The Story of a Family 1 God

The Story of a Family 1

God calls Abram… • This is the story of a family that became a Nation; when YHWH, the one and only God almighty, manifested his power to a man that lived in Ur, Mesopotamia. His name was Abram, and he was already growing old. • It is said that this man questioned the belief that the people had in believing in their gods made with human hands, idols. With this man, God wanted to form a nation that would reveal Him to the world. • However, for this to happen, he needed to start at zero… God told Abram to leave his land his relatives; He told him to go to the land that He would show him. (Gen. 12) • God promised that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky, as the sand in the sea. But Abram had no sons. And even though his wife was old as well, God promised that they would have a son, and that through him would come these descendants. 2

“By myself I have sworn, ” says The Lord, “that I well bless you in great ways, and you will have descendants as numerous as the STARS in the sky, and as the SAND in the seashore. Because you have obeyed me, ALL NATIONS OF THE WORLD will be blessed by your descendants. (Genesis 22: 16 -18) 3

A new name…… 4

• You will no longer be called Abram, but Abraham, because you will be the father of many nations, and from your descendants kings will rise. This covenant that I make with you will last forever: I am your God, and I shall also be their God. (Genesis 17: 4 -9) • After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac , his son, as well as Jacob, his Grandson. (Genesis 25: 11) • Your name is Jacob, But from now on you will be called Israel. I am the Lord Almighty. Be prosperous and fill the earth. From you a nation will rise and from you kings will rise. And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, 5 to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. (Genesis 35: 10 -12)

Jacob (Israel) had 12 male sons: Ruben Issachar Dan Simon Levi Judah Zebulon Gad Asher Naphtali Joseph Benjamin 6

Rejected by his brothers… • Joseph, the favorite son of his father Israel, is envied by his brothers; which is why they sold him as a slave and is taken to Egypt. • His brothers tell his father that some wild animals killed him. • In Egypt, Joseph becomes very important, because he helped pharaoh interpret the dreams that he had and gave him solutions for them. Pharaoh made him governor of Egypt. • Joseph got married in Egypt and had two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim. 7

Joseph (He will add) Manasseh (He will make me forget) Joseph had two sons: Zafnat Panea (The Lord lives and speaks or giver of life) Ephraim (Prosperous) 8

Joseph forgives his Brothers… • Time went by, and in the land of Israel there was a famine so the brothers went to Egypt for food. • Joseph recognized them, but they didn’t. • Joseph realized that his brothers had repented, so he took off his Egyptian attire so that they would recognize him. • He forgives them and invites them to live there. His brothers were astonished!!! 9

“It is I! Your brother! Bring our father and his family and come live with me in Egypt!” Ruben Simon Levi Judah Issachar Zebulon Gad Asher Dan Naphtali Benjamin 10

Israel adopts Joseph´s sons • The brothers seek out to find their father Jacob (Israel), who when they reunited him with his beloved son, was so happy that he adopted Joseph´s sons, to make them “sons of Israel”, and to bless them. • But he crossed his arms so that his right was on the younger son and the left was on the older. 11

Israel adopts Joseph’s sons Not like that, father, Manasseh is the firstborn I know my son, but the youngest, Ephraim, will be greater and his descendants will form many Nations Manasseh Ephraim 12 (Genesis 48: 18 -19)

• As the years go by, a Pharaoh comes who did not know about Joseph, and when he saw these descendants of Israel who had multiplied, he makes them slaves. • Hard years go by in which they call out to the Lord, remembering the promise made to their Forefathers, Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 13

Lord!!! God of our forefathers!! Save us!!! Free us!!! 14

The Lord hears the cry of his people • God allows this to cultivate a nation, and when there are many, he chooses on person to free them and to lead them to the “promised land. ” • This Is Moses, to whom God manifests himself to and tells him that he is the God of his fathers, YHWH, The “one” who is eternal. 15

Through Moses, God performed many powerful miracles to convince the pharaoh to let them go God sent plague after plague, but Pharaoh refused; until the final plague… the death of the firstborn 16

• But he tells his people how to avoid this death. They must sacrifice a small lamb without defect, and with his blood mark the doorposts of each house, so that when the Angel of the Lord comes to execute his plan, he will see the signal…. . 17

“The blood will be a symbol on the houses you are in. When I see it, I will pass over it and the plague will not come upon you to destroy you. ” “And this day will be memorable for you and you will celebrate it as a feast to the Lord for all generations to come as a perpetual commandment. ” PESAJ (Exodus 12) 18

Pharaoh lets them go, but he regrets it and pursues them. The Lord splits the Red Sea so that the Israelites may pass… … And then He let it fall on the Egyptians 19

