He knows his true worship can only be offered in his Father's House.
He knows his true work can only be done on holy ground.
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
VI---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
He knows his true worship can only be offered in his Father's House.
He knows his true work can only be done on holy ground.
He knows his true song can only be sung in Zion. (He can only weep by the rivers of Babylon)
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
He knows his true worship can only be offered in his Father's House.
He knows his true work can only be done on holy ground.
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
V---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun!
Ephraim's heart is turning to his Father.
Ephraim's heart is remembering Joseph and his grandfather Israel.
And Ephraim is hearing the tears of his grandmother Rachel.
And Ephraim is seeing his uncle Judah.
And Ephraim is knowing his true family.
And Ephraim feels the yearning hearts of his fathers.
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun!
Ephraim's heart is turning to his Father.
Ephraim's heart is remembering Joseph and his grandfather Israel.
And Ephraim is seeing his uncle Judah.
And Ephraim is knowing his true family.
And Ephraim feels the yearning hearts of his fathers.
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun!
IV---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
"Ephraim consider well the earlier highway you took in your youth!"
I am pondering deeply the road of my youth.
Ephraim is setting up waymarks for himself to test and confirm the way to "home."
Ephraim is recognizing the guideposts and signposts of the way to Zion.
Ephraim's Aliyah journey on the ancient way " home" has begun!
"Ephraim consider well the earlier highway you took in your youth!"
I am pondering deeply the road of my youth.
Ephraim is recognizing the guideposts and signposts of the way to Zion.
Ephraim's Aliyah journey on the ancient way " home" has begun!
III---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Only Ephraim has given up building "trophy" houses. He dwells once again in tents of sojourning. Ephraim's gods are melting and crumbling in the fiery furnace of Egypt's afflictions---thence they are cast to the ground.
"I have heard Ephraim bemoaning, 'Thou hast chastened me, and I was chastened, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for thou art Yahweh my God. For after I had turned away I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
"Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him says Yahweh."
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
"I have heard Ephraim bemoaning, 'Thou hast chastened me, and I was chastened, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for thou art Yahweh my God. For after I had turned away I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
"Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him says Yahweh."
II---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
Who but an Ephraimite would have even the foggiest idea of what the Hebrew word "Aliyah" means?
Only Ephraim will ponder the significance of joining Judah in the Land of Israel! The rest of the world, and most of Christianity, is distancing itself from "Israel"---horizontally, e.g. in world politics, and vertically in the doctrine of the "rapture."
Only Ephraim knows he is "poor, blind, pitiable, wretched, and naked." The riches he thought he had are but religious rags and pig slop.
Only Ephraim, the true prodigal son, has started his journey "home." His Father sees him afar off, knows the broken and repentant heart of his son Ephraim, and He has called for the feast, the robe, and the ring.
Ephraim, your Aliyah has begun!
Who but an Ephraimite would have even the foggiest idea of what the Hebrew word "Aliyah" means?
Only Ephraim will ponder the significance of joining Judah in the Land of Israel! The rest of the world, and most of Christianity, is distancing itself from "Israel"---horizontally, e.g. in world politics, and vertically in the doctrine of the "rapture."
Only Ephraim knows he is "poor, blind, pitiable, wretched, and naked." The riches he thought he had are but religious rags and pig slop.
Only Ephraim, the true prodigal son, has started his journey "home." His Father sees him afar off, knows the broken and repentant heart of his son Ephraim, and He has called for the feast, the robe, and the ring.
Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
Ephraim's aliyah is a journey that begins in the heart. Ephraim, scattered throughout all nations, recalls and remembers all the deeds of his God. The blessings and curses visited upon him stir in his heart, and he yearns.
He yearns for the fulfillment of a promise spoken so long ago by a loving Father to his wayward son. "If you turn back to me my son, with all your heart and all your soul, then I, Yahweh your God, will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and I will gather you again from all the peoples where I have scattered you...from there I will come and fetch you and bring you into the Land which your fathers possessed, so that you also my dear Ephraim may possess it too.
When Ephraim's heart is moved to turn in this direction, it is at this crossroad, this waymark on his journey, that...Ephraim's Aliyah has begun!
Ephraim's aliyah is a journey that begins in the heart. Ephraim, scattered throughout all nations, recalls and remembers all the deeds of his God. The blessings and curses visited upon him stir in his heart, and he yearns.
