Who are the Jews and what is Their Purpose?

by Charles J. Voss

Note: Scriptures are blue. Note: Mistranslated words or English words not found in the Hebrew are colored brown..

There is a tendency today to discount any one who even reads the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament or Tanakh) much else believes in what they state. Yet, the Scriptures contain the Mysteries of the Ages -- Mysteries that have been overlooked; yet, they are the key to today’s world.   ANOTHER SHOCKER THAT IS NOT UNDERSTOOD OR RECORDED BY HISTORIANS and it is nearly totally unknown by Judaism and only partially understood by a few Sabbath keeping Chr-stians is that the Northern Kingdom of Israel WAS NOT JEWISH! The entire Kingdom of Israel was never Jewish even if it sometimes contained some Jewish people. The first place in the Bible that the word Jews occurs is in 2 Kings 16:6. Here, the nation Israel was at war, in an alliance with Syria, against the Jews! The truth about the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel is one of the Mysteries of the Ages that we have covered in our booklet “The Children of Israel--Their Promises and the Prophecies of Their Future.” It is indeed true that the nation Israel[1] was the SOVEREIGN’s chosen people. However, understand that they were not chosen as “teacher’s pet” or for special favors. They were chosen for a special purpose. They were to prepare the ultimate establishment of the Kingdom of the SOVEREIGN! It is an intriguing story! The “Mystery of Israel” has great significance in the SOVEREIGN’s PURPOSE for all peoples! One cannot understand the real purpose and incredible potential of man without this vital knowledge. Abram, as he was originally named, was not seeking the SOVEREIGN. Nevertheless, the SOVEREIGN chose to call and test Abram. This ancient patriarch is later called the friend[2] of ETERNAL Who was calling him for a very special purpose because He had seen in this man the potentialities of obedience to the SOVEREIGN and of leadership. ETERNAL was calling him to be prepared for a special service and ultimately high position in the Kingdom of the SOVEREIGN—the coming Wonderful World of Tomorrow. To this man, Abram, the CREATOR commanded... Genesis 12:1-2.[3] “...Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you.” As the SOVEREIGN had started the whole world with one man—Adam, He now started his own peculiar nation in the world from one man—Abraham. Likewise, the SOVEREIGN’s own flesh-born nation, from which is to be reborn the kingdom of the SOVEREIGN, was started with one man who obeyed the SOVEREIGN without question, and accepted His sovereignly rule. Did Abram stop to argue and reason? Did Abram quibble, resist, argue, or rebel? He certainly did not! The Scripture states simply, “So Abram departed.” In addition, he did not give his opinion about it. Abram simply departed. Just plain, unquestioned obedience! Thus, the SOVEREIGN had chosen Abram to become the patriarch of His nation Israel. He established the man (Abram), whose name he later changed to Abraham, as the father of His nation, Israel! To Abraham and his descendants, were all the promises of the SOVEREIGN made. Therefore, we have no choice. We must become like Abraham, and love our CREATOR with all of our heart and mind, if we are to be a part of the Righteous Remnant[4] and inherit the promise of eternal life in the SOVEREIGN’s Kingdom. Of His peculiar flesh-born nation, Israel, ETERNAL said... Isaiah 43:21 (KJV). “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise.” That prophecy shall be fulfilled! Many will ask the question, “So what difference does it make?” not knowing ETERNAL's PURPOSE AND PLAN for humankind. There is a Purpose in Life A large, exciting, and pulsating part of all Scripture is devoted to prophecy, of which approximately 90% relates to our day, these latter days of time now in the Twenty-first Century. It is a warning to us—to our English-speaking peoples and all nations of the earth. The warning is of immediate life and death importance. The prophecies come alive once their doors are opened by this discovered master key! This vital part of Scripture had been closed! No story of fiction ever was so strange, so fascinating, so absorbing, so packed with interest and suspense, as this gripping true saga of the identity of the Biblical Children of Israel and the prophecies about them. Through it all, our Almighty CREATOR gives momentous warning! Those who read and heed may be spared unprecedented cataclysmic tragedy soon to strike. If our peoples and their governments will awaken, heed, and turn to their loving CREATOR, then our nations may be spared. “Oh ETERNAL[5], HELP US TO UNDERSTAND AND OPEN OUR EYES TO SEE!” Our loving CREATOR states about the Children of Israel... 