When the people saw that the Lord had defeated the Egyptians with his mighty power, The Israelites decided to obey and trust in HIM and in Moses (Exodus 14: 31) 20

Full of joy, the Israelites begin their journey towards “The Promised Land” 21

But before that, a very special stop… • After 50 days (Pentecost) they arrive to the feet of Mount Sinai where they make a covenant with God. • God had freed them, but now they must choose. • The covenant stated that the Israelites would become the nation of God, His special treasure. And they must leave all idolatry from Egypt and obey and recognize YHWH as the only God. 22

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6: 4) • I am the God of Israel. I brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. • Thou shall not have any gods before me. • Do not make idols or images of anything that is in the heavens, nor in the depths of the ocean. Do not bow before them or make rituals in their honor. • Do not take the name of THE LORD your God in vain, for THE LORD will not take for innocents those who use His name in vain. • Remember the Sabbath by keeping it Holy… On that day no one should do any type of work. For in six days I made the sky, the sea and everything that is in them. But on the seventh day I rested, that is why I sanctified it and blessed it • Obey your father and your mother, so that you may live many years in the land that I will give to you. • Do not kill • Do not commit adultery • Do not steal • Do not lie • Do not covet The Israelites answered in unison, “we will do 23 all that the Lord has commanded us” (Exodus 24: 3)

The Lord dwells within them • He gives them all the instructions that they must follow in order to have an identity, a culture; but most of all to have a complete relationship with Him and to be filled with blessings. Food, Social and Humanitarian laws. And they received special celebration dates. • They are told to build an arc and a tabernacle where His presence will be among them. But since God is holy and no one who has not sinned can enter his presence without dying, there is only one way for them to reach Him; something that is “innocent” must pay for their sins. He gave them a system of sacrifices and offerings. • He establishes priesthood, but no one chose to be priest, God had to choose someone from the tribe of Levi. The Levites´ descendants would be the priests. • There was a high priest; and only he could enter the holy of holies, where the arc of the covenant was located as well as God´s presence. He would do this once per year, on a specific date, where the blood of a sacrifice would be shed for the sins of Israel. So that he would not die, the high priest had to first make a sacrifice for his own sins. • They had special clothing, with a lot of symbolism like for example a chest plate with 12 precious stones that represented each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Over his shoulders he also had the names of these tribes. And on his head he had a golden plate which stated the holy name of YHWH. But he was bare footed. 24

Tabernacle of Reunion Holy of Holies Holy place Atrium 25

Symbols of God’s relationship with this family • The covenant made with God, the commandments and the laws written in the TORAH (first five books) • The priesthood and the continual sacrifice • The new moons or beginnings of the month • The given feasts by God as a perpetual law, a group in the springtime and a group near the fall time to proclaim the coming of the messiah who would fulfill these feasts • Remember the 7 th by keeping it holy, The Sabbath, This is the only day that the Lord sanctified and blessed • They also had a physical symbol: the Circumcision 26

Spring Feasts Pesaj (Easter) Blood of the lamb: liberates from death. Hag Hamatza (Unleavened Bread) Yeast is symbolism of sin: The exiting of “Egypt” and its idols. Rikkurim(First Fruits) The first fruits of spring are presented before God. Remembrance of crossing the Red Sea. Shavuot(Pentecost) 50 days after First Fruits 2 loaves of bread are to be presented; the fruit of the Earth… Commemorates the giving of the Torah, The covenant made at Sinai; The law written on stone tablets. 27

Autumn Feasts Yom Teruah(Trumpets) The sound of the Shofar unites all of Israel, inviting them to think upon their acts. Repenting. Alerts us to stay awake. Yom Kippur (Day of Forgiveness) Confession and payment for transgression by means of shedding blood on the arc… a new opportunity … before the judgment of the Lord Sukkot(Tabernacles) Remembering that between Egypt and the Promised Land, the people lived in tents, temporary housing, and the presence of the Lord was with them. Life on Earth is temporary, our body is temporary housing for the final Harvest. 28

The Promised Land Egypt But before entering and at the time of his departure, Moses gives to them all of the instructions that God gave to him. He told them of all the blessings that they would receive if they complied with the covenant; but he also warned them of the tragedies that would occur if they did not keep the The Promised covenant. Land And if they insisted on not keeping them, The Lord would take them from the land; they would “be taken captive by other nations were they would assimilate themselves and lose their identity. But in His mercy, he tells them that in the event that this happens, And wherever they may be, If they repented with all of their hearts, He would take them and bring them from all of the nations back to their land 29 again

