Who is Israel

WHO IS ISRAEL?

There is much confusion concerning “Who is Israel” from modern day “Christians” or “believers”. There are many believers who think that the Israelites of the “Old Testament” blew it with God and now the church has replaced “Israel” as God’s people. This is called “Replacement Theology”. There are other believers that think that Judah is primarily modern day Israel and are separate from the church- meaning that the church doesn’t have to obey the “laws of God” (1st 5 books of the bible) because the church has only to believe in Jesus Christ. These are but a few of the common answers from modern day Christians. Based on our Heavenly Father’s word, those beliefs are far from His Word (Truth).

I’d like to go over several passages from scripture to show 1.)Who is Israel? 2.)Who did God make a covenant with? 3.)Is God’s covenant still in effect with us today? Let’s begin by reading Ephesians 2:10-13:

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahshua ) unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ (Messiah), being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahshua) ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ (Messiah). (emphasis mine)

Notice the words “aliens from the commonwealth (citizenship) of Israel” & “strangers from the covenants of promise.” What are the covenants of promise? What were we promised? More on this as we continue this study.

Let’s also read Galatians 3:26-29 and see what the apostle Paul has to say.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahshua).
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ (Messiah) have put on Christ (Messiah).
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahshua).
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's (Messiah’s), then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

What is it to be “Abraham’s seed” and “heirs according to the promise”? Before we answer these questions, it is crucial to understand the covenants and promises that God made to our forefathers.

1.) Covenants and promises.
Before we discuss in greater detail Ephesians and Galatians, we need to understand the covenants concerning our forefathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Let’s begin our study in the book of Genesis. Let’s look at Genesis 12:1-7 and see what YHWH (the LORD) made with Abram/Abraham.

Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 12:4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
Gen 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Gen 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
Gen 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there built he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

As we look at Genesis 12:1, pay close attention to “unto a land that I will show you”. This land was called “Canaan” and would eventually be conquered by YHWH’s people (through YHWH’s might and power) and renamed “Israel”. In Genesis 12:7, it reads “and unto your seed”. This is in regards to the offspring/descendants of Abram (who would later be called Abraham). So we see that this land would be given to Abraham and to his seed from YHWH.

Let’s continue and read Genesis 13:14-18.

Gen 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
Gen 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.
Gen 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
Gen 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
Gen 13:18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

So we see again that YHWH is telling Abram that this land will be given to him and to his seed “FOREVER”!

Let’s continue on by reading Genesis 15:4-7 and 18.

Gen 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Gen 15:7 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
Gen 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Abram wonders if Eleazar, his servant, would be his heir since he had no offspring. YHWH assures him that it will be offspring from his own loins. In Genesis 15:7, YHWH again tells Abram that He will give Abram this land and in Genesis 15:18 it says that in the same day YHWH made a covenant with Abram giving Him and his seed this land.
So we see YHWH making a covenant with Abraham and his seed giving the land as an inheritance.

Let’s take a look at Genesis 17:1-8.

Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Gen 17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
Gen 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
Gen 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
Gen 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
Gen 17:6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
Gen 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Gen 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Take a look at some key words from the scripture listed above. YHWH makes a covenant with Abraham that is an “Everlasting Covenant”. He (YHWH) also gives Abraham and his seed/descendants the land of Canaan for an “Everlasting Possession”. But Abraham already had a son (Ishmael) through Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid. So does this covenant apply to Ishmael? Let’s continue in Genesis 17:18-21 and find out.

Gen 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
Gen 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Gen 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Gen 17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

We have just read that the covenant that YHWH made with Abraham and to his seed will be passed on down and established through Isaac, the “son of promise”, NOT Ishmael. Let’s continue by looking at Genesis 26:1-5 and see if these promises and covenants were indeed given to Isaac from YHWH.

Gen 26:1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
Gen 26:2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
Gen 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father;
Gen 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Gen 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

YHWH continues to make good on His Word by blessing Abraham’s seed; Isaac, and performs the oath which He (YHWH) swore unto Isaac’s father, Abraham, by giving him and his (Isaac’s) seed/descendants “this land”. YHWH is continuing his covenant through Abraham’s offspring; Isaac, just like He said He would.

