posted 02-28-2000 06:13 PM            

Romans 2:24 For the Name of YHWH is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you, as it is written.

This 'is written' in the following scriptures and is a must read because the context reveals the audience Paul was addressing:

Ezekiel 36:16- 32 Moreover the word of YHWH came unto me, saying, "Son of man, when the House of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a niddah (a menstruous woman in her impurity). Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it: And I scattered them among the gentiles, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. And when they entered unto the gentiles, whither they went, they profaned (blasphemed) My set-apart Name, when they said to them, "These are the people of YHWH, and are gone forth out of his land." But I had pity for My set-apart Name, which the House of Israel had profaned among the gentiles, whither they went.
Therefore say unto the House of Israel, 'Thus saith the the righteous Judge YHWH; I do not do this for your sakes, O House of Israel, but for My set-apart Name's sake, which you have profaned among the gentiles, whither you went. And I will sanctify (set-apart, distinguish) My great Name, which was profaned among the gentiles, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the gentiles shall know that I am YHWH, saith the righteous Judge YHWH, when I shall be set-apart in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the gentiles, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land (North America, the Land of the Blessing for Ephrayim and Menasche). Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 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. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them (the restoration of Torah to the House of Israel). And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers (Ephrayim and Menasche); and you shall be my people, and I will be your Elohim. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. (The Blessing was agricultural abundance, esp. of grain and livestock) And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that you shall receive no more reproach of famine among the gentiles. Then shall you remember your own evil ways (anti-Torah, Ba'al worship, serial marriages, abortions, etc.) and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the righteous Judge YHWH, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O House of Israel.

Part of the messianic mission was to raise up the tribes of Israel. The next passage documents this fact that was foremost in the minds of all Israelite peoples during the days of Yeshua.

Yishayahu 49:5-26 And now, saith YHWH that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Ya'akov again to him, "Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of YHWH, and my Elohim shall be my strength." And he said, "Is it a light thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Ya'akov, and to restore the preserved (the remnant) of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the gentiles, that you may be my salvation (Heb. Yeshua) unto the end of the earth. Thus saith YHWH, the Redeemer (Heb. GoeL) of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers, "Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of YHWH that is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, and He shall choose (Heb. bachar elect) you." Thus saith YHWH, "In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation (Yeshua) have I helped you: and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages (inheritances); That you may say to the prisoners, 'Go forth', to them that are in darkness, 'Shew yourselves'. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that has mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the North and from the West; and these from the land of Sinim (Australia, not China). Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for YHWH has comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, "YHWH has forsaken me, and my Judge has forgotten me." Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget you. Behold, I have graven you upon the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me. Your children shall make haste; your destroyers and they that made you waste shall go away from you. Lift up your eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to you. As I live, saith YHWH, you shall surely clothe yourselves with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride does. For your waste and your desolate places, and the land of your destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed you up shall be far away. The children which you shall have after you have lost the other, shall say again in your ears, 'The place is too strait for me: give to me a place wherein I may dwell.' Then shall you say in your heart, 'Who has begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and wandering to and fro (migratory)? And who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?' Thus saith the righteous Judge YHWH, 'Behold, I will lift up My hand to the gentiles, and set up My standard to the people: and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers: they shall bow down to your with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am YHWH: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith YHWH, 'Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contends with you, and I will save your children. And I will feed them that oppress you with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I, YHWH, Am your Saviour and thy Redeemer (Goel, which also means Avenger), the mighty One of Ya'akov.

These scriptures were among those which were giving all of Israel hope that Messiah would bring the Kingdom of YHWH to Israel and restore the Ten Tribes who were yet in exile in Yeshua's day. Observe the logic of the Jews in the next few verses.

Yochannon 7:35-36) (John) Then said the Jews among themselves, "Where will he go, that we shall not find him? Will he go unto the dispersed among the gentiles, and teach the gentiles?

The messianic expectation was not only that the Ten Tribes would be reconciled when the Kingdom of YHWH would come, but also that the gentiles themselves would also have a role in it. Even those at the top of the religious structure knew accurately what to expect and how it must come to pass.

Yochannon 11:49-52 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, "You know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not." And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Yeshua should die for that nation; And not for that nation (the House of Yehudah) only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of Elohim that were scattered abroad.

