proselytized into fellowships, i.e.  Chapters with a focus on Zionism, and what all that entails. This would help support these local groups that have a heart and a focus on moving toward the future Nation. Additionally, work groups could form within these local chapters for “exploring topics and assembling pertinent data and contacts."

 Thirdly, we the scattered would like to have a resource that lists those in the Land that are working toward the establishment of this our Nation…

Shalom,

Ron Runyon

goodears@jps.net

This report, resulting from a move away from Hebraic roots ‘denominationalism’ and into true Zionism, was very encouraging.  There are two roads that Zionism can take, the one that is in our hearts and the other that is in this world and in the flesh.   If our hearts are not right before our Heavenly Father, pride and self-righteousness will take over and we all know the potential outcome of that.  But if we are truly on the paths of Zion that are in our hearts, we can set our sails into the prevailing breeze of the Spirit and ride over the waves of these ‘lower waters’ to YHVH’s ultimate destiny.  We are His ship, His people, His called out ones from those who were once called “not my people” and who are now called “sons of the living Elohim” (See Hosea 1:10-11; Romans 9: 27-28; 1 Peter 2:10).  Yes, there will be babes and children coming along with the “sons” (see 1 John chapter 2), as well as the “lame and the blind” (see Jeremiah 31:8),   but as long as Yeshua is the captain of the ship we will arrive to the (greater) land promised to our forefathers, our inheritance.  

Remember the Divine mandate of Deuteronomy 30.  It is worth reading once a day from now until Pesach.  

Ephraim

A Time to Gather and Build

Some of the most familiar scripture verses, an adage if you will, even in circles where the bible isn’t a bestseller, are extracted from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…   A time to break down, and a time to build up… A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones…   A time to gain, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away;  a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace” (3:1-8).

In one of Yeshua’s addresses to the religious leaders of His day, He chided them for not being able to discern the signs of the times: “Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, ‘When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times’” (Matthew 16:1-3).

If you are like me, before you go to bed at night you may take a look at some media channel to find out what the weather will be like in the following day, or in the days ahead. When the morrow comes, you may talk about the weather at least once or twice, or compare the forecast with the actual conditions.  But laying aside meteorological predictions, are we paying attention and observing the signs of the times? 

Without going into the fine details, we really have only two choices: Are we in a ‘good’ time, a time to be born, to sew; to harvest what is planted; to heal; to build up; to laugh; to dance; to gather stones; to embrace, to gain, to keep, to speak; to love, in short are we in a time of peace? Or are we in the ‘bad times’?

“Have a good day” is the most common and frequently used greeting. But what if that particular day just happens to not be a good one?  So you mutter back, “Yeah thanks a lot!”

The prophet Jeremiah was told by the Almighty One of Israel: “See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10).   The book of Jeremiah (as well as all the prophets) is Elohim’s word to the nations and kingdoms, especially of Judah and Israel/Ephraim.  It speaks of how YHVH was going to judge His people, tear down and scatter or sow them, but also of how He would again gather, build them up and bring in the harvest.   When we look back at Israel’s history we see that there were seasons of ‘good’ and of ‘bad’ times. But what about our day?  Where are we at in this generation of Elohim’s chosen?  Is it a time that YHVH is building, or is it a time that He is tearing down and destroying?   We might look around and say: “both”.

 

As the conditions in this world are spiraling down to destruction, we have to ask ourselves: “Is there a future and a hope?”  YHVH has a resounding “YES” for those who have ears to hear, and can discern the signs of the times.  In many of the Psalms, King David states very plainly what will be the lot of the wicked, the unrighteous, and the evil.  But at the same time he also proclaims the destiny and reward of the good, loving, and righteous; for instance:  “For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on YHVH, they shall inherit the earth.  For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more.   But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:9-11).  (The entire Psalm is very encouraging).

Almost all the prophets told of the days of YHVH’s righteous judgments that would culminate in the building and restoration of both Judah and Israel, and their re-gathering into one nation that would be a light to the nations.  We believe we are in that season of YHVH’s mercies, during which time He is restoring the nation of Israel/Ephraim just as he did Judah;  bringing them together not unified in a religious system, but as one people, one kingdom, one nation.  

