The Nation of Ephraim.

 The Nation of Ephraim.

 

If you don’t read anything else today, please read lesson 13 in Tom Bradford’s Torah study. Lesson 13 - Genesis 13 - Torah Class

 

First and foremost is the meaning of the phrase “the whole house of Israel”, also at times translated as “both houses of Israel”, or even just “all Israel”. The words of Ezekiel were written over a span of about 25 years, beginning a little after Babylon conquered Judah in 597 BC. The part we’re looking at was written in the later years. About 130 years earlier, you need to know that the Hebrews were a divided nation; a 10-tribe confederacy lived in the northern area of the holy lands, and a 2-tribe group lived in the south. In fact, the northern area was a kingdom all its own, separate and apart from the southern area, each area ruled by its own kings. Let me be very clear: the unified kingdom of Israel, ruled over by David and then Solomon, became divided by means of civil war. The northern area went by several names: the Northern Kingdom, the kingdom of Israel, and some documents even refer to it as the kingdom of Joseph. But, for the most part, as was typical for that era, it was called after the name of the tribe that was dominant in that region: the tribe of Ephraim. From about 900 BC to the time of Ezekiel (about 590 BC), that northern region was called the Kingdom of Ephraim…..a name that most are not familiar with.

Yet, the return of Ephraim IS beginning to happen. Barely 3 months ago, in March 2005, the Israeli government officially sanctioned the return to the Holy Lands of people who say they are NOT Jews…..but they ARE Israel. That is, these people seeking to migrate to Israel are some of those long lost 10 tribes of Israel……the 2nd house of Israel, Ephraim. Once more: Jews are only of the tribe….or kingdom….of Judah….which basically represents the two tribes of Benjamin and Judah. Ephraim represents the other 10 tribes (long assumed to be lost and unidentifiable), and they are NOT Jews…..but they certainly are Israelites.

 

Today, we are in the throes of a rather severe argument over that land that the Jews have returned to, and in which Ephraim is just now starting to come; and that argument will someday throw the world into a final war, which is where the following chapters of Ezekiel would take us. Some may want to argue as to the precise boundaries of the land God gave to Abraham for all time; but hear me: at the very least it included every inch of the land that the Palestinians now claim as theirs. You see, the area in which Abraham stood at the moment God made him that promise, is right in the heart of what is commonly today called the West Bank…… or, in the most ridiculous possible terms…… the occupied territory.

 

Sorry to take up so much room with this article, but it seems extremely important to me. Remember that God tells us to bless Israel and not to curse it. We need to remember just who is Israel.

 

Michelle Malay, at this hour, just returned to recovery after her knee replacement surgery. So far, so good. We can pray for her and her rehab as soon as she can start moving again.

 

Forgot about the stupid time change and got a message on my phone this morning at 6:30 CST (chicken Shtuff Time) that my grocery order was ready. Got up and got it picked up and home to put it away. Have chicken quarters on cooking currently. Kinda wish the dogs could handle some spices because just plain chicken does not really smell all that great to me.

 

Texted back and forth with Wham Pollard yesterday. She married my cousin John who died this time last year. He insisted she needed a puppy to keep her busy, so she has Boudreaux the little Sheppard (not the right name, but bushy tail and herding instincts).

 

We had misting rain early this morning. It was enough that my truck windows really need to be cleaned—well, the entire truck needs to be washed. Sand, dust, wind, more of the same, plus pollen makes for a nasty vehicle.

 

The little hobble down to the lake front yesterday has me stiff and sore enough to make me growl more than usual. Would never tell Patty how much it hurts, but it is obvious to me that my trekking days are quite over—at least trekking for the fun of it.

 

It seems our weather is going to yo-yo for a while. It will be 90 one day and 70+ the next. Not only great for allergies, but it makes trying to dress interesting as well. Shall we break out the shorts or wear a long-sleeved shirt? Oh well.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.