“…Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the
God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto
you: this is my name for ever, and
this is my memorial unto all generations.”
Exodus
3:15
THE LAWKEEPERS’ MONTHLY JOURNAL
<><><><><> SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2002
<><><><><>
***
ESTABLISHED FOR
THE
EXALTATION, PRAISE, AND RECOGNITION OF
THE MOST
HIGH GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB
“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy sons and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.” Deuteronomy 6:1 - 3
“O earth,
earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.”
Jeremiah 22:29
EXALTATION OF THE MOST HIGH GOD OF ISRAEL:
“I WILL praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will
shew forth all thy marvellous works.
“I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou
most High.
“But the LORD shall endure for ever: he that prepared his throne for
judgment.
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall
minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
Psalm 9:1,2,7 - 9
*******
“Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the
earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness:
it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.
Zephaniah 2:3
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
OF THE LAWKEEPERS, CO.:
BACK TO SCHOOL
TIME
Just
imagine.........
It's that time of the year
again, time to go "Back to School". Time for the three R's,.......Reparations,
Repatriation, and Righteousness.
This school term Yisraelites attending
"The University of Elohim" will be majoring in subjects like; The Laws,
Statutes, and Commandments of YIHOVAH, Levitical Law, The High Holy Days, and
The Land of Canaan etc, etc.
The extra-curricular courses on Reparations
and Repatriation are expected to be crowded this term due to the increased
interest caused by the recent "Millions for Reparations" march in Washington
DC.
There is expected to be a Righteous Remnant signing up for courses to
be taught by the Prophet Elijah somewhere out in the desert.
This school
year the final exams will be a piece of cake because YIHOVAH has given us this
promise:
"But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they
shall be my people."
"And they shall teach no more every man his
neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all
know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I
will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Jeremiah 31:33,34
ALL COURSES ARE TUITION FREE!!
SHALOM,
SHALOM
Yehudah
ben Yacob,
President
THE
LAWKEEPERS
*******
Tribute to the New Moon
Revised:
PLEASE TAKE PART IN
“SIGHTING” THE NEW MOON (The First Day of the Month) -
START THE NEXT NEW MOON
WATCH ON THE EVENINGS OF
SEPTEMBER 7,8,9,
2002
BY LOOKING IN THE “WEST”
JUST ABOVE THE HORIZON.
“He appointed the moon for
seasons…”
Psalm
104:19
The first “Sign” in the Heavens to provide
the start of days, years and “seasons” can only begin with the “Sighting” of the
New Moon Crescent - that which we can “see” in order for it to serve as a
“Sign” and enable us to begin counting our days. Just imagine not being able to
“see” the moon at all. How then
could it be appointed for seasons?
“The natural thought might be that the moon is like a living being. It is born, grows, reaches maximum size, then fades and dies, going through all these stages in one month. Even today, we still talk of the thin crescent in the western sky as a new moon and the thin crescent in the eastern sky a month later as the old moon. Half way between is the full moon. As I explained earlier, this cycle of phases of the moon established the month as a unit of time, and the first calendars were based on this.” ISAAC ASIMOV’S GUIDE TO EARTH AND SPACE, pages 79 and 80
In
that the King of Israel is supposed to be a “Righteous Judge” (II Chronicles 1:11),
it stands to reason that he is also supposed to be a “Righteous Role Model.” Thus, if the King that GOD appoints over
Israel observes a “feast” on the day of the New Moon, then wisdom
tells the Nation of Israel to do likewise.
King Saul and the anointed David
observed this service (I Samuel 20th Chapter).
To
their and our hurt our forefathers worshipped all manner of symbols: the sun, moon, stars, and images of gold
and silver. To observe the “Sign”
in the heavens as being the New Moon “Sighting” is NOT worshipping the moon, but
rather it is doing as we are COMMANDED in Genesis 1:14.
***
“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
“Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
“Blow up the trumpet in the
new moon, in the time appointed,
on our solemn feast day.
“For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.”
