Biblical Restoration: Why Israel Returning to their God Is a Process
We see a great deal of "night and day" thinking regarding the subject of biblical restoration. Many people think that restoration will occur immediately and then it will be done. However, the scriptures tell us a much different story. Restoration is a process that occurs over time. The process is developed based upon repentance, remembrance, and being aligned with The Most High.
Understanding this process is crucial; especially for those Israelite descendants awakening to their true identities today.
Restoration ALWAYS begins with identity.
Prior to Israel returning to The Most High, Israel must FIRST REMEMBER WHO THEY ARE. As noted throughout the scriptures, the loss of identity is directly related to disobedience. When Israel FORGOT THE COVENANT WITH THEIR GOD AND EMBARKED ON THE CUSTOMS OF THE SURROUNDING NATIONS AND TURNED AWAY FROM THE LAWS GIVEN TO THEM BY THEIR CREATOR, SEPARATION FOLLOWED.
In the modern world, many Israelites have lived for centuries without knowledge of their true heritage. They were taken from North East Africa, dispersed through slavery and colonization and their true identity was DELIBERATELY STRIPPED AWAY. Their names, languages, customs and histories were all replaced. Therefore, restoration cannot bypass this phase. A people cannot return to their CREATOR if they do not know who they are returning as.
Therefore, awakening comes FIRST. Knowledge precedes obedience.
Separation WAS PART OF THE JUDGMENT.
Scripture clearly states that EXILE WAS NOT RANDOM. IT WAS CONSEQUENCE. Israel was warned repeatedly that abandoning The Most High would result in scattering among the nations. Although the scattering of Israel was both PUNISHMENT AND PRESERVATION, returning from exile was never intended to occur IMMEDIATELY. Just as the captivity occurred over generations, restoration also occurs over generations.
Denying the historical and traumatic experiences of Israelite descendants today and expecting them to align spiritually immediately ignores the WEIGHT OF HISTORY AND TRAUMA CARRIED BY TODAY'S ISRAELITE DESCENDANTS TODAY.
Returning to The Most High requires UNLEARNING false teachings.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of restoration is UNLEARNING FALSE TEACHINGS. For example, CENTURIES OF RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS WERE IMPOSED UPON BLACK COMMUNITIES; MANY OF WHICH HAD NO CONNECTION TO SCRIPTURE, BUT RATHER WERE ROOTED IN CONTROL, NOT COVENANT.
Returning to The Most High is not about joining a NEW RELIGION. Rather, it is about removing DISTORTIONS FROM THE TRUE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE AND RETURNING TO WHAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN WRITTEN. This requires TIME. BELIEFS MUST BE EXAMINED. TRADITIONS MUST BE QUESTIONED. TRUTH MUST BE DISCERNED FROM DOCTRINE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PACIFY RATHER THAN LIBERATE.
Therefore, RESTORATION IS NOT COMFORTABLE. GROWTH NEVER IS.
Repentance is COLLECTIVE, not just INDIVIDUAL.
Although biblical repentance is not limited to the individual, IT IS ALSO NATIONAL. In scripture, Israel REPENTS AS A PEOPLE, ACKNOWLEDGING COLLECTIVE DISOBEDIENCE AND COVENANT BREAKING. This does not mean that EVERY INDIVIDUAL COMMITTED THE SAME ACTIONS; however, it recognizes SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AMONG THE COVENANT.
Today, many Israelites are beginning this process either CONSCIOUSLY OR UNCONSCIOUSLY. LEAVING BEHIND DESTRUCTIVE CYCLES, DENYING LIES ABOUT WORTH AND IDENTITY, AND SEEKING THE TRUTH IS PART OF NATIONAL REPENTANCE. IT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE SACKCLOTH AND ASHES; HOWEVER, THE HEART POSTURE IS FORMING.
The Most High honors SINCERE TURNING, EVEN WHEN IT IS IMPERFECT.
Restoration occurs in STAGES.
Scripture portrays restoration occurring in stages. First, comes AWAKENING. Then, CORRECTION. Then, DISCIPLINE. Finally, BLESSING. SKIPPING STAGES WILL RESULT IN CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION.
Israel returning to The Most High involves BUILDING SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS, RE-LEARNING LAWS, RESTORING FAMILY STRUCTURES, AND HEALING GENERATIONAL WOUNDS. NONE OF THIS OCCURS OVERNIGHT. EXPECTING PERFECTION AT THE START WILL ONLY LEAD TO DISCOURAGEMENT.
Process does not equate failure. Process equals MOVEMENT.
Hope resides in PROMISE, not PACE.
The Most High has never abandoned Israel. The covenant remains intact. What we are seeing NOW is NOT DELAY, but FULFILMENT DEVELOPING IN REAL-TIME. Restoration appears chaotic because ALL HEALING IS CHAOTIC.
Israel's return to The Most High is NOT ABOUT SPEED. Rather, it is about SINCERITY. STEP-BY-STEP, TRUTH-BY-TRUTH, IDENTITY-BY-IDENTITY, THE PROCESS CONTINUES.
And process does not annul PROMISE. Process validates PROMISE.
Judith Asher, Author of The True Hebrews Book series