All the other writers of the Brit Chadashah renewed covenant scriptures, also make mention of this then common knowledge:

Yakov 1:1 (James) Yakov, a bondservant of YHWH and of the righteous Judge Yeshua the Messiah, to the Twelve Tribes which are scattered abroad: greetings.

1st Pehter 1:1-2 Pehter, an apostle of Yeshua the Messiah, to the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, GaLaTia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of YHWH the Father, and set apart by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Yeshua the Messiah: anointing (grace) to you and shalom be multiplied.

2:9-11 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people (Heb. lo ammi), but are now the people of YHWH: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Pehter makes reference to the Book of Hoshea which is the quintessential book detailing the judgment against the Northern Kingdom of the House of Israel.

Hoshea 1:6-9 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And Elohim said unto him, "Call her name Lo-Ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the House of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. But I will have mercy upon the House of Yehudah, and will save them by YHWH their Elohim, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen." Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son. Then said Elohim, "Call his name Lo-Ammi: for you are not my people, and I will not be your Elohim."

2:21-23 And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith YHWH, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil (the Blessing); and they shall hear Jezreel (the tribal inheritance of Ephrayim). And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people (Heb. lo-ammi), "You are my people; and they shall say, "You are my Elohim."

Pehter also brings to mind the words of YHWH to Mosheh at Mount Sinai.

Sh'mot 19:3-6(Exodus) And Moses went up unto Elohim, and YHWH called unto him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus shall you say to the House of Ya'akov, and tell the children of Israel; "You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself. Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant (Torah), then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and set-apart nation." These are the words which you shall speak unto the children of Israel.

But Pehter was addressing them in his day, not from Mt. Sinai. They had been scattered among the gentiles and were longing for their return as many do to this day.

1st Pehter 2:12 (continued) Having your conversation )conduct) honest among the gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify YHWH in the day of visitation (punishment).

Many people have wondered who 'the elect lady and her elect sister' were that Pehter and Yochannon have written about.

1st Pehter 5:13 She that is in Babylon (Leah, the mother over the House of Yehudah), elected together with you (Raqhel, the mother over the House of Israel) salutes you; and so does Marcus, my son.

2nd Yochannon 1:1-5 (John) The elder unto the elect lady (Raqhel) and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwells in us, and shall be with us for ever. Anointing (grace) be with you, mercy, and shalom, from Elohim the Father, and from the righteous Judge Yeshua Messiah, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly that I found of your children(House of Israel in exile who believed in Yehsua) walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech you, lady (Raqhel), not as though I wrote a new commandment unto you, but that which we had from the beginning: that we love one another.

1:13 The children of thy elect sister (Leah, the House of Yehudah who believed in Yeshua while in exile) greet thee. Awmein.

These two sisters are none other than Leah and Rachel, the wives of Ya'akov. Leah means ' a wild cow' or 'heiffer'; and Raqhel means 'ewe'. Consider the following verses with this new insght.

Mattityahu 10:6 (Matthew) But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Mattityahu 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the House of Israel.

Why are they these two sisters referred to this way by Pehter and Yochannon? The answer to this is found in the next scripture but first a word about the 'Diaspora'.

The Hebrew word for 'exile' is GaLuT. There are no vowels in Hebrew and this G-L-T sequence is found in many other words. The book of GaLaTians has this Hebrew root embedded within it, also the words CeLTic, GauL, and GaeLic. In short, the House of Israel who was taken into Assyrian captivity, were to become the CeLTic or GaeLic peoples.

GaLaTians 2:7-10 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel 'uncircumcision' (Gr. akrobustia; the House of Israel in exile GaLuT) was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision (the House of Yehudah in eretz Israel and Babylon) was unto Pehter; (For he that wrought effectually in Pehter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the gentiles): And when Yakov, Pehter, and Yochannon, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the anointing that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship; that we should go among the gentiles, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor (Heb. ebionim); the same which I also was forward to do.

