Remaining in Exile: Awaiting Full Restoration

Jews living in the time of Jesus did not think the exile was over.
Judah came back from Babylon. All twelve tribes did not. Ten had been scattered by Assyria and never returned, and the prophets had promised something far bigger than a partial homecoming.
Ezekiel acts it out with two sticks - one for Judah, one for Joseph - joined into one in his hand. The promise is that the divided kingdoms will be reunited, the people gathered from among the nations, one land under one king.
That is the expectation the New Testament walks into. When Jesus appoints twelve, the number is not decorative.
Scripture links:
- Ezekiel 37:16-21 - two sticks made one, and the people gathered from among the nations.
Restoration in the Bible is not getting your house back. It is getting the family back together.