Giants in the Earth
Part ix
— The Cities of Refuge – Part 1 —
  In Part ix we will be looking at the fourth time that Kirjatharba is mentioned in Scripture.
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. (Joshua 20:7)
　 The Word Kirjatharba Recorded Six Times
And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same [is] Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. (Genesis 23:2)
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And the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba; [which Arba was] a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war. (Joshua 14:15)
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And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages: (Joshua 15:54)
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⇒ THE CURRENT STUDY
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. (Joshua 20:7)
And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba: ) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai. (Judges 1:10)
And for the villages, with their fields, [some] of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and [in] the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and [in] the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and [in] the villages thereof, (Nehemiah 11:25)
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  For those of you who are continuing on — do not skip this section because you may already be familiar with the cities of refuge. I am going to write something that you may not like . . . read the entire Chapter 20 of the book of Joshua! It only has nine verses, what else are you going to do with your time — watch propaganda programs?
The Purpose for the Cities of Refuge
The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, (Joshua 20:1)
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: (Joshua 20:2)
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. (Joshua 20:3)
And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. (Joshua 20:4)
And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime. (Joshua 20:5)
And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. (Joshua 20:6)
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. (Joshua 20:7)
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. (Joshua 20:8)
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. (Joshua 20:9)
  God provided a sanctuary, a place to run to, a place where the person who had committed a crime of manslaughter could present his case before the elders and be judged as not being worthy to be put to death, and consequently, the seeker could find a haven of rest from those who sought to kill in an act of revenge. Note: the person who had committed manslaughter first had to present his case before judges, then if found innocent of murder, but guilty of manslaughter then and only then he was allowed to dwell in their city. Acceptance was based on conditions: his case had to be approved, even though it was manslaughter he was still responsible for the life that was lost. Travel was restricted to the boundaries of this one city. There was only one way by which anyone could be set free from the conditions set forth by the Law of the City of Refuge, and that was by the death of the high priest. This is a very basic summary of the Law of the City of Refuge. There are some main points to consider: the seeker of refuge was not free to merely walk into the city without first facing judgment; if the seeker was found guilty of murder and not manslaughter he was not allowed a place to hide, but would be judged and put to death for murder. (Exodus 21:12; Numbers 35:30, 31; Leviticus 24:17) The seeker had to leave all behind and assimilate into the city; the seeker had to accept his responsibility even in an accidental death occurrence; the seeker never would be able to have the freedom as others outside the city walls, and the main point is complete freedom came ONLY by the death of the high priest. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)
  The cities of refuge individually and collectively are shadows of the true substance of the Son of His love. This particular narrative in Joshua, Chapter 20, records for us the nature and character of the Son of God in His role as High Priest. This Chapter also gives us a glimpse (as looking through a lattice) of the many facets of His position as Savior, Redeemer, Sanctuary, and Servant. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44)
  Before building on the message within Chapter 20, let us examine the names of the locations of all of the six cities. The number six pops up again — can’t get away from this number because it is carved into the DNA of all mankind, and it is carried around sometimes by many as a trophy, but all carry it as guilt and shame: it is the DNA of SIN.
Kedesh
Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali
  The first city mentioned in the list of six cities is the city of Kedesh, Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali. Interestingly there are two other names (Galilee and Naphtali) associated with Kedesh which means ‘sanctuary’ or/and ‘holy.’ The Holy Spirit is setting the scene immediately with the concept of a spiritual place of purity and separation. Then Galilee ‘a circuit,’ ‘a ring’ as in rolling motion, ‘a regional circle’ is mentioned six times in the Old Testament, and sixty-six times through sixty-five verses in the New Testament. Studying Galilee is a bit too much at this juncture; therefore, I will just stay with some basics that are foundational to our current study. It must be a coincidence that ‘Galilee’ is mentioned six times in the Old Testament and 66 times in the New Testament. What an extraordinary coincidence, don’t you think? There is no such thing as coincidence in the Scriptures. The Spirit of God is doubling down on the number six for a specific purpose.  The number six also speaks of the need of mankind seeking refuge from the judgment and wrath of God against his embedded sin. Still not beginning to see a picture here, still not interested? Hmmm — okay then, let’s continue on. The Spirit of God next sets the location in mount Naphtali.
  Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob, and he prophesied of his sixth son as documented in Genesis 49:21, Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. Later when the nation of Israel was preparing to enter into the land promised to them by Jehovah, Moses prophesied concerning Naphtali, And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south. (Deuteronomy 33:23) When the lots were drawn signifying God’s selection of territory for each tribe, the sixth lot came to the children of Naphatli. The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families. (Joshua 19:32)
  Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. A hind is a female deer or doe — think of Bambi — beautiful, gentle, nimble and full of grace, but nevertheless hunted. Picture this hind let loose to run freely and swiftly in the earth unhindered with a message of goodly words. This is quite a prophetic picture of the future character of this tribe.