Abraham’s son Isaac also had sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau however, was a man of the field and sold his first-born birthright to his brother Jacob. Jacob’s name really means “hand on the heel”, not “supplanter” as many have been taught to believe. He was given this title by his older brother Esau, not from his father or mother. If you haven’t already done so, I highly suggest you read Genesis 25:19-28:22 concerning the story of Jacob and Esau.

Let’s see if YHWH continues to bless Jacob, the offspring of Isaac in Genesis 28:10-15.

Gen 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.
Gen 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Gen 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Gen 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 28:15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Once again, we see the land covenant promised to Jacob and his seed. Just as YHWH had said, Jacob did return back to the land that YHWH had spoken of to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and to Jacob’s seed. I highly suggest you read Genesis 29-31 concerning the story of Jacob. Before Jacob returns back to the land that YHWH promised him and his seed, he has an encounter at the Jabbok river before confronting his brother Esau. Let’s find out what happened in Genesis 32:22-30.

Gen 32:22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
Gen 32:23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
Gen 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
Gen 32:25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
Gen 32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
Gen 32:27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
Gen 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Gen 32:29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
Gen 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

We see that Jacob saw Elohim (God) face to face and his life was preserved. We also see Jacob was given a name change. His name was changed to Israel (Meaning: “God prevails”). So before Jacob and his “family” entered into the land given to him by YHWH, we see that Jacob’s name was changed. Upon arriving into “the land”, his wife Rachel bore a son, Benjamin. Jacob’s seed was 12 sons and 1 daughter. Let’s take a quick look at the birth order of offspring from Jacob. The male birth order is as follows… Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulon, Joseph, and Benjamin. Later on in the bible we see that Joseph was sold into slavery by his 10 older, jealous brothers. To find out more about the life of Joseph, read Genesis 37-46:34. Eventually Joseph and his brothers were reunited in Egypt and the entire household of Jacob/Israel moved to Egypt and settled in the land of Goshen. Before Jacob dies, he blesses his sons. For a further explanation of how Mannaseh and Ephraim are listed, read Genesis 48.

Gen 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
Gen 49:2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

So we see here in the next scripture that the sons of Jacob/Israel become the 12 tribes of Israel.

Gen 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spoke unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

2.) 12 Tribes of Israel:
We now know from scripture that the 12 tribes of Israel are named after the 12 sons of Israel (and to their descendants). Contrary to popular belief, Judah (Jewish descendants) are one tribe, not all 12. We know that at one point in time the 12 sons that settled in Egypt grew into the 12 tribes of Israel. They eventually were in bondage and YHWH brought “them” out. Let’s read Exodus 2:23-24 and see what scripture says.

Exo 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Exo 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Exo 2:25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

We see that Elohim (God) remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Exactly what we read about earlier. The children of Israel are the seed of Jacob. So what was YHWH going to do about this?

Exo 6:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.
Exo 6:2 And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name יהוה (Yahweh) was I not known to them.
Exo 6:4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
Exo 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Exo 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Exo 6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am the LORD. (emphasis mine)

Here again we see YHWH telling Moses that He (YHWH) will bring out the children from Egypt and redeem them. Why? Because of the covenant that he made with their fathers! With Jacob/Israel, Isaac, and Abraham! He made this covenant with them and to their seed. To the children of Israel! YHWH is going to do what He said He would do!! Let’s read a couple scriptures to understand a couple things about Almighty Yahweh.

Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Isa 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

WOW! Did you read that? Yahweh does not change! His word stands FOREVER! His word will not come back void!
Pretty strong words and believe me when I say this: Whatever our Creator says, He will do! You can count on it!
So, knowing that Yahweh does not change and that whatever He says, that He will do it, what do you think He is going to do about the crisis with the children of Israel who are in bondage in Egypt? He is going to bring them out!

Exo 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
Exo 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
Exo 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
Exo 12:38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
Exo 12:39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
Exo 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
Exo 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

So who did Yahweh bring out? Israel and a “mixed multitude”. After seeing all the plagues brought upon Egypt, this mixed multitude believed in the Elohim of Israel. Key in on verse 41: “selfsame day”. If you look back at Genesis 15, YHWH had shown this to Abraham long ago. We also see later at Mount Sinai (when the 10 commandments were “spoken” that there were 12 tribes of Israel. But wait, wasn’t there also a “mixed multitude” that had left with the children of Israel? What happened to them? Well friend, these mixed multitudes were “grafted in” to the 12 tribes of Israel! There isn’t listed anywhere in the Torah of another “tribe”.