2 Chronicles 7:14. “...If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” The next statement may sound incredible, but it is true. Editors, newscasters, and foreign correspondents do not understand the real meaning of the world news they report, analyze, and discuss. Heads of government are utterly unaware of the true significance of the very world-shaking events with which they deal. They have no conception of where these events are leading. Incredible? Perhaps, but true! Not knowing how or where the modern nations are specifically mentioned in prophecies, the world is utterly blinded to the plain and simple meaning of prophecy. Due to this lost key, Scriptures have become discredited and rejected in this world’s educational system. The baseless and unprovable theory of evolution has been substituted as the foundational concept to the supposed rational approach to knowledge. Our peoples have forgotten and departed far from their Maker who designed, created, and maintains the unlimited Cosmos. They have shut their eyes and closed their ears to His dynamic revelation to humankind which, to ears that can hear, thunders out the life-and-death warning to those in responsible positions of power! Is it too late? Have our leaders become so steeped in deceptive false education, so brain-dead (from power and high living) that they cannot be aroused from slumber? ETERNAL CREATOR please help us now to understand! Time is fast closing in on us! DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU ARE ALIVE? Few people have even the vaguest idea that humankind was put on the earth for a PURPOSE, let alone what that purpose might be. The CREATOR, the SOVEREIGN is producing a family in and through humankind! The SOVEREIGN’s ultimate transcendent PURPOSE is breathtaking beyond words. The establishment of the ancient nation Israel is an integral part of the supreme master plan. [6] Seven generations after the Flood, ETERNAL found a man who would obey Him. His name was Abram. He lived in Haran, in Mesopotamia. This man was to become a physical example of how the SOVEREIGN, the Father, operates. It was from Him that the nation Israel descended. Through Israel the SOVEREIGN raised up his prophets and in due time the SOVEREIGN’s first born son, [7] David son of Jesse (Yishai). Who are the Jews and what is Their Purpose? One thing to keep in mind as we go through this article is that the identity of the Jews is widely known; the tribal name of Judah has not been lost even through 70 years of captivity. We will see that is true and why. Then, we will see how these promises to Abraham also affect the Jews, to whom they greatly do. An English word, in many cases, may have several meanings depending on its use in a sentence. Thus, in a changing living language, English translators back in the 1700's may not have had access to the full range of meaning that may apply today. An example of this is the Hebrew word “shebet” (shay'-bet) used in Scripture 190 times. “Shebet” is translated by the King James boys into “tribe” 141 times, “rod” 34 times, “sceptre” 9 times, “staff” 2 times, “correction” 1 time, “darts” 1 time, “pen” 1 time, and “screptres” 1 time. [8] The greatest majority of times this word is translated as “tribe.” One of the essential verses in understanding the prophecies is overlooked by most people. To understand nearly any subject we must have full comprehension of its beginning. The first chapter of the Hebrew Scriptures is Genesis, which means the beginning, and in Genesis 49, the Patriarch Jacob (Israel) is giving prophecies of the latter days to his sons—known as the Children of Israel. Genesis 49:10. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh[9] comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” To understand this verse and how it applies to Hebrew Scriptural prophecy, there are two words stated that are of prime importance to understand; they are a) Lawgiver, and b) Scepter. The Lawgiver A LAWGIVER is the one who gives a code of law to a people--as ETERNAL gave His Law to His people Israel. However, the meaning of the word lawgiver is simply “a scribe.” Isaiah 33:22. “For ETERNAL is our Judge, ETERNAL is our Lawgiver, ETERNAL is our King; He will save us.” The English word “lawgiver” comes from the Hebrew word[10] “chaqaq” (khaw-kak') and means “to hack (i.e. engrave) to be a scribe simply.” Remember that as the Lawgiver ETERNAL simply engraved His Laws on two tablets of lapis lazuli (a blue colored stone) Moses as a simple scribe would imprint ETERNAL's Laws on tablets of stone then later scrolls. LAWGIVER - One who gives a code of law to a people (Isaiah 33:22). The KJV used lawgiver seven times. Modern translations replace lawgiver with scepter four times (Genesis 49:10; Numbers 21:18; Psalm 60:7; 108:8). At Deuteronomy 33:21 modern translations replace lawgiver with commander (NRSV), leader (NIV), ruler (NASB, REB), or an equivalent. The remaining two cases (Isaiah 33:22) identify the SOVEREIGN as the Lawgiver. Contrary to popular opinion, Scripture never expressly identifies Moses as “lawgiver.”