Psalm 81:1 - 4
(A Psalm of Asaph, the Seer - one who should be well informed about GOD’s Ways)
“Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for
a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.”
Numbers 10:10
Contrary to the belief of some Israelites,
the moon does indeed shine! Whether
the Moon shines on its own or with the aid of the sun, IT STILL SHINES! And the fact that Scripture attests to
this fact, is what’s important: Isaiah 60:19; Jeremiah 31:35; and Ezekiel
32:7. Therefore, Genesis 1:14 is proof enough that we
must use the shining New Moon
Crescents as “…SIGNS, AND FOR
SEASONS, AND FOR DAYS, AND FOR YEARS:”
Some Israelites, along with White Jews, use
the dark phase of the moon to determine the start of a new month. If the dark phase of the moon lasts for
“2-3 days,” then which of these days is supposed to be the distinguishing “Sign” that determines the First Day of
the month? Or do we just
arbitrarily select either or depending on the imaginations of our hearts? On the contrary, with the use of
the sighted “Sign” of the New Moon
Crescent in the Heavens we eliminate any
confusion as to which day IS the First Day of the month. The only problem that presents itself is
cloud coverage that prevents the ability to see the New Moon Crescent. Nonetheless, one can easily
distinguish the New Moon Crescent “Sighting” from all the other phases due to
its thin sliver and its low position in the heavens, and the reason is that no two days or rather phases of the
visible moon are alike.
Thus, to use the New Moon Crescent as the “Sign” in the heavens, as we
are COMMANDED to do for our seasons, days, and years, negates the belief that
the “commandment was given to the luminaries.” The “luminaries” fulfill GOD’s
Commandments: the sun shines and
the moon orbits the Earth. They
have no need to determine seasons, days, and years. Hence, our New Moons are obviously of more
spiritual significance to the Nation of Israel than we are aware. And for sure, the TRUTH concerning them
are in GOD’s WORD to HIS Prophets/Seers - not the White Jews or other
Gentiles. All we need do is use
wisdom, discern what’s written in Scripture, and accept it!
Unless
there is an emergency, please try not to buy or sell on this day. Conduct all financial and business
transactions prior to the day of the New Moon. Interesting enough, II Kings 4:23,24
constitutes the New Moon as being a day to seek “the man of God.” Although the New Moon is NOT a Day of Rest,
Our GOD did set it aside for recognition:
“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.” Psalm 81:3
“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 66:23
“…When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn?…” Amos 8:5
Probably, the Scripture that most determines and clarifies the fact that our New Moons are Feast Days is Ezekiel 45:17:
“And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the NEW MOONS, and in the Sabbaths, in ALL SOLEMNITIES of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the HOUSE OF ISRAEL.” (Caps. are mine.)
Unequivocally, our New Moons
are included in these “SOLEMNITIES” mentioned in Ezekiel 45:17.
“Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the Sabbaths [Feasts – NOT 7th Day Sabbaths*] and in the NEW MOONS.” Ezekiel 46:3 (Brackets are mine.)
Thereby, this justifies the First Day of each month being our “Feast” Day. It should be realized that the Feast Days that Our GOD selected are “Holy Convocations,” i.e., on these days we cannot do any work. However, because King Saul observed the New Moon as a Feast Day, we have every reason to do so, as well. We also have learned that our forefathers traveled to the Temple to worship the Holy ONE on the New Moon (II Kings 4:23 and Ezekiel 45:17), and when HE has HIS Temple rebuilt, then we will be able to resume this service once again.
When we return to our heritage and worship YIHOVAH according to HIS Ways, then we can establish our own “Calendar of the Universe,” whereby, the days of the New Moon and all GOD’s Holy Days will be recognized by the whole entire World.
