What do you know about Ephraim?

Question

What are your thoughts on Ezekiel 37:15-17?

Answer 1

This symbol of unity performed by Ezekiel, whether he merely held the two sticks together in his hand or whether they were miraculously merged, would certainly get the Jews’ immediate attention.

What did Jehovah have in mind by this? Something that was really a miracle to be worked, bringing them together as one nation, with great benefit in mind for them. At the same time God laid a foundation for our assurance of everlasting unity in our time, the time for the full carrying out of his purpose.

The marvelous unity would not merely be a ‘peaceful coexistence,’ with these religiously and politically divided people tolerating one another. —Ezek. 37:23.

God brought unity back there when he repatriated these captive people to Jerusalem to restore true worship. They came from all nations, people from all the tribes. Even centuries later, when Jesus was born, we find representatives of the twelve tribes in Palestine. (Acts 26:7) But the real, permanent unity under the “one king” was yet to come.

But when was the time to come when international unity would be achieved? It began in a small way after Jesus was anointed with holy spirit to be king. (Acts 10:38) He prayed to God with regard to those who would become his spiritual brothers out of the twelve tribes of Israel and, further, out of the Gentile nations: “I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word; in order that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you, that they also may be in union with us.”—John 17:20, 21.

Answer 2

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth to rule and reign for 1000 years Israel and Judah will be joined together and become one nation again. He will make a New Covenant with Israel in those days. Hebrews 8: 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: IF you will read Revelation Chapter 7 you will find that the tribe of Ephraim is not sealed because Ephraim was joined to idols. Hosea 4: 17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. The tribe of Dan is not sealed and Jospeh and Levi are added into the 12 tribes of Israel to replace Ephraim and Dan.