If I would ask you who Ephraim was in the Bible, I am sure you all would answer that he was one of the sons of Joseph, and he was born to Joseph and his wife while in Egypt. He then became the father of the tribe of Ephraim. In Hebrew, the name means “fruitful, fertile and productive.”
But beyond that, what else do we know about Ephraim’s descendants?
His name appears 163 times in the Bible with the first mention at his birth. “And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:51–52
The two boys were born in the seven years of plenty. Then came the seven years of famine. After several years of famine Jacob came to Egypt, where he lived for the remaining 18 years of his life. This puts the age of Ephraim somewhere in his early 20’s when he received the blessing from his grandfather.
The name Ephraim is mentioned only once in the New Testament, and it is a city called Ephraim. It was a city that was in the wilderness bordering the Jordan valley. “Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with His disciples.” John 11:54. Why did Jesus go to Ephraim? After Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, the Pharisees and Chief Priests began plotting to put Him to death, so He retired to Ephraim with His disciples.
Thus, the memory of Ephraim seems to have ended in the Old Testament times. No mention is made of this tribe in the book of Revelation chapter 7, where the 144,000 are sealed under the names of the other tribes of Israel.
So, what is the cause of Ephraim’s disappearance? When asked, I have often heard a brief answer that Ephraim was eliminated due to idolatry. Now I ask you, have you ever been guilty of idolatry? Is there forgiveness for such a sin? Was not Nebuchadnezzar a man devoted to idol worship? Did he not find salvation in the God of Daniel? Also, did not Solomon, who was raised to worship the true God, fall into idolatry in his mid-adult life? Did he not repent in his old age?
Let us study more about what the Bible says about Ephraim.
In Genesis 48, we read of the blessing that Jacob gave to Manasseh and Ephraim. Even though Ephraim was the younger, he was given the greater blessing. Greater blessing often requires greater responsibility.
Some very faithful people in history came from the tribe of Ephraim. One of the most well-known was Joshua, who took over Moses’ duties and led Israel into the Promised Land. “Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.” Numbers 13:8
Often in the Bible you read of “Mount Ephraim”, which refers to this region. Mount Ephraim was the historical name for the central mountainous district of Israel once occupied by the Tribe of Ephraim, extending from Bethel to the plain of Jezreel. Mount Ephraim is not a single mountain but a mountainous region. This is where Joshua and his family settled, along with the rest of the tribe.
After the death of Joshua, we see the downfall of the entire nation of Israel—not just the tribe of Ephraim. It began with some of the tribes not completely driving out the enemies. Ephraim was equally guilty. “Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.” Judges 1:29. Of course when good and evil try to cohabitate, we know that often evil will predominate and take over. And this is what happened in the nation of Israel. ”Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3
When Joshua died, he was buried near Mount Ephraim. Since this mountainous region is mentioned often it must have been a prominent place. “And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.” Judges 3:27. The call to war came from Mount Ephraim.
Deborah did her work in Mount Ephraim. “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” Judges 4:4–5
The Lord gifted the Ephraimites as strong warriors. They had no excuse to not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in their land. “And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers.” 1 Chronicles 12:30
They were proud of their abilities and when Gideon asked, they came to help. “And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.” Judges 7:24
However, due to their pride, they became angry because Gideon did not call them at the beginning of the battle. “And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.” Judges 8:1. But thankfully Gideon was able to calm them down. “And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?” Judges 8:2
Also, we see even a stronger evidence of Ephraim’s pride, jealousy, and self-centeredness at a later time. When Jephthah chose to fight (and defeat) the Ammonites without the aid of the proud Ephraim warriors, a civil war erupted, and 42,000 warriors from Ephraim were killed. (Judges 12:1–6)
The lessons of Ephraim contain a wide range of human behaviour. We see Ephraim turning away from God and doing wicked things many times, and God’s love reaching out for them. And also, we find the tribe recognizing the need to repent and obey by following the prophet’s instructions. “Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim . . . said . . . for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.” 2 Chronicles 28:12–13
The name Ephraim is used sometimes to denote the entire Northern Kingdom as seen in the following verse. “Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions.” Ezekiel 37:16
And why Ephraim? Ephraim was the principal tribe of the Northern Kingdom. They were large, centrally located, and had quite an influence on the surrounding smaller tribes. Although the most numerous and aggressive of the tribes for a time, they were very spiritually weak.