  The meaning of the name of Naphtali is ‘my wrestling,’ or ‘to struggle,’ spoken by Rachel as her maid (Bilhah) gave birth to Jacob’s sixth son. And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. (Genesis 30:8) Naphtali became a prophetic picture of the inner wrestling of mankind twisted by sin and struggling spiritually to escape from his guilt and shame of his sin, and from the consequences of sin which is death.
  What began in a struggle later climaxed in the release from that struggle by the manifestation of God in the Person of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah in the region of Galilee, ‘the circle,’ or the wheel within a wheel (the government of God in action with goodly words in the land of the circle). As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. (Ezekiel 10:13) Through time this turning spinning wheel of God’s governmental dealings rolled over nations, centuries and peoples and slowly came to rest in Galilee to finally set God’s message loose with goodly words and gracious words of redemption and salvation to all mankind, and to all nations struggling and twisting in their sins. Finally, God would be satisfied through His beloved Son speaking the words of God’s grace and truth. It was in the land of Nephthalim (Napthali) in Galilee, on the banks of the Jordan, that God’s message of His blessing to mankind was set loose and free (as a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words) marking the beginning of the Lord’s ministry and fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1 and 2, Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. (Isaiah 9:1) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2) We have the fulfillment in the book of Matthew Chapter 4, verses 13 – 17.
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (Matthew 4:13)
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, (Matthew 4:14)
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; (Matthew 4:15)
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (Matthew 4:16)
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)
  Through the words of Moses we see Naphtali favored and full of blessing of the LORD. And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south. The geographical area they occupied was the most northen area extending past Dan and bordered by the Jordan. Their total territory extended to about 800 square miles. The southern area was located around the Sea of Galilee (which is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth).
  There is much more to be written about Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali. Before continuing on I see the need to connect the words “a hind let loose.”
Side Note: Re: Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. Let us look into the book of The Story of Love: the Song of Songs, or the Song of Solomon. All within this book speaks of love, but whose love? It is the love of God’s Christ in goodly words to describe love in words and terms of endearment that mankind can understand. (Note that the love of God will never be totally understood by any mortal being, but with this in mind let us proceed).
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. (Song of Songs 2:9) My beloved (the Lord Jesus Christ) is like a roe (a young female doe in beauty and gentleness) or a young hart (a male deer in strength and energy) — behold, he standeth behind our wall (what wall?) The wall that stands between God and mankind, the wall of sin — he looketh forth at the windows. What windows? The windows opened to mankind: the windows of time and space, the windows of words in His Book, the windows that He has provided for His creatures to know Him and to understand the knowledge of the holy. And finally shewing himself through the lattice. God wants all to know Him, God’s desire is to fellowship and communicate directly in love with His creatures.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. (Hebrews 1:1) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)
All that we know about God has come from two sources: the written Word and the Living Word; consequently, we are blessed to gaze through the intricate design of divine latticework of His written Word to catch fleeting glimpses of God’s purpose and plan throughout the history of creation, and into the beginning before the beginning. It is through His Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, that God the Father allows us to see the Godhead bodily in many ways. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) It is through the latticework of the cities of refuge that we get (in type) another view of the depth of God’s love and mercy toward us in that HE is our strength, and He is our sanctuary; therefore, we can find rest and a haven IN Him.
Latticework is an open woven pattern held securely together to allow air to flow through, and yet, it also allows the viewer to see clearly. The written Word of God is also held securely together and open to all who desire to know more about the Almighty God. Let us look at this spiritual latticework as the free-flowing movement of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit to His own. The latticework also offers privacy and protection for the viewer. In this we also have what the Living Word (the Lord Jesus Christ) offers to His sheep: privacy in the insulation and separateness from the unclean elements of the world.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Through Him we are protected and safe from the judgment to come. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. (Proverbs 14:26)
The First City of Refuge – Kedesh
  Here we are once again at the place of refuge, a place of safety (a sanctuary) protected by His shed blood, and because of the death of our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been set free from the penalty of sin and death. Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali is the first city of refuge presented to us by the Spirit of God as a tapestry of Himself.
