THE BOOK OF MORMON IS A JEWISH/ISRAELITE BOOK

Like the Bible, The Book of Mormon is an Jewish/Israelite Book.  There is a common misconception among Mormons that if someone is a Jew they therefore must be of the tribe of Judah.   This definition is only partially correct.  After the death of King Solomon,  the nation of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms, the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. By the time of Lehi the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim, the Ten Tribes, etc.) had been taken into captivity for approximately 200 years. 

At the time of their destruction and captivity, many from the Northern Kingdom of Israel fled to the Southern Kingdom of Judah for protection.  As a result, many Manasseh-ites, Ephraim-ites, and others settled in and around the southern Kingdom of Judah.  Over a period of time, the term Jew did not only refer to those of the actual tribe of Judah, but all of those Israelites who settled and affiliated with the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  So a Jew can be a descendant of Judah or they may also be any member of the House of Israel who settled in the Southern Kingdom.  For example, the Apostle Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1) and Matthew was a Levite, but they were both considered Jews as they were from the Southern Kingdom.   This statement can be demonstrated by Nephi’s comment:

 “I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.” (2 Nephi 33:8)

So, the Book of Mormon is the story of a man named Lehi and his family who were part of the southern Kingdom of Judah.  While he was of the tribe of Manasseh by lineage he would still be considered a Jew as he was a member of the Southern Kingdom.  Lehi and his family being Jews (members of the Southern Kingdom) would have been fully versed in the Hebrew language, customs, and the scriptures of the Jews:

Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews (southern kingdom), and I know that the Jews (southern kingdom) do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews (southern kingdom) like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews (southern kingdom). (2 Nephi 25:5)

The Book of Mormon as a Jewish/Israelite record is heavily dependent on the language, customs, and the scriptures of the Jews for correct interpretation.  The heart of all Israelite scripture is the Torah, often called the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). Without the Torah and the Heart of the Covenant, people approach the Book of Mormon with their Christian/Pagan Eyeglasses on rather than Messiah/Hebrew glasses.  As a result the covenant message of the Book of Mormon becomes twisted into a pseudo born again Christian document with weird names and a nice message about Jesus. When viewed through an Israelite paradigm and covenant lenses, the message of the Book of Mormon is unveiled as a message to the descendants of the House of Israel, the promises made to them, and their role in bringing forth Zion and the Restoration of All Things.

The Plates of Laban – The TaNaK

The Torah contains God’s laws and instructions given to all Israel as a roadmap for a Zion (a marked or set apart) people.  As a result of Israel disregarding the commandments of God (Yehovah), the people continually fell into a state of iniquity (lawlessness).   The importance of the Torah cannot be overstated to an Israelite because it contains the Heart of the Covenant Relationship between God and his people Israel.  Without this Heart, the life giving blood of the Spirit of God cannot flow to the body of his people. 

When God commanded Lehi to send his sons to obtain the Plates of Laban he did so knowing that the plates of Laban contained the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the writings of the Prophets (Neviim), and other historical writings from the Jews (Ketuvim):

“And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. And he beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents; And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah;  And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah.” (1 Nephi 5:10-13)

In Judaism the Plates of Laban would then fall under a Hebrew acronym called the TaNaK:

T = Torah – First Five Books of Moses

N = Neviim – The Prophets/Writings of the Prophets

K= Ketuvim- Historical Records such as Kings, Chronicles as well as writings like Psalms, Proverbs, etc.

The importance of these brass plates cannot be overemphasized.  The Torah and the writings of the prophets contained on these plates allowed them to preserve their language, history, and laws.  More importantly, it preserved the foundation upon which God established his covenant and the principles that enabled the Nephites to obtain the blessings of God’s covenant.

“And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise.  Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law.  And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause—that I might obtain the records according to his commandments.”

On September 22, 1827 a trumpet was sounded in prophetic fulfillment of an ancient appointed time:

“Son of man, take a piece of wood and carve on it these words: ‘This represents Judah and its allied tribes.’ Then take another piece and carve these words on it: ‘This represents Ephraim and the northern tribes of Israel.’ Now hold them together in your hand as if they were one piece of wood.