Let us now see where YHWH blesses the 12 tribes of Israel.

Exo 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Exo 20:21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exo 20:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
Exo 20:23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
Exo 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

After YHWH spoke the words of the 10 commandments, the people were afraid and trembled. These commandments were and are YHWH’s instructions for us on how we are to live. If we follow His instructions, He will bless us. We see a few chapters later, that this covenant that the Almighty made with the children of Israel was ratified with blood and sprinkled upon them.

Exo 24:1 And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
Exo 24:2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.
Exo 24:3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.
Exo 24:4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Exo 24:5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
Exo 24:6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
Exo 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
Exo 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

The children of Israel were promised the land that was given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deu 34:1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,
Deu 34:2 And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea,
Deu 34:3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.
Deu 34:4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

Also again in Deuteronomy 7:6-13.

Deu 7:6 For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
Deu 7:7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
Deu 7:8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deu 7:10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
Deu 7:11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
Deu 7:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he swore unto thy fathers:
Deu 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he swore unto thy fathers to give thee.

We see the Almighty One making good on His promise to give the land that He swore (and His Oath He made) to the children of Israel as an everlasting covenant.

Well, some people may say, “But the law was given to the children of Israel and not to me”. Let’s see just who the “Law” (Torah) was given to.

Exo 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Lev 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.

Num 15:15 One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD.

Num 15:16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

Num 15:29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.

From the above scriptures we see that the Torah is for all people. But was it made only to that generation or other generations? Was this only given to our ancestors? Does it still apply to us?

Deu 29:1 These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
Deu 29:2 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;
Deu 29:3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
Deu 29:4 Yet the LORD hath not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
Deu 29:5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.
Deu 29:6 Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.
Deu 29:7 And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:
Deu 29:8 And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.
Deu 29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
Deu 29:10 Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,
Deu 29:11 Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:
Deu 29:12 That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:
Deu 29:13 That he may establish thee today for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Deu 29:14 Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;
Deu 29:15 But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:

Did you get that? Look again at verse 14 and 15. I would say that includes us! The instructions (Torah) and the covenant was made not only with that generation but with us to hear and to do (Shema, in Hebrew).

3.)The inheritance of the children of Israel
So what happened to all the tribes? The ½ tribe of Manasseh, the tribe of Gad, and the tribe of Reuben settled on the East side of the Jordan (Numbers Chapter 32). The inheritance given to the remaining tribes of Israel is listed in Joshua 18. They were warned from Moses about what would happen if they turned away from YHWH:

Deu 8:11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
Deu 8:12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
Deu 8:13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
Deu 8:14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Deu 8:15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
Deu 8:16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
Deu 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
Deu 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Deu 8:19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
Deu 8:20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.

Again in Deuteronomy 30:10-20, Moses instructs the people that they are to keep the commandments of YHWH and warns the people what would happen to them if they turned away from YHWH.

Deu 30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
Deu 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
Deu 30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Deu 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Deu 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
Deu 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
Deu 30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
Deu 30:17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
Deu 30:18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deu 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

So we see here the importance to follow YHWH’s Laws, ordinances, and statutes. It was required of the Israelites then just as it is required of us today. After the death of Moses, did Joshua have to keep the commandments too?

Jos 1:1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Jos 1:2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Jos 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
Jos 1:4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
Jos 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Jos 1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them.
Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Just as Moses commanded the children of Israel then, and to us of today, we are not to turn away from the commandments of YHWH.

OK, back to the tribes of Israel. What happened to them after they were brought into the land? Let’s continue and see if we can find out what happened.

4.)What happened to the tribes?
We know that in the book of Joshua, the 12 tribes made it into the ‘promised land’ (formally called Canaan). With Joshua as the anointed leader appointed by YHWH, many of the enemies in the land of Canaan were conquered, but not all the “nations” in Canaan were driven out or conquered completely. We later see in Judges 2:1-7, YHWH’s covenant is still in full force.

Jdg 2:1 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I swore unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
Jdg 2:2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
Jdg 2:3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
Jdg 2:4 And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spoke these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
Jdg 2:5 And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.
Jdg 2:6 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.
Jdg 2:7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.

