Ephraimite/Two House Theory Cont'd...

This week we continue with our study of the Ephraimite/Two House theory and the flaws in that line of thinking. Let’s start with Jeremiah 31.31 which refers to the Brit Chadasha or “new” Covenant. This covenant is not new in the sense that most Christians have been taught. The word new is “chadash” in Hebrew and it means renewed, rebuilt, restored and is referring to the Covenant of Moab that God gave in Deut. 29.1 -30.10. What is renewed about this covenant is that the Torah will be written on our hearts which is another way of saying “born again” or “live.” Christian theology says the new covenant is a different covenant but that is impossible because the Torah is written on our hearts, not done away with. It is this change in us that allows us to obey the Torah. The problem is us, not the Torah. But notice that this covenant is given to Israel in Deut. and Judah and Israel in Jeremiah which is the same thing. Ephraimites/Two House, modern Judaism, Messianic Judaism teach that this covenant was only given to Israel.

But, the truth is that Israel was chosen to make this covenant with the Lord representing all the family of the Lord who would ever live. They were the “priests” who were to draw the people (including Gentiles) near. This was not exclusively given to just the Jewish people. That is an important concept to remember and figures into why Yeshua sent His followers in the 1st century unto “all the nations.” We all have come to know the Lord through the work of these people empowered by the Holy Spirit long after they have died. Israel was the ambassadors, recipients, priests of this covenant on behalf of the world. Jer. 31.34 says that when this covenant comes, you won’t need to teach his neighbor anymore. Now, we all know who the Lord says is our neighbor (Lk 10). When Israel came out of Egypt there was a “mixed multitude” and this is sometimes taught in a negative way. But, in Hebrew “mixed multitude” is “erev rav” and it means a large group of people “knitted, woven” together. Sound familiar? Non-Jews were always woven into the fabric of God’s plans and the new covenant was given to Israel as representing them, not exclusively for Israel alone.

They were to go out and tell the world the “good news” (basar) that the world has been reconciled and the promise to the Fathers (Messiah) has come. Well, I said all that to come to this. Non-Jews do not understand this, and for that matter neither do many Jewish people, but that is another story. Gentiles have tried to steal Israel’s identity for 1000’s of years because they don’t understand the whole role of Israel to begin with. Replacement Theology has been around along time. The Kings of Scotland had a stone that they said Jacob used as a pillow in Gen. 28. It is called the “stone of destiny” because the rulers believed they had a right to set up kings by the will of God. Well, the English Kings thought the same thing so they can’t have competitors out there so King Edward took the stone from the Scots. This stone has been recently returned to Scotland. The main issue here is the propaganda surrounding this stone and the need of the people to have their kings anointed on this stone to give them legitimacy.

This is what the Ephraimites/ Two House/ British Israelite/ Christian America movements have done, only without “the stone.” They have to “borrow” something in order to give themselves legitimacy so it’s the “we are the lost tribes” or “we are Ephraimites” or whatever to make them-selves feel important. To gain the acceptance of the leaders and those involved you have accept their teachings on this. They make you feel “special” or part of some “elite” group. There is no difference between all these different groups who try to convince people they are “the seed of Abraham.” The Scriptures are clear about how God feels about this physical “seed of Abraham” issue. He says that He can turn rocks into seeds of Abraham (Mt. 3.9). Being a physical descendent was not the point. The point the Lord makes is that it takes faith to be a seed of Abraham, not blood (Rom 4.13-16). Next week we will finish up with this question and hopefully tie up some loose ends.





This week we will conclude with this issue about The Ephraimite/Two House theory. It is the latest adaptation of the old Scottish-British Israelite theories, and it even goes back to the Book of Romans where Paul warns against arrogance by the nations (Rom 11). But, a rose by any other name is still a rose. Speaking of names, the Two House people prefer to be called Hebrew instead of Jew because they say Judah never existed until much later. Their publications will have names like “Hebrew Roots” and have subtle ways of getting you to see them in the right way, according to their theology. To these people Abraham was a “Hebrew” so they don’t like the term Jewish.” I’d like to ask them when did these “Hebrews” become Hebrews and just exactly how did they know? But I suspect they “knew” when someone told them they were and how they know is a little fuzzy. But I do know it didn’t come from the Lord. In Judges 12.1-6 the Ephraimites were driven so low that they had to falsify their identity. Now, people calling themselves Ephraimites are doing the same thing. Again, there is nothing new under the sun. Another problem with this is Jacob made up a small percentage of the world’s population and always has, until now. If you believe the Ephraimite/Two House movement they now make up 10% of the world’s population, and some say up to 33%. There is another question.

How did these “Ephraimites” come to speak so many languages and develop a different culture and lose the “Hebrew” roots all across the board. Go to any big city in America and you will see a variety of cultural expressions there. Where is the “Ephraimite” culture? It’s not there because it doesn’t exist except in the minds, books, CD’s, tapes and conventions of these people. There is no evidence in Josephus, a 1st century historian, to back any “lost tribes” theory and he ought to know. The New Testament mentions Anna from the tribe of Asher and James was written to the twelve tribes dispersed (not lost). Peter writes to them as well. Other Jewish historical writings do not support this theory either. These writers knew where they were and how to contact them. Ancient nations have all made war on the Jews (the name of one of Josephus’ books by the way). They have been tracked through history, from the Exodus from Egypt to the Hezbollah. Satan has made sure the “locals” have found out who they were and persecuted them.

Need I mention the Canaanites, Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks, Romans, Moslems, Spanish, English, Russians and the Germans to name a few? This whole “identity” nonsense is for one reason and one reason only, to increase the flock so they can be sheared! It’s the same thing that can be found at the heart of any false movement… power and money. There is nothing new to what they are teaching and saying if you look back in history. So, in conclusion I hope this has answered the initial question from several weeks ago about why people call themselves this. The same evil thread holds it all together, can be found going back to the time of the Judges and all the way up to the present time. There is so much more that can be said about this but we will move on to other things and other questions next week.