When your people ask you what your actions mean, say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take Ephraim and the northern tribes and join them to Judah. I will make them one piece of wood in my hand.’

 “Then hold out the pieces of wood you have inscribed, so the people can see them. And give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: I will gather the people of Israel from among the nations. I will bring them home to their own land from the places where they have been scattered. I will unify them into one nation on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule them all; no longer will they be divided into two nations or into two kingdoms.

BE A TSYON!

The subject of Zion is very interesting to me and I think I have come up with a name for the virus that causes Zion hallucinations - Zionitis.  It is a pathogen that takes hold of people and causes them to believe that if they can go out into the middle of nowhere and construct a commune, nirvana like society then they will then be living the gospel.  It's more extreme side effects include bankruptcy, social isolation, murder, rape (no joke if you actually look at all the groups this is the usually what happens to them).  In every case, they end up as a pool of iniquity and filth with a kingman or men at the head who consume the flock.  Strangely in modern Mormonism it appears that many who contract this virus usually follow this symptomatic pattern.

So Here is my prescription:  

In all seriousness  the term Zion or in Hebrew Tsyon means marked or a landmark.  When a person is sealed or marked by God they become the living embodiment of God - a marked one. They carry his name; they walk in his commandments and represent his will and message. When a group of marked ones come together at a place where God places his name then the City of Tsyon (City of the sealed or marked ones) can be established.  The City or place is the ultimate Landmark.  To attempt to establish a place before receiving God's mark or seal is an effort in futility.  I think this is the reason so many fail.  So instead of focusing on where to go perhaps it is more important to focus on WHO to come unto that we may receive his mark or seal.

"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." (Rev 7:2-3)

Who Is Your Ultimate Authority?

“Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?” (John 6:60-61)

To walk away from Christ because there are teachings in the Bible or Book of Mormon that offends you supposes that if there is a God he would not have any notions or opinions that upset you.  Does this viewpoint really make sense?  If we do not trust the scriptures enough to let them challenge our traditions and opinions, how then could we ever have a personal relationship with the God who gave those scriptures in the first place?

Just as in our personal relationships any real relationship with Christ portends that the other party has the ability to contradict you.  When Jesus challenges our thoughts and traditions he is also challenging our hearts.  The gift of true Salvation in Christ is free.  It truly is a come as you are party.  BUT, the path of true Discipleship is going to cost us something.

Discipleship or Self Determination?

“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:59-60)

Our lives are full of contradictions.  In fact we face contradictory choices every day.  Do I go to the gym or do I sleep in?  Do go to work or stay home?  Do I spend time with my family or is the Basketball game more important?  Do I follow the words of Christ or do I follow the words of a man?  Do I reach out to those who stand in need or do I look the other way?

Even our Father Jacob wrestled with God and it is possible that that wrestle may not just have been a physical wrestling but a wrestling between contradictory choices.  The outcome of his wrestling and choosing of God was that of being given the new name of Israel.  In fact, in giving him this new name God gave him a new identity.  Jacob was dead and as a result of his inconvenient wrestling match with the God of Heaven and Earth he was blessed.  He was now a new man. A Man of God!  His past sins and transgressions were taken away and he went forth to establish the Covenant People of Israel.

With a change in identity comes a change in priorities.  Our choices (wrestling) determine our outcome as a well.  Following Christ is more than just inconvenient to our past identities and walk it is also incompatible with our past identities and walk.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17-19)

Sometimes it appears that the Words of Christ are harsh and contradictory.  The reason they appear so is because like a two edged sword they require us to make a choice between our wills and the will of another.
 
This would be disciple in the Book of Luke faced a choice that we face as well.  Even as we express our willingness to follow Christ we also want to set the terms of the relationship.  In making his offering on his own terms, he was setting forth his will to set the terms of the relationship.  Thus we discover the cost of true discipleship—for true discipleship can tolerate no other man, doctrine, tradition, church, or priesthood head to come between our obedience and loyalty to Jesus Christ.