The word 'uncircumcision' does not mean 'gentile' in the renewed covenant scriptures. We must take some time to explain this. To negate a word like circumcision in English, we simply add the prefix 'un' to it. In Greek, they did the same thing; herein lies the problem with the translation coming out as 'uncircumcision'. The regular Greek word for 'circumcision' is 'peritome'. All that is needed to negate it in the Greek, is to add the prefix 'a' before it. Simple enough; but in the twenty times the word 'uncircumcised' apppears in the English KJV, only once (Acts 7:51) does it appear in the Greek as aperitome. The other nineteen times it is an altogether different word, akrobustia, which literally means ' the outer extremity of the penis'; the foreskin. Perhaps this word was too strong for them, but in changing its true meaning to 'uncircumcision' understanding has been lost. The Hebrew word for 'foreskins' is 'arelim which is masculine plural. In its feminine form, it is 'arlot, which is where the English word 'harlot' is derived from. The House of Israel that was carried away into captivity were referred to by the Jews in this deragatory manner. They were the CAST-OFFS, or the CAST AWAYS. A literal translation of akrobustia would be 'the foreskins' or ENFORSKINNED ONES. These meanings must be substituted back into the English verses where the word 'uncircumcision' is found in order to see that it is the House of Israel in exile that is being addressed by Paul whenever he uses this particular word; the same ones to whom his gospel was preached as part of the messianic mission. To illustrate this we turn to

Ephesians 1:4-6 According as He has chosen us in Him (Israel) before the foundation of the world, that we should be set-apart and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons by Yeshua the Messiah to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of his anointing (grace), wherein He has made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:9-11 Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in the Messiah, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will:

Ephesians 2:11-19
Wherefore remember, that you being in time past (assimilated) gentiles in the flesh, who are called 'uncircumcision' (akrobustia; ENFORESKINNED ONES; the foreskin which is CAST OFF or thrown away) by that which is called the 'circumcision' in the flesh made by hands (the torah observant House of Yehudah); That at the time you were without the Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and estranged from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Elohim in the world: But now in the Messiah Yeshua you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of the Messiah. For He is our shalom, who hath made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us (the House of Yehudah, and the House of Israel in exile); Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the law of commandments in dogmatism; in order to make in Himself of twain, one new man, so making shalom; And, that He might reconcile both (Houses of Israel to one another and) unto YHWH in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached shalom to you which were afar off (Paul's gospel to the CAST-OFFS), and to them that were nigh (Pehter's gospel to the circumcision). For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints (Heb. Kaddoshim, or Chassidim), and of the household of YHWH;

This is repeated by Paul in the letter to the Colossians.

Colossians 1:20-21 And having made shalom through the blood of his cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you (exiled House of Israel), that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled.

Just how important is the message of the reconciliation of both Houses of Israel to make one nation is the subject of these verses, and is directly realted to what we have already discovered in Ephesians and Colossians.

Yehezqehl 37:15-28 (Ezekiel) The word of YHWH came again unto me, saying, "Moreover, you son of man, take yourself one stick, and write upon it, For Yehudah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Yoseph the stick of Ephrayim, and for all the House of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in your hand. And when the children of your people shall speak unto you, saying, 'Will you not shew us what thou mean by these?' Say unto them, 'Thus saith the righteous Judge YHWH; "Behold, I will take the stick of Yoseph, 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 Yehudah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand." And the sticks whereupon you write shall be in your hand before their eyes. And say unto them, "Thus saith the righteous Judge YHWH; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the gentiles, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 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: 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 dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their Elohim. 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. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Ya'akov 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. Moreover I will make a covenant of shalom 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. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people. And the gentiles shall know that I YHWH do set-apart Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

The circumcision of the heart was always been in the mind of YHWH for Israel, not just the circumcision of the flesh.

Devarim 10:16 (Deuteronomy) Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Devarim 30:6 And YHWH your Elohim will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.

Yeremyahu 4:4 (Jeremiah) Circumcise yourselves to YHWH, and take away the foreskins of your heart, you men of Yehudah and inhabitants of Yerushalayim: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

Therefore, think it not strange that this concept of circumcising the heart is REPEATED in the renewed covenant scriptures. Consider this: Adam was not circumcised, but until he sinned, he was righteous. His 'uncircumcision' was counted righteousness to him, as long as he did not sin. After the Fall of Adam came Yeshua, who is called the Second Adam. In order for mankind (fallen Adam-kind) to be redeemed, Adam had to be 'circumcised'; his 'flesh' needed to be cut off. Yeshua, as the Second Adam, had his natural life (His flesh) cut off when He was crucified. By being CUT OFF in this way, Yeshua became the 'foreskin of Adam' (humanity). Because He was the Second Adam, now the whole of Adam-kind was 'circumcised' by those who believe that Yeshua's 'flesh' was CUT OFF on Calvary. Now read the following verses.