All the ten tribes had gone far into idolatry. But Ephraim, being a large and powerful tribe, had a great influence on the others. You could say they were the “ringleaders” in the apostasy of the North. When the nation divided into two in the days of King Rehoboam, the first king in the North, Jeroboam I, was an Ephraimite. The first thing he did was to set up two golden calves for worship at each end of the country so that the people would not need to travel to Jerusalem to worship. Thus all of the Northern tribes were influenced into idolatry by the Ephraimite king. The seventh king of Israel, Ahab, was also an Ephraimite and he brought Baal worship to the nation.
The Bible tells of various sins that were specifically recorded that Ephraim was guilty of.
They were known for their envy. “The envy also of Ephraim shall depart.” Isaiah 11:13
They were proud and drunkards. “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim.” Isaiah 28:1. The Northern Kingdom were drunk physically and spiritually making them incapable of living in harmony with God’s will. She was seen waning in strength when Isaiah wrote this. Not long after they went into captivity.
Hosea was a prophet sent mainly to prophesy to the Northern Kingdom and throughout his book he frequently makes reference to the kingdom using the name, Ephraim.
It is recorded that Ephraim “committest whoredom” (Hosea 5:3). And the Lord described it as “an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom
of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.” Hosea 6:10
They were proud (Hosea 5:5). They willingly walked after the ways of the world (Hoses 5:11).
They were robbers. “for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.” Hosea 7:1
They were liars. “Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit.” Hosea 11:12
They mixed themselves with the heathen around them (Hosea 7:8). The Israelites were worshippers of the Lord by profession, but engaged in the idolatries of the heathen. Israel refused to follow the divine order that the Lord had ordained, but mingled with the surrounding people, and so became a religious hybrid.
”Ephraim hath made many altars to sin.” Hosea 8:11. God has only one altar. They made many, contrary to the express command of God. They were for the worship of idols, such as the calves, the Baals, and other heathen idols. Their location was on every high hill and place that pleased the people.
“Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.” Hosea 12:8. They were blind to their sin. They boasted of their riches, in spite of the fact that they were obtained by fraud and violence, maintaining at the same time that they had not sinned and so did not deserve condemnation and punishment. The prosperous state of the Northern Kingdom during the reigns of Jehoash and Jeroboam caused them undue self-confidence and forgetfulness of God, blinding them to the knowledge of their real spiritual condition.
“Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall He leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.” Hosea 12:14. Because of Ephraim’s falseness and lack of devotion, he provoked the Lord to bitter anger. Ephraim’s guilt and punishment would not be removed. The dishonour that Ephraim offered to God through idolatry and iniquity shall return unto him. Those who rebel against God and bring reproach upon His name must expect divine retribution. Due to their sin, they lose their Divine protection. They choose the world and turn their backs on Jesus.
The Lord called them a “silly dove” (Hosea 7:11), for going both to Egypt and Assyria for help. This describes Ephraim’s folly because a dove is a bird that is simple and easily deceived. They asked Egypt and Assyria for help and did not realize that they were putting themselves in a position that these powers would want to control their nation. Thus Israel lost her national sovereignty and independence. When they were in trouble they turned to Assyria for assistance (Hosea 5:13); and, unfortunately, eventually were conquered by Assyria.
Thus when we consider the sins of Ephraim, ask yourself, have you ever been guilty of some of those sins? Are you any holier than they?