He yearns for the fulfillment of a promise spoken so long ago by a loving Father to his wayward son. "If you turn back to me my son, with all your heart and all your soul, then I, Yahweh your God, will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and I will gather you again from all the peoples where I have scattered you...from there I will come and fetch you and bring you into the Land which your fathers possessed, so that you also my dear Ephraim may possess it too.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Ephraim's Aliyah
For more information on our efforts to help Ephraim in his journey to make aliyah
please see our new website
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Ephraimite Journey...or E. T. Phone Home!
Joseph had two sons by his Egyptian wife---Manasseh the firstborn and Ephraim---both blessed by Jacob/Israel, but the right hand of blessing, usually given to the eldest, was laid upon Ephraim instead of Manasseh. Egypt, Joseph's Egypt, is the starting point of Ephraim's journey.
His tribe and descendants became great and numerous during the slavery of Egypt. The Ephraimite leadership of Joshua brought the whole people of Israel to the crossing of the Jordan many years later after leaving Egypt. But that is far down the road of the journey, way ahead of all the things Ephraim would have to go through first.
Ephraim's prosperity as a son of Joseph slowly eroded and descended into slavery and bondage as the succeeding generations of the tribe in Egypt were forgotten by new ruling Pharaohs. The inertia of dwelling in Egyptian slavery then could only be transformed into the motion of "exodus" by the mighty actions of a mighty God. Only then was the command of "must leave Egypt" heard and obeyed.
But "getting out of Egypt" is not an adequate preparation for "getting into the Promised Land." A middle stage of testing and proving---the Wilderness---was required to purge the leftover attachments of Egypt. "The Wilderness" was for testing, proving, holy days, and feasting. It was to be the time of "betrothal" of Yahweh and the people of Israel. Only after that stage of their relationship was entered into could the nation proceed further into the fulness of the "marriage."
The stop at Marah for water was a trial of bitters. No water in the wilderness and you die. The water at Marah was undrinkable.
Does Ephraim understand the cup of bitter waters?
The "Promised" destination is the Land. What do "manna" and "Marah" have to do with the Destination?
How can such apparent contradictions be reconciled and understood? Why should Ephraim get excited at all about such a journey? Dying in the wilderness seemed the most likely outcome, so why not head back to Egypt!
Clearly not seen, clearly not apprehended, and clearly not appropriated are: 1) the covenant promises of Yahweh 2) the inheritance which is to be Ephraim' 3) the Land and its fruit 4) the Blessing 5) the Land as the place of "His footstool " 6) the place of Marriage, the Land of the Supper and Feast, the Land where your Family and your People dwell...
Clearly, Ephraim doesn't mind being Left Behind in Egypt!!
But consider: If the Messiah is coming to reign on earth, maybe the "rapture multitude" are going in the wrong direction---going up, when He is coming down---giving new meaning and insight into what it means to be "Left Behind"!
I don't want to be "Left Behind" in Egypt. I also don't want to be "Left Behind" in a rapture elevator going in the wrong direction! True rapture means, seems to me, to be where the Messiah was, is, and will be!
The Journey of Ephraim---the one really rapturous and the one to really get excited about---is the Journey Home: the place of dwelling, blessing, fig and vine, unity with our brothers, marriage to the Land and our Bridegroom, Sabbath Rest, Feasting and Peace. Sounds like Zion to me.
So...Ephraimites, listen up! Might be the time to Phone Home. Get some instructions and a journey map. Maybe Stephen Spielberg's "E.T." could be re-titled "Ephraim Time...Phone Home!
His tribe and descendants became great and numerous during the slavery of Egypt. The Ephraimite leadership of Joshua brought the whole people of Israel to the crossing of the Jordan many years later after leaving Egypt. But that is far down the road of the journey, way ahead of all the things Ephraim would have to go through first.
Ephraim's prosperity as a son of Joseph slowly eroded and descended into slavery and bondage as the succeeding generations of the tribe in Egypt were forgotten by new ruling Pharaohs. The inertia of dwelling in Egyptian slavery then could only be transformed into the motion of "exodus" by the mighty actions of a mighty God. Only then was the command of "must leave Egypt" heard and obeyed.