True discipleship to Christ requires complete surrender to the authority of Christ. We are not saved by anything we have done, but once redeemed there is something to be done.  It is like a marriage.  It only takes a moment to get married but the relationship is a journey over a lifetime and into the eternities. While salvation happens in a moment true discipleship is also a journey and a relationship of a lifetime that extends into the eternities.

When America Legislates Iniquity - Judgment Soon Follows!

In a Landmark Decision The Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples have a right to get married anywhere in the United States.  

Ironically Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family,”.  Whether he realizes it or not his words were more profound and condemning than he realizes.  The foundation of God's covenant are love, fidelity, devotion, and sacrifice.  The family is the foundation upon which those eternal principles of covenant are established.

“In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were,” Kennedy wrote. “As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.

In regard to forming a marital union God has stated, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)  To Justice Kennedy, those of the Supreme Court of the United States, and President Barrack Obama I would humbly remind them:

Equal Dignity in the Eyes of the Law (of the United States of America) does not equal Equal Dignity in the Eyes of God!

WHAT HAS BEEN SHALL BE!

This is what the LORD says: “The people of Judah have sinned again and again,and I will not let them go unpunished! They have rejected the instruction of the LORD,refusing to obey his decrees. They have been led astray by the same lies that deceived their ancestors." (Amos 2:4)

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the message of the scripture above. One of the worst mistakes a nation can make is to forget the law of God in its national, political, and social life.  The fullness of iniquity on a national level is reached when that same government that forgets the laws of God then legislates Sin as law among the people.  In effect the Government is legislating Sin as Law. That nation which forgets God, lives as though God laws do not apply to them, and then establishes Sin as Law will eventually learn that whether they have recognized Him or not, YHVH (God) is God. He is their King and Judge and despite their "authority" there is still one greater to whom they will give an account.

The sins of ancient Israel are being repeated in the United States of America. The prophet Amos outlines how one nation after another that shaped their laws and policies (domestic and foreign) as though they could establish sin as law would be judged by God.  And one nation after another is called on the carpet by the voice of the Prophet of God. As a result of their murders, oppression, injustice, dishonesty, sexual immorality, violence, and their various disgraces – i.e. "because they have despised the law of the Lord and have not kept his commandments" – “The LORD’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem! The lush pastures of the shepherds will dry up; the grass on Mount Carmel will wither and die.” (Amos 1:2).  In other words, Judgment is pronounced.  The leaders, the nation, and the people will wither and die.

As another witness, the Book of Mormon also specifically warns the people that occupy the land of the United States of America, "And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off. (Ether 2: 9-10)

THE UNITED STATES -THE FULLNESS OF INIQUITY

America is a covenant land grant.  As such all who reside on this land must serve God and obey the terms of his covenant. From and Israelite perspective the word iniquity (avon) is equated with sin or lawlessness.  The breaking of God's commandments or disregard for his laws is iniquity. The fullness of iniquity is a state of what is termed high handed or open rebellion against God and his commandments.   When people or even a nation sin ignorantly or openly and repent there is provision made to bring the people back into a proper covenant relationship with God.  When the people or nation sin knowingly and openly and refuse to repent it is called open rebellion.  When open rebellion against God and his laws is legislated as law by the people or the governing institution of the land THE FULLNESS OF INIQUITY HAS BEEN REACHED!

To save those who do not comply with the laws of sin that are established and to free the people from the bondage of secret combinations and corrupt governments God judges the Government and the Land.  For those who embrace iniquity, I would declare the following:

"Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.

They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.

They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too."  (Romans 1:22-29)

A VOICE OF WARNING TO MODERN MORMONS

"And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.


Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written." (Ether 2:11-12)

THE LEGALIZING OF SIN OR INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF INIQUITY IS NOT LOVE!

"Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved. And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin. Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness." (Alma 41:8-10)

There will be many who will embrace and cheer at the decision rendered by the Highest Court of our Land.  There will be those who believe that such a decision is wonderful because they see it as an expression of "love". There may be those of us us with family members and friends that this decision will directly affect and with whom we have an emotional tie.  The reality is that our definition of love is not God's definition of love and our emotions count for nothing more than another drop in a larger well of national iniquity.  In the end we have a decision to make do we love man and sin or God:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." ( Deuteronomy 6:5-9)

For those who love God, may we heed the call to repent and return!

The Remnant of Jacob or the House of Israel

"And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." (Exodus 19:3-6)

There is a distinction between “the house of Jacob” and “the children of Israel.” The house of Jacob refers to all of the direct descendants of Jacob while the children of Israel refers to all those who were in a covenant relationship with God. Jacob was the name of Israel before he entered into covenant with God while the name Israel was given to Jacob after he entered into covenant with God. Israel represents the people of the covenant.

DNA does not determine your covenant status before God. Covenant relationships with God are a matter of the heart. Our willingness to be obedient to YHVH (God) is the a true sign of the condition of our hearts.  Just as physical circumcision is a sign of the covenant the circumcision of the heart is the requirement to fully enter into covenant with God.

The official decree from Adam to Israel was to keep (heb. shamar: guard and protect) the covenant. To guard and protect God's covenant is to establish his Kingdom by obeying his commandments. It is not some half-assed or half-hearted attempt to keep commandments, but a devotion of loyalty and fidelity like a wife would love her husband or a faithful son to his Father.

The covenant is like a marriage contract between a wife and her husband.  The people are the betrothed wife and God is the husband. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai he brought with him the marriage proposal:

"And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD." (Exodus 19:7-8) --- IN OTHER WORDS, ISRAEL ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL WITH, "I DO!"

God was extending a covenant marriage relationship to his people-his bride. The Five Books of Moses contain what is called a Ketubah or the Covenant Marriage Contract.  Those who become Israel (Jew, Gentile, Nephites, Lamanites, Mulekites, Ten Tribes, etc) obtain a fulfillment of the marriage covenant God extended to Abraham.  They put off their prior laws, cultures, and identities and become O' HOUSE OF ISRAEL-- A COVENANT NATION OF GOD.

The instructions given by God remain the heart of the Covenant - like a Ketubah or a written marriage contract between a husband and a wife. A Ketubah is simply a marriage contract or document that was very common in middle eastern cultures.  The document lays out the parties in the marriage and the instructions or principles that define the marriage. It also includes the responsibilities of the parties should the contract be breached. The closest thing in American culture that comes closest to a Ketubah would be our modern pre-nuptual agreement.

God was extending and then consummating his marriage covenant with his people.  This included not only the natural descendants of Jacob, but the mixed multitude of people that came with them out of Egypt. Anyone can be numbered among or be one with Israel (God's Covenant People) as long as they agreed to obey and be one with the God of Israel.  Just like anybody could live in the covenant camp of Abraham and enter into covenant as long as they were circumcised and followed the commandments of God.

God's covenant laws and instructions were given to all mankind.  Adam, Enoch, Noah, and Melchizedek were not Hebrew, Israelite, Jews, Mormons, or Christians.  God's laws and instructions came down from the beginning. Before there was a House of Israel there was the House of Elohim and those who were numbered among the House of Elohim had to embrace the rules of God's house.
After the expulsion from the Garden of Eden it was necessary to provide a way to restore mankind back into a relationship with God.  All who desire to be numbered among the people of God must follow HIS ways--not the rules and traditions of an elitist cult, group, church or religion.

When we speak of commandments, laws, and the ways of God it is not another way of saying, "Stop doing bad things! or Don't do bad things!"  It is the honoring and embracing of God as our Covenant Lord, King, Husband, Deliverer, Covering, and Salvation.  It is a marriage of the heart, soul, and might.

