Ownership

Ephraim Frank

Shalom Fellow Israelite

The expression "Jack of all trades, master of none" is a familiar one. This saying, with all due respect, fits YHVH,'s 'professions', although He is undoubtedly not only a "Jack of all trades" but also a Master of them all. Many people today are dabbling in real estate to earn a little extra money on the side. Well, wouldn't you know it, YHVH is into that business also! He is first seen creating the property that He will own, and then taking possession of it. Psalm 24:1 states: "The earth is YHVH's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." In Psalm 89:11, we read: "The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them". In 1Corinthians 10:26 it is written: "The earth is YHVH's and all its fullness."

In these scriptures it is evident that YHVH has never lost the title deed of ownership of the earth to any devil. However, we do see Him dividing it up and giving it to men. "Then Elohim said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth'" (Gen.1:26).

According to these scriptures, "Adam" (both male and female), had an equal role in overseeing, ruling, or subduing all living things. Subduing does not mean exploiting, but actually just the opposite - imparting life and light to the living creatures. However, nothing was said about property rights until after the nations (goyim) where divided. We read in Genesis 10:32: "These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood." Genesis 10:25 says: "To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided." And, "When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel" (Deuteronomy 32:8). Now why would the Creator do that? Israel was not even around at the time of Peleg (or was it?). Peleg was the son of Eber, whose name is carried by the Israelites - Hebrews - and is one of the forefathers of Abram (a firstborn).

Right from the start Elohim began to put in order the true intent of His plan, which is seen later in the covenant that He made with Abraham the father of Israel. "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land [eretz] which you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth [eretz]; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk on the land [eretz] through its length and its width, for I give it to you" (Gen.13:14-17). Ownership was granted to those who were chosen by YHVH (and who complied with His Word), as well as by being present and willing to redeem the land.

Abram was living somewhere between Ai and Bethel when YHVH spoke those words to him. I would like to take the liberty to expand the meaning of this blessing based on its context. "Arise walk in the earth through its length and its breath and I will give it to you." The Hebrew word "eretz" can be translated earth, land, field, or ground. It is legitimate for a translator to use any of these English words at their discretion according to the context. My understanding of the context, in light of the massive blessing of multiplicity, is that the seed would be as the dust of the earth ("eretz"), and dust, as we know, usually covers everything. I believe that the Holy One did not limit this blessing to Abraham only and to a specific land (Canaan), but also to his seed and to the entire earth. YHVH's intent was to sow the seed into all the earth ("eretz"), thus continuing the blessing that He made with Adam and with Noah, "to fill the earth and rule over [or subdue] it."

Later on in the life of Abraham we hear YHVH saying that his seed would be like the stars of heaven (ref. Gen.15:5). Again, He is talking in terms of numbers, but here also of position, as the stars were put there to rule the night, along with the moon, and to be for signs and for seasons (stars can be seen in the night skies from any one point on the face of the earth).

Abraham was also told that he would be a nation ("goy"), in the form of his own multiplied seed, and that this goy would be a goy made up of kings and priests. "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." (Exodus 19:6). "YHVH will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath" (Deut. 8:13). The irrevocable destiny of the life of the forefathers was to have dominion and to subdue and rule this planet earth.

The Patriarchs are very much alive today in their progeny, whether their children know it or not. For did not YHVH say that He is the "Elohim of Abraham, Isaac an Jacob, the Elohim of the living" (Matt. 22:32)? This is why we need to have our eyes open to present truth, or reality.

YHVH is a covenant-keeping Elohim, and in this generation we are the witnesses to that faithfulness, loving-kindness and mercy. This fact finds expression not just by what we say, but more so by whom we are. Worshiping in spirit and in truth is being who God has created us to be, and recognizing ourselves to be a manifestation of an incredible living truth - "the work of YHVH." "But when he [Jacob] sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will worship by hallowing My name, hallowing the Holy One of Jacob, and fearing the Elohim of Israel". We are His living stones, hewn from the rock, which is made up of "Abraham [our] father and [of] Sarah who gave birth to [us] in pain" (Isa. 51:2). "For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The counsel of YHVH stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is YHVH, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance" (Ps. 33:9,11-12 8). "Because YHVH loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, YHVH has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of [spiritual] bondage" (Deut.7:8). Why did He do that? That we might be filled with His Spirit, and be that channel of His life and light to the creation. What good is a star if it has no light?

We, in this generation of the seed of Abraham, are incredibly blessed to not only have Yeshua as our Messiah, but to be a witness to the restoration of the nation that will be His light to all the nations and to the earth. Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our very eyes, as the Spirit of Elohim is restoring the second stick or nation of "Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim" spoken of in Ezekiel thirty-seven.

"Look among the nations and watch -- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you" (Hab.1:5). Not many believed that the first stick (Judah) could be gathered by YHVH and restored as a national entity on this earth. But now that it has, the nations far and wide are taken aback. Judah/Israel is like a thorn in their side. But while they are still deliberating on how to solve this one dilemma, there is still another nation to be gathered; and this one is even more difficult to come to terms with, as it has been hidden. In Ezekiel thirty-seven YHVH says that these dry bones of the lost tribes are in their graves of non-recognition. That means that they will only be seen when YHVH raises them up through resurrection power. "Awake O Israel put off your slumber, and the truth will make you free."

