"They say, if a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou has played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD (יהוה).
-Jeremiah 3:1
My journey into the Hebrew Roots movement started with one simple revelation - who we really are! From there, many other truths have been shown to me that I was completely oblivious to previously, even though I've spent my entire adult life as a faithful, devout Christian. When we understand who we really are, the scriptures begin to make more sense to us, and we begin to understand the role that we play in God's story. We also gain a better understanding of how He views us and what He expects from us; and, in the end, we are more connected to and in tune with Him!
So, believer, do you know who you really are??? Many do not, and the answer will surprise you! I'll provide a short explanation here, but for more detail, I highly recommend you watch the video posted at the end of this article!
As you know, Jacob wrestled with God and received the name Israel. Israel (Jacob) had 12 sons. Keep this in mind, this is very important!!!
Those 12 sons had children and became 12 tribes known also as Israel. Hence the term "Children of Israel". ALL of these people, Israel, were God's covenant people.
Israel eventually began to be ruled by kings, and was at one point in their history separated into 2 kingdoms - 10 tribes to the north and 2 to the south. The 10 northern tribes became known as Israel. (So you begin to see how "Israel" can now mean a few different things!) The 2 southern tribes became known as Judah. (Judah being the origin of the term "Jew".) When you read prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, you'll hear God address Israel and Judah separately. There are different prophecies given to each!
Both kingdoms were eventually given into captivity for disobedience to God - first Israel and then Judah. However, only 1 kingdom ever came back out of captivity. That was Judah, and that is why the Jewish people survive to this day. It is true that the Jewish people are God's covenant people, but they are not the ONLY covenant people! They are only 2 of the 12 tribes, and there are 10 more (Israel) which never came out of captivity. These 10 tribes were simply assimilated into the nations. In other words, as time went on, they melted into the nations where they lived and lost their distinction as a separate people.
God's covenant was given with Israel (Jacob) and promised as well to Israel (the 12 tribes). ALL 12 tribes!!! Prophecies of the last days speak of Israel (the 10 tribes) coming back out of the nations and, once again, entering into covenant with their God!!! They will come from all over, as for centuries they have simply blended in with many nations. But they will be "woken up" by God Himself as to their true identity, and they will reject the lies and traditions passed down by their fathers in favor of the truths and commandments of God in scripture!!!
"O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth and shall say, 'Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit."
-Jeremiah 16:19
Keep in mind that a Gentile is simply one who is out of covenant! Israel (10 tribes) was divorced by God for her harlotries!!! They were at that point out of covenant!
Today, we see Israel waking up!! Many are coming to recognize modern Christianity as being packed full of lies, which are "glossed over" with biblical justifications. We are beginning to understand what God wants from us - His people!!! We are returning to Torah and obedience to God's ways. We are gaining a greater and more accurate understanding of scripture, and the teachings of Jesus. Jesus, our Messiah, is a JEW. His death offered a chance for all who are out of covenant (the gentiles) to be reconciled to God! This is the definition of redemption!
When we look in scripture we see and acknowledge that we have played the harlot with God! We are waking up and returning to Him as He has graciously made a way for us to do so! We are the returning bride!!!
For this reason, I have changed the name of this blog. When I began writing here, I was a sincere Christian wishing to share my faith and have fellowship and dialogue with other believers. All of that is still the case! However, I have come to view my Christian faith from a much different perspective, known commonly as Hebrew Roots. There are many others who are also gaining this new perspective! I believe we are the bride, and I am excited to be returning to my groom! I hope you and many others will join in and that we can have a community here to share our thoughts and experiences!
This is a great place to start! Shalom!