*Leviticus 23:24,39 (Sabbaths of Feasts)
*******
THE TORAH
READINGS FOR THE NEW MOON AND
SABBATHS
DURING
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2002 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NEW MOON WATCH:
September 7,8,9, 2002
Psalm 81:1 - 10
Numbers Chapters 17 - 19
Psalm 94th Chapter
Ezekiel 36:24 - 28
Isaiah 51st Chapter
Isaiah 8th Chapter
Joshua 4:1 - 14
Jeremiah 33rd Chapter
Isaiah 64th Chapter
Joel 2nd Chapter
Psalm
35th Chapter
SHABBAT READINGS -
9/14/02
Genesis 2:1 - 3
Exodus 31:12-18
Deuteronomy 5:14
Isaiah 56:1 - 7
Isaiah 58:10 - 14
Numbers Chapters 20 - 22
Deuteronomy 4:12 – 19
II Kings 18:4,5
Isaiah 8:13 - 20
Psalm 37:25 - 40
Psalm 99th Chapter
Psalm 107th Chapter
Isaiah 41st Chapter
Nehemiah 9:6 - 37
Psalm 140th Chapter
SHABBAT READINGS -
9/21/02
Genesis 2:1 - 3
Exodus 31:12-18
Deuteronomy 5:14
Isaiah 56:1 - 7
Isaiah 58:10 - 14
Numbers Chapters 23 - 25
Zechariah 8th Chapter
Psalm 3rd Chapter
Psalm 4th Chapter
Jeremiah 4th Chapter
Jeremiah 7th Chapter
Psalm 62nd Chapter
SHABBAT READINGS -
9/28/02
Genesis 2:1 - 3
Exodus 31:12-18
Deuteronomy 5:14
Isaiah 56:1 - 7
Isaiah 58:10 - 14
Numbers Chapters 26 - 28
Joshua 14th Chapter
Joshua 22nd Chapter
II Samuel 6th Chapter
I Chronicles 16th Chapter
Ezra 3: 1 - 7
Lamentations 2nd Chapter
Psalm
20th Chapter
SHABBAT READINGS -
10/5/02
Genesis 2:1 - 3
Exodus 31:12-18
Deuteronomy 5:14
Isaiah 56:1 - 7
Isaiah 58:10 - 14
Numbers Chapters 29 - 31
Isaiah 25th Chapter
Ezekiel 45th Chapter
Psalm 50th Chapter
Isaiah 19th Chapter
Jeremiah 44th Chapter
Nahum
1st Chapter
Psalm
22nd Chapter
Watch for
the next NEW MOON "Sighting" on October 6,7,8, 2002.
A complete TORAH
Readings Hebrew Calendar displaying all the months, Sabbaths of Rest, New
Moon Watches, and Holy Days for the entire year
can be found on
The LawKeepers
WebSite:
www.thelawkeepers.org
Click on “Torah Readings.”
*******
SOME QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
What does GOD Command regarding exposing
iniquity, abomination, and sin among the Children of Israel? And what might be the consequences if we
don’t?
***
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the
priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and
say, Is not the LORD among us? none
evil can come upon us.” Micah
3:11
Given the above verse, should we be
selling GOD’s WORD?
Please feel free to contribute responses to these questions, and if so, they will be published in the next JOURNAL.
*******
HINTS FOR HARDY, HEALTHY HEBREWS:
THE WAR AGAINST WOMEN'S BODIES
Hormone Replacement Therapy
(HRT)
[Premarin]
July 25, 2002
It is difficult to objectively observe how
women are treated in the world of modern medicine, and not come to the quiet conclusion that doctors don't really
care very much about patients of the female persuasion.
That
suspicion ripens into fuller bloom when one thinks about the recent news that
the popular medical provision of estrogen-progestin pills (known as hormone
replacement therapy, or HRT) to menopausal women threatens them with increased risk of heart
disease, stroke and breast cancer.
This,
after the HRT regime has been
marketed to approximately 40 million women as a kind of miracle drug that promises virtual eternal youth.
What's wrong with this picture?
Have millions of menopausal women been
unwitting guinea pigs for the pharmaceutical companies? Have hundreds of
thousands of doctors been duped by these same companies? How can this happen?
In a
nation where capital accumulation is seen as the greatest good, how could it be
otherwise? Medicine is big business.