Nation of Ephraim, are you wakening up to your national identity? Are you, as the first fruit/firstborn of the new creation, willing to be your brother's keeper? We can only be that to another nation if we ourselves are the resurrected/re-gathered brother/nation. YHVH wants to make one nation out of the two, but first He wants two nations, two trees, in His hand before the eyes of all nations.

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers [two nations] to dwell [shevet Achim] together in unity.in this YHVH commands the blessing life eternal" (Ps. 133:1,3b)

Shabbat Shalom

Ephraim

Fear Not

Ephraim Frank

Shalom Fellow Israelite,

"Pharaoh and his army drew near...the sons of Israel looked up...they were filled with fear and cried out to YHVH" (Ex,14:10).

Do you sometimes feel that the kingdom of "sin and death", which ruled over you as a slave, is breathing down your neck again? You may feel that the ruler of this world and his armies are drawing ever nearer to you. At times like these we may wonder: "Why did YHVH bother to take us out of Egypt in the first place? Were there no graves in Egypt?" (Ex. 14:11).

Are your personal situations and circumstances so trying that you wish YHVH would just remove you from this life? "Oh God, just take me back to Egypt, spare me of this wilderness trial, or please just whisk me off to the promised land!" Times like these enable us to better identify with our forefathers. They too faced real-life situations, which were loaded with real needs and fears. YHVH's Word records these examples for us, to learn from. They are a living blueprint and may serve as roadmaps for us as we learn to walk in faith. Even in life's darkest valleys the still small voice of the Spirit is always with us. However, we too must be still, read the Word and pray - if we are to hear the word of YHVH: "DO NOT FEAR! Stand by and see the salvation of YHVH which He will accomplish" (Ex. 14:13); and, "YHVH will fight for you while you keep silent" (v.14).

Oh yes, there are times for loud praises, crying out in prayer or for doing many exploits but there is also a time for the Holy One of Israel to speak these words from the mouth of the prophet: "In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength" (Is.30:15). We simply have no choice; we cannot turn back, but can we hear the voice of YHVH saying to us: "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward" (Ex.14:15)!

The words, "fear not", or "have no fear" occur over one hundred and seventy times in the scriptures. The only "fear" we are instructed to develop is the fear, or awe, of YHVH. With this perfect fear comes wisdom: "The fear of YHVH is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Pro. 9:10). To know Him is to know perfect love: "there is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).

Ten of the twelve spies came back with an evil report, and all of Israel was infected. This resultant fear made it necessary for all of Israel to wander around in the desert for forty years. We must not let the spirit of fear deny us of our inheritance, nor to keep us out of YHVH's will. Interestingly, the two leaders with the good report were Caleb of the Tribe of Judah and Joshua the Ephramite. Let us, who are inheritors of the covenant promises, be like Joshua and Caleb. Caleb, who served the Holy One for forty-five years, at the youthful age of eighty-five said the following: "I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me, as my strength was then so my strength is now for war and for going out and coming in. Now then give me this hill country about which YHVH spoke..." (Josh. 14:11-12)!

Let us also remember the words that were spoken to Joshua the Ephraimite: "Be strong and courageous! Do not fear, tremble or be dismayed, for YHVH your Elohim is with you wherever you go" (Josh. 1:9). Come let us be those watchmen on the hills of Ephraim who call out "Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to YHVH our Elohim" (Jer 31:6)!

Today we are obviously faced with new challenges, as the Spirit of Elohim is calling many from among the nations and restoring their identity as the 'lost tribes' of Israel. Yes, the second stick/tree, or house, of Joseph in the hand of Ephraim is now being gathered into a great assembly, or nation, within the nations. This is a sovereign move of YHVH to fulfill His promises to all Israel. But hand in hand with this restoration are also great shakings, in our lives personally and in the world in general. Therefore we need to know that "YHVH has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7).

We need to understand that the restoration of the lost tribes' (generic name of "Ephraimites") identity, and their ultimate return to the land is totally in the hand of the Spirit of YHVH. We need the fear of YHVH like never before, so that we may have the wisdom from above. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17). We also need discernment as to what YHVH is doing at this point in time. There are modern day self-proclaimed Moses or Joshua's who want to bring the Two Houses of Israel back together under some religious or political organization. I believe that we are only at the beginning of the restoration, and not at its conclusion. The Spirit is turning the hearts of the children to their fathers, (the fathers in scripture being Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). The Ephraimites had been orphaned and rejected, but now the Spirit is restoring to them their identity and acceptance. If this is what YHVH is doing, then we should be in a position to confirm this to those whom the Spirit has already revealed it. We should be writing, speaking and shouting from the roof tops the good news of this wonderful work that the Holy One is carrying out.

"These are the days of Elijah", has become a very popular song. A couple of months back two Elijah's met in Jerusalem and argued as to which one of them was the real one. The name "Elijah" means, "my Elohim is Yah". Perhaps this is why so many are beginning to use the name "Yah" instead of "God". However, who is the "my" of this title (which must be the other part of the equation, as "Yah" is also identifying Himself through the one who is claiming Him as his Elohim)? The sum of the equation is presented in Yah's own statement to Moses: "I am the Elohim of your fathers; I am the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob. Elohim is not the Elohim of the dead, but of the living" (Ex.3:6; Matt. 22:30), even in this generation.

Shabbat Shalom Ephraim