Tag Archives: Ephraim

2 Nephi 17

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2 Nephi 17: Ephraim and Sariah Wage War

In the days when Israel and Syria joined in league against Judah in the days of Ahaz. Via Isaiah and in the presence of his son Shear-Jashub (meaning: ‘a remnant shall return’) the Lord tells Ahaz not to fear, for the attack will not succeed, and Israel will no longer be a nation in 65 years’ time.

The Lord will give a sign: “…Behold a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.” (2 Nephi 17:14) Immanuel, meaning God with us. Before the child can distinguish good from evil (i.e. within a couple of years), he will be eating curds and honey (i.e. the land will be back to producing plenteous food), and both Israel and Syria will be defeated. However, the Assyrians (whom Judah called upon for help) will inflict heavy calamities upon Judah. Isaiah counsels against a Judah-Assyria alliance to counter the threat from the Israel-Syria one.

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Hosea 13-14

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Hosea 13-14

Chapter 13: No Savior, but Jesus

“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.” (Hosea 13:1) Whenever the people forgot God, and began to worship Baal… the Lord forgot them as well. “…thou shalt know no god but me: for there is not savior besides me.” (Hosea 13:4) Like a lion, the Lord will tear Israel apart! We must never forget the Lord, or worship others in place of the Lord! The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon Ephraim. Infants and pregnant women will be killed; Dryness and barrenness is prophesied.

However, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.” (Hosea 13:9) We can always turn back to the Lord for help, even in our darkest hour(s)!

Chapter 14: Ephraim will repent

Israel should turn in repentance to the Lord; “…return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” (Hosea 14:1) The Lord will heal their backsliding, and be as a dew to them, causing them to grow like a lily or a vine. The beauty of Israel shall be like an olive tree that has renewed Israel and turns them away from idols. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

Hosea 11-12

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Hosea 11-12

Chapter 11: Ephraim turns from the Lord

Ephraim is represented as an ungrateful child, responding to God’s loving care with ingratitude. Assyria shall be Ephraim’s king. However, God takes no pleasure in chastening. Ephraim will still turn away from the Lord.

Chapter 12: Prophets

The Lord, throughout all time, has used Prophets, and visions to guide His people. Ephraim feeds on the wind of lies and desolation. Though Israel is confident in its wealth, God will bring them low. This will be a humbling experience for them and the idols at Gilead and Gilgal are plain vanity. We learn that Prophets delivered and preserved Israel, and therefore Israel’s rejection of the prophets will incur the Lord’s wrath.

We need to understand that whenever God’s true church is on the earth he will guide us through his prophets (see Hosea 12:10)

Hosea 9-10

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Hosea 9-10

Chapter 9: Israel and her sins

Israel is taken into captivity for their sins; they have played the harlot against God. Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and eat unclean things in Assyria. Sacrifices will become like the bread of mourning, defiling all who eat it. God will send barrenness and bereavement to Israel. The root of Ephraim is dried up; they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Chapter 10: Hosea calls upon Israel to repent

Israel has plowed wickedness and reaped iniquity, because of this they have empty vines, and an empty throne. Israel’s high places will be destroyed, and thorn and thistle grow on their altars. God will control and guide Israel and Judah, even if they kick against Him. Sow righteousness, and reap mercy.

Hosea 5-6

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Hosea 5-6

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

In Hosea Chapter 6 we read: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)

What I learned here is that it is more important to know why you perform an offering, sacrifice or ritual than the actual offering, sacrifice or ritual! Meaning we need to have a knowledge of the Lord and his Gospel. Overall we learn that EDUCATION is SUPER important, we need to be knowledgable in all things! I don’t want to criticize other religions, and my intentions are never that. However, I see some religions or churches that seem to praise the Lord without knowing why they are doing it. I see silly and quite frankly borderline blasphemy of repeated prayers, and unnecessary “acting” of the powers of God in this world. Speaking in tongues, convulsing on the ground when the “spirit touches” someone. These traditions or “rituals” without true knowledge are frowned upon by the Lord. We need to know WHY we worship and WHO we worship.

Chapter 5: Judah and Israel, shall both fall

Ephraim and Judah are defiled. Ephraim shall be desolate on the day of rebuke. The princes of Judah change property boundaries to their advantage. The Lord will be “…unto Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.” (Hosea 5:12) King Jareb of Assyria will not be able to save Ephraim. The Lord will be “…unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah…” (Hosea 5:14) The Lord will continue tearing them away until they seek the Lord’s face in their affliction.

Chapter 6: Knowledge is important

Hosea calls out to Israel and Judah and asks for them to return to the Lord. Hosea tells them; “…if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as latter and former rain unto the earth.” (Hosea 6:3)

We must follow the Lord and if we do, just as the morning comes every day, so shall we see the Lord every day in our lives. The Lord says; “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6) We need to understand our faith, have knowledge and get to know the Lord on a personal base. Offerings, rituals, etc… are important but without the knowledge of why you do something, it is pointless. The priests of Shechem are like a band of robbers that lie in wait for a man. Lewdness and harlotry is committed in Ephraim.

Isaiah 7-8

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Isaiah 7-8

Chapter 7: Ephraim and Sariah Wage War

In the days when Israel and Syria joined in league against Judah in the days of Ahaz. Via Isaiah and in the presence of his son Shear-Jashub (meaning: ‘a remnant shall return’) the Lord tells Ahaz not to fear, for the attack will not succeed, and Israel will no longer be a nation in 65 years’ time.

The Lord will give a sign: a virgin will conceive, called Immanuel, God with us. Before the child can distinguish good from evil (i.e. within a couple of years), he will be eating curds and honey (i.e. the land will be back to producing plenteous food), and both Israel and Syria will be defeated. However, the Assyrians (whom Judah called upon for help) will inflict heavy calamities upon Judah. Isaiah counsels against a Judah-Assyria alliance to counter the threat from the Israel-Syria one.

Chapter 8: Turn to God for Guidance

Isaiah has a son, whom the Lord tells him to name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, which means ‘speed to the spoil, hurry to the plunder’. Before the children can call his mother and father, the riches of Damascus and Israel will be taken away by Assyria. However, the Assyrian army, compared to water, will overflow its banks and flood Judah with violence and destruction. Judah can prepare for the invasion by fearing God rather than Assyria. Seek the Lord’s light and word, not the darkness of the occult. (Isaiah 8:19-20)

Psalms 59-60

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Psalms 59-60

Chapter 59: Delivered from Enemies

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Mitcham of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

                David in his despair asks God to deliver him from his enemies. Go will rule forever.

Chapter 60: Ephraim… The Head of His People

To the chief Musician upon Sushaneduth, Mitcham of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.

                David pleads with the Lord and tells him that He has scattered Israel. The Lord places Ehpraim over the head and makes Judah his law-giver.

Joshua 17-18

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Joshua 17-18

Chapter 17: Manasseh/Ephraim=Inheritance

Manasseh and Ephraim both receive their inheritance. Ephraim to drive out the Canaanites from the hill country.

Chapter 18: Tabernacle of the Congregation

The Tabernacle of congregation is set up at Shiloh. Benjamin receives inheritance by lot.