Who Were (Are) the “Lost Sheep” of the House of
Israel?
Pastor John Johnson
Once, when Yeshua sent his disciples out, he advised them, "Do not go among the Gentiles, or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 10:5-6). In another place we find Yeshua said to a woman of Canaan, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). When Yeshua said to the Canaanite woman that he had been sent to "the lost sheep of Israel", he was likely (and locally at that time) referring to the Israelites who were living round about that geographical area, and not to some lost tribes in the east (or in the islands of the sea), although there truly were those scattered among the nations that the Canaanite woman probably could not have known about and any references to them could not have made sense to her (granted, some seemingly irrelevant remarks often have deeper hidden meaning for readers). In any case, the woman’s understanding of the authority of Yeshua and of His kingship of Israel and of His “Son of God” Lordship was clear, and she indeed did receive her request because of her confession of that fact, and her confidence in His ability to suffice her need… better than many today. I believe it is important here to note that the “locals” were aware of their religious, social and cultural environment (just as we understand our surroundings today); AND, that given the understanding that what Yeshua did in His public ministry (not hidden or in a corner, as Paul said, Acts 26:26), her response surely confirms that Yeshua’s mission WAS to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel,” at least in this particular incident.
The good news of the Kingdom of God, apparently, was first to be preached to the Israelites [Israelites here meaning all Northern Kingdom Ephraim (House of Israel) and Southern Kingdom Judah (Jews) who may have been living in “Biblical Palestine” at that time, mostly Jews] and only later to others (nations). If Yeshua’s ministry were only for the Israelites, then what of other passages in the Bible that speak about his universal ministry (John 8:12, [Yeshua, light of the world]; Matthew 12:15-21[Yeshua, to show judgment to the Gentiles, and in His name shall they trust]; Isaiah 42:1[Prophecy, Yeshua shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles])? If Yeshua’s mission was only for the “national” Israel, he could not have given the great commission before his ascension: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). The Apostles understood this command to preach the truth to all nations. They did not hesitate because they knew that the gospel "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jews, then for the Gentiles" (Romans 1:16). In fact Paul knew he was the Apostle to the gentiles, and Peter knew his ministry was to the Israelites.
What did Yeshua mean, then, in using the word “lost” when he referred to "the lost sheep of Israel"? In Matthew 9:36 Yeshua describes the crowds following him as "fainted and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd". Likely meaning, lost, as in not knowing which way to go; not unlike many, wandering in the world today. In Luke 19:10 Yeshua said to the tax collector, Zacchaeus: "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." In the Apostolic Writings (NT Gospels), the broad meaning of “lost” included sinners, tax collectors, adulterers, outcasts, lepers and all those who were spiritually blind or deaf, etc. Some teach “that” which was “lost,” included the relationship of man to Yahweh, which was broken when sin befell Adam in the Garden, and that Yeshua came to “restore” that relationship and the benefits that accompany it, which was also “lost.” Yeshua’s coming truly delivered us from the realm of death (power of darkness [Col 1:13]), and truly seated us with Him in heavenly places (Eph 2:6)… a work of Yahweh’s grace to all those who believe in Yeshua for salvation and embrace His commandments for living (Torah).
In addition when Yeshua advised his disciples to go only to the "lost sheep" (Matthew 10:6), on this preliminary mission they did not journey to Syria, Persia, India or elsewhere to preach to the supposedly lost tribes (lost sheep), not because they did not exist, but more likely that it was not practical at that time. Rather, they went to the villages and towns around them and later returned to tell Yeshua of the difficulties and successes of their ministry. One would conclude that they did focus on the “area” Israelites, at least for this time. When Yeshua told his disciples: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans", he knew that this was the first occasion where they would preach, and given the “Torah observance” that most Jews lived, as separated from gentiles, they likely could not have been received or motivated in that setting (unlike Yeshua, who could cross such cultural boundaries with full understanding). So he wanted them to concentrate initially on preaching to the house of Israel. Later, however, Yeshua did send them to a village of the Samaritans, “to make ready for Him” (Luke 9:51-53), though they did not receive Him, “because His face was as though He would go to Jerusalem.” You must remember that the Samaritans and Jews were at great odds with each other, and one going to Jerusalem to keep the appointed feast/holidays was even more of an offense to the Samaritans. At another time, He preached to a woman of Samaria and because of her testimony, subsequently He ministered to the whole town, staying with them for two days (John 4:1-42). We can see that Yeshua did not consider his ministry to be restricted to the Jews/Israelites. When the right time came, he commanded the disciples to preach to “all the world” (Matthew 28:18-20).
