Fear Not

 Fear Not

 What is our reaction, or how do we respond to mounting storms raging around us, or even within our very own circumstances? 

 

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

 

Do we sometimes feel that the kingdom of “sin and death”, in which we were once slaves, is breathing down our necks again?  We may even feel that the ruler of this world and his armies are drawing ever nearer to us. At times of trials and tribulations, we wonder: Why did Elohim bother to take us out of Egypt in the first place? “Were there no graves in Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11).

 

Is our situation and circumstances so trying that we wish Elohim would remove us from this life?  “Oh Elohim, just take me back to Egypt, spare me this wilderness trial, or please whisk me off to the Promised Land!” Times like these enable us to better identify with our forefathers. They also faced real-life situations, which were loaded with real needs and fears daily. For instance, the twelve spies, who returned to camp bearing (according to the Hebrew text) a “slanderous” report regarding the Promised Land. The level of fear that they entertained caused them to make the following observation about themselves: “We were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their [the local population] sight" (Numbers 13:33).

 

Examples, such as this one, are for us to learn from.  “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come" (1 Corinthians 10:11). These recorded experiences are living blueprints and may serve as roadmaps as we learn to walk in faith. Even in life’s darkest valleys, “He never leaves us nor forsakes us…" (Hebrews 13:5-8). As the words in the familiar Psalm exclaim: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me!” (Psalm 23:4).  YHVH’s solution to this level of fear, is His comforting love.

 

Oh yes, there are times for loud praises, crying out in prayer or doing many exploits, but there is also a time for the Holy One of Israel to declare the following, from the mouth of the prophet: “In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah.30:15). “DO NOT FEAR!  Stand by and see the salvation of YHVH which He will accomplish” (Exodus 14:13). “YHVH will fight for us while we keep silent” (v.14). We have no choice, we cannot turn back. But, can we hear the voice of YHVH saying to us: “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward!” (Exodus 14:15).

  

The word combination, “fear not” or “have no fear,” occurs over 170 times in the scriptures. The only “fear” we are instructed to develop is the “fear of YHVH”. With this perfect fear, reverence, awe, comes wisdom: “The fear of YHVH is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pro. 9:10). Thus the secret of moving forward is to know Him and His perfect love, as, “there is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). We may not know right away the reason for the trial or tribulation, but He does, and He knows the pathway that will lead us through those times. Particularly relevant for each of us, at this season, are the words that YHVH spoke to Joshua: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for YHVH your Elohim is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). 

 

As just mentioned, "at this season", what season? No one fails to see that for the past number of years, the shifts and changes have been dramatic. Hence the “fear” issue (addressed here). Yet, to state the obvious, at any time YHVH is about to launch a new day, shifts and changes, upheavals and storms are necessary preliminaries. So, wherever you may find yourself at this moment in time, "look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your Elohim. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' (Isaiah 41:10).

A Brilliant Strategy

A Brilliant Strategy,

Back in the days of Joshua, and right after YHVH delivered Jericho into the hands of Israel, the commander of the army dispatched a small band of warriors to take the city of Ai.  However, the attempt failed dismally, leaving Joshua’s troops astonished at being defeated by this town's military, which chased them back to camp.  YHVH informed Joshua that something was amiss in the camp of Israel, and thus the utter failure they encountered at the hands of the enemy.  As we know, there was sin in the camp.  A family from Judah had stolen what belonged to YHVH. After rectifying the matter, Joshua devised a strategy to defeat the army of Ai.  He sent part of his military by night on a stealth mission to the opposite side of the city, there to set up an ambush. In the meantime, he and the rest of the company camped in front and in plain sight of the town.  In the morning, when the Canaanites saw Israel’s army, they, in complete confidence, left their enclave to fight against their adversary. Joshua feigned fleeing before this foolish army, and at one point signaled to his ambush commanders to attack Ai and burn it.  When Ai’s military turned and saw their homes on fire, they stopped pursuing Israel, but Joshua turned on them with full force and routed them.

You may wonder what this has to do with the current events in Israel. (I wrote this on Thursday, June 12th, today is Friday the 13th, and reality has changed. “Today,” we are at war with Iran.) One might think that the title I am using has to do with the present state of affairs, with Israel’s preemptive strike in Iran, but that is not what I had in mind.  We know that even though Israel will destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities, it will not change the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. 

This conflict began way before the establishment of the State of Israel, between two people groups, each claiming that the territory called Palestine (today Jordan, Israel, and Gaza) belongs to one or the other. However, the Jewish people did not insist on settling on the entire landmass; they made significant compromises and were willing to go even further, for the sake of peace. But with this said, Israel, of course, isn't willing to concede to every demand made by this group, which names itself "Palestinians". This is why there cannot be a two-state solution in the territory once called “Palestine” or in ancient times “Israel”.  Both groups lay claim to it! 

Let’s look at today’s demographics: In Jordan (Eastern Palestine), out of 12 million people, the Palestinians make up around 7 million. In Gaza, there are 2 million. In Israel, 2 million, while in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) 2.7 million. altogether 13.7 million people define themselves as Palestinians. There are no Jews in Jordan or Gaza.  In Israel, the population of Jews is around 7.2 million, including Judea and Samaria.  Together with Israel's Jewry, there are 16 million Jews in the world.

As mentioned, Israel and the Jewish people do not have a strategy to take over all of the territory in question.  As far as I know, there are no strategic plans or attempts to take over Jordan or Gaza. Judea and Samaria, and the Golan Heights are another matter. But do the Palestinians have a plan to take over the lands that Israel claims? If so, how are they going about it?  What is their strategy?

