Sometime in the year 1897, a newspaper published a short article. It seems like an odd topic to cover; some might even have said that it wasn’t newsworthy.
As the story goes, a young man traveled from his home country to America. This man was deaf and unable to speak. He carried a pad of paper with him, writing down whatever he wanted to communicate. His preferred language of communication was Hebrew. When he would go to a new area, he would find the Jewish section of town; there, they would usually give him clothes, food and some money. Rabbis in Hartford, Connecticut validated his ability to communicate fluently in Hebrew. In fact, this young traveler claimed that his father was a Rabbi in a very prosperous town, back in his country of origin.
When we read, we often paint pictures in our minds. These pictures are based on our world view, our beliefs, our levels of understanding and other personal attributes. With that in mind, please read the original article. It is a short read from the Houston Daily Post, dated Monday, September 20, 1897. You will find the article at the bottom of the second column from the left, above an advertisement that says “International Route.” Click the following link to read the article. When you have read the article, come back to this blog, and keep reading.
20 Sep 1897, Page 1 – The Houston Post at Newspapers.com
Thanks for reading the article. Please ponder the following…
- Did anything surprise you about the young traveler’s story?
- Did your “mental picture” change after reading the story? If so, how…and why?
- Do you find the story credible? If not, based on what you know about life in America and/or Houston in 1897, what could be the motivation for fabricating and publishing this story at that time?
- The last sentence in the article talks about the traveler being surprised that no one in America seems to “know of his countrymen…” What did the young traveler know that the people in America seemed to not know? Who were these “countrymen? Why didn’t they know what the traveler knew?
Over the years, we all have developed assumptions. If we aren’t careful, we may spend our entire lives working to confirm these assumptions, even when faced with evidence that contradicts them. If we approach our walk with Elohim that way, how can we grow closer to Him? How can He teach us?
The existence of people like the young traveler has been denied, overlooked and ignored for many years. Yehovah knows all about them; The Almighty has never forgotten them. They are still here.
“Turn your eyes to the heavens! See who created these? He brings out the army of them in sequence, summoning each by name. Through his great might and his massive strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob; why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from Yehovah, my rights are ignored by my Elohim”?
Haven’t you known, haven’t you heard that the everlasting Elohim, Yehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not grow tired or weary? His understanding cannot be fathomed. He invigorates the exhausted, he gives strength to the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, even the fittest may stumble and fall; but those who hope in Yehovah will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles’ wings; when they are running they won’t grow weary, when they are walking they won’t get tired.” Isaiah 40:26-31
There are people who use information like this to attack others. On behalf of Bnai Ephraim Messianic Ministries and Assembly, let me be clear; this blog is in no way an attack on any people. It is an affirmation of a truth that is not widely acknowledged. Elohim has promised to regather all of Israel (Jeremiah 32:37-40). That includes some people who the world may not recognize as Israel; some of them may not even know their own identity…but they will. This story is one of many “breadcrumbs,” left by The Creator to guide His people home. “So don’t pronounce judgment prematurely, before the Lord (Yeshua) comes; for He will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness; He will expose the motives of people’s hearts; and then each will receive from Elohim whatever praise he deserves.” 1 Corinthians 4:5
TC