By F. Scott Nickerson
A couple of years ago, in the Spring of 2023, my wife Rhonda and I were invited to participate in a study of the biblical covenants at a local Lutheran Church in Woodstock, GA. During the course, we had the opportunity to occasionally contribute some Hebraic thoughts and understandings to the discussion, which were enjoyed by most of the group.
When the lectures and discussions got to the New Covenant and explained that this was for the whole world and not primarily for Israel but for gentiles, I had the opportunity to explain in some detail that this “New Covenant” was actually God’s rescue plan for a people once called the House of Israel but long forgotten by both Christians and Jews. In this rescue plan, God would offer salvation to the entire world and also citizenship in His covenant nation, Israel. It would be for the House of Judah as well, according to Jeremiah 31:31.
This covenant renewal with all Israel would be the greatest rescue plan ever devised by God, yet most believers are totally unaware of its roots and its plan to reunite the two great houses of Israel, Ephraim and Judah. Our study group thought it was interesting, but could not grasp that this plan was the very gospel of redemption that they themselves had received. I had explained that part too, but it is still so foreign a concept to grasp for believers that I was inspired to write a Passover story for the House of Israel to share the details of this story in the form of a traditional Seder meal.
Together in this Seder, we recount the rebellion and broken relationships that led to the separation of the Houses of Israel. That spirit of rebellion drove the houses apart and led Ephraim Israel to reject God and His Torah instructions as well as Judah, resulting in God divorcing them and casting them into the nations of the world to become gentiles. Throughout the course of the meal and readings, we partake of 7 cups of redemption, from the cups of Messiah and Mercy, then Identity and Instruction, to the cups of Holiness and Reconciliation and finally together we drink the cup of Return.
Through the new marriage covenant of Yeshua’s sacrifice and resurrection, Ephraim is set free from 10 items (in this seder) that held them in bondage. Ephraim is rescued from these 10 kinds of bondage so that he can walk in the newness of his identity as Israel and prepare himself for the return of the King of all Israel, Yeshua the Messiah of all Israel.
If you’ve been looking for something new to refresh your Passover experience, check out this
Seder Haggadah “A Celebration of the Rescue of the House of Israel (Ephraim)”. Feel free to download and copy for your meal this Passover.
