God separates Israel and Ephraim in the book of Hosea and makes a distinction between the two.  Historically, Ephraim and Israel are understood to be the same.  However, prophetically there is a distinction between the two because Ephraim often refers to the USA.

 

Hos 5:5

"The pride of Israel testifies to his face;

Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity;

Judah also stumbles with them."

 

During Hosea's time Israel included Ephraim, and Ephraim included Israel, but notice how God separates the two nations as Israel AND Ephraim.  Would you refer to one nation as America and the US?  How about the UK and Britain?  That sounds not only redundant but also a little ridiculous.  

 

Scriptures referring to Ephraim and Israel often have prophetic meanings.

 

Hos 11:8

"How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, Israel?"

 

Hos 11:12

"Ephraim has encircled Me with lies,

And the house of Israel with deceit."

 

In the time of Hosea God said, "How can I hand you over, Israel?"

In our time, God says to America,  "How can I give you up, Ephraim?"

History repeats itself among God's people.  As it happened to Israel, so it is happening to the USA.  God blesses a nation and the people then turn their backs on God when they become filled, fat, and rich.  So the message to Israel and the USA is the same but the names are separated Ephraim and Israel.

 

Notice what Isaiah says concerning Ephraim prior to the Assyrian captivity in 722BC.

Isa 7:8

"Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken,

So that it will not be a people."

 

After the Assyrian captivity the northern kingdom became the ten lost tribes of Israel because they got scattered.  Ephraim ceased from being a people and the prophecy was fulfilled.

 

One hundred years later Jeremiah came prophesying about Ephraim.  Ephraim never reestablished itself as a tribe in Israel after the captivity.  So who could Jeremiah be referring to?  The USA! 

 

Jer 31:9

"For I am a Father to Israel,

And Ephraim is My firstborn."

 

It could be that the Lord regards the USA as His firstborn, in that it is a nation that says, "In God We Trust," as printed on American currency.  It is a nation established and built by God as its firstborn Christian nation.  This is a great possibility.  Notice Jacob's prophecy of Ephraim:

 

Gen 48:19

But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother [Ephraim] shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”

 

Ephraim is to become a multitude of nations, not just a tribe with a multitude of people. America is indeed a multitude of nations.  It was formed by people coming in from nations all over the world.  Although, there were so many people from different countries, America would indeed be, as according to the Pledge of Allegiance: "One nation under God." America is the melting pot of the earth.  Compare this with the prophecy of Abraham.

 

Gen 18:17-18

"And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?"

 

Abraham was to become a mighty nation whereas Ephraim would become a multitude of nations.

 

Now America which was built as "One Nation Under God" has long since turned its back on God.  What does Jeremiah say concerning America?  Remember the tribe of Ephraim was dispersed by the Assyrians more than one hundred years earlier.  Until this day they have not reestablished themselves as a tribe, so this must be prophetic.

 

Jer 31:18-20

“I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself:

‘You have chastised me, and I was chastised,

Like an untrained bull;

Restore me, and I will return,

For You are the LORD my God.

Surely, after my turning, I repented;

And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh;

I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated,

Because I bore the reproach of my youth.’

Is Ephraim My dear son?

Is he a pleasant child?

For though I spoke against him,

I earnestly remember him still;

Therefore My heart yearns for him;

I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.

 

America will soon be chastised by the Lord.  When the USA is chastised it will be humiliated.  But the Lord will have mercy on him in the end.  America will bear the reproach of its youth.  It is a young nation that was taught by God.

 

Hos 11:3-4

“I taught Ephraim to walk,

Taking them by their arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

I drew them with gentle cords,

With bands of love,

And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.

I stooped and fed them."

 

After America's humiliation, the people will begin to turn to God.

 

Hos 11:9-11

"'I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;

I will not again destroy Ephraim.

For I am God, and not man,

The Holy One in your midst;

And I will not come with terror.

They shall walk after the LORD.

He will roar like a lion.

When He roars,

Then His sons shall come trembling from the west;

They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt,

Like a dove from the land of Assyria.

And I will let them dwell in their houses,'

Says the LORD."

 

Ephraim was dispersed in the Assyrian captivity and never formed again.  When God says, "I will not again destroy Ephraim" it refers to America, spiritual Ephraim.  Notice, when God roars His sons will come trembling from the west.