[11] Even though the Hebrew word “chaqaq” is translated as “lawgiver” and refers to ETERNAL as having originated and engraved the law in the beginning, it also refers to men, as scribes—who only engrave His Law, not invent it. To sum this up Scripturally a “lawgiver” is simply a scribe. Therefore, “The Lawgiver” is ETERNAL, Who established and transcribed His laws in the beginning, whereas “a lawgiver” is simply a scribe who transcribes ETERNAL's Laws. The ETERNAL SOVEREIGN was acting as The Master Scribe when He wrote the Commandments on the two slabs of blue lapis lazuli stone, the Master Scribe, but still a scribe. Keep in mind that the priests (Levites) were the first scribes (lawgivers), but Judah prevailed to become the scribes sometime after Ezra the High Priest compiled the Scriptures and later died. The Scepter To discern the setting for this understanding, we must notice something in Scripture. Ezekiel 20:13. “Yet the people of Israel rebelled against Me [ETERNAL] in the desert. They did not follow My decrees but rejected My laws...” ...20:23. “Also with uplifted hand I [ETERNAL] swore to them [House of Israel] in the desert that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries.” Not only did the SOVEREIGN disperse Israel (Jeremiah 3:8,14; Isaiah 50:1), but He divorced them (Hosea 1:3-6; 8-9). Israel was not alone in breaking the Laws and Heart of their CREATOR because Judah did also. Jeremiah 3:8. “I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.” Nevertheless, ETERNAL had a job for Judah that mandated they must maintain their tribal identity. Their job was to maintain the Hebrew Scriptures, including the knowledge of the Sabbath and knowledge of the Single SOVEREIGN, which is what they have done. The Jews have lost everything else including the Name of the SOVEREIGN, how to obey the Torah, and have substituted obedience to Talmud and rabbis in place of obeying Torah. Hosea 1:7. “But I will have mercy on the tribe of Judah. I will personally free her from her enemies without any help from her armies or her weapons.” ETERNAL moved Cyrus to voluntary free the Jews from their captivity in Babylon.[12] The Jews retained their tribal name through 70 years of captivity and in fact still maintain it today. In modern battles in 1948 until 1988, the Jewish army has been given the credit for saving the Jews. However, it does not take a military strategist to realize that in 1948 a ragtag group of settlers could not hold off the well equipped armies of four Arab nations—without the direct intervention of the ETERNAL SOVEREIGN of Hosts. Likewise, in 1967 when the Jews gained control of Jerusalem and the Sinai Peninsula in a six day war against all odds, the ETERNAL SOVEREIGN of Hosts is obviously again the source of the victory. After their 40 years of protection ended in 1988,[13] the record of the Jewish Armies has been very dismal on the battlefield. However, the final fulfillment of verse seven will be at the end of the Time of Jacob's Trouble. To summarize this point, the Jews were the tribe chosen to keep their tribal name of Judah, to maintain the Torah, the knowledge of which day is the Sabbath, and the concept of a monotheistic SOVEREIGN. These four things they have done. NOW WE COME TO THE VITAL DISTINCTION, A BIT OF SCRIPTURAL TRUTH KNOWN ONLY BY VERY FEW. Note it carefully. Genesis 49:10. “The [Tribal Name #H7626] Scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a [scribe #H2710] lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him [Shiloh] shall be the obedience of the people.” This verse must be approached in two different ways. 1. The Hebrew word “chaqaq” (#H2710 in Strong's) is translated as “lawgiver.” Originally, “chaqaq” referred to ETERNAL as having brought His Law into existence in the beginning and engraved the law in stone on Mount Sinai. In addition, it also refers to men as scribes—who only simply engrave ETERNAL's Law, not invent it. To sum this up Scripturally, a “lawgiver” is simply a scribe. Therefore, “the Lawgiver” is ETERNAL, Who composed and transcribed His laws in stone to give to Moses, whereas “a lawgiver” is simply a scribe who transcribes ETERNAL's Laws after they have been given. 2. The other approach to this verse is based on the meaning of the word “Scepter.” First, the Mashiach (the Messiah) is not the “Scepter,” yet he is labeled this by many. However, most students of Scripture will rightfully tell you that “Shiloh to whom the obedience of the people will be” is the Mashiach. King David, as is widely known, will fulfill the promise of the Mashiach. [14] The Hebrew word “shebet” (#H7626 in Strong's) is translated as “a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or a clan.” We saw in the previous chapter that the most probable use of the word is a “clan or tribe.” The AHD[15] states the meaning of ‘Scepter’ “is 1) A staff held by a sovereign as an emblem of authority; 2) Ruling power or authority, sovereignty.” Webster's Dictionary states: “‘Scepter’--a rod or staff, highly ornamented, held by rulers on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of sovereignty.” To summarize Genesis 49:10 and cut to the chase, the verse does not say that the Jews are to be rulers of the people of Israel. In fact, Easton's Bible Dictionary states: “(Heb. ‘shebet’ = Gr. skeptron), properly a staff or rod. As a symbol of authority, the use of the sceptre originated in the idea that the ruler was as a shepherd of his people (Genesis 49:10; Num. 24:17; Psalm 45:6; Isaiah 14:5). There is no