Doctors
will call themselves scientists, who follow the scientific method. This suggests
they will rigorously test powerful drugs (or test the validity of other's tests)
before prescribing such items to their trusted patients.
Apparently, they relied on
the glowing articles in the media, or the advertising material sent to them by
the drug companies.
Do you know where pharmaceutical-grade
estrogen comes from? Do you know the source of much of the hormone used in birth
control pills? It is collected,
dried horse urine. Seriously. The
urine of pregnant mares is collected, stored and processed into estrogen.
Did you know there are plant sources
that contain natural estrogen?
Several are wild yam, and black cohosh.
What is more important -- the health of
people, or the money that can be made by exploiting their fears and hopes?
The medical industry today is a
wholely-owned subsidiary of the multi-national pharmaceuticals. They are a
primary source of information to the average physician.
How many billions of dollars have been made
off of American women in the last 30 years? How many women have died since 1975 from
breast cancer, heart disease or stroke?
Many don't know and most don't care, much less the drug companies.
Were it
not for the Women's Health Initiative, no one
would know about the serious risks posed by HRT.
By treating menopause as a sickness, rather
than a natural phase in the life cycle, and promising a magic pill that turns
back time, the drug and medical industries have created a market based on a
false hope.
Let us hope millions of women are now safer
than yesterday.
By Mumia Abu-Jamal
Submitted by S.E. Anderson (ebontek)
***
I received the above article sometime last month, and determined then to include it in this edition of The LawKeepers JOURNAL. Several years back, I used to take Premarin until I read somewhere that it is made up of urine from pregnant mares. When I heard this, I didn’t even try to verify the accuracy of this news. I stopped taking it immediately! I either called my gynecologist that same day or the very next day and told him what I had heard. He admitted that it was true. I told him that I want to take something else that’s not made from animals. After a couple of years, I just stopped taking anything. And I found out that I didn’t need it.
Black Cohosh is nothing new for women going through menopause. I have known about this herb for probably twenty years, but I have never tried it.
Dr. ATKINS’ AGE-DEFYING DIET by Robert C. Atkins, M.D. has something interesting to say about HRT’s. He also recommends a list of vitamins for menopausal women:
MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS
Contrary to the gospel as espoused by the medical establishment, the discomforts of menopause do not need to be treated with hormone replacement therapy [HRT]. As I discussed I Chapter 13, there are safer alternatives to HRT, and these alternatives have no side effects. In fact, vitamutrients like those in the protocol in Table 22.9 are extremely helpful at this time in a woman’s life, when she needs optimal nutrition.
Once again,
I must repeat that the large doses of folic acid recommended in Table 22.9 are
best obtained with a doctor’s prescription. But women who need to shrink uterine fibroids,
prevent breast cancer recurrences, or deal with endometriosis or fibrocystic
breasts should keep their dose of supplemental folic acid below 600 mcg
daily.
Also, the recommendations for pregnenolone and DHEA are based on the dosages most women need, but you should work with your physician to identify your current blood levels and determine the amounts that will restore your levels to those of a thirty-year-old.
Table 22.9
VITANUTRIENTS
FOR
MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS
VITANUTRIENT
DAILY INTAKE
Folic acid 20-60 mg
Boron 6-18 mg
Pregnenolone
30-60 mg
DHEA 20-40 mg
Essential oils formula 3,600-7,200 mg
Vitamin E 400-1,200 iu
Vitamin B6 150-300 mg
Gamma.oryzanol 150-450 mg
B vitamin complex 50-100 mg
Chromium 200-600 mcg
***
I cannot stress enough just how important it is for everyone to read Dr. Atkins’ book! I have more respect for the physician who speaks in favor of vitamins and herbs than I do for medical doctors (M.D.s) who don’t. Not to poo-poo medical doctors altogether, but the truth of the matter is that they make more money by healing folks with drugs than by folks healing themselves with vitamins and herbs. Wouldn’t you agree?!
***
May the Holy ONE of Israel be with us to keep us safe and informed in order that we make wise and healthy decisions.