Did you see what YHWH said? He said He would never break His covenant. With who? Israel… Meaning: the 12 tribes that make up the entire body (or nation) of Israel!! Not just to the tribe of Judah, or Gad, or Joseph, all 12 tribes!! In the book of Judges we see a continual “falling away” of Israel from the commandments of YHWH. In response to Israel’s cries, YHWH would “save“ His people from their oppressors by sending deliverers (Judges). MANY TIMES WOULD YHWH DO THIS FOR HIS PEOPLE. Here is one such example listed in Judges Chapter 3.

Jdg 3:3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath.
Jdg 3:4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
Jdg 3:5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:
Jdg 3:6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
Jdg 3:7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
Jdg 3:8 Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.
Jdg 3:9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
Jdg 3:10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim.
Jdg 3:11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

Many times throughout the book of Judges Israel did evil in the sight of YHWH. Many times they cried out to YHWH and YHWH sent a “judge” to deliver His people from their oppressors.

If we read in the books of Samuel & Kings we see that in 1 Samuel 8, Israel wanted a King over them like the other nations. They rejected YHWH as their King.

1Sa 8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
1Sa 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
1Sa 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
1Sa 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
1Sa 8:8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

Saul was the 1st King over Israel but later disobeyed YHWH and the Kingdom was given to David. We see this in scripture when Samuel prophesied this when inquired of by King Saul.
1Sa 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
1Sa 28:16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
1Sa 28:17 And the LORD hath done to him, as he spoke by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even to David:
1Sa 28:18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.
1Sa 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

Shortly after hearing these words from Samuel, King Saul and his sons were slain on Mt. Gilboa. It was after this series of events that David became King over Israel (all 12 tribes). During the reign of kings, when Israel was “unified” there was King Saul (1st), King David (2nd), and then David’s Son, King Solomon (3rd).
In 1 Kings Chapter 11 the Kingdom was going to be split in two because Solomon’s heart turned away from YHWH.

1Ki 11:3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
1Ki 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
1Ki 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
1Ki 11:6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.
1Ki 11:7 Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
1Ki 11:8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
1Ki 11:9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
1Ki 11:10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.
1Ki 11:11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
1Ki 11:12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
1Ki 11:13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

This is the last recorded time of a “unified” Israel. The Kingdom was split into two Kingdoms (2 Kings Chapter 12). The Southern Kingdom (Judah) and the Northern Kingdom (Israel -also called the House of Ephraim). Eventually there would be one king over the Northern Kingdom (King Jereboam), and one king over the Southern Kingdom (Solomon’s Son, Reheboam). From here on out, there has been division between the two.

Both Kingdoms Conquered: Due to continual disobedience to YHWH’s Torah (instructions) and following after “pagan gods”, The Northern Kingdom (The Northern 10 tribes: Called Israel) was conquered by the Assyrians in 723-722 BCE (2 Kings 17:1-23) . The Southern Kingdom (Judah and majority of Benjamin- Simeon assimilated into Judah: House of Judah)) was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE (2 Chronicles 36) . Judah returned back to the land 70 years later (prophecy fulfilled – Jer. 25:11-12 & Dan 9) but what about the Northern Tribes? Where did they go? They were “scattered” throughout the earth and “mixed into” the “nations”. Did YHWH forget His people? NO! In the next section we will see what YHWH says concerning His people…

5.)Prophecy concerning both houses of Israel- bringing them back as one! Has YHWH forgotten His covenant? NO! Read Ezekiel 37:15-28. This is one of the most powerful and prophetic scriptures concerning the “re-unification” of both “houses” of Israel, when Israel (Ephraim) and Judah become “One”. As in “One” House, or “One” nation! This is something that will happen at a FUTURE time. This has NOT happened yet, but YHWH said it will happen!

Eze 37:15 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
Eze 37:16 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:
Eze 37:17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
Eze 37:18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
Eze 37:19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
Eze 37:20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.
Eze 37:21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
Eze 37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
Eze 37:23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
Eze 37:24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
Eze 37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
Eze 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
Eze 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Eze 37:28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Here is another passage from the book of Ezekiel concerning Israelites “scattered abroad”. Also see Ezekiel 11:14-17.

Eze 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
Eze 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
Eze 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Eze 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Eze 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Even Moses, before he died, prophesied these words concerning all twelve tribes (The whole house of Israel) before they had crossed the Jordan and settled in the land promised from YHWH.