Colossians 2:10-14 And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh BY THE CIRCUMCISION OF THE MESSIAH: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him (as in 'raising up the tribes of Israel') through the faith of the operation of YHWH, who has raised Him from the dead. And you (the exiled House of Israel), being dead in your sins and the 'uncircumcision' (ENFORESKINNED, Cast-away status) of your flesh, has He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of dogmas that was against us (the arraignment charges of our individual transgressions of the Torah), which was contrary to us, and took them out of the way, nailing them to the cross;

3:10-13 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him: Where there is neither Greek (Helenized, refined, culturally 'sophisticated' House of Yehudah) nor Jew (religious, Torah-observant House of Yehudah), circumcised nor 'uncircumcision' (ENFORESKINNED ONES), Barbarian (illiterate, warrior House of Israel), Scythian (nomadic, agrarian House of Israel), bond nor free (the Roman economic-political status of any Israelites): but the Messiah is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of YHWH, set-apart and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as the Messiah forgave you, so also do you.

The elect in YHWH's eyes have always been those of Israel who loved him with all their heart, and those who were not of Israel who would join with them.

Yishayahu 42:1 (Isaiah) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; My elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth justice to the gentiles.

Yishayahu 45:4 For Ya'akov my servant's sake (natural seed), and Israel, My elect (spiritual Israel who are born of the water and born of the spirit), I have even called you by your name: I have named you, though you have not known me (meaning by His true Name YHWH).

Yishayahu 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Ya'akov, and out of Yehudah an inheritor of my mountains: and My elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

Yishayahu 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

The word elect does not refer to any people who oppose Torah; who oppose Shabbat and Feast Days; who oppose Hebrew and favor Greek, or English, or other languages over it. In scripture the elect people, are always the faithful remnant of Israel and gentiles who would join with them. There is no 'church' envisioned or intended in the renewed covenant scriptures; just called out Israelites and those who wanted to be with them. Pehter addresses the crowd in Acts 2, when the Ruach Elohim was poured out and three thousand souls were saved. He makes four different appeals to the same crowd.

Acts 2:14 But Pehter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, "You men of Yehudah, and all you that dwell at Yerushalayim, be this known unto you, and hearken to (believe) My words:

2:22 You men of (the House of) Israel, hear these words; Yeshua of Nazareth, a man approved of YHWH among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which YHWH did by Him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know."

2:29 "Men and brethren (of both Houses and all who were not Israelites), let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day."

2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that YHWH hath made that same Yeshua, whom ye have crucified, both King and Messiah."

This was the antitypical fulfilment of the Feast of Shavuot. The message Pehter gave appealled to ALL ISRAEL.

Now we return to where we started this whole digression:

Romans 2:25-29
For circumcision verily profits, if you keep the Torah: but if you be a breaker of the Torah, your circumcision is made 'uncircumcision' (akrobustia; A foreskin to be CAST OFF, CAST AWAY; the House of Israel in exile). Therefore if the 'uncircumcision' (ENFORESKINNED ONES) keep the righteousness of the Torah, shall not his 'uncircumcision' (ENFORESKINNED STATUS) be counted for circumcision? And shall not 'uncircumcision' (ENFORESKINNED ONE) which is (one) by nature (in his flesh), if he fulfil the Torah, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision do transgress the Torah? For he is not (truly) a Jew (one who praises YHWH), which is (only) one outwardly; neither is that (true) circumcision, which is (only) outward (and only) in the flesh: But he is a Jew (one who praises YHWH), which is (ALSO) one inwardly; and (whose) circumcision is (also) that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohim.

Romans 3:29-31 Is he the Elohim of the Jews only? Is he not also of the gentiles? Yes, of the gentiles also: Seeing it is one Elohim, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the 'uncircumcision' (CAST OFF House of Israel) through faith. Do we then make void the Torah through faith? By no means: yea, we establish the Torah!

4:9-12 Comes this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the 'uncircumcision' (the exiled House of Israel in a CAST OFF condition) also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in 'uncircumcision' (ENFORESKINNED STATUS)? Not in circumcision, but in 'uncircumcision' (while enforeskinned). And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised (with a foreskin): that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet 'uncircumcised' (with foreskin, meaning true gentiles).