Thus the Bney Yoseph National Congress is aiming at the gathering, building, restoring processes, and inspiring faith and hope in our future.  Yet we must be aware of our enemies.  Just as in the days of Nehemiah, we too will have to work with the sword in one hand and the work tool (be it a computer or something else) in the other.  In spite of those who would try to discourage us, it is YHVH’s time to restore us so that we might live before Him as His redeemed in the greater land, north of Judah’s, which was promised to our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. YHVH said of Ephraim:  "I will sow them among the peoples, and they shall remember Me in far countries; They shall live, together with their children, and they shall return…  I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, until no more room is found for them” (Zechariah 10:9-10).  “Shepherd Your people with Your staff, the flock of Your heritage, who dwell solitarily in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel; Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in days of old” (Micah 7:14).

Purim is a good time to reflect on YHVH’s protective hand over our Jewish brothers and how even though Elohim is not mentioned in the story, His sovereignty is obvious in the many instances that seemed to ‘just so happen…’  Situations can change in a moment of time from ‘bad’ to ‘good’: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…”

A belated Purim Same’ach and Shabbat Shalom,

Ephraim 

Sons of Love

Writing to one of the most persecuted communities of his day, Paul reminded and instructed them regarding their relationship with one another, and how to conduct themselves in everyday affairs:  “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by Elohim to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia [or where ever you are]. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;  that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,  that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12).   There is one thing that is so important to YHVH that He Himself imparts it to us, just as the above scripture points out: “for you yourselves are taught by Elohim to love one another.”

Yeshua also taught us by stating:  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). One of His disciples later expands on that by stating:  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of Elohim; and everyone who loves is born of Elohim and knows Elohim” (1 John 4:7 emphasis added). 

Do we have to know YHVH in order to love our brothers?  Perhaps a popular song of a few decades ago gives us the answer: “To Know Him is to Love Him.” This statement surely applies to our Heavenly Father and to Yeshua.  Thus only YHVH Himself can teach us to love one another, and that is by knowing Him.  I find it very interesting that immediately after YHVH makes a declaration of a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, He announces the following: "No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know YHVH,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says YHVH” (Jeremiah 31:34).   Isaiah states that, “All your son shall be taught by YHVH, and great shall be their peace.”  (Isaiah 54:13). 

Hosea declares that we of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, who were called “not my people”, will be called “the sons of the living Elohim” (Hosea 1: 9-10).  What characterizes these sons of Elohim is that they share the same nature as their Father, and that is love and peace.  He also said that “I will put My Torah in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:33 emphasis added), thus nullifying the curse that He placed upon them/us when He declared that we were “not His people and He was not our Elohim.”

We will never be called the “sons of the living Elohim” if we do not have this love for one another that He imparts to us through the Spirit of the Renewed Covenant, leading, teaching, and revealing to us His divine nature.  (Read 2 Peter 1:2-4)

“All your son shall be taught by YHVH, and great shall be their peace” and may I add, “love” (Isaiah 54:13).

 We feel very strongly that the success or failure of the Etz B’ney Yosef National Congress will be based on the maturity and love referred to in this article.

Our Choices in Prophetic Destiny

Two and half months ago I sent out a tribute to Angus and Batya Wootten, for their many years of service to the restoration of the “Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim and all Israel his companions".  Batya has written several books which many of us have read and have gleaned revelation, confirmation, and encouragement from.  But I think it is time to point out a book that perhaps was published for such a time as this.  Back 14 years ago, Key of David published a book called “Restoring Israel’s Kingdom” by Angus Wootten.  It has been on our bookshelf for almost as many years, but you know how it is, your reading plan just fizzles with all the other intentions regarding ‘yet to be read’ books. 

A couple of weeks ago Rimona walked by the book shelf and this orange and gray object kind of just stuck out and beckoned her.  She grabbed this book, started to glance through it and could not put it down, as the Holy Spirit began to show her how relevant it was to the Bney Yoseph National Congress.  An extended passage that seems most appropriate commences on page 236 starting with the following:  “The Date of Yeshua’s Return?” A little later on the author asks: “Could the actual date of Yeshua’s return hinge on predetermined preparations and achievements made by disciples in the generation that will experience this event? We know our Father has set the date! But whatever that date is, why did He pick it? Is it a date picked randomly, without regard to the course of human events? Or is it a date that is predicated on human events – date determined by the actions and reactions of people? Did our Father pick a particular date because of circumstances He foresaw?

