TRAVELS WITH YAHSHUA: GALILEE

There is a widespread understanding of Yahshua, the Christ, as devoting his ministry to the Jews in the Holy Land. If one listens to many of the most prominent voices sounding Christian themes in America, then one certainly would infer that Yahshua [Jesus] was devoting himself to “preaching to the Jews.” Yet, this phraseology is not only incorrect but also very misleading. Why?

Any attentive reading of the Gospels will render a clear understanding that Yahshua’s ministry was overwhelmingly concentrated in Galilee. Interestingly, it is in Galilee that the tribe of Benjamin was concentrated. This tribe had traditionally been the “lightbearing” tribe. The symbolic quality of this tribal task could not be easily missed. All of Yahshua’s initial twelve Apostles were Benjaminites, excepting Judas Iscariot, who was a Judahite. When Judas Iscariot was replaced, his replacement was a Benjaminite. Is all this without import?

Although born in Judea in Bethlehem and, thus, amid the majority of Judahites extant in the Holy Land, He soon was removed to Egypt for His safety. The leadership of the Judahites was held by “converted” Edomites [seed of Esau], such as King Herod, the High Priest, other priests, and perhaps the leaders of the Temple Guards. For this reason, perhaps, the murder of the Israelite babes in Bethlehem was not so difficult; they weren’t kinfolk. When Joseph returned to Judea, fearing Herod’s son, he continued into Galilee, where Yahshua [He who comes in the name of Yah] was brought up to manhood.

Other than events related to the Temple at Jerusalem, such as Passover, selected festivals, or some mandatory tax, Yahshua did not go to Judea. We do read that, in the days of Yahshua, John the Baptist preached the coming of the Kingdom. John the Baptist seemed to be located near the Jordan River in Judea and to mostly dwell in the wilderness, along with his followers. It was to John the Baptist that Yahshua ventured into Judea on one occasion. Where had He come from? Galilee.

Further, the Bible tells us that sometime not long thereafter, Yahshua was tempted by the Devil. The area in which this occurred suggests the environs in which John the Baptist generally inhabited. If so, then this would likely make this set of temptations ones that occurred in Judea. Hence, another ill seems to favor Judea–the Devil. When the word “fear” occurs in the Bible, relative to Yahshua’s ministry, it seems to relate to Jews and Judea. John the Baptist was imprisoned there and later beheaded. There seems to be something “bad-wrong” about Judea. There seems to be a righteousness problem in Judea. After the Devil “tested” Yahshua unsuccessfully, the Christ left this area. Where did He go? GALILEE! And along the way Angels tended to Him.

He returned to His childhood hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. Then He visits other towns in Galilee, fulfilling Scripture en passant.

His first miracle occurred at Cana in Galilee. Consider:

On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. [John 2:1-2]

Parenthetically, I cannot behold this line without thinking of Yahshua’s terrible death, His body still in His tomb for three days, and then His glorious resurrection. For it is as a “new Man” that he is free to “re-marry” Israel, the castaway former wife. When a man marries, he becomes a “new man.” The old way is over. Yahshua’s mother symbolized for me the Judahites and the disciples the Israelites [their ministry was to be "the lost sheep of Israel]. For as Mount Sinai was the site for the original “marriage” of Yahway to the children of Israel, so Jerusalem was the site for the “eternal marriage” of Yahshua Christ to all Israelites. And the “miraculous” wine of Cana became the “miraculous” blood of Christ. We are purged not by water but by Christ’s Blood. Thereafter, we became proper partners for this mystical union.

Because of the word “called” there is a sense of Godly predestination which aims at restoration of the “fallen down and dispersed.”

In this passage the Bible also tells us that “He manifested forth his glory.” All of this is to indicate that He is the Light of Israel. At both this marriage ceremony and upon His resurrection, he shown with a sort of fitting splendour. Was He not the true Radiant Groom?

Another thing the reader of the Gospels notices is that, while He preached and healed throughout Galilee, crowds of people from Judea, Jerusalem, Syria, etc., journeyed to behold Him.

Most of the important sermons, lessons, parables and the demonstrations of Yahway’s power working through Yahshua by numerous signs and wonders occurred in Galilee. Christ instructed His disciples while in Galilee to seek out the lost sheep of Israel. After he finished instructing them, He Himself visited their towns, teaching and preaching. Since His disciples were Galileans, excepting Judas Iscariot, Christ must have been preaching and teaching in Galilee. Further, although Judas was a Judahite, his hometown was apparently amongst the Benjamite area of Galilee.

There were Pharisees & Scribes & synagogues scattered all over the Holy Land, including Galilee. They seem to represent that same unrighteousness found in Judea. They are almost always antagonistic toward Christ, albeit careful, usually, to wear a mask.

There is every reason to suppose that Yahshua usually was some 75 miles away from Jerusalem during his time in Galilee. Since that is where He is to be found, that is where the agents of the High Priest went to spy and try to “trip up” the Christ.

The Transfiguration occurred in Galilee. I believe that this relates to the splendor, to the union restored, to the partaking of the glory of The Most High through Christ the Groom, and the beautiful raiments, jewels ,etc., bestowed on The Bride (Israel) as expressions of an inexplicable, awesome love. He gave up His life for us! This is both the true character of the Groom and the way to the “house” which He has prepared for His Bride.

Now, parenthetically, many men have “trouble” with such imagery. Yet, the husband & wife union is the best metaphor for indicating the approximate spiritual union of Christ and Israel.

Now, even a perfunctory scan of the Gospels should establish for all that the ministry of Yahshua was aimed overwhelmingly at the people of Galilee, rather than at those of Judea. There wasn’t even an attempt by Christ to be “even-handed” in allocation of His ministerial time. Why?

The answer was given by Yahshua himself: I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me.  And as thoroughly as the Father knows Me, I also know the Father; and I lay down My own life on behalf of the sheep [Israelite remnant from the Southern Kingdom]. And I have other sheep [divorced Northern Kingdom plus 200,000 of Judahites removed to the area north of Assyria] beside these, which are not of this fold. Those also I must gather; and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, one Shepherd. [John 10: 14-16]

Christians should be aware that the term “sheep” in both Old and New Testaments is used exclusively in conjunction with Israelites, when referencing humans, or a people. Therefore, both folds referred to in John 10: 14-16 should be understood to be Israelites. However, this does not mean that non-Israelites “need-not-apply.” To the contrary Christ is their hope also. However, the Way of Yahway must proceed according to prophetic markers, which establish His truth and the wisdom and merit of those who perceive and embrace it.

Note: Farrar Fenton Bible translation employed. As always, I’m indebted to the extraordinary Sheldon Emry.

All rights reserved. Gobigfoot, 2007.