Paul claimed that neither status mattered as much as keeping the commandments of YHWH.

1st Corinthians 7:18-20
Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not become 'uncircumcised'.
(meaning become cast off for violation of Torah; some Hellenized Jews
had an operation to make them appear to be uncircumcised; mutilation of the flesh)
Is any called in 'uncircumcision' (as an enforeskinned, CAST-OFF ISRAELITE)?
Let him not be circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision (the foreskin) is nothing,
but the keeping of the commandments of YHWH.
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

posted 03-01-2000 06:47 AM            

Baruch haShem for this information!

I've been considering circumcision/uncircumcision in the light of your post. I see a potential confusion for some, however.

Yacov:

quote:

---

Paul claimed that neither status mattered as much as keeping the commandments of YHWH.

1st Corinthians 7:18-20
Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not become 'uncircumcised'.
(meaning become cast off for violation of Torah; some Hellenized Jews
had an operation to make them appear to be uncircumcised; mutilation of the flesh)
Is any called in 'uncircumcision' (as an enforeskinned, CAST-OFF ISRAELITE)?
Let him not be circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision (the foreskin) is nothing,
but the keeping of the commandments of YHWH.
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

---

It sounds almost as if circumcision is not a commandment of Yah.

Yet Yeshua, in Yochannon 7:22-23, says,
"Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers ) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the Torah of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?"

The only way this seeming contradiction makes sense to me is in light of Matt 22.

37 Yeshua said unto him, Thou shalt love YHWH thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the Torah (law) and the Neviim (prophets).

If the Torah and Neviim hang on these, then they must be a foundation without which a house will fall, being built by man, not YHWH. (becoming 'legalist' - imposing commandments on others in order for oneself to appear righteous.)

Matt. 7
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Regarding the regathering of the house of Israel:

Eze. 20:30 Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Sovereign YHWH; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?
31 For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Sovereign YHWH, I will not be inquired of by you.
32 And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
33 As I live, saith the Sovereign YHWH, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Sovereign YHWH.
37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am YHWH.

What is passing 'under the rod' and 'the bond of the covenant'?

I would guess that the 'rod' is for Israel's correction:

From Mishle (Proverbs):

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

That Ephrayim will be corrected as a son is evident, for:

Ez. 20:42 And ye shall know that I am YHWH, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
44 And ye shall know that I am YHWH, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Sovereighn YHWH.

Jer. 31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art YHWH my Elohim.
19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith YHWH.

Heb. 12:6 For whom YHWH loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, Elohim dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

As for the 'bond of the covenant', I'd say it is 'circumcision of the heart', which is a work that YHWH himself does at the regathering, as it is written:"Deut 30:6 And YHWH thy Elohim will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love YHWH thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live."

Anyway, these are just a few things that came to mind when reading your post.

Shalom b'Shem Yeshua,

Robert

posted 03-01-2000 01:07 PM            

The above information must be put in the original perspective and intent. The perspective of an exiled Israelite longing for the restoration of the House of Israel, and the intent of the apostle Paul who preached the reconciliation of both Houses of Israel in Messiah. At most, it was intended by Paul that returning Israelites need not be circumcised (Acts 15 and 21; Galatians 3-5) but what about their sons? If a man saw the value of Torah, mentally subscribed to Torah as being good, what would prevent him from circumcising his Israelite infant son on the eighth day? Nothing that I can understand. His son then should grow up Torah-observant and instructed even if he as a child was not, and the son would also be welcomed into the court of Israel (the nation), and accept the responsibility and accountability of that status; he would also be blessed with the benefits of that covenant. After three generations of doing this, that family would never even know that they had been estranged and exiled other than what was told them by their ancesters, but it would not be part of their day to day existence. This is not personal I assure you, and I would like to address two points you made:

(you) It sounds almost as if circumcision is not a commandment of Yah.

(me) Clearly this is not the intent of Paul, nor me, and this statement must be put in the context of his other comments on this subject which I intend to discuss in part two.