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)
  Allow me to tie some ends together: the number six, sanctuary and holy, a circuit, and Naphtali twisted and struggling with sin. Let’s draw our summary together of Kedesh: to those who seek a place to run to, a place to hide, a place of safety from the hand of the revenger, Kedesh is the sanctuary city. Galilee is the place of God’s care in His circle of love (for it was here that God’s message came forth from His Messiah, the prophet of Nazareth, to Israel and to Galilee of the Gentiles). This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:11) In mount Naphtali (the sixth – the place where mankind wrestled with himself, and wrestled with His God and Creator) was the place where God was manifested in the flesh, and began His message to the world at the Jordan. Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. (Genesis 49:21)
The Second City of Refuge – Shechem
Shechem in mount Ephraim
  Shechem (as with all Biblical names) can be a study unto itself. The word ‘Shechem’ is mentioned in 55 verses in the Old Testament. Five is associated with grace, in this double 5 – 5 we have God’s grace doubled in Shechem ( 2 shoulders, double strength). The meaning takes on a physical and a spiritual application: Shechem means the shoulder part of the human anatomy on either side of the neck — ‘shoulder.’ It also relates to a burden that is place on the back of a person. There is also another root meaning of one who ‘rises early’ or one who is ‘diligent’ in his work and labor. In fact, whenever you read the word ‘shoulder’ in Scripture, it is ‘shechem.’ Shechem denotes the strength of our sanctuary that IN Him we find strength for the day, and strength for tomorrow.
 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. (Psalm 18:2)
But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble. (Psalm 37:39)
God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
In God [is] my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, [and] my refuge, [is] in God. (Psalm 62:7)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, (Luke 15:3) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (Luke 15:4) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (Luke 15:5)
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:12)
  Shechem was a place, a city, and the name of a person. Much, of course, transpired here. It was at Shechem (Sichem) that the Lord appeared to Abram and gave the land to his descendants. (Genesis 12:6, 7) Shechem (the prince of the land of the Canaanites) was the name of the son of Hamor the Hivite. Shechem is rooted heavily in a burdened people, burdened by sin and paganism.
  It was at Shechem (the strength of the shoulder, and the diligence in service) that Israel became a divided nation. It was at Shechem that Solomon’s son was made king over Israel, and it was at Shechem that the people rebelled against Rehoboam because he desired to increase their burdens and make their lives more unbearable than it had been under Solomon’s heavy taxation. This is the city where the nation of Israel first became divided and split into a northern kingdom and a southern kingdom. At Shechem the shoulders were separated from each other: they became two, the left shoulder and the right shoulder; thus, no longer maintaining the capability of holding the strength of one head over one body (Israel). This is where God’s people divided. This is where this once great nation under David and Solomon became two nations instead of one nation under God. The northern kingdom ruled over 10 tribes and became known hereafter as Israel, and the southern kingdom ruled over two tribes and became known hereafter as Judah.
  The words of God the Spirit in Psalm 60:6 is repeated in Psalm 108:7 to enforce God’s thoughts regarding Shechem, the divided shoulder in strength.
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. (Psalm 60:6)
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. (Psalm 108:7)
  Psalm 60:6 and Psalm 108:7 were prophetical then, but has become historical. God divided Shechem twice, the first division came when Assyria defeated the northern kingdom of Israel, and the second division occurred when Babylon destroyed Samaria. Shechem (the capital city named Samaria or the northern kingdom) not only went into captivity, but their heritage and national character were destroyed and eliminated when (upon each captivity) the citizens of all the cities (including Shechem) were forced into the lands of their captors. And the inhabitants of the lands of the victors migrated into the land of Israel by tyrannical compulsion. A nation can easily be totally annihilated by forced culture change as many nations in Europe understand, but too many in the United States, however, are in denial of this nightmare. It is not assimilation that is the goal, but elimination. The forced mixing of cultures removed the citizens of Israel (and the cities of Israel – Shechem) from their land. Why did God divide Shechem? Read on . . . .
mount Ephraim
  Let us complete the Spirit’s direction to Ephraim as it connects to the second city of refuge of Shechem: the strength (or shoulder) of the sanctuary. Wakey – – – wakey – – – stay with me! The proper study of Ephraim would result in a large volume —— your safe, this will not be exhaustive or an exhausting study (for some it probably already has become both exhaustive and exhausting)!
  Ephraim means ‘fruitful’ and/or ‘doubly fruitful.’ And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. (Genesis 41:52) Ephraim (although the second son of Joseph) received the blessing usually bestowed on the first born.
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head. (Genesis 48:17)
And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. (Genesis 48:18)
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. (Genesis 48:19)
And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. (Genesis 48:20)
  Being doubly fruitful is not always a good thing. It all depends on what kind of fruit is produced. Sadly, much that begins by being fruitful for God slowly becomes a burden to God. This was Ephraim. Why did God divide Shechem in mount Ephraim? Let us explore the rotting fruit of Ephraim.
