I’ve been putting together my family tree after many years of neglect to try and find out where I fit. Where did my ancestors come from? Who were they?
It is a simple task at first which soon becomes progressively harder (to progress!) the further back I go.
Anyway the long and the short of it is that I still don’t really know who I am.
I am much less confused when I simply look to Yeshua the author and perfecter of our faith. There is some merit in family trees and so I will hopefully soon have at least 4 or 5 or 6 generations of ancestors recorded for posterity. I think this is good enough. Maybe I will get a snapshot of the kind of stock I come from for good or bad. The struggles of the patriarchs are also the struggle of their sons.
Were my ancestors from the lost tribes? Can I identify for sure? I doubt it. I did some research on recent DNA genetics discoveries and the implications for the identification of the lost tribes. I am just your average Joe, and don’t pretend to know too much about such matters. I got the impression that environment seems to shape genetics over the long and short term, and that tracing seed-lines of Israelites is no simple task. Along the way I learnt about genetic markers, haplotypes R1b, I and J, Y chromosomes, mitochondrial DNA etc. Still in the dark. But my heart was made better. I realized afresh how little I know. I realized afresh how strange DNA really is. It is a bit like Quantum Mechanics, it touches the spiritual plane, it touches the unseen face of God. The more we drill down into it, the more reality shifts around us. Our eyes are actually the eyes of God looking at himself, looking back at us. How little we know when we look at the fruit of the tree of Knowledge. But strangely peace comes from knowing a little of our ignorance. Then maybe, while not rejecting knowledge, we know that true knowledge is being connected to divinity. It is a life hid with Messiah in God.
I have reached the conclusion that God knows those that are his and it’s his problem. I am not closed to new discoveries. No not at all. But I am more resolved that our task is simple and profound. Our job is simply to love God, obey his Son, and keep his commandments. His commandments being those given on Mt Sinai, those given by the prophets, and those given in the New Testament. Being faithful also requires prayer, something that I am struggling with at present. I believe that our son-ship is expressed through faithful obedience which keeps us in the love of God.
Just this weekend I had the privilege of meeting a good friend of mine, a believer in Yeshua. How good it is to have brothers and sisters in the Lord. I had not met this brother for quite some years. And so many years ago I had not treated him so kindly while we were in business together. More concerned with the business than brotherhood. Not doing anything underhand, just not being kind. Too much in battle mode, to build up the business at the cost of destroying the world to save it, or at least destroying the things that matter most. So what a relief to learn that my brother had grown and forgiven. And what a joy is reconciliation. It is a sweet and Holy thing. And I am so grateful.
How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in Unity (Psalm 133). And what a day when Israel shall be regathered and the tribes reunited. Yet there is an even greater union. And what a tremendous day that will be, when the bride of the Messiah, makes herself ready for her groom, dressed not only in his light but also in the gown of her own good deeds done through faith in her Saviour. A virtuous woman indeed.
So Marriage Unions and brotherly reunions are surely Most Holy. Kadosh Kadoshim. One day Judah and Israel will be reunited as brothers in Arms. One day the animosity will end. Yeshua will be owned by Judah. And the Torah will be owned by Israel. The Sons of Phineas shall be at peace, and Edom will Rest In Peace. And eventually the bride will make herself ready, even as red dragons fall from heaven. God made everything in pairs, protons and electrons, Judah and Israel, Bride and Groom. So let us be those that are quick to forgive and slow to anger. One day soon, before the stars fall from the sky, God shall raise up the remnant of the House of Israel. And the music that died shall rise again, to greater heights from greater depths.
A better guide than DNA is hope, faith and love in Yeshua and in His word. And if we love him, then we will love our neighbor as ourselves. I am not looking for Rabbis to endorse me, or church men to understand Torah. But I can say that reconciliation between brothers is a Holy thing. And it will be a great day when the controversy between the two houses comes to an end. Then perhaps we can concentrate on an even higher union, that of the bride and the groom. Jacob divided his House for fear of Esau. And Esau is coming. But let us look to our saviour for two houses will become one as surely as they were divided. Reconciliation will come as surely as the rain upon the parched Earth.
Just like the song by Scotsman, Robbie Burns, we should not forget old friends, we should not forget the brotherhood of old. Deep calleth to deep.
for auld lang syne*
* The song’s Scots title may be translated into English literally as “old long since”, or more idiomatically, “long long ago”, “days gone by” or “old times”.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
CHORUS:For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne. And surely youโll buy your pint cup !
and surely Iโll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup oโ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But weโve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dineโ ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS And thereโs a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand oโ thine !
And weโll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
