An Ephraimite Speaks Out Regarding Messianic Jewish Bias Against 'Ephraimites'

Tuesday, 13 January 2009

An Ephraimite Speaks Out Regarding Messianic Jewish Bias Against 'Ephraimites'

An Ephraimite Speaks Out Regarding Messianic Jewish Bias Against ‘Ephraimites’

by Aviel E. Rodriguez

The Sad truth of the matter is that it's the natural inclination of mankind in general to judge and evaluate matters on a very superficial level. Why indeed, some may ask, should we trouble ourselves to thoroughly investigate all the varying aspects on a given topic before drawing our conclusions? Why trouble ourselves to go that 'extra mile' and search a little deeper into a matter in order to, perchance, reconcile two seemingly polar-opposite views? Aren't things basically just 'good or bad', 'black or white', when based upon societal norms?

The preceding rhetorical questions and points of view represent a frame of mind that Madison Avenue has counted upon for decades. I mean to say that it’s counted heavily upon this proclivity within mankind for 'superficial judgment'; particularly, as practiced by its prime financial interest... i.e., the American consumer. This common bent towards 'superficial judgment' within mankind has enabled Madison Avenue to receive for decades massive revenues that are obtained via its ostensible guarantees to endow the consumer with power, security, love, acceptance, sex-appeal, and so on, by means of the product(s) that it's advertising. Moreover, this is accomplished by nothing less than the bombardment of emotionally-charged advertisements aimed at a preprogrammed and passive consumer audience. Pre-programmed? Yes, to passively receive- as authoritative- the word of network sponsors who proceed to assure 'Joe Consumer' that they (the sponsors through their advertisers) know what's best for the consumer in relation to the product(s) they're trying to sell them.

If, by contrast, Madison Avenue had to suddenly deal with a knowledgable consumer base- on the whole- then their chances for maintaining this status quo would be quite slim. Their profits would take a sharp dive in very short order. Let us consider, therefore- by means of this illustration- that for good reason the Scripture declares “…for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1Sam. 16:7)

YHWH knows all the places to which Abraham's seed were driven to. He knows who Abraham's seed are; and He hears their hearts cry. For this reason and in relation to the illustration above, I believe that the Messianic-Jewish policy of cavalierly dismissing the “Ephraimite/Two House” teaching is something that- for the most part- is rooted in emotional and superficial assessments by them; as well as, a presumed authoritative position on their part. Moreover, in correspondence with the above illustration, I believe that a sincere, objective, and diligent study of the "Two-House" teaching will continue to result in thousands upon thousands of non-Jewish Messianics becoming knowledgable adherents to the Ephraimite position and understanding.

I am not seeking to divide brethren... i.e., to divide the non-Jewish Messianics (aka Zionist Christians) from their Messianic Jewish brothers and sisters. God forbid! Rather, I am seeking to awaken them both and to enhance their unity. However, there exists an emotionally charged postulate (even if only implied) that “Messianic-Judah knows best”; and this continues to hold many Zionist Christians [i.e., dormant Ephraimites] in a passive state. They're unwilling to provoke Messianic-Judah’s ire by questioning their particular slant on the “one new man” motto... which simultaneously placates and anaesthetizes dormant Ephraimites into accepting "one-ness" while, pardoxically, branding them with the stigma of “gentile” (i.e., one who is “of the nations” and, therefore, "not of Israel!"). Unfortunately, just like many passive-minded American consumers, it would appear that many Christian Zionists (“dormant Ephraimites”) find it much simpler to accept the status quo of misconceptions, misperceptions, and misinterpretations- leveled by Messianic Judaism towards Ephraimites- than to sincerely and diligently pray about, investigate, and study the matter for themselves. Instead, they continue to neglect and ignore their promised heritage as full-fledged Israelites… which is through the New/Renewed Covenant in Yeshua’s blood! [Jeremiah 31:31]

Sadly, these Christian Zionists are like the woman in the following parable:

There was a young Gentile woman named Ruth Smith. She married her beloved Jewish fiancée, named Boaz Goldberg. In this story, it happens that the young Jewish man had been alienated from his family for many years prior to their meeting. After several years of married bliss, it happened that one day a distant relative of his contacted him to inform him that his Orthodox Jewish family desired to be reconciled with him. After all that time, the announcement came at long last as a hopeful promise for a joyful reunion with his parents and brethren. So he and Mrs. Goldberg promptly packed their bags and were on the next flight out to see his family… the Goldbergs. Now, his wife was very happy and excited in knowing how her husband longed to be reconciled to his blood relatives. Moreover, she recognized that she, too, was now a member of the family. She, too, was a 'Goldberg'; and so, she was very excited about meeting her kin.

