There is no more confusion within the ‘church’ than the arguments surrounding the nation of Israel and the ‘lost’ tribes of Israel. It has been debated and argued by many; but there are still many unanswered questions that need to be addressed and settled. We will attempt to outline the issues and concerns, as we once again turn in context to the very words of Jehovah.
To do this we must begin with the formation of the people of Israel, the tribes of Israel, and the very nation of Israel. This will take us back to Genesis and the descendants of Abraham.
Genesis 11:27 Now these are the records of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran; and Haran became the father of Lot.
11:28 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans.
11:29 Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah.
11:30 Sarai was barren; she had no child.
11:31 Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there.
11:32 The days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.
We read that Terah had three sons, one of which was Abram. Haran, Lot’s father died. Nahor took one of Haran’s daughters as his wife. We have no family lineage for Sarai. After Terah died in Haran, Abram took Lot under his care and protection, as he was without a father.
This relationship is continually mentioned throughout Genesis, often revealing the shallow sinfulness of all involved. However, Abram was personally chosen by Jehovah to be the foundation of His plans for a nation solely devoted and dedicated to Himself. Of course, He knew that the nation soon to be known as Israel, would fail miserably as being His shining light on a hill to all nations.
12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you;
12:2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;
Jehovah’s calling to Abram required him to leave the land within which he and his father had made their home. It is very typical of Jehovah to require us to leave our prior life in order to live a righteous, holy life devoted to obedience to Him.
12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
This is the first of many passages that is falsely interpreted to refer to the nation of Israel. In fact, the leaders of that nation still today claim it as their promise from Jehovah.
This promise was to Abram before there even was an Israel. Also, in Abram all the families or tribes of the entire world would be blessed. This promise goes far beyond just on family, tribe, or nation.
12:4 So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
If you think that once you reach an older age, you can or should retire and enjoy all the fruit of ‘your’ hands. Clearly, Jehovah has plans for you for your entire life.
What other plans has HE made for Abram?
What will become of Lot?
Where does this simple beginning all lead?
More next Saturday.