The Failure of Ephraim to Remain Fruitful for God
  Since the tribe of Ephraim was an extremely large tribe, they needed more land; therefore, the land of the Perizzites and of the giants became an extension to Ephraim. (Joshua 17:15) And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. Scripture also records that the Amalekites also dwelt in the land of Ephraim. And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites. (Judges 12:15)
  Centuries later after Ephraim settled into his assigned territory, Jeroboam (the first king of the divided nation) made Shechem in mount Ephraim his capital city (later to be called the city of Samaria) (1 Kings 12:25). Remember that it was in Shechem that the original nation of Israel became divided. How did the tribe of Ephraim become rotten fruit for Jehovah? Keep in mind that Ephraim existed within the nation of Israel (the northern divided kingdom) and the sins of Ephraim were the sins of Israel, and the sins of Israel were the sins of Ephraim. They (Ephraim) kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; (Psalm 78:10) And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. (Psalm 78:11) This was the first step down — forgetting God; second step down — refusing His law —and thus, refusing to obey His word. The tribe of Ephraim (as time slipped by them) was secretly doing things against the LORD their God (2 Kings 17:9) and not so secretly, but openly setting up images and groves on every street corner, and in every grove, (2 Kings 17:10,11) burning incense as the heathen (the Amalekites and the Perizzites), and serving idols; consequently they became servants to their idols. (2 Kings 17:11) They totally rejected God’s statutes, His covenant, and His testimonies. They followed vanity, and became vain. (2 Kings 17:14) They made images, and worshiped the heavens and served Baal. (2 Kings 17:15) And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. (2 Kings 17:17)
  Ephraim became a burden to God, as a piece of rotting fruit on His shoulders. There is always a time when God says thus far and no further. God is not to be ignored. God is love and God is Judge. Ephraim had taken a political and military stand with the enemies of Judah (the praise of God). Ephraim became confederate with Syria and actually bore arms against Judah. (Isaiah 7:2) In Isaiah 7:8 it is recorded that Isaiah (through the Spirit of God) prophesied of the destruction of Ephraim within a time frame of 65 years – and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
  The following references are just a few specifically selected verses to show the heart of Ephraim, and Jehovah’s heart in love and His judgment in righteousness.
The heart of Ephraim: Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! (Isaiah 28:1)
The heart of Ephraim: Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. (Hosea 4:17
The heart of Ephraim: Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. (Hosea 7:8)
The heart of Ephraim: Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. (Hosea 8:11)
Jehovah as the righteous Judge: And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. (Jeremiah 7:15) 　
Jehovah as the righteous Judge: Moreover he (the LORD) refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: (Psalm 78:67) But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. (Psalm 78:68)
Jehovah as the righteous Judge: As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception. (Hosea 9:11) God judged Ephraim in their strength: being fruitful in producing children. Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb. (Hosea 9:16) My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations. (Hosea 9:17)
Jehovah’s heart in love and forgiveness: 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)
Ephraim’s heart in prophetic repentance: For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. (Jeremiah 31:6)
Jehovah’s heart in love and forgiveness: I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. (Hosea 11:3) I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. (Hosea 11:4)
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. (Hosea 11:8)
  God’s heart turned within Him. He ached over the treachery and evilness of Ephraim. The burden of His creatures enslaved and captured by sin and death since Adam was placed on the shoulders (Shechem) of His beloved Son, the perfect Son, the perfect Servant, the perfect Sacrifice and the perfect Redeemer. For God so loved the world that He gave — and He gave — and He gave — until He gave it all on the cross of Calvary for us so that we could become fruitful (Ephraim) for Him.
  Are we there yet? Isn’t this article ever going to end? It cannot end until you understand the fulfillment of God’s prophecy concerning Israel, Judah, and Ephraim as documented in Zechariah Chapter 10, verses 6 and 7.
The Prophecy of God Uniting the Divided Nation of Israel
— Judah —
— The House of Joseph —
— Ephraim —
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them. (Zechariah 10:6)
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. (Zechariah 10:7)
  In the book of Revelation, in Chapter 7 (of course it has to be the number 7) the Spirit of God records the sealing of the tribes of Israel. Count the tribes, which tribe is missing, and which tribe is not mentioned?
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 7:4)
Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. (Revelation 7:5)
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. (Revelation 7:6)
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. (Revelation 7:7)
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.(Revelation 7:8)
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Revelation 7:9)
  The tribe of Dan is the missing tribe. It was in Dan that Jeroboam set up a golden calf to draw the people away from the temple in Jerusalem. You will not find the name of Ephraim in Revelation 7. Manasseh (Ephraim’s brother and eldest son of Joseph) is listed, and yet, Ephraim will come under the blessings and promises of Joseph (the fruitful bough). Ephraim will enjoy the promises of God, but his name is deliberately removed by the Spirit of God in the listing of the tribes of Israel. God is love and God is Judge.
  What have you seen in Kedesh? What have you seen in Shechem? Who have you seen in Kedesh? Who have you seen in Shechem?
To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (Psalm 63:2)
Honour and majesty [are] before him: strength and beauty [are] in his sanctuary. (Psalm 96:6)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
God willing the next article will continue with the cities of Refuge – Part 2
© Copyright 2019, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)