{"id":5096,"date":"2014-08-06T07:07:18","date_gmt":"2014-08-06T14:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/?p=5096"},"modified":"2014-08-23T15:00:17","modified_gmt":"2014-08-23T22:00:17","slug":"israel-lost-and-scattered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/2014\/08\/06\/israel-lost-and-scattered\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel Lost and Scattered to Be Regathered"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deuteronomy 4:25\u201332, This passage deals with the exile and return of the Israelites.<\/strong> Because of syncretism with the idolatrous practices of the nations around them, YHVH prophesied that the Israelites would be scattered among the nations of the world. \"22319472\"<\/a> Conversely, YHVH prophesies that \u201cin the end of days\u201d (verse 30)\u2014a metaphor for \u201cthe last days\u201d or \u201cthe end of the age\u201d\u2014he would hear their pleas for help, have mercy on his people, and remember his covenant with them. According to some noted Jewish sages, \u201cthe end of days\u201d refers to the period just before the coming of Messiah, and this repentance is the same as that which Moses mentions later in 30:1\u20132 (The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash<\/i>, p. 965). Here are some additional quotes from some noted Jewish scholars on the subject of Israel returning to YHVH from its exile among the nations:<\/p>\n

The future King Messiah (Messiah Son of David) will not only redeem the Jews from exile, but will restore the observance of the Torah-commandments to its complete state, which will only be possible when the Israelites are living in the Land of Israel. At this same time, \u201cthere will be an ingathering of the dispersed remnant of Israel.<\/b> This will make it possible for the Davidic dynasty to be reinstated and for the observance of the Torah and its mitzvot <\/i>[commandments] to be restored in its totality\u201d (I Await His Coming Every Day<\/i>, p. 35, [see also p. 38 quoting Rambam] by Menachem Schneerson, emphasis added).<\/p>\n

According to the Rambam (also known as Maimonides) in his Thirteen Principles of the Jewish Faith<\/i> the resurrection of the dead will occur just after the coming of the Messiah and that the resurrection of the dead is a key element of the Final Redemption (Ibid.<\/i>, p. 59). The Jewish sages recognize that the ingathering of the exiles, including the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom, will also return, be reunited with Judah and that the whole house of Israel will serve YHVH together<\/b> (Ezek 20:32\u201337, 40\u201342) (Mashiach\u2014the Principles of Mashiach and the Messianic Era In Jewish Law and Tradition<\/i>, pp. 20-22, by Jacob Immanual Schochet quoting from Sanhedrin <\/i>110b; Bamidbar Rabba <\/i>16:25; etc.<\/i>, emphasis added) <\/p>\n

The ArtScroll<\/i> Bereishis\/Genesis Commentary<\/i>, <\/b>vol. 1(b) states in its commentary on Genesis 48:19 regarding Ephraim: \u201cR. Munk explains: \u2018while it is true that the dispersion [of the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh] was caused by the unfaithfulness and sinfulness of Ephraim\u2019s descendants (Hos 7:8ff), Jacob\u2019s blessing was not in vain for \u201cthey will return to God\u201d and will have their share in the world to come (Talmud Sanhedrin<\/i> 110b).\u2019 And R. Eliezer adds: \u2018Even the darkness in which the Ten Tribes were lost will one day become as radiant as the day\u2019 (according to the version of Avos d\u2019Rabbi Nosson 36<\/i>). And in the perspective of history, did not these exiled children of the Patriarchs enlighten the nations among whom they were scattered? They did so by teaching their conquerors the fundamental ideas of the knowledge and love of God, ideals they had never forsaken. Hence they too have a messianic vocation and their Messiah the Maschiach ben Yosef, Messiah son of Joseph (Talmud Succah<\/i> 52a), also called Messiah son of Ephraim (Targum Yonasan<\/i> on Exodus 40:11), will play an essential role in humanity\u2019s redemption, for he will be the precursor of the Maschiach ben David, Messiah Son of David.It is therefore not surprising to find that the prophet Jeremiah (3:12) speaks affectionately of Ephraim. In this light, Jacob\u2019s words, \u2018his offspring will fill the nations<\/i>,\u2019 assume the significance of blessing\u201d (pp. 2121\u20132122).<\/p>\n

Relate these statements to Acts 3:21; Matthew 10:6; 15:24; Malachi 4:4\u20136. Now note how the following phrases or concepts are used in Scripture, who they relate to, and how this relates to the statements of the Jewish sages and to our text under consideration as pertaining to Israel (including both the houses of Ephraim and Judah) being scattered among the nations for their disobedience to YHVH, and then their being regathered and restored as a united kingdom and obedient people under the rule of King Messiah:<\/p>\n