In Ezekiel 37:19, we are told "‘Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.'" Judah largely represents today's Jewish people, but what is this "Ephraim"? The Apostle Peter writes his broad audience, "you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD" (2 Peter 2:8). Was he perhaps referring to the scattered House of Israel/Ephraim from Hosea 1:10 & 2:23, that is also affirmed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:25-26?

The Scriptures record that the Northern Kingdom of Israel, also known as Ephraim, was taken by into captivity by Assyria. Although some did join with the Southern Kingdom of Judah, many more were also assimilated into the nations and forgot their heritage as a part of the people of Israel. All of Israel is to be restored prior to the return of the Messiah.

Might scattered Ephraim include any non-Jewish Believers who are today being drawn into the Messianic movement? How does this affect our view of the Scriptures? What are some issues that frequently crop up relating to who this "Ephraim" is?

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