Tziona Yisrael
*******
THOUGHT FOR TODAY AND FOREVER:
Let’s
keep YIHOVAH and HIS Law our focus and pray for deliverance and fulfillment of
all of GOD’s Word, so that every Nation will show forth HIS Praise and Exalt HIM
above all other gods.
*******
THE GREATEST “SPOIL” OF ALL
Learn about the Reparations Mass Movement for Descendants of Slaves and how YOU can get involved: Go to: www.thelawkeepers.org and click on “Repnow.”
The
Israelites received Reparations for their free labor when they left out of Egypt
(Exodus 12:35,36, Psalm 105:37).
Note also that Reparations were given to Ezra for the building of GOD’s
Temple and for the service of the House of the LORD GOD of Israel (Ezra 7:12
–21). And it is prophesied that we
will again receive compensation for our free labor and bondage in this modern-day Egypt (all the lands that took
Israelites captive):
“The Lord said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.” Jeremiah 15:11
*******
EDITORIAL PERSPECTIVE:
WHAT DOES
IT MEAN TO FEAR
THE MOST HIGH GOD OF ISRAEL?
August 25, 2002
“For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them,
neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.”
Isaiah 9:13
“In vain have I
smitten your children; they received no correction:
your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.”
Jeremiah 2:30
“O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast
stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have
refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock;
they have refused to return.”
Jeremiah 5:3
Our Holy ONE of Israel always kept our forefathers informed by sending them HIS Righteous Priests and Prophets who feared HIM to follow HIS Ways and to do HIS Will for as long as the Children of Israel occupied the land. Without question Our Holy ONE sent many messengers to carry HIS WORD. As soon as a man of GOD did wrong, GOD didn’t waste any time letting him know it. Our forefathers have no excuse, as they were kept well aware of GOD’s Law by way of HIS Priests, Judges, and Prophets. Therefore, they knew what to do and how to carry themselves in order to be Righteous Role Models in representing the True and Living GOD. So, for sure these men of GOD were well informed because the All-Mighty GOD was their Counselor. And because Our GOD is of Manifold Mercies, HE also left HIS WORD for those of us living today. Yes, we, too, are informed of exactly what is expected of us. And not one of us can say that, “We did not know.”
However, these men of GOD of yesteryear, our Judges, Kings, Prophets, Priests, as well as our Elders stopped FEARING the Holy ONE and turned to seeking rewards and fame and worshipping the idols of the heathens around them. And worst of all they started rejecting the Holy ONE of Israel and HIS Paths of Righteousness. Without a doubt, we should all realize now why Our GOD of Israel says that we must FEAR HIM!
“Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
“And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.” Exodus 18:21,22 (See also I Chronicles 17:10)
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” Exodus 20:20
“Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:32
“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
“That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
“And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.” Deuteronomy 6:1,2,24,25
“Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
“He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.” Deuteronomy 10:20,21
Do you see the connection
here to not only keep GOD’s Law but to FEAR HIM, as well? It’s important for us to
know that Our GOD will punish us if we are not obedient to all that HE Commands
us to do. And if we fear that Our
GOD will punish us for our sins, then perhaps we won’t commit iniquity.
If we don’t FEAR OUR GOD, then we will in fact reject HIM and follow our own ideals - the imaginations of our evil hearts. This is what happened to our forefathers (and this is what has happened to us). They stopped fearing the Holy ONE, and consequently, they became so rebellious that they started committing all manner of sins against the GOD of Israel. A prophet started lying even in GOD’s Name, a priest started selling GOD’s WORD for his own gain, and our elders saw this wickedness and followed their sinful ways, too. And before they realized it, not one person feared the Holy ONE. Consequently, there was no Righteous Judgment, and all of the Nation of Israel was being led to live corrupt lives.
“Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.” Zephaniah 3:4
Our GOD got fed up and eventually cast Israel - HIS Chosen People into exile. First the Ten Tribes, and then Judah followed. And as a result, we are today under the control of our enemies and in their land, nonetheless, fulfilling Deuteronomy 28th Chapter.
