Many teachers and ministers believe the "Two House Teaching" is simply a distraction from more important matters which deserve their/our attention. Even teachers who semi-accept the reality of Israel and Jew-dah as separate entities... rarely teach on the subject or integrate it into their interpretations of Scripture prophecy. Others simply relegate the topic to something less than core theology or too divisive to speak about (or rather, potentially too detrimental to ministry income).
What these teachers fail to realize is that our entire exegetical paradigm is thrown into confusion and error without understanding WHO Israel is and WHO Jew-dah is. Viewing the Two House reality as simply a distraction is silly, bizarre, and even dangerous (explained in a moment). Why would both Houses be so frequently referenced in historical passages and prophetic passages if Father יהוה did not want the reality read, discussed, and understood by those who call themselves by His Name and long for His appearing and His gathering of ALL Israel? What spirit is really driving the censorship?
Of course, there are other important matters to focus our attention, such as taking care of the widow and orphan and defending the unborn, etc. Even so, censoring or diminishing the importance of other key realities is a bit remiss and dangerously so in this case. For example, "Jacob's Trouble" is another reality in Scripture prophecy... which will in effect be the most detrimental to the ENTIRE House of Jacob, both 10-Israel and Jew-dah. Yet, if Prodigal 10-Israel is unaware of WHO he is... and if he simply thinks he is going to be "raptured" out before the Trouble comes, then he is in a very disastrous and delusional state of mind.
If the shepherds truly care for the well-being of the sheep, they will inform the sheep on all aspects of the Truth.
The primary emphasis of the Goodnews message of Messiah Yeshau (Jesus) is based upon the restoration of Ephraim/10-Israel, who has become "the fullness of the nations". The message is incomplete when framed as "anyone from the nations can be saved" without at least alluding to who was scattered and sown into ALL nations and who is being saved out of those nations. Yeshua even said He was sending his Jewish disciples to "the lost sheep of the House of Israel." The Two House Teaching completes one's understanding of the message. It does NOT distract from the message.
Explanation forthcoming.
What is so GOOD about the Goodnews of Yeshua's sacrifice and resurrection? It means 10-Israel, the adulterous and divorced bride of יהוה (the one without any hope because of Deuternomy 24:4), can now come home and be re-married to her Husband in a new marriage covenant because of the death of Yeshua (this is dealing with corporate redemption, not that of an individual exclusively). Yet, the news is also good for those nations where 10-Israel has been scattered to and mixed with... for indiviiduals from those nations can be joined to the bride, the united Assembly of Israel, when the new marriage occurs in the future (Jeremiah 31:31). This is one of the great myserties of the Goodnews. And this is a primary, if not THE primary reason why the Two House teaching is important to both Jews, Christians, and anyone interested in following the Elohim of Abraham, Isaak, and Jacob.
The subject of Goyim, Nations, Peoples, "Gentile Christians", and the "Melo Ha'Goyim" (Genesis 48:19) is a difficult one for many teachers to approach and teach, but Biblical difficulty and difficult historical associations should not be cause for censorship. Difficult matters are what make studying the Scriptures and history a fun and rewarding endeavor. We often learn more and remember more longer when there is struggle involved. Thus shepherds should not use difficulty as a pretext for censorship or general lack of attention to the WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and WHO Israel and Jew-dah are.
Shalom in Messiah!
Related Content
- Two-House Theology (Reality) defined and defended
- Two-House Teaching defuses Anti-Semitism
- 10 Reasons the Jews are from Judah
- Things “One-Housers” hope You never find out!
- Quick History of the "Two Sticks" of Abraham (10-Israel AND Judah)
- What Tribes made up the Northern Kingdom of Israel?
- History and Time-line of 10-Israel and Judah
- 10-Israel and Judah in Scripture
- Where are the tribes in the Last Days, in End Time scenarios?
- Where were the 10-Tribes in the 1st Century AD?
- Two-House Reality in the New Testament?
- The Birthright Promise of Multitudes in Scripture
For me, there is nothing more satisfying than really searching for and then finding the Truth of a matter through thorough and objective study of both the Scriptures and history. Because of the struggle it takes, when I find it, I feel like I am part of it - it is exhilarating! I want to shout it from the rooftops! And the amazing thing is that, like the two house reality of Scripture, it was there right in front of you all along :)
It is so great to wake up this Sabbath morning and read this. May others "wake up" to this reality too!
Shabbat Shalom!
christine
Shalom Patrick,
Thank you for the comment. I have another article dedicated to the Name, but it is primarily dedicated to יהוה.
What is the Proper Name of the Most High (YHVH)?
The name Yeshua or Yehoshua is important as well, because it has the Yud/Hey in the prefix... and I agree with your point in regards to knowing the names of our loved ones... but there isn't anything really intrisically special about the name Yehoshua or Yahshuah or however one likes to say or spell it. Thousands of Hebrew men had the name Yehoshua (such as the man who took Moshe's mantle of authority, Joshua/Yehoshua). The same can be said about thousands of men who were given the name Jesus (especially in Latin America). So big hang-ups in regard to the name Yeshua is a bit of a distraction from the esteem we need to give to THE Name. The Name that only One can rightly have and call His own is YHVH (Yehovah/Yahweh)... and it certainly has great significance and great uniqueness or great Set-Apartness, otherwise considered "not common". Yehoshua was once very common before the arrival of the Messiah. Afterwards, it was still common, but not as much so because of the associated stigma among non-believing Jews. I hope that makes sense.