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The north, though scattered from the quaking of nations, is still to be gathered, for His hand is still outstretched to His people. He will raise a signal and gather the scattered, and they will return. We read in Isaiah:
25 Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he stretched out his hand against them and struck them, and the mountains quaked; and their corpses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger has not turned away,
and his hand is stretched out still. 26 He will raise a signal for nations far away, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come!
Isaiah 5:25-26 ESV
This gathering occurs through the corner stone, Christ, in whom Israel is to be unified. Isaiah repeatedly tells us of those who are the near (southern tribes who remain gathered), and those who are far (scattered northern tribes).
13 Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge my might.
Isaiah 33:13 ESV
19 I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right. 20 “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save.
Isaiah 45:18-20 ESV
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, 19 creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him.”
Isaiah 57:18-19 ESV
3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
Isaiah 60:3-5 KJV
We also read of the near and far in Daniel:
7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you.
Daniel 9:7 ESV
And in Zechariah:
12 And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.’ 14 And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord as a reminder to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah. 15 “And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
Zechariah 6:12-15 ESV
Those who are far, are the scattered and dispersed northern tribes. This is reiterated in John 7:32-36 andJohn 11:39-52.
First, in John 7, the people around Jesus are confused about a teaching. Christ states that He will go away in death, and people will seek Him but will not find Him. Upon hearing these words, the Chief Priests and arresting officers wonder if Christ intends to go the dispersion of scattered northern Israel, whom they believed to be among the Greeks. This verse demonstrates the predominant thought of the day, that there was a dispersion of northern tribe Israelites in far away lands (in this case, Greeks).
“The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”
John 7:32-36 ESV
Furthermore, in John 11:39-52, we see the Pharisees deciding their plan of action against Jesus after Lazarus is raised from the dead. They are weighing the consequences of killing Him and making Him a martyr vs letting Him live, and potentially gaining more of a following. They are concerned that if they let Him live, the Romans will come and remove their authority, for everyone will now be following Jesus. Interestingly, their newly installed High Priest, Caiaphas, had prophesied that Jesus would die for His nation, and importantly, not for His nation only, but also to gather those of Israel who are scattered abroad.
“But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.”
John 11:49-52 ESV
The far off are those scattered from the northern tribes. In Acts 2, we see another example where Peter addresses the prominent members of the southern house after the ascension of Christ at Pentecost. Peter states that the south are repeating the mistakes of the northern house of Israel, and that the promise of salvation is to those of the southern house who are present (near), and those scattered (far off).
This will be discussed in more detail later on, but observe how Peter states the promise is those near and far.
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Acts 2:36-39 ESV
As an aside, in verse 36, while there may have been those who claim northern lineage in Peter’s audience, Peter seems to be speaking to all Israel in the verse, not specifically the northern house of Israel. Indeed, in the NIV, NLT, and BEE translations, House of Israel from Acts 2:36 is rendered simply (and more accurately), Israel.
We see another example of those far off being brought near by Christ in Ephesians 2:13. Ephesians 2 in general is a particularly descriptive passage as to the identity of saved gentiles, and will be discussed more thoroughly later on.
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:11-13 ESV
Those scattered far are brought near by Christ.
In another example in Romans 15, Paul references Isaiah 11:10 again (spoken of in the previous chapter) as the gentiles, or nations, who place their hope in the root of Jesse (David’s lineage). In effect, we see Paul referencing Isaiah as to the identity of the gentiles, and Isaiah referencing the gentiles as the far off northern tribes. It is the gentiles or nations who are extended a 2nd road or 2nd exodus from His hand to recover the remnant of His people. (Isaiah 11:12). Let us first read Romans 15:8-13 for the gentiles being saved, and we’ll then consider Isaiah 11:10-12 for the identity of these saved gentiles.
For reference, the promise to the Patriarchs that Paul is referring to is given in Gen 28:14, 2 Sam 22:50, Ps 18:49, and the praise among the gentiles is from Deut 32:43 and Ps 117:1.
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, [9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” [Is 11:10] 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:8-13 ESV
Now let’s read what Paul is referring to in Isaiah 11:10-13 one more time for the greater context. Take special note once again that Paul identifies the gentiles according to Isaiah (among other books), and Isaiah identifies the gentiles as those who are called to return from banished and scattered Israel and Judah. It is Christ who brings the 2nd exodus from the nations (gentiles).
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. 12 He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim
Isaiah 11:10-13 ESV
We read that through Christ, the jealousy and hostility between Ephraim (the north), and Judah, (the south), will cease through Christ. It is through Christ that peace is made between the two groups. The mechanism, is through the abolition of excessive Talmudic ordinances so that those who were far off could now unite with those who were near. It is by this mechanism that the dividing wall of hostility (the Talmud) is broken down. It is by this mechanism the spirit of jealousy and harassment between Ephraim and Judah is abolished.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
Ephesians 2:14-17 ESV
We can now read of this 2nd exodus for those who are far off to come near to God once again and receive mercy.
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