Friday, March 10, 2006

A DIVINE APPOINTMENT

Genuine love goes a long way in restoring relationships. And this of course is also true about the relationship of Ephraim and Judah. A few weeks ago I received a letter with just such an account, to which was also added a touch of “divine irony”. I have omitted the names of the Messianic couple (mentioned below) that has been living in Israel for many years, and the name of the Ephraimite fellowship and its leaders who extended love and blessings to the said couple. In addition, the following also incorporates a very sound teaching, much of which was actually demonstrated and put into action, as you will see, in the Ephraimite-Judahite encounter.

"They [the Messianic couple] found us [the Ephraimite Messianic fellowship] on the Internet after praying where the Father wanted them to go. Out of many other messianic groups the Father directed them to us. We had not posted our information on the Internet. The funny thing is, the MJAA (Messianic Jewish Alliance of America) posted us and did not know that we were affiliated with the MIA (Messianic Israel Alliance)! The couple loved this and was totally thrilled, as they knew God had directed their path to us.

We could see that this couple was exhausted and we knew they had turned their renewing visa time into a ministering time for the church…but it was obvious that they just had not had a break. He shared on the trip to our house some of the persecution stories like having his tires slashed 11 times in 3 months…etc. They chose our place for a Shabbat messianic fellowship and a place of rest before continuing to minister to the churches during the week. Knowing this background we welcomed them warmly and made them feel like this was their home.

We really wanted to minister to them, but allowed them the freedom to express what God had placed on their hearts for us first. He taught on the Tabernacle and we all loved his insights and gleanings. After we had a midrash and that was where the ministering for them took place…. God had His hand on these people!!! We prayed for them and shared some insights to bless them, to strengthen them and give them hope.

Some of the points covered were: One of them brought up the fact that he did not know who the two trees represented in his teaching. When we shared scriptures from Zech 4 and Rev re: two trees / two witness of Messiah/ Two houses of Israel, his wife agreed and he was interested in looking into the House of Israel and the House of Judah as the two olive trees and the two witnesses of the Messiah. This led us through other scriptures and illuminations about the two houses.

They mentioned all the ministry and prayer they do with the congregation and other projects they have in Israel. Very impressive, but [yet] we saw two very depleted people. They have passion for God and His people but lacked "fire". We wanted to share and impart some key scriptures that keep us from draining our oil and keep oil restored in the lives of others as well.

We quoted from the scriptures, the difference between a false and true prophet and priest:
Ezekiel 22:26 "Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them." Ezekiel 44: 23-24 "And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean… They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths."

We also shared on the Mikvah, generational curses and the washing process.

We found that if we taught people this [type of material] that there were less prayer needs, and as they came to understand and learn God’s ways, they had fewer problems in their lives and experienced blessings, not curses. As the people were learning the difference between clean and unclean, holy and unholy they could choose life …not death. When they chose life they got blessings not curses. This alleviated so much stress in our lives and set the people free. No longer were they dependent on the Pastor, but sought eagerly after the Father’s heart for their lives. People started to change here in the fellowship and a peace came over the people like we have never seen before. We no longer had to teach the people, as they all know and are learning the ways of God as they are now understanding the difference between clean and unclean, holy and unholy.

The people here also know who they are. They are part of Israel. We are no longer Gentiles (pagan, confused and without God). We know we are a royal priesthood and a holy Nation before YHVH and we are learning through progressive revelation how to walk in a redeemed lifestyle and walk in our inheritance, with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…in Yeshua’s footsteps as taught by Moses (John 5:46-47).

We know the Jews are trying to hold the land. We also know there are too few in number. We told this Jewish couple that they need Joseph to come home. As the people are selling God’s land, Joseph’s rightful property, Joseph is preparing to come home. Joseph is being formed in the wilderness and all TWELVE tribes will come into the Land as a mighty army.

We need to teach the people who they are and teach them how to walk in God’s ways choosing to walk in clean/holy ways, and then we can keep the land…. If not taught properly, the land will spew us out as no unclean people can "keep" the land. They will just be visitors in the land…coming in and going out…never staying. The enemy will always be at your doorstep and harassing you…you have that now. The enemy is only in your camp to let us know we need to fix something in us. Once we come into Godly order in our own lives, the enemy moves on to infect another camp. The secret is we need to teach our people "God’s truth". That is the job of the true priest and prophet of the Messiah.

The second message was 2 Chronicles 30:9 "If you return to YHVH, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him."

Understanding this passage we started to really see that what we were doing here in our home and by teaching others (the difference between clean and unclean/holy and unholy) was going to have an effect in the land of Israel today. Not only would we be set free but our brothers and families who were held by their captors would also be set free and come back to YHVH and the land.

This was so huge to us. We told this lovely couple that what we are doing here today in…., is helping them. By our actions it was bringing freedom in their land.

There were many more things discussed but by the time we finished they were very touched. I think they were very humbled by our hospitality and gifts of midrash and love. We ministered to a needy people and hopefully the fruit will produce a wealth in the land a hundred fold.

At the end of the day, our Ephraimite friend took this couple back to their lodging. The Ephraimite gave the Judahite a hug good-bye. In return, the Judahite hugged the Ephraimite back very long and hard. The Ephraimite said, "We love you," and the Judahite acknowledged that but could not look at the Ephraimite as he had tears in his eyes.

It is sooooo good for brothers to come together (Psalm 133), and we look forward to blessing more from Judah. It was a very special Sabbath - one we will always remember. It's amazing how much the Parsha studies match where we are...the study last week was Y'thro teaching Moses this very thing...

End quote.


We want to extend our gratitude to the brothers and sisters for what they have demonstrated, as well as for allowing us to share their experience and teaching.

Ephraim

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