THE TWO HOUSES OF ISRAELThere is a general error among most Christians and a lot of Jews regarding the identity of the children of Israel. Because of a general lack of historical understanding, most Christians believe that the Jews are ALL of the people chosen by God in the Old Testament. Additionally, many Christians believe that they belong to an unrelated group known biblically as "Gentiles." In this article, we are going to show from the Scriptures that both of these conclusions are founded on incorrect assumptions. First, let's examine the Scriptures to see who God chose as His own special people: EXODUS 19:3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." (NKJV)Who were (and who are) the children of Israel? Here are two passages about the exodus from Egypt: one from a Christian source, and one from a Jewish source. They share a common problem, as the following comments show: Moses - Great prophet of God called to lead the Jews out of Egypt to the land that God promised his forefather Abraham. . . . Moses led the Jews through the desert for 40 years while God purged out the unbelievers. Passover is the Jewish holiday which commemorates the time in history that the Jews were slaves in Egypt and then were freed. There is a lot of symbolism which relates to our history, heritage, modern day events and world. Basically Moses leads the Jews out of Egypt via a split in the Red Sea . . .Did you see a problem with those comments? They reflect a common misconception about WHO the children of Israel actually are. The Bible tells us very specifically who comprised the "children of Israel." They are listed in several places in the book of GenesisThe children of Jacob, who was renamed Israel (Gen. 32:28), were: (1) Reuben (2) Simeon (3) Levi (4) Judah (5) Zebulun (6) Issachar (7) Dan (8) Gad (9) Asher (10) Naphtali (11) Joseph (12) BenjaminJacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, was recipient of the same promises made to them by God. The 49th chapter of Genesis shows Jacob prophesying about the future of his 12 sons, who were the forefathers of the 12 tribes of Israel. It was the descendants of these sons of Jacob that Moses led out of Egypt. The tribe of Judah (later called "Jews") was just one of the 12 tribes that came out of Egyptian slavery. (As a side note, because of Jacob's deathbed adoption of Joseph's two sons Ephraim and Manasseh as his own recorded in Genesis 48, he effectively gave a double inheritance to his favorite son Joseph. Therefore, the Bible sometimes lists 13 tribes, with the duo of Ephraim and Manasseh replacing their father Joseph.) Let's look at the history of the children of Israel, from the time of the Exodus until their captivity many centuries later. The 12 tribes, from the time of their wandering in the desert after leaving Egypt, were called the "children of Israel" or the "House of Israel" (Exo. 16:31; 40:38; Lev. 10:6; Num. 20:29; Jos. 21:45). Read more........http://users.aristotle.net/~bhuie/2houses.htm
Two Houses Of Israel
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tim_from_pa
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- Jul 11, 2007
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Hi Kriss:Yes I agree with what you say about the misunderstandings of the two houses. There was the house of Israel and house of Judah, just like the United States here had Rebels and Yankees. Each house had their own prophesies but they are often taken to mean the Jew only (and that is the same as mixing up the history of the Yankees with the Rebels) 
.What you are saying regarding the identity of the Jews can be found in Ezra 10:9 (and similar passages)Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
.What you are saying regarding the identity of the Jews can be found in Ezra 10:9 (and similar passages)Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.I've actually had Pentecostals and other 'dispensationalist's' in the 'rapture crowd' tell me this is the 'doctrine of demons.' Funny, I've never had one person ever, that doesn't believe in the 'secret rapture' tell me this.Odd.Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.No wonder Jesus said:Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.Luke 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Notice however we only become the same (Jew and Greek,gentile and Jew)in Christ. We all are one in him. He is the only way. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
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