Deu 4:25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:
Deu 4:26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
Deu 4:27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.
Deu 4:28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Deu 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
Deu 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Here is another passage regarding the people of Israel, the covenant, and the land!

Lev 26:40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
Lev 26:41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
Lev 26:42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
Lev 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
Lev 26:44 And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God.
Lev 26:45 But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.
Lev 26:46 These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.

You see, ‘if’ we confess our iniquities and trespasses (and our fathers) wholeheartedly before YHWH, it is written here that He WILL remember His covenant with our forefathers and remember the land. What land? The land that was promised to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, to the seed of Jacob…the 12 tribes of Israel!

As you read this next passage out of Isaiah, notice that ‘Israel shall be saved’ and that ‘In YHWH shall all the seed of Israel be justified’…

Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
Isa 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Isa 45:19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
Isa 45:20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
Isa 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isa 45:24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
Isa 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Here is another wonderful prophecy from the prophet Jeremiah concerning the re-gathering of Israel and Judah!

Jer 23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Jer 23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jer 23:7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Jer 23:8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
Did you notice this last verse concerns ‘the seed of the house of Israel’ that are scattered throughout the earth? And what does it say in verse 3? YHWH will gather them (the remnant) and bring them back again to their inheritance!

Let’s continue with another prophetic passage from the prophet Jeremiah.

Jer 31:1 At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:2 Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Jer 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jer 31:4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
Jer 31:5 Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
Jer 31:6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
Jer 31:7 For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
Jer 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
Jer 31:9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Jer 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
Jer 31:11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Jer 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

YHWH will be the Elohim of all the families of Israel…meaning all 12 tribes along with those who are ‘grafted in’ to the commonwealth or citizenship of Israel (Ephesians 2:12).

Here is another wonderful scripture from the prophet Hosea in regards to Israel and Judah becoming re-unified into ‘One Nation’ or ‘One Kingdom’.

Hos 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
Hos 1:11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.

These are just a few scriptures from the Tanakh that talk about the regathering of Israel and bringing together Israel and Judah as “One” body, “One” nation, “One” people, YHWH’s people. And finally, here is where the “New Covenant” is originally found, in the Tanakh (Old Testament).

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

So, have these prophecies come to pass yet? No, not all. There are many in these days who are starting to GO BACK to YHWH’s word and see that YHWH has NOT FORGOTTEN HIS PEOPLE NOR HIS PROMISES THAT HE MADE TO THEM. Let’s now go into the “New Testament” (Brit Chadashah ) and see what Yahshua , His Disciples, and the Apostle Paul had to say concerning “Israel”.

6.)Messiah on the scene approx 700yrs after Israel (the Northern Tribes) had been scattered into the “Nations”.
Who did Yahshua come for?
Mat 15:21 Then Yahshua (Jesus) went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
Mat 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Mat 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(emphasis mine)
Messiah Yahshua was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Who? The lost sheep of the house of ISRAEL!

What did Yahshua command His disciples when he sent them out to heal the sick and lame, cast out demons, raise the dead, and preach that ‘the Kingdom of YHWH is at hand’.
Mat 10:5 These twelve Yahshua (Jesus) sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (emphasis mine)

Let’s reference from scripture to see what Messiah and his disciples had to say concerning Israel.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Yahshua (Jesus) beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28 And Yahshua (Jesus) said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (emphasis mine)

Yahshua tells Peter and the disciples that ‘they’ (the disciples) will sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The angel (messenger) of YHWH, ‘Gabriel’, visited Zechariah at the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to tell Him that His prayers were heard and that He will have a son and to name him John. What was prophesied of His son John?
Luk 1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he (John) turn to the Lord their God.
Luk 1:17 And he (John) shall go before him (Yahshua) in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (emphasis mine)

Here is another passage showing that YHWH has neither forgotten His oath nor His covenant that He made to Abraham. Also notice that YHWH is still the Elohim of Israel and that He will redeem His people…Israel!

Luk 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luk 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luk 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luk 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luk 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luk 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Luk 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luk 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Luk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
Luk 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (emphasis mine)

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Yahshua (Jesus) coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Joh 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
Joh 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (emphasis mine)

Joh 1:47 Yahshua (Jesus) saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
Joh 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Yahshua (Jesus) answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (emphasis mine)

Joh 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Yahshua (Jesus) was coming to Jerusalem,
Joh 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. (emphasis mine)

Was there other writings in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) concerning Israel?