Here is my take on how our opponent is slowly and surely conquering all the land of what was once known as Palestine. Hamas and the Gazans on the western side of our border are openly attacking us and hoping that we will exhaust our military and our resources to fight them as long as they can hold out, and thus also uphold their cause in front of a highly sympathetic world.  On the east side (the West Bank), the approximately 2.7 million Arabs living there are working on planning ambush attacks on our homes in Judea and Samaria and inside Israel, while we are engaged in fighting on the western front.  Unlike Joshua, they also have a third column inside Israel (2 million). These are at a great advantage, as they are well mixed into the fabric of Israeli society. 27% are our doctors and nurses, 80% are pharmacists, others are employed by the government, 80% are builders, and many more are in various forms of services. How has this happened? Very simply, while the Jewish young men and women are training to fight and protect our borders, and giving up a good number of years for this service, the Arab Palestinians are exempt and free to attend universities and be trained in the vital services of the nation.  Their "fight" in this conflict consists of being nice, cordial, and helpful.  Our family doctor, for example, is Muslim and is one of the nicest people you would want to know, and there are many more that we deal with daily who are just like him.  Most of the Muslim Israeli citizens do not identify themselves as Israelis but as Palestinians first.

The Islamic agenda, which the Jihadists are carrying out, is to be at war with any non-Muslim entity and its territory, especially targeting Western civilization.  On the other hand, most Muslims do not consider themselves Islamic extremists. They 'merely' express and uphold higher moral values than other religions or societies.  Thus, this arm of Islam is more dangerous than the evil one.  The entire Muslim world (2 billion) sees Palestine as Islamic territory, one whose cause may be used as a platform for imposing Muslim morals and justice while applying it far and wide (not that the "Palestinians" themselves are particularly loved or cared for by the rest of the Islamic world). 

This conflict and the so-called struggle for Palestinian statehood, along with the Israeli one, is not at all the desired solution.  They may allow Israel to have an autonomous section, but if the Jews stake a claim on the land, only war is and will be the answer. The Arab world is also using the “nice-guy” approach to infiltrate Western (and other) countries, making this a method to accomplish their mission.  As the old saying goes: "If you can’t beat them, join them", but make sure to keep the language, religious customs, and laws intact—a brilliant strategy to accomplish an eighteen-hundred-year-old objective.

 

Betrothal in the Wilderness

 Betrothal in the Wilderness

A few words before we get into the subject matter. The subject of this letter has to do with Ephraim's diaspora, or exile if you will. Perhaps there is a purpose and a reason for a delay in the return of the House of Ephraim to the Land. Bear in mind that you didn't know that you were outside of your homeland until just a few years ago (when you discovered your Israelite identity), and your forebears were even less aware that they were living in exile.  

After YHVH’s chiding, rebuke, and action against our forefathers (faithless Israel), in Hosea 2:14, YHVH lures Israel to the wilderness, there to renew and restore their original relationship. Since this relationship started in the desert, it is only right to return there to make amends. Jeremiah 2:2 reminds us of the 'original' event: "I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown" (Jer. 2:2). Thus, the (renewed) betrothal is also to take place in the wilderness, outside the land (2:19-20).  The restored relationship must be cemented in trust and a genuinely love-motivated heart, and not by any selfish interests. The wedding and its consummation will occur in the future, in the land, which is being prepared for Ephraim's return (2:18). Meanwhile, the betrothal in the diaspora is necessary before the marriage can happen. YHVH's heart toward Israel is one of loving-kindness and mercy, while she, for her part, is to display righteousness and justice (v. 19). In verse 20, emphasis is put on mutual faithfulness – only this way can the relationship be restored in a proper manner.

The proverbial scenario of chapter 2 is repeated in chapter 3. In verse 2 the prophet is told to love an adulteress woman, whom he sanctifies/buys with a number of measures of barley. As we recall, Barley was what the jealous husband was to bring to the priest on behalf of his wife (Numbers 5:14-15).  In verse 3, a period of testing is described. The relationship, again in a form of betrothal, is marked by fidelity and love, but there is no wedding yet. According to the description in verse 4, the sons of Israel "abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim". In other words, a substantial time period is spent outside the land, in the diaspora or exile, without sovereignty or a central worship place. Again, both parties are to display their love and faithfulness toward one another during this season, if the marriage is ever to be consummated. 

Verse 5 (compare to 2:21-23) speaks to the final return of Ephraim to Elohim, and their seeking "David their king". Ephraim is now seen as accepting Judah and its leadership, implying, of course, King Yeshua but also the house that He hails from. When these two parts of the Bride are united as one and "appoint" the Bridegroom as their "head… they shall come up out of the land for great will be the day of Jezreel [YHVH's sowing]" (Hosea 1:11). So, if the present-day "life outside the homeland" is of great necessity, according to this exposition of Hosea's prophecy, then being in the "wilderness of the peoples", per Ezekiel 20:33-38, becomes very relevant and may be the times we are living in - a time when the diaspora experience is highly intensified, as shown by this passage:

 "As I live, says Adonai YHVH, 'surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, I will rule over you.  I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered [is this a proverbial 'taking out', meaning, being extracted from the world system?], with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.  And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face.  Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,' says Adonai YHVH.  'I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am YHVH'" (Ezekiel 20:33-38). Here it may be added that the ones who do not rebel will enter the land.

Once more, if indeed these are the very days we are living in, we must heed these words more seriously than ever, wherever we are (of necessity), as this is the betrothal stage with our Bridegroom and thus need to be fully devoted to Him, and wholly engaged (pun intended) in the process. After all, as mentioned above, Ephraim has only recently discovered his identity; hence, the diaspora experience is very new to most. Therefore, an essential requirement is to consent to the present YHVH-ordained conditions and redeem the time (ref. Eph. 5:15) to its fullest extent to be ready for the marriage feast in the homeland.