God has always been concerned with the individual as well as the nation. He establishes his covenant with individuals and nations not to set them apart into membership into an elite country club, but to reveal himself to the other nations and to bless them. Anyone who wanted to enter into this Covenant relationship with the God could do so on the provision that they embraced and guarded the terms of the Covenant- the marriage contract.

In the end there will be a decision that all of us must make.  Do we remain Gentiles, Mormons, Jews, Christian, Ten Tribes, Nephites, Lamanites, etc?  OR Do we become Israel - God's Covenant People?

The Falling Towers of America! Where are the Brothers of Jared?

At the entry of the temple of Solomon there stood two pillars Jachin and Boaz.  The meaning of these two pillars can be translated from the Hebrew to the English, "YAH (GOD) ESTABLISHES STRENGTH".  The strength of God is demonstrated to Israel by the blessings of the covenant.  These blessings include divine protection of the land, health, economic prosperity, and and enduring posterity. When the covenant is broken God withdraws his protection and the strength of the nation then fails.

On September 11, 2001 the pillars of America were broken.  As a land of promise, this land on which we live is a covenant land grant and all who reside here both Israel or Gentile MUST abide the terms of God's covenant or be swept off.

"For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity (lawlessness) among the children of the land, that they are swept off." (Ether 2:10)

When the terms of the covenant are breached our strength fails.  Two options then remain open under the terms of the covenant:

1. Repent:  Turn back to God, Learn or Remember the Terms of the Covenant, and Heal the breech in our Covenant relationship with God.  The result is that covenant curses are overturned by the covenant blessings.

2.Continue in our Rebellion:  The judgments spelled out under the terms of the covenant roll forth (i.e. increase in intensity) until the people either repent or are destroyed.

The current momentum of lawlessness that exists in the United States of America is not likely to be turned back.  As a result the nation will be destroyed, divided, and it's people scattered.  This is not the first time such a thing has occurred. A type and shadow of our destruction is demonstrated in the Epic of the Tower of Babel:

"And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:14)

In Hebraic context the phrase, "let us make a name" has several meanings.  Besides the meaning of renown or fame there is another meaning.  To make us a name refers to the establishment of our own law and order independent of God's covenant. In other words, instead of establishing God's Covenant Laws they legislated and established another system that was either in defiance of or a counterfeit to God's Kingdom.  The result was the destruction of their tower and a scattering of the people.

Certain Judgment

When the momentum of iniquity (lawlessness) can no longer be turned back there does come a nation point of no return.  Like the people who built the Tower of Babel we are coming to that point of no return.  At that point, the day of our repentance is past and the verdict of God's decree must be carried out.  At such a point where national redemption becomes either improbable or impossible, what can the average Joe Shmoe do?

ENTER THE BROTHERS OF JARED

The Brother of Jared serves as a type and shadow of those in the latter days who will serve as proxy saviors or intercessors for small groups of people in the land.  The Brother of Jared calling upon the name of the Lord is a key example of a man appealing to God before his courtroom.  In Genesis 11 God rendered judgment on mankind with the penalty of scattering them and mixing their language.  The King of Heaven looked down upon the earth, saw what was going on, and declared his ruling upon them:

“Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.” (Genesis 11:7-8)

The language would be mixed and the people would be scattered as a result of God’s ruling.  Similar to obtaining favor with a King by honoring the King and being obedient to his decrees, the Brother of Jared had obtained favor with God.  As such he could approach the Throne of Heaven and Intercede for his people.   The Brother of Jared then cried out (Hebraic thought—made a legal request or proclamation) to God regarding the two judgments God rendered:

“And the brother of Jared being a large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the Lord, Jared, his brother, said unto him: Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not understand our words.” (Ether 1:34)

1.        The Brother of Jared made a legal request for God to stay his judgment upon him and their relations regarding the confounding of their language:

“And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon Jared; therefore he did not confound the language of Jared; and Jared and his brother were not confounded.  Then Jared said unto his brother: Cry again unto the Lord, and it may be that he will turn away his anger from them who are our friends, that he confound not their language.  And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon their friends and their families also, that they were not confounded. (Ether 1:35-37)