(you) As for the 'bond of the covenant', I'd say it is 'circumcision of the heart', which is a work that YHWH himself does at the regathering, as it is written:

(me) With this I must disagree because, as I understand it, circumcision of the flesh IS the bond of the covenant of Mosheh. This already has happened anyway, here as a great number of North American (the wilderness of the gentiles), 'christian' seed, of the House of Israel have circumcised their sons at birth thus bringing them into the bond of the covenant whether they intended to do this or not. It is imperative that one NEVER forget that the covenant of Mosheh is FOR THE NATION, and not a covenant of personal salvation. These two covenants should not be considered one against the other on that basis. You cannot be spiritually 'saved' by Torah itself; but through love of Torah, the Ruach will circumcise a heart, which is intended in BOTH covenants.

posted 03-01-2000 02:06 PM            

Thank you for your response.

Who will perform the circumcision?

My circumcision as an infant is not recognized by Jews (Netzarim or Orthodox). In order to be acknowledged by the Jews, they want to draw blood in front of witnesses, etc...

See
http://www.eliyah.com/forum2/Forum1/HTML/001401.html

where James Trimm published Netzarim halacha for conversion.

My 5 year old son is not circumcised, because when he was born I was ignorant of most of the Scriptures, and thought that circumcision was 'no longer for today'. This has troubled me and I've prayed much about it, and I believe that he will voluntarily be circumcised in the future.

B'Shem Yeshua,

Robert

[This message has been edited by Robert (edited 03-01-2000).]

posted 03-01-2000 04:45 PM            

(me) Right now this is of great concern. There are very few qualified Nazarene mohyels or Orthodox who are willing to do this on what they perceive to be 'goyische' children. But Torah to the rescue: Torah says they are to be circumcised but not by whom, excepting the fathers responsibility which may be the intended way from the beginning. We recall Mosheh's dilemma when he was about to return to Egypt in Sh'mot 4:24-27; Mosheh was a Mohyel; EliYahu was Shochet

(you) My circumcision as an infant is not recognized by Jews (Netzarim or Orthodox).

(me) Neither would mine per se; except for one incontrovertible fact: YHWH HAS ACCEPTED IT.

(you) In order to be acknowledged by the Jews (rabbis), they want to draw blood in front of witnesses, etc...

(me) This would not bother me if it must be done because, like Mosheh, I am not ashamed to suffer with the people of Elohim and forsake the pleasures of the world (see Hebrews 11:25)

(you) My 5 year old son is not circumcised, because when he was born I was ignorant of most of the Scriptures, and thought that circumcision was 'no longer for today'. This has troubled me and I've prayed much about it, and I believe that he will voluntarily be circumcised in the future.

(me) The older one gets, the less inclined they are to do this especially after puberty sets in. If you are a returning Israelite, and I believe you as such, then your decision to wait in this matter puts your son in the position of having to be a returning ger,
and not 'a son of the covenant' (of Mosheh), an Israelite. There are consequences
to dwelling in the court of the gentiles, which means those who are not circumcised physically, such as the trampling underfoot that is to occur there for forty-two months (see Rev. 11:2). At that time, among the Israelites who have escaped that holocaust, I believe there will be a renewing of the covenant as in the days of Yehoshua when the b'nei Israel crossed the Yarden and entered into the promised land; when this occurs
I am not sure, but I am certain it will occur because of Ezekiel 44:4-9 which also tells
of a physical circumcision yet to come. Don't be troubled but be aware that even with Mosheh, there came a day of reckoning where this was THE ISSUE with YHWH and
He insisted it must me done. If avinu Avraham by faith was willing to cut-off the flesh, the natural life of his son Yitzchok (Ber.22 the akedah), how much more should we be willing to cut-off the flesh (foreskins) of our sons as evidence of the faith we have? YHWH desires a righteous seed, Malachiyah 2:15. Yacov

posted 03-01-2000 06:03 PM            

1) The real subject of that thread, as I percieve it, is the authority of a Nazarene Beit Din, not the circumcision requirement of the Torah.

2) Those like Don and uriah7 demonstrate uncircumcised hearts in their offensive responses to James. Their bad attitudes are not the spirit of Yeshua.

3) HATAFAT DAM B'RIT is rabbinic halakhah (application) of a Torah mitzvah.

4) Most importantly, but altogether missed:
JEWS ARE THE TRIBE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED NATION.
IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, ALONG WITH LEVI AND THE COHANIM,
TO ADMINISTER TORAH TO THE NATION; HENCE THE NEED FOR A BEIT DIN
so that 'every man is not doing what appears to be right in his own eyes
(Do-tha-n and uriah-avihu's position), which leads to national apostasy.
Those who reject righteous authority are rebels, not Torah keepers.