Mat 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Act 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Yahshua (Jesus) of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (emphasis mine)

Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Act 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Yahshua (Jesus), whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Act 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (emphasis mine)

Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

12 Gates- for the 12 tribes of Israel. Not this Church or that Church but the Tribes of Israel. Those who have relationship with the Father through Messiah Yahshua and believe in the promises YHWH made to our father Abraham (Gal 3:29). These people who believe in YHWH’s word by keeping the commandments and have the testimony of Yahshua, the messiah (Revelation 14:12). These are those who are “heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).

Did you realize that it wasn’t until 20+ years AFTER the resurrection that salvation came to the “gentiles”? One of the first converts was Cornelius.

Act 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
Act 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
Act 10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
Act 10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Act 10:5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
Act 10:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

Did you notice that Cornelius was a “devout” man, that “feared” God, “gave much alms to the people”, and “prayed to God continually”. Ask yourself this question. Am I like Cornelius? What did Peter have to say when he met Cornelius?

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Later in Acts chapter 10, Cornelius and his household were baptized. They were “grafted in” to the commonwealth (citizenship) of Israel. We will study this further in Romans chapter 9-11. So what does it mean to “work righteousness”? It means to not only to believe in YHWH and to believe in His Son, Messiah Yahshua, who He sent…but also:

Deu 6:17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
Deu 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

We are commanded by YHWH, to keep His commandments. It is one thing to hear the commandments but it’s more important to do them.

Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

So where again in the bible is the New Covenant? We read earlier that the New Covenant is recorded in Jeremiah 31:31-34. We see this New Covenant confirmed again in Hebrews 8:8-12.

Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

This isn’t something “New” as this was already spoken by YHWH and written in the book of Jeremiah even before Yahshua came as the “suffering servant”. Many people living in Judea knew the writings of Jeremiah and understood the prophecy. Look at what the disciples said to Messiah Yahshua after the resurrection.

Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

Again, the disciples (and many others) knew the prophecies from the Tanakh (Old Testament). They were waiting for the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel.

Remember what we covered earlier regarding the covenant YHWH made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to his descendants? Key in on vs. 72-73!

Luk 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luk 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luk 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luk 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luk 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luk 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Luk 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luk 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luk 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. (emphasis mine)

Did you see that?! YHWH still remembered His Holy covenant, the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham!!
Israel has not been done away with. Israel has not been “replaced” by the church. Israel has always been and always will be YHWH’s people!

7.) Did the disciples and others believe in the 12 tribes of Israel?

1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered (G1290)throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Messiah Yahshua (Jesus Christ): Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Master Messiah Yahshua (Lord Jesus Christ), to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad(G1290), greeting. (Empasis mine)

We see in the writings from Peter and from James that they believed and understood about the 12 tribes of Israel.
If we go into the original Greek and look at the word “scattered throughout” or “scattered abroad”, we see that the word is Diaspora(G1290) : 1) a scattering, dispersion 1a) of Israelites dispersed among foreign nations meaning dispersion.
So we see from the Greek that this is describing the Israelites scattered abroad in other countries

Joh 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
Joh 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Joh 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Yahshua (Jesus) should die for that nation;
Joh 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (Emphasis mine)

Even Caiphas, the high priest that year believed in and understood about the Israelites who were scattered abroad.

8.) Did the Apostle Paul believe in the restoration of Israel?
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Messiah (Christ) is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

That who might be saved? That Israel might be saved (contrary to “most” English bibles, the word ‘Israel’ is in the original Greek Interlinear bible). In verse 4, where it says “the end of the law”, the Greek word for this is “telos ” which more correctly translated means “goal”. Yahshua is the Goal (gr. Telos) of the law... The law (or Torah) is to bring us to Messiah. The Torah (YHWH’s instructions) defines sin, blessings, and curses. The Torah teaches us how we are to live according to YHWH’s will and that we need Him to save us from our sins. A true believer who is always seeking truth will go back to YHWH’s word and believe in what He said and follow through with what YHWH requires of His people.

9.) Romans 11. This is an area most church leaders have a tough time understanding or preaching. One reason why is the fact that “they” do not identify with Israel or with the forefathers of our faith. YHWH has always been working with His people, from Adam even up to now. Let’s read what Paul says here:

Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Rom 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written (Isaiah 59:20), There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. (emphasis mine)

Israel is the Olive tree.