2.       The Brother of Jared made a legal request for God regarding their scattering:

“And it came to pass that Jared spake again unto his brother, saying: Go and inquire of the Lord whether he will drive us out of the land, and if he will drive us out of the land, cry unto him whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord, that we may receive it for our inheritance.” (Ether 1:38)

As of a result of the Brother of Jared crying unto the Lord, God stayed his judgment upon them in regard to confounding their language and directed his judgment in regard to them being scattered.   The Brother of Jared’s requests were not a tirade of fake emotional outbursts but making a legal plea before the Judge of all the earth to reduce or alter the ruling sent forth from God’s courtroom.  Because the Brother of Jared had honored God and found favor with him he could act as an intercessor between God and his people.

In the Torah the Prophets were agents of God. They were God’s authorized prosecuting attorneys. They brought  covenant lawsuits against nations. They reminded the common people as well as rulers of the covenant that God had made. Then they reminded the listeners of the statutes and judgments of that covenant. They charged people under the terms of that covenant.  Then they warned the nation of the fact that God, the one true king of Israel, would bring His curses against the nation unless they came back to the terms of the covenant (i.e.  such as war,  disease, pestilence, famine and economic ruin).

The prophets called the nation to repentance reminding them of the promised blessings for honoring God and keeping the laws of his Covenant.  If the breach of covenant was healed then deliverance and blessings followed.  If the breach was not repaired then the nation was destroyed and the people were scattered and taken into captivity.

After making his plea before the Judge of Heaven and Earth, the Brother of Jared and his people were taken to a place where they rested for four years.  Judgment had been passed and the sentence carried out.  While their language was not confounded they were still taken away into another land.  The judgments were for national sin not the personal sins of the Brother of Jared or his people.  The judgment having been carried out the next step was complete legal restoration.  Just as the rendering of judgment is a legal process the process of restoration is a legal process.  God does not cast judgment lightly nor does he take restoration lightly.

His process of restoration includes cleaning the people up, teaching them his laws, conditioning them to live his commandments, and finally bringing them back into his presence before his throne.

WE NEED MODERN BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF JARED!

The fate of the United States of America as a nation appears fixed.  While there are individual and groups of God fearing people, the government has been overrun by modern pharaohs and gadianton robbers.  They infest the high places-- the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of the government. Through their office they are legislating laws and ordinances that establish sin as the new standard of the Land.  The result of the rebellion against the true owner of this Land is ensuring our destruction and the sword of justice hangs over us.  We need men and women who will put off their traditions and lawlessness to come forth and once again learn and embrace the God of this Land- Jesus Christ (Yeshua ha Moshiach).

How does one become a Brother or Sister of Jared in these days?

1. Shema - Hear and Do Israel!  Turn your heart back to God and Make him your heart's desire.  Make Yeshua your RULER, KING, AND LORD!

2. Learn and establish God's commandments as a sign on your hand (doings) and your forehead (your active will) in your homes, families, and communities.  Embrace the commandments of your King and Lord as THE ONE TRUE EXPRESSION OF COVENANT LOVE!

3. Return and Call upon the Name of the Lord- Every day to love him, draw near to him, and establish his covenant laws of love instead of your definition of love.

4. Teach God and his Covenant to your Children and your children's children by exemplifying him, talking about him, and walking in our world doing the works he would do.

5. Consecrate yourself according to the Standard of Liberty for God's Kingdom instead of everyman walking after the desires and laws of his own heart.

It is available and accessible to everyone.  IT IS TIME TO STOP TRYING TO BE OUR OWN GOD.  IT IS TIME TO PUT OFF OUR IDOLATRY OF WORSHIPING RELIGIOUS LEADERS, RELIGIOUS GURUS, AND RELIGIOUS CELEBRITIES WHOSE ONLY MESSAGE IS--"FOLLOW US!  ALL IS WELL!  STAY ASLEEP".

