Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. ¹¹² I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end. (Psalm 119:111-112 KJV)

Many of us have begun our spiritual journey in a distant land. From the very beginning the Creator has desired to be known and loved among his creation.  While all creation reveals some aspect of the character, nature, and will of the Creator, it was Adam that was specifically created to bear the image of YHWH in the world.  But Adam succumbed to his fleshly nature and corrupted the image of YHWH.  Since that time endless false images of the Creator have spawned numerous false religions.  Also from that time the Creator has desired to restore his image and his name.  YHWH chose Abraham and his descendants to be the vehicle whereby he would restore his image.  Through numerous blessings, promises and a great deliverance YHWH sought to win the hearts of Abraham’s descendants.  At Mount Sinai the descendants of Abraham, through Isaac, and Jacob, were invited into a very specific covenant relationship with the God who had created, redeemed, delivered, and saved them.  At Mount Sinai YHWH gave the children of Israel his self-portrait, his self-revelation—the TORAH!  Before this wedding covenant was even consummated, however, the children of Israel had already broken their vows by worshipping a golden calf.  But the Creator was gracious and persistent.  For the sake of his own name, YHWH fulfilled the promises he made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.  Unfortunately, the children of Israel did not have the heart to keep the covenant and repeatedly violated its terms.  Ultimately these repeated violations led to greater and greater chastisements until YHWH finally fulfilled his threat to purge the Promise Land of all those who would not keep the Torah.  So the children of Israel were exiled to the four corners of the earth. 

Man’s shortcomings and failures do not change the nature or character of the Creator.  YHWH does not change.  The Creator stills desires to be known and loved among his creation.  So now the Spirit of the Holy One goes to and fro throughout the earth looking for those who have a heart to fulfill this sacred calling.  Now the Spirit is stirring in the hearts of the descendants of those he has scattered to the ends of the earth.  The Spirit is stirring in the hearts of those that desire to know, love, and manifest YHWH in the world.  Many are now feeling this unquenchable love for YHWH and his word.   Many of us began our journey of faith in the quagmire and pollution of a pagan influenced Christianity.  Some began their journey in a corrupted and polluted Judaism.  Some began this journey in the darkness and confusion of paganism, mysticism, or occultism. Some began in the dark ambiguous pit of atheism or humanism.  Regardless of where the Spirit of the Holy One found us, the truth is that he is calling to us and inviting us to embrace his Torah and to manifest his image.  YHWH is searching for those who have a heart to keep the covenant.  YHWH has opened the door to anyone who is willing to submit to his headship in joy and love, to become a part of his chosen people. Regardless of whether one is a biological descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob or not, the invitation is open to all of those who have the heart and faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—this is Israel!  Ishmael, Zimran, Jokshan, Sheba, Dedan, Asshurim, Letushim, Leummim, Midian, Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, Eldaah, Nebojoth, Kedar, Abdeel, Mibsam, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, Kedemah, Esau, Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jaalam, Korah, Temon, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, Amelek, Nathath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah….etc.  All of these people are biological descendents of Abraham, yet none of them are a part of Israel.  Being Israel is much more than biological descendancy.  The Apostle Shaul has made this point abundantly clear.

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. ⁸ That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:7-8 KJV)

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. ⁷ Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. ⁸ And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (Galatians 3:6-8 KJV)

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (Romans 9:6 KJV)

We were born to a pagan and polluted world and for many of us, into a pagan and polluted religion.   Now, however, the Spirit calls us to be “born again.”  Like the Moabitess Ruth, we must forsake our old inheritance of death and corruption, and embrace the new heritage.

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: (Ruth 1:16 KJV)

In Messiah, the old polluted pagan past is put to death and buried.  In Messiah we are raised to a new life—citizens of the commonwealth of Israel.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: ¹⁰ Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV)

That at that time ye were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³ But now in Messiah Yeshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah. (Ephesians 2:12-13 KJV)

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (Ephesians 2:19 KJV)

Let there be no more confusion as to who you are.  If the Spirit of the Holy has stirred you to heed his voice and keep his covenant, if your own heart delights in the living word of YHWH, if your own spirit hungers and thirsts for the pure water of the Torah as Moses received it and Yeshua taught it, then you are Israel—and this is your heritage. 

 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. ¹¹² I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end. (Psalm 119:111-112 KJV)