But "getting out of Egypt" is not an adequate preparation for "getting into the Promised Land." A middle stage of testing and proving---the Wilderness---was required to purge the leftover attachments of Egypt. "The Wilderness" was for testing, proving, holy days, and feasting. It was to be the time of "betrothal" of Yahweh and the people of Israel. Only after that stage of their relationship was entered into could the nation proceed further into the fulness of the "marriage."
The stop at Marah for water was a trial of bitters. No water in the wilderness and you die. The water at Marah was undrinkable.
Does Ephraim understand the cup of bitter waters?
The "Promised" destination is the Land. What do "manna" and "Marah" have to do with the Destination?
How can such apparent contradictions be reconciled and understood? Why should Ephraim get excited at all about such a journey? Dying in the wilderness seemed the most likely outcome, so why not head back to Egypt!
Clearly not seen, clearly not apprehended, and clearly not appropriated are: 1) the covenant promises of Yahweh 2) the inheritance which is to be Ephraim' 3) the Land and its fruit 4) the Blessing 5) the Land as the place of "His footstool " 6) the place of Marriage, the Land of the Supper and Feast, the Land where your Family and your People dwell...
Clearly, Ephraim doesn't mind being Left Behind in Egypt!!
But consider: If the Messiah is coming to reign on earth, maybe the "rapture multitude" are going in the wrong direction---going up, when He is coming down---giving new meaning and insight into what it means to be "Left Behind"!
I don't want to be "Left Behind" in Egypt. I also don't want to be "Left Behind" in a rapture elevator going in the wrong direction! True rapture means, seems to me, to be where the Messiah was, is, and will be!
The Journey of Ephraim---the one really rapturous and the one to really get excited about---is the Journey Home: the place of dwelling, blessing, fig and vine, unity with our brothers, marriage to the Land and our Bridegroom, Sabbath Rest, Feasting and Peace. Sounds like Zion to me.
So...Ephraimites, listen up! Might be the time to Phone Home. Get some instructions and a journey map. Maybe Stephen Spielberg's "E.T." could be re-titled "Ephraim Time...Phone Home!
Monday, May 23, 2011
To the Wilderness
Passover is simply the occasion of Israel's redemption from the slavery of Egypt. The instructions are precise, succinct, and simple---all for the single purpose of "covering" the people of Israel during the judgments of Yahweh on Pharoah and the people of Egypt. That release from slavery has no connection to the "wilderness", and the people of Israel prior to their redemption have no clues as to what to expect in that "wilderness" experience.
"Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness. (Exodus 5:1)
"Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness. (Exodus 7:16, 8:1)
"Let my people go... repeated, repeated...
Freedom is the absolute pre-condition.
Feasting and serving are all contingent on being free to hear and obey Yahweh's commands, and until that deliverance from the bondage of slavery is accomplished the people of Israel can do nothing in Egypt.
The confrontation between Pharoah and Yahweh escalates as the judgments increase in intensity, and it is the approach of the final "judgment" that signals the unveiling of Moses final words to the People of Israel and Pharoah.
"We must go 3 days journey into the wilderness... (Exodus 8:27)
"...for we must hold a feast to Yahweh... (Exodus 10:9)
Still, there are no clues as to what the "wilderness" experience will be like.
In all cultures, a settled people of cities and farms wage a constant struggle with the unknown forces of the wilds. All frontier people hold the borders of "wildness" at bay until the settlers can occupy and tame. The people of Israel were in the settled and familiar territories of Egypt, under the sovereignty and protection of a powerful king. All this---the known and secure---was to be left for the unknown in the wilderness.
In this day, the command to come out of Egypt and be separate unto God must be finally transformed into a sense of urgency: the sovereign God of Israel, Yahweh, is demanding a response... We must go...
So in this day, the wilderness experience is not an option for the People of Israel. If in fact, there is any reality of the Passover experience in the life of an Israelite, the wilderness is the next step in the journey.
What is it that we must go to?
Three purposes are mentioned, though the details are not given until the wilderness journey is under way.
First: the People of Israel will be proven and tested in the wilderness. The "issues" of the people will be revealed, e.g. idolatry, and then dealt with by repentance or discipline or judgment...
Second: the People of Israel are to hold a feast in the wilderness.
Third: the People of Israel are to serve Yahweh in the wilderness.
These three purposes of Yahweh are inherent in His plan for the People of Israel and,
You and I must go into the wilderness for these three purposes of Yahweh.
"Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness. (Exodus 5:1)
"Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness. (Exodus 7:16, 8:1)
"Let my people go... repeated, repeated...
Freedom is the absolute pre-condition.
Feasting and serving are all contingent on being free to hear and obey Yahweh's commands, and until that deliverance from the bondage of slavery is accomplished the people of Israel can do nothing in Egypt.
The confrontation between Pharoah and Yahweh escalates as the judgments increase in intensity, and it is the approach of the final "judgment" that signals the unveiling of Moses final words to the People of Israel and Pharoah.
"We must go 3 days journey into the wilderness... (Exodus 8:27)
"...for we must hold a feast to Yahweh... (Exodus 10:9)
Still, there are no clues as to what the "wilderness" experience will be like.
In all cultures, a settled people of cities and farms wage a constant struggle with the unknown forces of the wilds. All frontier people hold the borders of "wildness" at bay until the settlers can occupy and tame. The people of Israel were in the settled and familiar territories of Egypt, under the sovereignty and protection of a powerful king. All this---the known and secure---was to be left for the unknown in the wilderness.
In this day, the command to come out of Egypt and be separate unto God must be finally transformed into a sense of urgency: the sovereign God of Israel, Yahweh, is demanding a response... We must go...
So in this day, the wilderness experience is not an option for the People of Israel. If in fact, there is any reality of the Passover experience in the life of an Israelite, the wilderness is the next step in the journey.
What is it that we must go to?
Three purposes are mentioned, though the details are not given until the wilderness journey is under way.
First: the People of Israel will be proven and tested in the wilderness. The "issues" of the people will be revealed, e.g. idolatry, and then dealt with by repentance or discipline or judgment...
Second: the People of Israel are to hold a feast in the wilderness.
Third: the People of Israel are to serve Yahweh in the wilderness.
These three purposes of Yahweh are inherent in His plan for the People of Israel and,
You and I must go into the wilderness for these three purposes of Yahweh.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Your People, Your Inheritance
You may have seen "the sky" of Abraham... During a sojourn at Yeshivah Or Ephraim perhaps you will see "the Heavens" of Abraham. You have read of the wells Isaac dug. At Yeshivah Or Ephraim you will drink (and mikveh) at "the Springs" of Isaac. You have read of Yaacov, the supplanter, the trickster, the striver... At Yeshivah Or Ephraim you will know Israel. You have read of Yaacov's wives: the unloved and the loved... At Yeshivah Or Ephraim you will meet the Bride of Israel. You have built fancy houses... At Yeshivah Or Ephraim you will, once again, sojourn in tribal dwellings, each crafted to acquaint you with Israel's sons---Gad to his tents, Judah to his cottage... May your sojourn connect you to Israel and his sons and the Land. These are your people, this is your inheritance---get to know them at Yeshivah Or Ephraim!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Yeshiva Or Ephraim
Announcing...! The establishment and opening of Yeshivah Or Ephraim... for all Israel, and especially for those of Ephraim. Go to Weebly.com (website) for more details about various "Upward Bound" pre-aliyah preparatory programs and experiences to set you on a path "home".
April's Fool Day
It is erev Shabbat: I am broke, except for $8.64. I am alone, there is no one to light the Shabbat candles, and there is no challah for the Sabbath Table...and the mocking irony of the day is not abated by my tears--- What to do...?? (See Chapter 1 of "What to do" earlier in Journal) 1 Cor. 2:14 The natural man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him... What to do...?? Send a "Shabbat Shalom" to the One you love! Send a "Come Quickly" to the Sabbath Queen, your Bride! And eat your Bread---feasting for it is His Table in the Wilderness... And drink your cup---rejoicing for such is the Kingdom of Israel, your inheritance... For His "Chesed", that is steadfast love (and the Hebrew includes goodness, kindness, benevolence, charity...) endures forever: these are the gifts of the Spirit of God the natural man deems foolishness. The world's gifts of the same name are quite different! So the world or natural man sees God's gift of the Sabbath as foolishness, especially if it is a day of brokeness, no bread, no candles, no money... Are you hearing the same "You are a fool...?" His (and my, and your?) answer to April's Fool Day: Shabbat Shalom, Ahuvi! Come Quickly, HaMalka HaShabbat! Come Quickly, Calah sheli!
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