The establishment of Zion commences with ourselves first, our immediate family next, then our communities, our states, and then a nation.  AND  should the nation be destroyed, there will be men and women of covenant who can then stand forth and establish the Pillars of God's House on this land again.  It can be done.

 The Brother of Jared, Lehi, Nephi and many others are examples of success.  It is time to turn our hearts back to the Fathers who worshiped the TRUE AND LIVING GOD ACCORDING TO HIS INSTRUCTIONS--HONORING HIM AND NOT PUTTING THEIR TRUST IN THE ARM OF FLESH.  WE CAN DO IT!  IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE AND IT MUST BE DONE AGAIN!

Turning the Hearts to the Fathers – God’s Appointed Times (Introduction)

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a consistent God.  He works in consistent patterns and cycles.  These cycles are eternal and are instituted as perpetual ordinances upon his people forever.  God is not one to leave us ignorant of his relationship with us, our redemption, his covenant provision,  his gathering arm, his sanctifying blood, and his everlasting rule as King of Kings.

These appointed times are as binding upon us today as they were when they were instituted in the creation:

“Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons (moed- appointed times), days, and years.

As it was in the days of the Creation so it was also in the Restoration of the Covenant to the House of Israel at Mount Sinai, “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.”

The Seven Eternal Appointed Times:  

If you knew that the God of Heaven had set apart an Ordained Time to meet with his people, would you not want to know when these times were and what they were about so that you could prepare to meet the Creator of Heaven and Earth and be numbered among his people forever?  Or would you ignore these appointed times given to all the House Of Israel (THAT WOULD BE ALL THE TRIBES—INCLUDING EPHRAIM) as a perpetual law to observe for all time?  We speak of being called and numbered among the people of God but if we fail to recognize His covenant times and call is it possible we may miss the mark and find ourselves outside the camp of God’s people.  

Passover (Pesach)	God delivers His people from the bondage  of slavery	God passed over (in judgment) his people
Unleavened Bread (Chag ha Matzah)	God purifies his people	No leavening was to be eaten - a picture of ridding sin and contention from our homes and nation
Feast of First Fruits (Ha Bikkurim)	God provided food for his people (a harvest of barley)	God's reminder that he will always provide his people with everything they need.
Feast of Weeks/Pentecost (Shavuot)	The Extending of the Covenant. God gave the Law (The Ten Commandments) to Israel.	These laws were to be guidance for his people to find happiness and peace in their lives
Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)	Trumpets blown to begin the countdown to the day of atonement.	The day and hour that no man knows. God's Revelation as preparation for his people.
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)	The cleansing of the sanctuary and purging of sin of Israel as a nation	God restores his people and makes them clean as a nation.
Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)	Entering the Promised land. The establishment of the people of God in a Covenant Land of Inheritance.  The coronation of the King of Israel.	A reminder to the Israelites of the time they lived in tents in the wilderness with the Presence of God.

These Appointed times are not "Jewish Holiday" nor are they they man made traditions.  They are the appointed times of God given from the beginning to his people.  They were given to THE FATHERS. His patterns go all the way back to the beginning and are demonstrated through cycles. One of those cycles being harvests. In the Scriptures we see the phrase “in the beginning” (Beresheit-Genesis) referring to the beginning of a harvest, and the phrase “end of days” (miketz yamim) referring to the end of the harvest.

God's (YHVH) Appointed Times:

The Scriptures demonstrate the appointed times as  “My (YHVH) appointed Times":

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are My appointed times, the times of the LORD (YHVH) that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies. (Leviticus 23:2)

In other words, the appointed times belong to God. They are often erroneously referred to as the Jewish Holidays, but while thankfully the Jews preserved the knowledge of these eternal appointments and cycles we must not mistake the appointed times of God as a cultural holiday like Christmas or Easter. If understood correctly, the cycle and pattern of God's appointed times will lead us into a greater understanding of God's plans for and relationship with his people.  The questions is will we be found among his assembly?  Or sit back making excuses of why we cannot come to the REAL Wedding Feast!