All About Ephraim

I have decided to skip ahead of my original plan and will return back to chapter 14. Today I wanted to look at Ephraim, which is found in chapter 16 of Joshua. I wanted to stop and look at Ephraim because Ephraim and Manasseh which we talked about last week really go together.

They are both referred to as the tribes of Joseph

Joshua 16:1-10

Joshua 16:1–10 LEB

1 The allotment of the descendants of Joseph went from the Jordan by Jericho, at the waters of Jericho to the east, into the wilderness, going up from Jericho into the hill country to Bethel; 2 it continues from Bethel to Luz, and it passes along to the territory of the Arkites at Ataroth. 3 Then it goes down, to the west, to the territory of the Japhletites, up to the territory of Lower Beth-horon, then to Gezer, and it ends at the sea. 4 And the descendants of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance. 5 This was the border of the descendants of Ephraim according to their families: the border of their inheritance to the east was Ataroth Addar, up to Upper Beth-horon. 6 The border continues to the sea; from Micmethath to the north, the border turns to the east to Taanath Shiloh, and it passes along it from the east to Janoah. 7 Then it goes down from Janoah to Ataroth and to Naarah; it touches Jericho and ends at the Jordan; 8 from Tappuah the border goes to the west, to the wadi of Kanah, and it ends at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Ephraim according to their families, 9 with the cities that were set apart for the descendants of Ephraim in the midst of the inheritance of the descendants of Manasseh, all the cities and their villages. 10 But they did not drive out the Canananites who were dwelling in Gezer, and so the Canaanites live in the midst of Ephraim to this day, but they became forced laborers.

Map of Israel

History

Ephraim was born in Egypt to Joseph. This is his second born. Named Ephraim because “God has made me Fruitful in the land of my suffering” Genesis 41:52

Ephrayim means “double or multiple fruitfulness”

When Ephraim and Manasseh visit Jacob on his deathbed, Jacob announced that they were now his or under his name. After recounting how God promised to bless him, Jacob blesses the younger, Ephraim (Genesis 48:15-16) Joseph is displeased, but Jacob reiterates that Ephraim’s descendants will be more numerous and prominent than Manasseh’s.

Around the time of the Exodus Ephraim is described as relatively small, but it is given prominence in the camp among the Joseph tribes, Listed as the head of the group of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin (Numbers 2:18-24)

Ephraim will play an important roll in the history of Israel. For example Samuel, will be an Ephraimite

Then throughout the Old Testament the name “Ephraim” often refers to the 10 tribes compromising Israel’s Northern Kingdom, Not jus the single tribe named after Joseph’s son (Ezekiel 37:16; Hosea 5:3)

The Southern Kingdom will be known as Judah

This leader tribe will absorb the other 10 tribes and be the North until it was taken into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 BC (Jeremiah 7)

The Less Glamorous Assignment

We learn from the tribe of Ephraim

We learn that Ephraim is sinners - which shouldn’t surprise you. Romans 3:23 - “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

This tribe speaks to us in a specific way. Ephraim struggles with pride, jealously and self-centeredness. Ephraim was God blessed blessed with warriors and valiant fighters (1 Chronicles 12:30). Yet when Jephthah chose to fight and defeat the Ammonites without the aid of the proud Ephraim warriors, a civill war erupted.

This is an example of their folly they didn’t like the idea that God would use them in less a way.

Matthew 6:33 LEB

33 But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Do not seek Glory for yourself; all honor and glory always belong to God, not man

Often, God chooses to use us in a manner less glamours or spectacular than we would like.

Sometimes we pout?

Sometimes we yearn for glory?

Sometimes we struggle to control our pride an jealousy and accept God’s will?

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Should We Learn from the Tribe of Ephraim?

Many of us, like the Ephraimites, have difficulty learning those lessons well. God says that we should accept what happens to us as His will, regardless of how good or bad those circumstances seem to us (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Proverbs 16:18 LEB

18 Before destruction comes pride, and before a fall, a haughty spirit.

We must learn Humility- which does not come naturally to our fallenness

Humility not a doormat

As we talk about Humility we must pause and talk about what Humility is not. Humility is being able to bow before the king of kings and putting his desires first

Humility is not being a doormat letting everyone be “better” than you or over you, walking over you. This is not humility

For example: Give and take credit with honesty.

When someone congratulates you on a job well done, you might be tempted to say something like, “Oh, thank you, but it was all Kathy!”

Thank you! I really enjoyed working on [your share of the assignment]. And Kathy did a brilliant job with [Kathy’s share of the assignment].

You’ll get your credit, Kathy will get her credit

It is ok to stand up for yourself. God had made you amazing , Sin runes that . you are His image barer and yet sin marres that.

Even in our marred state Christ Loves us.

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Should We Learn from the Tribe of Ephraim?

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 (Jeremiah 30:22; 31:18–20).

Next Steps

Do you struggle with Pride?

With Jealousy?

For many this is a struggle we want the glory for things that God has given to others to do. and For some this comes in many forms like not being able to let go of things and let others do it. the warriors of Ephraim felt that way.