Jer 11:16 The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
Jer 11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

Again, Israel (the whole house of Israel) is the Olive Tree. You must be “grafted in” to Israel (The natural olive tree) from either the “wild branch”(representing the nations- wild olive tree, notice it’s not a different ‘species’ of tree but a ‘wild olive’ tree) or from the “natural branch”(Israel). Remember what we read in Exodus 12 about Israel leaving Egypt, and also a “mixed multitude” that left with them. Why did the “mixed multitude” leave? Because they believed in the Elohim of Israel. They saw the miracles that YHWH had done to Egypt. But as we read further in the Exodus account, many perished. Why? Because of disobedience and disbelief. Look at how Paul describes a similar scenario in Romans 11:19-22.

Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Also pay particular attention to what Paul is saying in verses 25 and 26.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

The Apostle Paul is talking about Israel and those of the nations who are “grafted in” to the body of Israel. The phrase “fullness of the gentiles” comes from the Hebrew words “Melo Ha Goyim” meaning “multitude of nations” and is the same words that Jacob used to bless Ephraim in Genesis 48:19, that from Ephraim’s seed would come forth a “multitude of nations”. We saw earlier in Romans 10:1 that Paul said that “Israel might be saved”. We see in Romans 11:26 that Paul is concluding all this again with Israel being saved. This is not a new concept as there are many passages alluding to this “grafting in” of the “sojourner/alien” with the “native born” located throughout the Tanakh: (other scriptural support can be found in Exodus 12:49 & Numbers 15:29).

Lev 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.
Num 15:15 One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD.
Num 15:16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

This “grafting in” of the sojourner and the native born are listed in the future restoration.

Eze 47:21 So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
Eze 47:22 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
Eze 47:23 And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.

When the cultivated branch does not believe, he is cut off. When the wild one does not believe, he is cut off. The issue then is which of the branches have faith in the root (Messiah). That will determine whether that branch abides or is removed12.

10.) The future restoration of Kingdom:
Who is in it? Is it the Lutheran Church, Baptist? Catholic? Non-Denominational? We clearly see through scripture that YHWH’s people, ISRAEL (which represents ALL 12 tribes), is in the kingdom. Any time you see “church” in your English translated bibles, that word comes from the Greek word pronounced “ekklesia” G1577, meaning “a body” ( as in body of believers.) We are the body (Israel) and Messiah Yahshua is the “Head”.

Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

From the book of Revelation, the 12 gates that lead into the Kingdom are named after the 12 tribes of the children of Israel. There is NO “Gentile” gate, NO “Baptist” gate, NO “Catholic”, “Hindu”, “Islamic”, or “Non-Denominational” gate or any other gate BUT 12 gates named after the 12 tribes of Israel. It is to your benefit to be a part of the “Commonwealth of Israel” (Ephesians 2:12) and “heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).

**Our reward is eternal life, with Messiah Yahshua, in the Kingdom (the land promised to our forefather’s Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)!

From scripture we see that YHWH made a covenant with our forefather’s (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel) and to their descendants. It was and is an everlasting covenant that YHWH made. The covenant consisted of His people (Israel) and the land promised to them. As we have read, YHWH does NOT change. If He said it, He meant it! YHWH did not forget his people nor did He forget the promises He made to them. We become part of His people Israel (“grafted in”) when we 1.) Believe in the True, Living, Elohim of Israel and His promises 2.) Believe that He sent His Son, Messiah Yahshua, to die for our sins 3.) Repent, and be baptized in the name of Messiah Yahshua for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) and 4.)Keep (obey) His commandments (Torah). And with that, I leave you now with just a couple of verses to ponder on if you are still wondering if you have to keep the commandments:

Out of Messiah’s own mouth, Yahshua said:
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus (Yahshua) said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mar 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. (Emphasis mine)

So what commandments was Yahshua referring to? They were not ‘new’ commandments but the same commandments given to our fathers from YHWH on Mt. Sinai. (Reference Exodus 19:16-20:26).