It was not simply Jews/Israelites who were blessed through Yeshua but many Gentiles were also. God had promised Abraham that he would bless all nations through him (Genesis 18:18). Could this be the promise to which Yeshua referred in John 10:16 when he said: "I have other sheep which are not of this fold; I must bring them also ... and there shall be one flock and one shepherd?" Indeed the words "which are not of this fold" could refer to non-Jews/Israelites (Gentiles, people of/from ALL nations), and if so, it was a futuristic or “prophetic” reference (as this writer believes it was). In the end, the term “lost sheep” has two meanings, one is that there were “specific” people (lost sheep “House of Israel”) that Yeshua wanted to reach… who for the most part rejected Him. And, the second, “lost sheep,” were ALL nations… “whosoever will” come to Him. Those who believe the “Two House” prophecy that concerns the reuniting of the two Kingdoms (Northern Kingdom-House of Israel, and Southern Kingdom- Judah), as the writer does, believe the “lost sheep of the House of Israel” Today, (for the most part) to be Ephraim (Northern Kingdom House of Israel, that are to be reunited with Judah when the whole House of Israel is restored, Ezk 37:15-28 prophecy). The “Brit Chadashah,” or Renewed Covenant, which is the promise of Jeremiah 31:31-33, and Hebrews 8:1-12, IS specifically the renewed covenant that Yahweh CONFIRMS with His covenant People (Israel). However Christianity teachings broadly calls the New Testament the “new covenant”, which NT should more accurately be called the Apostolic Writings than “New Covenant,” in this writer’s opinion, since the “Renewed Covenant,” IS ONLY with the House of Israel, not with the “church,” which is (in my opinion) a teaching established on fragmented interpretation of Scripture. This “co-mingling” of terms is quite common and would be nearly impossible to unravel and find broad acceptance. Nevertheless, we are living in a day when we need to get a clear understanding of who the “lost sheep of the House of Israel” ARE. Please read the following text carefully and get your Bible and research its meaning… it is a profound understanding that this writer did not clearly see until 61 years old… a lifelong Christian, and in ministry for much of my life… when you begin to understand and start “connecting the dots” of this end-times prophecy, it will stimulate your spiritual life and spark greater excitement in your walk with Yeshua. Read Carefully:
From the beginning Yahweh has only had ONE people with whom He made a covenant, and with whom He refers to making a new (renewed) covenant with; those people were (and are) called “Israel.” They are identified (yesterday, today and forever) as those who embrace Torah (keep His Commandments as Yeshua taught), love Yahweh (and in the “renewed covenant” receive His Son Yeshua the Messiah and His blood sacrifice for salvation), and are joined by faith to the Commonwealth of ONE PEOPLE… Israel. This is not a “church,” “nation,” “bloodline,” or “political” people… IT IS A FAITH PEOPLE. There will be some “nation” Jews included, some “bloodline” Jews and Israelites included, and there will be some “gentiles” included, known as “companions” according to the Scriptures (Ezk 37:15-28). Most of the “Israelites,” or the scattered seed of the Northern Kingdom (Israel, 10 tribes), and “their companions,” are today, for the most part, scattered in among the Christian Churches worldwide (they are people, not “churches”)… and are being called out and back to their Hebraic roots. Much confusion has been done by "replacement theology" teaching (meaning the "church" has replaced Israel [meaning Jews-Israelites] because they rejected Messiah and killed Him, and now God has a "new" deal with them). Totally against Biblical fact, and if embraced will severely distort one's view of prophecy and their own position with Yahweh.
You will need to let this “sink in” as it took me much study and research to “get it.” We are so traditionally “misinformed” (innocently, in most religious circles where the salvation message is sincerely embraced), that the understanding of this Scriptural truth is hard to grasp. Please go to our website link:
The Two Houses of Israel in the End-Times (PDF file)
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