5) While SANJ is attempting to do this and conform to rabbinic injunction, they are not, as of this time, recognized by the Orthodox as having any authority whatsoever. This does not mean I oppose them, or their intention, which may prove to be expeditious at a time when such acknowedgment is forthcoming. This conversion would prove to be to anyone's advantage at a time when making aliyah becomes possible, say, after the fulfilment of the war of Ez. 38-39. Thank you. Y.S.

posted 03-01-2000 07:40 PM            

A brother of mine shared with me about this country being Ephraim about 17 years ago. He was revealed by the Ruach Hosea 9

9:11 As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
9:12 Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
9:13 Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
9:14 Give them, O : what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
9:15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
9:16 Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.

He said that this is why the abortions and killing of the kids will not stop in this country. It is a judgment from the Father.

Hosea 10:10 It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.
10:11 And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek YHWH , till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
10:13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
10:14 Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
10:15 So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.

11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
11:2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
11:3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
11:4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
11:5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, and the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
11:6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
11:8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
11:9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am El, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
11:10 They shall walk after YHWH: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
11:11 They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith YHWH.
11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with El, and is faithful with the saints.

'GaLuT' - 'GaRuT' is 'exile' in Armenian, 'R' pronounced like the French or some Jews do. According to what I checked the Galatians were three Celtic tribes that spoke one language and moved to Asia Minor around 3rd century BC from Europe. Later on they were subdued by the Romans and served them, were hellenized. They very well could have been Yisraelite tribes that were trying to get back to the promised land, but the fact of the matter is they didn't make it to Yisrael. Not only that, few years later the Hekal was destroyed by the will of the Father. As far as I can see he does not want worldly alter until appointed time.

Colossians 2:10-14 And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh BY THE CIRCUMCISION OF THE MESSIAH: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him (as in 'raising up the tribes of Israel') through the faith of the operation of YHWH, who has raised Him from the dead. And you (the exiled House of Israel), being dead in your sins and the 'uncircumcision' (ENFORESKINNED, Cast-away status) of your flesh, has He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of dogmas that was against us (the arraignment charges of our individual transgressions of the Torah), which was contrary to us, and took them out of the way, nailing them to the cross;

3:10-13 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him: Where there is neither Greek (Helenized, refined, culturally 'sophisticated' House of Yehudah) nor Jew (religious, Torah-observant House of Yehudah), circumcised nor 'uncircumcision' (ENFORESKINNED ONES), Barbarian (illiterate, warrior House of Israel), Scythian (nomadic, agrarian House of Israel), bond nor free (the Roman economic-political status of any Israelites): but the Messiah is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of YHWH, set-apart and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as the Messiah forgave you, so also do you.

1st Corinthians 7:18-20
Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not become 'uncircumcised'. meaning become cast off for violation of Torah; some Hellenized Jews had an operation to make them appear to be uncircumcised; mutilation of the flesh) Is any called in 'uncircumcision' (as an enforeskinned, CAST-OFF ISRAELITE)?
Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision (the foreskin) is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of YHWH.
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

I did see from in Acts that wherever Shaul and Barnabah went, first they entered into the synagogue. Seems like all the apostles were very mind full of the 'Lost of Yisrael' and Yehudim. But it did not stop there, when Simon saw the vision of the unclean animals, he did not see lost sheep or heifers - he saw 'creeping creatures' that he didn't want to eat. He also confessed that they received the Ruach 'just like us'.

Acts 10:44 While Kepha yet spake these words, the Set apart Spirit fell on all them which heard the word.
10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Kepha, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Set apart Spirit.
10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify . Then answered Kepha,
10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Set apart Spirit as well as we?
10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Yahushua Messiah. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

The Cornelius of Caesaria a captain of the Italian regiment was a gentile. Kepha did not circumcise him, he immersed him in water. You may say that he was going to be circumcised later after learning. What about Titus, why was Shaul so adamant about not subjecting him to circumcision 'not even for an hour, so that the Good News remains with you.
I am sure I do not understand a lot, and I hope it is the Ruach that is compelling me. I do have genuine distaste for 'handwriting of dogmas', 'legalities' --- I do not know how you can pick and choose in this world government.
I see both houses and faithfull united in the coming kingdom.

Shalom and blessings to you,
Samuel