Yet, the promise is, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Jesus said to Mary, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11. And to the man at Bethesda, “sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14
The real issue then is lack of repentance, remorse for sin, and turning away from it. Hosea wrote, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17. They knew the truth, but they loved their idols more than they loved the Lord. And so, the Lord left them to reap the results of their own sin. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
Yes, there are consequences for sin.
“Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke.” Hosea 5:9. “They shall not dwell in the LORD’S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.” Hosea 9:3. Although the Lord delivered them from bondage in Egypt, they would return to bondage, but this time at the hand of the Assyrians, as a result of their own folly and sin.
“As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird.” Hosea 9:11. “Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit.” Hosea 9:16. Though Israel was set as a pleasant plant in the garden of God’s love, the disease of apostasy has smitten its root, and it has withered. When the root is dried up there can be no hope of fruit. Ephraim’s tree, therefore, that should have borne fruit to the glory of God, will produce nothing but leaves, and so merit the divine judgment.
“For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.” Hosea 5:14. “When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.” Hosea 13:1. Ephraim (the Northern Kingdom) has destroyed himself. The punishments incurred are a direct result of these transgressions. They became spiritually dead.
Yes, God still loved the people of Ephraim. His punishments to Ephraim, and to each one of us, is for the sake of restoration. While man punishes to destroy, God punishes to correct and amend. They are intent upon vengeance, He upon reconciliation. He is God and so must be measured by the divine standard of that love, and not by man’s vengeful standard. “But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” Lamentations 3:32–33
The greatest lesson we learn from the history of Ephraim, as written by Hosea, is that God loves us as the Perfect Father despite our failings. He is patient and merciful beyond our understanding. He hears our cries of anguish, disciplines and guides us, knows our moments of repentance, and yearns for us to be in perfect communion with Him. Sadly, those who refuse His love are left alone to reap what they have sown.
“Is Ephraim My dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore My bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 31:20. Though He chastises them, He still loves them.
“How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? . . . Mine heart is turned within Me, My repentings are kindled together.” Hosea 11:8. Although Ephraim merited complete destruction because of their iniquities, the Lord, because of His enduring love and mercy, continued to strive for repentance and reformation for His people.
“I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man.” Hosea 11:9
God’s love and compassion is great. He refuses to give up on His people regardless how unworthy they had become of the love He had shown them. “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him.” Hosea 14:4. Backsliding is regarded as a disease. Only Jesus can heal the maladies of the soul. When sins are forgiven and the righteousness of Christ covers the sinner, then, sinful though he may have been, he is accepted before God as if he had never sinned. His past record of sins is in no longer held against him, and God loves him as He loves His own Son. To those who had for a time lost sight of the Lord, He calls them for deliverance from the snares of Satan and offers restoration and peace. Sadly, the vast majority refuse to be drawn by the Saviour’s love and the Lord leaves them alone. “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.” Hosea 13:9
“We are not to regard God as waiting to punish the sinner for his sin. The sinner brings punishment upon himself. His own actions start a train of circumstances that bring the sure result. Every act of transgression reacts upon the sinner, works in him a change of character, and makes it more easy for him to transgress again. By choosing to sin, men separate themselves from God, cut themselves off from the channel of blessing, and the sure result is ruin and death.” –The Faith I Live By, p. 84
After Ephraim was left alone in their idolatry (Hosea 4:17) by the Lord, they experienced many troubles. Some saw the light and understood the reasons for their trials and then desired to change their ways. “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.” Hosea 6:1. “Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard Him, and observed Him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is Thy fruit found.” Hosea 14:8
Hosea closes his book with, “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Hosea 14:9
All these lessons are for us also. The Lord is yearning for each one of us. We all have sinned, yet He loves us and reproves us and is calling us back to Him.
So, what made Ephraim’s sin greater than all the other tribes? All the tribes had given in to idolatry numerous times throughout their history. All had the characteristics of pride, envy, drunkenness, robbery, etc.