12 tribes are established: When they possessed the land, 12 tribes are established, according to the sons of Israel, but since the Levites (the descendants of Levi) were priests, they did not get land. The Promised All the other tribes had to sustain them. And since Israel had adopted Land the sons of Joseph, the land is divided between the tribes of: Egypt 30

12 tribes are established: RUBEN SIMON ISSACHAR ZEBULON JUDAH The Promised Land ASHER DAN GAD NAPHTALI Egypt 31 MANASSEH EPHRAIM BENJAMIN

The Kingdom of Israel consolidates: • Under the reign of David, the nation consolidates. David belongs to the tribe of Judah. • The capital is Jerusalem city which God chose to place his Name there. 32

God promises David that from his descendants, from his lineage, would come he who would be king forever. An eternal kingdom that would reign over the twelve tribes and over the entire world. KINGDOM OF ISRAEL Capital: Jerusalem King: David (of the tribe of Judah) “And his house and his kingdom will be affirmed FOREVER. . . And His throne will remain ETERNALLY” (2 Sa 7: 16) 33

Isaiah 9: 6 -7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. 34

Under the reign of Solomon (son of David) the kingdom reaches its peak point of splendor. • Solomon constructs the temple of God in Jerusalem, where the arc of the covenant was placed. This is the only place of sacrifices and worship, and where they must celebrate three annual feasts: Pesaj, Pentecost, and Tabernacles • God made a covenant with Solomon. He tells him that if he remains faithful to the commandments, his dynasty would remain forever, but if he didn’t he would destroy the kingdom. 35

Despite all of his wisdom, Solomon disobeys God and marries foreign women who take their gods and their altars to the land of Israel. Even King Solomon himself, obeying his wives, sacrificed offerings to these gods King: Salomon (of the tribe of Judah) “BUT BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN IN YOU… 36

…. . Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen. ” (1 Kings 11: 11 -13) 37

The Kingdom Divides. . . Israel (10 tribes) and Judah (2 Tribes) Kingdom Of Israel Kingdom Of Judah North: Israel -House of Ephraim(10 tribes) Capital: Samaria King of the tribe of Ephraim South: Judah -House of Judah(2 tribes) Capital: Jerusalem King of the tribe of Judah 38

Ephraim • The northern king, Jeroboam of the tribe of Ephraim, seeing that the people went to Jerusalem to worship God, and fearing that they would stay there and would want to reunite with Judah, he decrees that no one can go there • He establishes two places of worship in his territory, changes the dates on the feast, and appoints to priesthood anyone who wants to. • For many years, God sends many prophets to warn the house of Israel or “Ephraim”, to repent and return to the covenant, or otherwise they would receive the punishments that were decreed. 39

”Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways. ” (Hosea 4: 17 -18) 40

Exiled… as they were warned… • • They are mixed in with the, “gentiles, they lost their identity, and are dispersed among the nations. • Ephraim is Lost… Because of idolatry, the ten northern tribes are taken captive by Assyria. They are called the lost tribes of the house of Israel. • Judah is in Exile… Years later, the two southern tribes are taken captive by Babylon. • But in that exile, they repent and do not lose their identity • They are then in the domain of Medo-Persia, and allows them to leave, but without autonomy. • They are called, “Jews”. 41

Only the “Jews” return… “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor “Yet the Israelites will be like the sand numbered; and it shall come to pass, on the seashore, which cannot be that in the place where it was said measured or counted. In the place unto them, Ye are not my people, not where it was said to them, ‘You are there it shall be said unto them, Ye my people, ’ they will be called are the sons of the living God. Then ‘children of the living God. ’ The people shall the children of JUDAH and the of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one children of ISRAEL be gathered leader and will come up out of the together, and appoint themselves land, for great one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel. ” (Hosea 1: 10 -11) 42

As time goes by… • The Jews became stricter with the law, to the point where they added more commandments in order to place fences of protection, or , so that they would not break God´s commandments. • But they put more emphasis on these commandments made by man, (what they referred to as tradition or oral law) instead of the written law or Torah. • The temple was the center of Judaism even though the arc of the covenant was no longer with them. Because of the conquests, so that the arc did not fall into the wrong hands, it was hidden very well, to the point where its trace was lost. • But the priestly offices continued on with the sacrifices forgiveness of the transgressions to the covenant. The voluntary offerings and the celebrations of the feasts. • They would meet in the synagogues every day of rest (Sabbath) to study the Torah, where masters or Rabbis would teach the interpretation to the people; one “way”, or a form of abiding by the law and the prophets. 43