example on record of a sceptre having ever been actually handled by a Jewish king.” Moreover, the verse plainly states that the Jews are to maintain their tribal identity and be the scribes for the Hebrew Scriptures down through history. Consequently, they would “maintain the knowledge of the Sabbath[16] and of the monotheistic SOVEREIGN that created the Sabbath, although they would lose the knowledge of His Name and Calendar. In addition, the Prophecy does not say they would worship the SOVEREIGN, as they have their own religious traditions that sent them to Babylon. They did not return to the SOVEREIGN and they still have their religion of rabbinic Judaism that looks to the Talmud and the words of the rabbis as the final authority. Yet, even so, Jews will not lose their tribal name of Judah and will be the scribes that maintain the Hebrew Scriptures and thus the identification of the monotheistic SOVEREIGN and His Sign of the Sabbath. In this vein the promise-prophesy of Genesis 49:8-10 shows that Judah would keep their tribal identity as Judah and be the Scriptural scribes for all the sons of Jacob until Shiloh (the Mashiach) comes[17] Judah has thus prevailed over his brothers as the only tribe maintaining their tribal name. Thus, the fact remains that “The scepter—tribal name—shall not depart from Judah.” BUT—and here is the astonishing vital fact so few ever seem to have noticed: 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 (TLB). “...his Birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the Birthright; yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler,[18] although the Birthright was Joseph’s.” Judah prevailed and the world knows who they are. Ten Tribes are unknown to the world, which leaves the Jews as the only known tribe of Israel. They claim to be the chosen people, but they are only a part of the chosen people. Yet, they have a function to perform and that is to maintain the Scriptures, the knowledge of the One Majestic ETERNAL SOVEREIGN, and keep the Sabbath. Since Heylel[19] hates ETERNAL, she has deceived the whole world to hate the only people that claim to be His people! Thus, it is their job to bring the identity of the Sabbath down through the ages. In addition, they maintained the knowledge of the single Monotheistic SOVEREIGN and the only Scriptures about Him and Him alone. Here is the deal given to all the Children of Israel: Exodus 19:5-6 (GNB). “Now, if you will obey Me and keep MY Covenant, you will be My own people. The whole earth is Mine, but you will be My chosen people, a people dedicated to Me alone, and you will serve Me as priests.” Their job was to be a light to the Gentiles and lead them to the SOVEREIGN. Israel totally failed and Judah is not a light to the nations on living a righteous life even if they did maintain the Scriptures and Sabbath as the Scepter tribe. [The Understanding of Isaiah 53 - index] [The Hope of Israel - main index page ] Footnotes [1]. The original Nation of Israel had thirteen tribes. [2]. See 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8 [3]. Unless noted all Scripture will be from the New King James Version and all emphasis is the author's [4]. See our booklet “The Abrahamic Hebrew Faith.” [5]. We will use the name ETERNAL instead of the pagan word “Lord” and CREATOR, The Mighty One, or SOVEREIGN for the common used term “G-d.” [6]. To fully understand this statement, refer to our article, “Death, Awakening, and Salvation.” [7]. For complete details, see Psalm 89:20-28 especially verses 27 and Psalm 2:7. [8]. BDB or Browns-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions, electronic version as part of “Quick Verse.” [9]. Shiloh is the coming Mashiach; see our booklet “New Proof of the Messiah” and verses 11 and 12 are also referring to Shiloh. A place in Ephraimite territory was named Shiloh. [10]. Strong's H#2710 “chaqaq.” [11]. Holman‘s Dictionary, electronic version. [12]. 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (TLB). In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, ETERNAL fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy by stirring the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation into writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: ETERNAL, the SOVEREIGN of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build Him a Temple at Jerusalem in the land of Judah. All of you who are ETERNAL's people may return to Israel for this task. May ETERNAL your SOVEREIGN be with you!” [13]. That point will be explained in detail later in this booklet. [14]. Shiloh is the coming Mashiach; see our booklet “New Proof of the Messiah.” [15]. (ADH) American Heritage Dictionary, Electronic Version. [16]. The Sabbath is a sign between the SOVEREIGN and His people (Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12, 20). [17]. The tribe of Levi will reassume their scribal duties at the Advent of the Mashiach. [18]. See our booklet “New Proof of the Messiah.” [19]. See our booklet, “The Children of Eden and SHE” containing “In the Beginning” Parts 1 and 2.

 

 

 

 

 

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