Along the journey of discovering the Hebrew Roots of my faith, I’ve picked up on a few interesting theologies, one of which is the Two House Theory.  Essentially, this school of thought teaches that Christians are one of the lost Tribes of Israel and that God is uniting them with the house of Judah (i.e. the Jews) into one House under the New Covenant. 

If this is true, then do Christians need to follow the Torah? Is the reason for a resurgence of interests of Judaism a by-product of our lost ancestry?

Historical Precedence

Historically, we know that after King Solomon died, all of Israel was divided into two: The Northern Kingdom of Israel & the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The division was caused by North’s lack of allegiance to Solomon’s successor. In 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom, forcing the 10 tribes that inhabited the land to scatter and eventually become “lost”. 

What does this have to do with Ephraim?

We have to back up all the way to Genesis to get this answer.  In chapter 48, we see that Joseph brought his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, before their grand-father Jacob (also called Israel).  Jacob took Ephraim and spoke a blessing over him that “his seed shall become a multitude of nations”. 

Those who follow the Two House theory suggest that the Assyrian conquering is a direct fulfillment of this blessing forcing Ephraim to scatter and become several nations. And to further support their position they refer to a passage in Romans 11, wherein the Apostle Paul describes Gentiles as being grafted into the root of Jesse in order to receive the blessings of God.

Israel as a Nation

I don't believe God was speaking as a forerunners to Christians in any of these passages. Let's look at a couple of scriptures:

1. It was prophesied that the Jewish people, Israel as a nation, (not the Gentiles) would be scattered:
   
   Deuteronomy 4: 25-31
   When you father children and children’s children, and have grown old in the land, if you act corruptly by making a carved image in the form of anything, and by doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, so as to provoke him to anger, I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. You will not live long in it, but will be utterly destroyed. And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you.
   
   See also Micah 5:7-9
   
2. Conversely, it was also prophesied that the nation of Israel would be gathered:
   
   Isaiah 11:11-13In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.  The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim.
   
   See also Jeremiah 16:14-15; Jeremiah 23:3-8
   
3. Paul refers to the 'Remnant' (same term used by Isaiah for the nation of Israel) & Gentiles as 2 separate concepts in Romans 11.
   
4. James 1 refers to the 12 Tribes in the Dispersion (not the 10 tribes plus Gentiles & the lost).
   
5. Ezekiel is chocked full of references to Israel as one nation with no 'lost' tribes. In chapter 47 and following, Ezekiel describes how the land was divided among the 12 Tribes (not 2 tribes & some lost ones), indicating he thought of it as one Jewish Nation.  Jump back 2 chapters to find a summary of this concept:
   
   Ezekiel 45:8
   It is to be his property in Israel. And my princes shall no more oppress my people, but they shall let the house of Israel have the land according to their tribes.

Spiritual Kingdom

I think Christians feel slighted if they are not Messianic Jews because of the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament, because we have come to associate them with the covenant of Salvation. When in reality, some of God's promises were to a physical Israel and to a land that he promised them. Has nothing to do with salvation or Christ's sacrifice. In fact, Yeshua flat out states that His kingdom (not the Kingdom of Ancient Israel) is a spiritual one:

John 18:36

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 

I don't think we need to concern ourselves with trying to be Jewish as Christians. If you are a Jew coming from Judaism as Paul did (see Galatians 1:13) or you are Gentile, the promises made about the Ephraim and the division of the land has no bearing on your Salvation. Don't worry about it. You are not less in the eyes of the Father because you don't live in Israel or have Jewish blood.

Maybe I misunderstood the Two House Theory?

• Bent Book Ends - a necessary addition to any book shelf
• Dramatic Finger Paintings - artist Paolo Troilo amazes us with incredible paintings using just his fingers
• Classy Fire Place - ever need just a fireplace and some background noise? 
• Haroshi - another art installment; this artists uses recycled skateboards to create fascinating objects from shoes to skulls
• Blue River in Your Kitchen - this would be a fun DIY project although I don't think my wife would let me get away with it.
• Hyperactive Typography - an online & interactive book taking you through the world of typography
• Reverse Street Art - this graffiti only shows up when it rains.
• First In-flight Entertainment was a live band - did you know this?
• Ballpoint Barber - this took a lot of patience to make; worth it in the end (at least for us)
• Pod Offices - I've always wanted one of these; if I ever work from home again...
• Teachers Who Got the Last Laugh - hilarious
• 10 Unusual iPhone Stands - now that you have your 5C (or 5S), stand it on  something
• SmartWater Booby Trap - excellent idea to catch thieves
• Jacks Typewriter - interesting read on C.S. Lewis
• Beautiful Lego - every coffee table needs one of these

And in honor of my date with my tonight, we are watching a documentary on the Chicago World Fair. So I thought I would include a link with some interesting finds at the fair:  Chicago's World Fair Memorabilia 

Why do we nurture the belief that what we are is all we will ever be?

It's a lie I've bought into so many times in my life and is by its very nature, viral, infectious & contagious. Spun from the dawn of creation to the present, we believe that our past is our identity. In doing so, we throw hope out the window trading the truth for a lie.  I don't have to look to far into my own past to see myself entangled in a net of fabrications.  Fiver years ago, I would have believed:

• Regardless of my efforts, we would always be below the poverty level & living paycheck to paycheck
• I could not put my Master's Degree to use and paid appropriately for it
• Marriage with kids is impossible
• I am only loved because I am useful; I have no intrinsic worth
• I will never be mature enough to lead

While writing that list, I cringed on the inside because I still feel the weight of hopelessness lingering around.  Now, I work at a company (that I originally had no intention of joining) who pay 100% all of our insurance premiums, pays me based on my performance and gives credence to my education (I've been promoted twice), have a solid marriage knowing that I will love and be loved by the woman I married even though we are not the same as when first married (13 years ago & I had hair), and am learning & implementing leadership on a regular basis. I am treated like a professional whose opinions matter. I am not saying this to toot my own horn, but to demonstrate how unfathomable the life I live now was just 5 years ago. 

Don't let my story do all the talking. Instead, let us look to the temptation of Christ in Matthew 4 and evaluate what it means to have hope restored. Here we see Messiah lead into the desert for an incredibly long 40 days almost to the point of starvation, and hopelessness lingering with every word that from the tongue of Satan as he tempted Yeshua:

• Tell these stones to become bread, you know you are starving 
• Go ahead an attempt to throw yourself off this cliff - end the misery and let the angels catch you
• Just bow down and worship me, and I will make you a king - cloth you, feed you, break your thirst

As if Christ was not suffering enough, he was forced to listen to Satan's selfish banter driving home the point that the desert was no place for hope; just pain & misery remain here.  Give up wasting your time on obedience and just give in already! Yet, Yeshua persisted and remained faithful, full of hope to the end (even death on the Cross).

Going through the hard, difficult, & barren times is actually filled to the brim with hope, even when God seems to be in a oasis enjoying Himself leaving you forgotten and alone.He is changing us, sanctifying us that we through obedience gain the same mind that is in Messiah. 

How about you? Have you gone through the hopelessness before? What was it like coming out on the other end and looking back?