That which is so disturbing is that we have become just like our forefathers. So the saying goes, “There is no new thing under the sun.” Well, we have proven it! And our actions are deplorable. Too many of us neither care about what our forefathers did nor care about doing what’s right. And what’s so ironic is that we claim to know GOD’s Truth.
Because we are GOD’s Chosen People and are in the “Latter Days” (THE DAY OF THE LORD), at some point we have got to realize what’s expected of us. We have got to disconnect ourselves from the societies in which we live and return to the PATHS Our GOD so long ago established for us. This is what that SECOND Wilderness spoken of in the Book of Ezekiel is all about. This is where it will be determined whether we will return to our heritage or not. This is where we will again be taught by Righteous Pastors (Jeremiah 3:14,15) and no doubt meet with the Prophet Elijah! This is where Our GOD will once again plead with us “face to face” just as HE pleaded with our forefathers in the Wilderness after HE brought them out of Egypt (Ezekiel 20:35).
The Prophet Ezekiel knew well that only GOD could see whether or not the “Dry Bones” could live. Also, because he was a Prophet of the GOD of Israel, he was well informed of the evils of this PRESENT DAY Children of Israel - you and me. He knew that if WE are to “live” that then we would have to return to Our GOD, FEAR HIM, and keep HIS Laws, Statutes, and Judgments, or we would die with the Gentiles who are doomed for their hand in our captivity (Jeremiah 30:11).
Ezekiel was quite aware that the Israelites of his day did not fear GOD and much less did not keep HIS Ways; he was there watching them turn farther and farther away from the Holy ONE and HIS Ordinances (Ezekiel 8th Chapter).
“Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.” Ezekiel 7:26
“Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” Ezekiel 22:26
However, the Prophet Ezekiel was also aware that there was hope that the Nation of Israel would return in Righteousness because GOD gave to him this prophecy concerning our Deliverance.
“But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.
“For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:
“And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:” Ezekiel 36:8 - 10
Ezekiel knew that this Deliverance would not take place during his day because there were too many unfulfilled prophecies regarding Judah going into captivity, and these foretellings had to manifest first. He knew that GOD did not lie, and that Judah would go into captivity again - even after the Babylonian captivity.
Although it was hard for him to believe that the SEED of the Israelites of his day would be saved in the end, he was comforted, I’m sure, in knowing that after GOD’s great punishment that Israel would finally consider YIHOVAH. He knew that our oppression and affliction at the hands of our enemies while in their lands would make a difference otherwise, the Holy ONE would not have Commanded it. He knew that when the Holy ONE caused others to take our land and that our identity would be forgotten that certainly we would eventually succumb to FEARING GOD, RETURNING TO HIS BOOK OF THE LAW, and regretting all the wicked ways of our forefathers and ours, as well. But I’m sure after seeing their rebelliousness at that time that Ezekiel certainly still wondered how this Deliverance of which he prophesied would come to pass. I know he wondered because, I wonder, and I’m living in the actual time of Jacob’s Trouble when he is supposed to be saved out of it!
LOOK AT US! We know who we are, but we still reject Truth and knowledge! We still say that our wicked intentions are good. And we still support and even unite with evil doers. After all these hundreds of years, what a shame to have to say that nothing has changed. We still don’t fear GOD!
Otherwise we
would not be waiting on a “Messiah” instead of the Holy ONE of Israel, otherwise
some of our leaders would not be in the land teaching their ways and demanding
their congregations seek their counsel instead of GOD’s, otherwise there would
not be those of us in association with known sinners, otherwise our leaders
would be talking about returning to the land where GOD placed HIS Name and Heart
to live HIS Ways in complete loyalty and Righteousness, otherwise all of us
calling ourselves Priests, Rabbis, and Teachers would be deeply involved in
demanding that their congregations FEAR GOD and live and do the Law HE gave to
HIS Prophet Moses AS IT IS WRITTEN. But many of us are not concerned
with these serious problems that have the potential to keep us clear of Our GOD
and HIS Truth.