They arrived at the Goldberg family home and Boaz took a deep breath as they stepped upon the porch and approached the door. Ruth lovingly glanced at her husband and gave him her full love and support- for they were one. He knocked, and the door opened. There stood the entire Goldberg family apparently ready to receive him back despite what they had formerly viewed as his non-conformist religious views. Boaz crossed the threshold and embraced each one. Then he turned to introduce Mrs. Goldberg; but instead, in a fraction of time, he envisioned a very real potential threat to the tenuous reunion if he should suddenly introduce this non-Jewish woman as his wife. In a moment of selfish expediency, he turned back to his family and said “this is my very close friend and co-worker, Ruth Smith.”

But YHWH’s word says:

Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and [for] all the house of Israel his companions:

And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. (Ezek. 37:16-17)

I’ve come to believe that it’s a “Boaz Goldberg-like” perspective on the part of Messianic Judaism- as well as a “passive-consumerist” mentality on the part of Christian Zionists- that keeps Messianic Judaism from honestly and sincerely communicating with Ephraimites. It keeps them from openly and honestly discussing this matter in their congregations with the use of equal weights and measures. Sadly, it would appear that where a need is not felt a desire is not birthed. Therefore, one might say- rhetorically speaking- that Messianic Judaism has asked of itself this question: “What is the need for such a teaching?… that is, other than to cause upset and confusion among both Jews and Gentiles.” Messianic Judaism’s answer has been “None… No need at all!”

I would call this selfish expediency. Just as I would- if you will imagine for the moment- in the case of a benevolently-inclined Plantation owner living back in the 'antebellum South': who questioned himself, and said “what purpose would it serve for me to instruct my "servants" that we are all created equal and endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights?"...“After all", he considered to himself, "as we've interpreted the Declaration of Independence, they don’t need to participate in society at our level. Therefore, such instructions to my servants would only upset the status quo, anger my fellow plantation owners; and confuse many of the servants. So why create a problem where none exists?!” Yes... blind, self-satisfied, expediency!

The Christian Zionist/Hebraic Roots movements are returning to the ancient paths prescribed by their Heavenly Father; as well as returning to their "elder brother", Judah. They are indeed demonstrating that the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spririt) is at work in Ephraim. The Ruach HaKodesh is awakening them to their true heritage and to their true identity as “born-again Israelites”! Thus, as they are led of the Spirit, they are beginning to fulfill their part in YHWH’s prophetic word that's found in Isaiah 11:13. Therefore, they're returning to Torah (the Kingdom’s constitution) and ceasing from all former “replacement theology” perspectives- as they move forward in support the State of Israel and of the Jewish people worldwide.

We, simultaneously, have seen many in Traditional Judaism being deeply moved by this; and consequently, opening doors of communication to both Christian Zionists and “Aware-Ephraimites” alike. Tragically, however, there are still so many in Messianic Judaism that unwittingly (yet stubbornly...like the elder brother pictured above) resist the fulfillment of the latter portion of that prophetic verse- which reads as follows: “… and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.”

Nevertheless, YHWH’s word says:


		On that day, God will again [reveal] His might to redeem the remnant of His people - those remaining in Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Shinar, Chamath, and the isles of the sea.
		He will signal to the nations, assemble the exiles of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
		Ephraim's jealousy will cease, and their enemies in Judah will be destroyed. Ephraim will not envy Judah, and Judah will not trouble Ephraim. (Isaiah 11:11-13)... [taken from a Jewish translation... 'The Living NACH', Moznaim Publishing Corp., NY/Jerusalem 5756]

As the Living NACH translates it (above) "Ephaim's jealousy will cease, and their enemies in Judah will be destroyed." I'm of the opinion that the "enemies" being spoken of here most likely alludes to elements within Rabbinic Judaism that may someday- I believe- both vehemently and violently oppose Ephraim's prophesied return back to the Land of Israel. Notwithstanding, I continue to believe that it would very much behoove our Messianic Jewish brethren to recognize, from the verses above, how very important and serious the matter of this "Two House-into-One House of Israel Restoration" is to our Abba YHWH.

In the meantime, Christian Zionists need to hearken to the voice of the Shepherd of Israel and to indeed awaken! They need to cast off their “gentile-ized” grave-cloths; and through Yeshua Tzidkenu (Yeshua our Righteousness) put on their new biblical identity as "returning Ephraimites"… i.e., as born-again Israelites!

Click on the 'WATCHMAN' icon below... to AWAKEN!