(This article reflects the viewpoints of another and does not necessarily reflect the understanding of Qumran Bet Community or AmYHWH. Perhaps truth would be better served if you also added your contribution to this piece.)
Meeting
strangers on the path.
kennygee@bigpond.com
Deuteronomy
31 : 11-12 when all Israel comes
to appear before the ETERNAL in the place that He will choose, you
shall read this Teaching aloud in the presence of all Israel. Gather the
people – men, women, children and the strangers in your communities – that
they may hear and so learn to revere the ETERNAL and to observe faithfully
every word of this Teaching.
The ETERNAL knew, and prepared for, strangers being called to this path.
Most of us understand that the ‘strangers’ being called now are of the ‘Lost Tribes of Israel’ now being recalled to their heritage and for the prophesied re-union of Judah and Ephraim.
The
nation, now called Israel, is populated mainly from the tribe of Judah (the
Jews). The population of scriptural Israel was taken away by the Assyrians to
the North and subsequently in waves of migration and conquest moved on to the
British Isles and the United States.
The
Celtic dialects contain many words and phrases which reveal their origin in
the Hebrew language.
The
Tanakh has much to say about the strangers who wish to join themselves to
Israel. They are welcome but only on Tanakh terms.
Exodus
12 : 48 – 49 If a stranger who dwells with you would offer the passover to
the ETERNAL, all his males must be circumcised; then he shall be admitted to
offer it; he shall then be as a citizen of the country. But no uncircumcised
person may eat of it. There shall be one law for the citizen and for the
stranger who dwells among you.
The
stranger must be obedient to the Teaching (Tanakh) and is then regarded by the
ETERNAL as a citizen. There is no compromise. This path is one of obedience
– of a call from the CREATOR of The Universe to join in a work that may
bring you into the presence of the Messiah in the Third Temple and cause you
to be taken to the Land.
When
the Teachings were given to Israel by the ETERNAL on Mount Sinai, they were
given to be acted upon immediately.
Exodus
24 : 3 Moses went and repeated to the people all the commands of the ETERNAL
and all the rules; and all the people answered with one voice, saying, “All
the things that the ETERNAL has commanded we will do!”
This
was the response the ETERNAL was looking for – acceptance and obedience. The
reason He wanted that response was so that these people could be blessed
beyond their imagining – as is still the case today.
The
relentless ‘numbers game’ of the pagan beliefs that surround us have
created an expectation of easy entry. Say a couple of words and you are one of
them.
The
Tanakh teaches the truth; and that truth begins for you the moment you
understand it.
For
men:-
If
you are not circumcised – get it done!
If
you do not have a beard – stop shaving now!
If
you have long hair – have it cut!
For
everyone:-
If
you are not keeping the Sabbath – start at sunset next Friday!
If
you are not tithing – start with the next income you receive!
If
you are eating unclean foods – clear out your refrigerator now!
If
you have been following some pagan beliefs – get it out of your life!
The
Sabbath can be a stumbling block. You are not to trade or carry burdens on
that day. So no shopping, do not put fuel in your car on that day, do not ask
tradesmen to come around (except in dire emergencies), do not go to
restaurants. Do not handle money or its plastic equivalent. If the Avon lady
rings your door bell ask her to come back Sunday.
Read
the Tanakh about the Sabbath – failure to keep it means you will be cut off
from the people – it means death!
There
is no limitations on the words of the ETERNAL they apply as much now as when
they were first written down. Do not try to change them or make the words mean
something else. In Judaism they have, in effect, said “When ETERNAL said
that …. This is what He really meant.” So they have the Talmud and Mishna
and two thousand rules to live by!
Ezekiel
20 : 23 – 25 However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter
them among the nations and disperse them through the lands, because they did
not obey My rules but rejected My laws, profaned My Sabbaths, and looked with
longing to the fetishes of their fathers. Moreover
I gave them laws that were not good and rules by which they could not live.
If you are a stranger on the path you have before you a wonderful opportunity to be blessed beyond your imagining by the CREATOR of the Universe. The blessings come as part of the Covenant that the ETERNAL made to Abraham and his descendants. Your obedience, discipline and love will allow the ETERNAL to act in your life.
BUT
DO IT NOW!
DO NOT PUT OFF FOR ONE MOMENT THE STEPS OF OBEDIENCE YOU OWE THE
ETERNAL.