“Free will is a hallmark of Judeo-Christian theology. Man’s eternal destiny is in his own hands. Man has the right and the power to embrace or disregard the call of Yahveh on his life, and to accept, or reject His guidance to accomplish this call.

“Adam and Eve serve as prime examples of two people who chose not to follow the Father’s instructions. However, even though they could have chosen not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Yahveh foreknew what their decision would be, just as He knows the decisions we will make (Genesis 2:17).

Another example that Angus uses is Abraham.  “Yahveh said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years’” (Genesis 15:13).  Where did this “four hundred year” time frame come from? What considerations went into its establishment?  … how did Yahveh fulfill His prophecy that Abraham’s descendants would be delivered from Egypt in four hundred years? Did He predestine that they would cry out for deliverance at that time? Did He create “puppets,” so Moses, Aaron, the elders of Israel, all the people of Israel, and a Pharaoh and the Egyptians would play their parts so as to affect deliverance? Or, did Yahveh look into the future and see that it would take four hundred years for the Israelites to have their fill of Egypt, and thus of their own free will, would cry out for deliverance. And that, A Moses, an Aaron, the elders and all the people of Israel, would be willing, at that time, to follow His guidance to the extent necessary to deliver them from Egypt?

“Granted that Yahveh can affect compelling circumstances to accomplish His purposes – such as the ten plagues… However, Pharaoh could have let the Israelites go at any time. He did not have to pursue them and thus lost his army in the Red Sea. Also, Adam and Eve could have rejected the tempter… And Judas could have rejected the offer of twenty pieces of silver.

“If you believe that man has free will, then it is reasonable for you to believe that Yahveh set the four-hundred-year date based on looking into the future and seeing that circumstance, which He undoubtedly created, would generate the free will response from people, sufficient to accomplish His purposes at that time.

“When the fullness of the time came, Yahveh sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). How did Yahveh determine when there was a ‘fullness of time’ for this world-changing event? Did He predestine a Mary, a Joseph, twelve disciples, a Jewish hierarchy, and a Roman Military Governor who would each accomplish the part assigned to them?

“More puppets? Or, once again, did Yahveh look into the future and see that the circumstances which He created would generate the free will response from people sufficient to accomplish His purposes?

“Thus, we conclude that the date has already been set for the return of the Messiah and for the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel. It was set a long time ago when Yahveh looked into the future. He selected a time when circumstances and free will response from people will be sufficient to accomplish His Kingdom restoration.

“Yahveh uses every generation to advance His plan, and He considers many factors in establishing times and seasons for specific events.

“The ancient prophets tell us that the day will come when Ephraim will receive instructions and repent for the deeds of his youth (Jeremiah 31:19). Then Yahveh will whistle for him, and he will come trembling… Ephraim will once again be like a mighty man (Zechariah 10:7). And he will be as numerous as he was before. He will fill the land promised to the Patriarchs until there is no more room in Israel, Lebanon, and Gilead (Isaiah 49:20; Zechariah 10:10).

“While we cannot foresee all the circumstances Yahveh will forge to fulfill the prophecies concerning Ephraim, we can see certain circumstances beginning to unfold…

“Yahveh has plans for our welfare, to give each one of us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  The accomplishment of His plans, in a manner pleasing to Him, depends on how we respond as He guides us through circumstances He has arranged for our lives. Like our forefathers in ancient Egypt, will we cry out for deliverance from our Egypt? In our day, will we take advantage of the opportunity to be numbered among the fishermen whom Yahveh calls to re-gather His people Israel?"

End quote.

To that last question, we add: “Will we take advantage of the opportunity to be numbered among the multitude of fish prophesied by our father Jacob, when he blessed Joseph’s sons (Genesis 48:16 literal rendering), especially since the hunters are now well on their way to accomplish their goals and assignments (Jeremiah 16:16)?”

We know that it is always a remnant that will choose faith and move forward in trust, even into the unknown times and purposes of Israel’s Elohim.