Let us also see what Yahshua’s disciple, John, had to say concerning ‘The Commandments’.
1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Again: Our reward is eternal life, with Messiah Yahshua, in the kingdom (the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel))! Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Yahshua). (emphasis mine)

Our prayer and hope for you is that you search the scriptures for truth and may YHWH bless you with eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart and mind for understanding.
We hope and pray that this information has been edifying to you and if you have any questions or concerns please contact us at returnoftheremnant@gmail.com or visit our website: www.returnoftheremnant.com

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1. Yahshua= The name of our Messiah, which means “Yahweh Saves” or “Yahweh is salvation
2. YHWH= יהוה Translated “LORD” in most bibles, is the name of Our Father in Heaven: Yahweh H3068 BDB Definition: “the existing One” 1) the proper name of the one true God.
3. Elohim= אלהים Translated “God” in most bibles. BDB Definition: H430 'ĕlôhîym el-o-heem' 1) (plural) rulers, judges, divine ones, angels, gods. 2) (plural intensive - singular meaning) god, goddess,
godlike one, works or special possessions of God, the (true) God, God.
4. Torah= תּרה / תּורה Translated “Law” in most bibles. BDB Definition: H8451 tôrâh 1) law, direction, instruction
5. Pg. 232, Unger’s Bible Handbook, 1st Ed.,1966
6. Pg. 253, Unger’s Bible Handbook, 1st Ed.,1966
7. Tanakh= The writings of the Torah, Prophets, and other writings (Psalms, Kings, etc). English called Old Testament.
8. Brit Chadasha= The Gospels and Epistles, commonly called in English “The New Testament”
9. Yahshua= The name of our Messiah, which means “Yahweh Saves” or “Yahweh is salvation”.
10. Thayer’s Greek Definitions G1290 διασπορά diaspora Thayer Definition: 1) a scattering, dispersion 1a) of Israelites dispersed among foreign nations
11. Telos τέλος tel'-os G5056 From a primary word τέλλω tellō (to set out for a definite point or goal).
12. Commentary from Restoration Scriptures True Name Edition. 3rd Ed. Pgs 894-895.

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Below is a listing of Greek words and their definitions.

G1242 [covenant] Luke 1:72, Acts 3:25
διαθήκη diathēkē
dee-ath-ay'-kay
From G1303; properly a disposition, that is, (specifically) a contract (especially a devisory will): - covenant, testament.
LXX related word(s) (FROM TANAKH- GREEK SEPTUAGINT- (old testament))
H1285 berit : in the sense of cutting; a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh): - covenant
H1697 davar : a word; by implication a matter (as spoken of) of thing; adverbially a cause:
H3789 katav : to grave; by implication to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe).
H5715 edut : testimony: - testimony, witness.
H8003 shalem hi. : complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly. (shalem used by mistake for a name.): - full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect (-ed), quiet, whole.
H8452 torah : a custom: - manner, mode, law, instructions.
H264 achavah :Fraternity, brotherhood
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G1484 [nations/gentiles]Matthew 10:5
ἔθνος ethnos
Thayer Definition:
1) a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together
1a) a company, troop, swarm
2) a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus
2a) the human family
3) a tribe, nation, people group
4) in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles
5) Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians
Part of Speech: noun neuter
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: probably from G1486
Citing in TDNT: 2:364, 201
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G1672 [gentiles] John 7:35
Ἕλλην Hellēn
Thayer Definition:
1) a Greek either by nationality, whether a native of the main land or of the Greek islands or colonies
2) in a wider sense the name embraces all nations not Jews that made the language, customs, and learning of the Greeks their own; the primary reference is to a difference of religion and worship
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G1671
Citing in TDNT: 2:504, 227
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G1290 [dispersed, scattered abroad(throughout)] John 7:35, James 1:1, 1 Peter 1:1
διασπορά diaspora
Thayer Definition:
1) a scattering, dispersion
1a) of Israelites dispersed among foreign nations
1b) of the Christians scattered abroad among the Gentiles
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G1289
Citing in TDNT: 2:98, 156
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G5056 [goal, end,custom] Romans 10:4
τέλος telos
tel'-os
From a primary word τέλλω tellō (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose); specifically an impost or levy (as paid): - + continual, custom, end (-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare G5411.
Part of Speech: noun neuter
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal)
Citing in TDNT: 8:49, 1161
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G1577 [assembly, body of believers, gathering] Acts 5:11, Acts 7:38…
ἐκκλησία ekklēsia
Thayer Definition:
1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564
Citing in TDNT: 3:501, 394
LXX related word(s)
H3862 lahaqah :to gather, an assembly
H6951 qahal: assemblage