Keys To I.S.R.A.E.L. - Celebrating God’s Holy LandSample

Two Become One

Days 41-50 focus on the letter “A” in I.S.R.A.E.L. — Aliyah, or immigration to Israel —and explore the fulfillment today of biblical prophecy and God’s promise that He would bring back His children to their ancient homeland, Israel.

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Our verses today reference the tumultuous confrontation between Joseph  and his brother Judah back in the book of Genesis chapter 44. God told  the prophet Ezekiel to take two sticks of wood and write Judah’s name on  one and Joseph’s name on the other. Then, miraculously, the two  separate sticks became one.

What is the meaning of this display?

Jewish tradition teaches that the stick of Joseph represents the  Diaspora (exiled) Jews while the stick of Judah represents the Jews of  Israel. 

Joseph, who spent most of his life exiled in Egypt, typifies Jews  living outside of their homeland. He was at the mercy of the Egyptians  and unfairly imprisoned. But Joseph also became an integral part of  Egyptian society and brought blessing to the land. At the same time, he  had to play it safe and make sure that he was always in good standing  with Pharaoh because everything could change at any second. When  Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt, they didn’t even recognize him because  he dressed, spoke, and looked like an Egyptian. 

On the other hand, Judah, who was the leader of the other brothers,  spent most of his life in the land of Israel. He represents the Israeli  Jews – free to live how they wanted to live, unapologetic, and strong.  From Judah comes the Davidic dynasty, which represents the Jewish nation  in all its strength and glory. While the Jews of the Diaspora were  always characterized as weak, vulnerable, and pitiful, the Jews of  Israel are seen as self-sufficient and proud.

Throughout history, there has always been these two types of Jews —  and there always will be. The meaning of Ezekiel’s sticks is that at the  End of Days, these two types of Jews will become one. God says, “I  will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will  gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land”  (Ezekiel 37:21). God promises that He will bring His people back to  Israel, and there, they will be one nation, with one king and one God.

At a welcoming ceremony for immigrants coming to Israel I recently attended, a member of the Knesset got up and said that all immigrants  who come to Israel bring something good with them from their former  home. Whether they come from Russia, Yemen, India, America, or Ethiopia,  each group brings something unique from that culture. The result is a  beautiful mosaic in which all of these shades of color are made into one  stunning picture.