If there is one word that aptly describes our present
situation here in Israel, it is ''trouble''. The
word often used is tzarah; that is, adversity,
affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation or trouble.
The consonant combination TZ and R is found in several
other words such as, tza'ar: sorrow; tzar: enemy,
adversary; tzarar: bind, tie up, restrict, narrow, scant,
cramped, a show of hostility, vexing; tzaraf: smelt,
refine, test; matzref: a crucible or instrument of
refining; tzir'ah: hornet; tzorev: burn, scorch;
tzara'at: leprosy.
Armed
with this background into the tzadi (tz) and resh (r)
combination, let us examine two scriptures that have been
coming to mind these days.
''Alas!
For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is
the time of Ya'acov's trouble (tzarah.), but he shall be
saved out of it'' (Jer.30:7).
''At
that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who
stands over the sons of your people; and there shall be a
time of trouble (tzarah) such as never was since there
was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your
people shall be delivered, every one who is found written
in the book'' (Dan. 12:1).
These
two passages point out, that the time of
tribulation-trouble for God's chosen nation
(Ya'acov-Israel) is also a time of witnessing YHVH's arm
of salvation and deliverance in and through the
tribulation (tzarah).
The
context of Jeremiah 30 is very revealing. Jeremiah sums
up his chapter by saying: ''The fierce anger of YHVH
will not return until He has done it, and until He has
performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days
you will understand these things. For 'at that same
time,' says YHVH, 'I will be the God of all the families
of Israel, and they shall be My people''' (Jer.
30:24-25 or 31:1). (Originally there were no chapter
divisions.)
What
things are we to understand during the days of YHVH's
wrath and Ya'acov's trouble? The prophet opens up by
declaring YHVH's word: ''For behold, the days are
coming, says YHVH `that I will bring back from captivity
My people Israel and Yehuda... And I will cause them to
return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they
shall possess it.'
Now
these are the words that YHVH spoke concerning Israel and
Yehuda'' (Jer 30:1-4). Then again in v.18,
''Behold, I will bring back the captivity of
Ya'acov's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling
places.'' If what we are experiencing today is the
beginning of the restoration of the Two Houses of Israel
(the corporate house of Ya'acov), the rest of the
scenario in which it is set, although none too pleasant,
cannot be circumvented.
During
these days of Ya'acov's restoration, YHVH will pour out
His wrath. Why? Again the prophet answers:
''Because
of the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins
have increased I have done these things to you''
(Jer. 30:15).
What
things is he referring to? ''I have wounded you with
the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel
one'' (Jer.30:14).
This
chastisement is so severe that YHVH himself comments:
''We
have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of
peace. Ask now and see, whether a man is ever in labor
with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on
his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces turned
pale? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like
it; it is the time of Ya'acov's trouble'' (Jer.
30:5-7).
However, in God's economy of justice there is hope.
''Therefore
do not fear, O My servant Ya'acov,' says YHVH, `Nor be
dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from
afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity.
Ya'acov shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one
shall make them afraid... But they shall serve YHVH their
God and David their king, whom I will raise up for
them... For I am with you,' says YHVH, `to save you...
for I will restore health to you and heal you of your
wounds,' says YHVH, `Because they called you an outcast
saying: 'This is Zion; no one seeks her''' (Jer.
30:10, 9, 11,17).
These
scriptures bear out the fact that the Two Houses are
still mainly scattered in the nations during these
tribulation judgements. Even though a remnant of Yehuda
has returned to the land, they too will come under the
rod.
''For
I am with you,' says YHVH, `to save you; though I make a
full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I
will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct
you in justice, and will not let you go altogether
unpunished''' (Jer. 30:11).
The
United Nations has condemned Zionism as being equivalent
to racism. There are even some versions of the Bible that
have removed that word altogether. Today, in Israel
itself, Zionism has become a lost ideology (ours has been
named the 'post Zionist' era). Many of us who were living
in the land when the Camp David accords were signed, felt
the sword of the 'peace process' pierce the heart of
Zionism. It literally died when we gave to the
Palestinians the 'go head' to possess the heartland of
our inheritance. However, there are still a few
''diehards'' in the so-called territories. There
is also a growing number of Christian Zionists, out in
the nations, who are slowly discovering their Israelite
roots and the reason for their heart's response to the
call, ''let us go up to Zion to YHVH our God''.
Will
it take ''Ya'acov's troubles'' for the House of
Yehuda to accept their Messiah and their brothers from
the House of Israel (Ephraim)? Likewise, will it take
''tzarah'' for the House of Ephraim to leave his
idols and Babylonian garments and return to the covenant,
the Shabbat and the Torah?
''At
that same time [of Ya'acov's trouble], says YHVH, 'I will
be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall
be My people''' (Jer 31:1).
''I
will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains
of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they
shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be
divided into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile
themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their
detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions;
but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in
which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they
shall be My people, and I will be their God'' (Eze.
37:22-23).
''For
this is the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel after those days'', says YHVH: 'I will put My
Torah in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I
will be their God, and they shall be My
people'''(Jer. 31:33). ''Then I will give them
one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for
the good of them and their children after them. And I
will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will
not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My
fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from
Me.
Yes,
I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will
assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and
with all My soul. For thus says YHVH:
`Just
as I have brought all this great calamity on this people,
so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised
them'''(Jer. 32:39-42).
''Therefore
say to the house of Israel, `Thus says YHVH your God:
''I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel,
but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned
among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify
My great name, which has been profaned among the nations,
which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations
shall know that I am YHVH,' says YHVH, 'when I am
hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you
from among the nations, gather you out of all countries,
and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle
clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will
cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your
idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit
within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your
flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit
within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you
will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell
in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My
people, and I will be your God''' (Ez. 36:22-2).
''Therefore
thus says YHVH who redeemed Avraham, concerning the house
of Ya'acov:
'Ya'acov shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now
grow pale; but when he sees his children, the work of My
hands in his midst, they will hallow My name and hallow
the Holy One of Ya'acov, and fear the God of Israel.
These also who erred in spirit will come to
understanding, and those who complained will learn
doctrine''' (Isa. 29:22:24).
''Before
I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your
word... It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn Your statutes...The Torah of Your mouth
is better to me than thousands of gold and silver
nuggets... I know, O YHVH that Your judgments are right,
and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let, I
pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according
to Your word to Your servant. Let Your tender mercies
come to me, that I may live; for Your Torah is my
delight...You have dealt well with Your servant, O YHVH,
according to Your word''
(Ps.119: 67,71-72,75-77,65).
Shabbat
Shalom,
Shevet Achim
Ephraim Frank
''May
YHVH answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of
the God of Ya'acov defend you; may He send you help from
the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion''
(Ps.20:1-2).
NOTE:
Ephraim Frank lives in one of the settlements upon the
mountains of Israel, Judea/Samaria or as the Western
worlds calls it --- The West Bank