Hope kept growing • Hope that Gods anointed one would come, from the lineage of David, from the tribe of Judah, who would free them from oppression of their conquerors and would reestablish the kingdom of unity, the 12 tribes, and It would be a kingdom of peace and prosperity, where the nations would seek them 44

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. ‘children of the living God. ’ The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great (Jeremiah 23: 5 -8) 45

46

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Yeshua, because he will save his people from their sins. ” (Matthew 1: 21) 47

• Since the Jews were under the domain of the roman empire; a man appears from the lineage of David, from the tribe of Judah, who one Sabbath day, in the synagogue, he stands before them, takes the roll and reads: 48

This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. !!! (… but he only read the first part, because the second part would be fulfilled in his second coming…) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, ……. 49

I am the good Shepherd • He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. ” (Matt. 15: 24) • For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matt. 18: 11) • My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (Jn. 10: 27) 50

If you listen to the voice of “The Good Shepherd”, you are a lost lamb who is being called to return to the flock. 51

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye 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 Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. (John 11: 49 -53) 52

Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. (John 11: 54) 53

He paid the price for your rescue, so that you can return… The Messiah is the sacrificial lamb (Pesaj) who committed no sin (unleavened bread) who came to lay down his life as payment for the sins of His people. To wash them and to return them to the presence of the Father. Even the disciples, when they saw he was dying, were disappointed that they were wrong to think of him as the messiah. But when he resurrected on the third day (Bikkurim) and presented himself as first fruit to the Father, they believed in him again. And when Yeshua (Jesus) rose to heaven, the disciples were wondering: 54

Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1: 6) • They did not think this would take time… and that they would play an important role in this restoration. 55

“I will make you fishers of men” 56

… And He sent his disciples to “catch you” 57

…And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. (Acts 17: 6) 58

Let’s Relate: • The Lords said to Ananias: Get up and go to the street that they call Right, and look for a man called Saul of Taros in the hose of Judas Lord, may have told me of that name, and of all the evil things he has done in Jerusalem to your Holy Nation • The Lord told him, “Go, for I have chosen him as an instrument to take my Name to the presence of Gentiles and Kings, and to the sons of Israel" 59

… I will multiply you in great ways, and from you will rise great Nations and kings. • But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Lexicon : : Strong's G 5037 - τέ te • But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, both the children of Israel: 60

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. ” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized. (Acts 9: 17 -18) 61

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery!!” 62

“…. as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel…” (Ephesians 3: 3 -6) 63

And now I stand am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? (Acts 26: 6 -8) 64

• The leaders of Judah were insisted on that they believe. But since they refused, What the Lord had decreed happened again 65

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (Luke 21: 24) • In the year 66 A. D. , the great rebellion surged from the Jews towards the Romans. In the year 70 A. D. , the walls were destroyed, as well as the temple. And the treasures were taken to Rome. The second temple was turned into rubble, and the Jews were dispersed 66

But the Lord has said: Take now a stick and write on it: to Judah. Take then another stick and write on it: To Joseph, the stick of Ephraim… Join them one with the other so that they are only one in your hand. And when they ask you saying: “will you not tell us what this means? ” tell them: (Ezekiel 37: 15 -18) 67

I take the sons of Israel (Judah + Ephraim) from within the nations were they were taken. And I will pick them up from everywhere. And I will return them to their land And I will make them one nation, and One king will rule over them. And they will no longer be two nations nor be divided into two kingdoms. “I am the God of Israel” 68

JUDAH: identified: In spite of everything, the Jews did not lose their identity; we know where they are and that a remnant has returned home. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. (Isaiah 66: 8) 69

• In 1947, the British government, decided to retreat from the land now called Palestine, and placed the decision of the territory in the hands of the UN that was inhabited by Arabs and Jews • The UN approved a plan that would divide the territory into two states, giving to the Jews and the Arabs an extension of similar territory • In 1948 the Nation of Israel was born as a new nation, but is attacked by Arab nations that were against its existence. Israel comes out victorious • In 1967 in the war of 6 days, the recover Jerusalem 70

What about Ephraim? . . Were are you house of Israel? ? Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; (Hosea 7: 8) “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: 71 “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them… “ (Jeremiah 23: 1 -2)

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…. . 72

To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? (Acts 26: 7 -8) Our bones have dried and our hope has died… we are totally doomed!!! 73

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee Israel? (Hosea 11: 8) 74

“But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. (Jeremiah 23: 3) 75

For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. ’ And they began to be merry. (Luke 15: 24) 76

• “Remember that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ” (Ephesians 2: 12) • And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3: 29) • Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. (Ephesians 2: 19) 77

Are you part of this Family? ? ? Come home, Prodigal son! 78