What made the sin of Ephraim greater than the sin of someone like King Nebuchadnezzar was the fact that they sinned with knowledge. Also, they did not repent as did King Solomon. All throughout the history of the nation of Israel, we see them going forwards and backwards in their spiritual life. They knew better. “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” Proverbs 26:11. They foolishly turned away to the idols of the world. “Those who hear the gospel invitation calling sinners to repentance, and heed it not, are more guilty before God than were the dwellers in the vale of Siddim. And still greater sin is theirs who profess to know God and to keep His commandments, yet who deny Christ in their character and their daily life. In the light of the Saviour’s warning, the fate of Sodom is a solemn admonition, not merely to those who are guilty of outbreaking sin, but to all who are trifling with Heaven-sent light and privileges.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 165
So, why is the tribe of Ephraim not found in Revelation 7 as one of the tribes represented by the 144,000? We can say, as it has been written, “Idolatry was the great sin of Ephraim; he failed to appreciate the great things of God.” –The Cross and Its Shadow, by Stephen Haskell. However, I would like to add, that it was a lack of repentance and remorse due to their idolatry. Many idolators have repented when they discovered the truth. Many backslidden idolaters have woken up to the danger of their situation and turned back to following the Lord. But the vast majority have not. Sadly, it is said of many lukewarm Christians, “howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.” Zephaniah 3:7
Thus the apostle Paul wrote, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:4–6
“By continual resistance the sinner places himself where he knows nothing but resistance. When he disregards the calls of God’s mercy, and continues to sow the seeds of unbelief, the dread mark is placed over his doorway, ‘Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone.’” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1174
The people of Ephraim were God’s chosen people. These words in Hosea were not written to the people of the world, but as warnings to God’s people. Those who know the truth. “Every time you refuse to listen to the message of mercy, you strengthen yourself in unbelief. Every time you fail to open the door of your heart to Christ, you become more and more unwilling to listen to the voice of Him that speaketh. You diminish your chance of responding to the last appeal of mercy. Let it not be written of you, as of ancient Israel, ‘Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.’ Hosea 4:17.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 237
The sin against the Holy Spirit is when one consciously chooses to walk away from God, while knowing better. They continue walking further and further away from God, clutching onto their idols. Their idols might not be material in nature, they might be pride, self-righteousness (always believing one is right in all situations), love of one’s own opinion, or love of ease and pleasure. The voice of the Holy Spirit gets quieter and quieter as they go further away. One day they may have gone so far that they cannot hear the voice any longer. His voice is silent. “God works by the manifestation of His Spirit to reprove and convict the sinner; and if the Spirit’s work is finally rejected, there is no more that God can do for the soul. The last resource of divine mercy has been employed. The transgressor has cut himself off from God, and sin has no remedy to cure itself. There is no reserved power by which God can work to convict and convert the sinner.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 405. It said, “The transgressor has cut himself off from God.” It did not say that God cut him off.
God does not coerce the will. He pleads with men to accept the way of life, but leaves it with them as to whether they will hear or whether they will walk away. Those who persistently refuse to accept the offers of mercy are left to reap the fruits of their own choosing. There is not a sinner on this earth that God cannot save. But there are many sinners on this earth who do not want to be saved. Or they want to be saved in their sin. That is the problem. This is the dilemma for God. He gave all, and many angels do not understand why man could reject such love and give all in return.
It would do well for each of us to daily, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. At the end of each day, make reconciliation with God for the times you walked contrary to His will, and make right any differences you have with your brethren. The promise is, “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
“Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:31–32
We need to say like King David, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:3
“No earthly parent ever pleaded so earnestly with an erring child as He who made us pleads with the transgressor. No human, loving interest ever followed the impenitent with invitations so tender.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8. p. 275. May the Lord help us to answer His call and follow Him while His door of mercy is still open today. Amen.
Wendy Eaton