In previous blog posts, we saw that Scripture leaves no room for the idea that the ten tribes still exist today as a recognizable people. The greater part of the Ten-Tribe Kingdom was absorbed into the nations and lost its Israelite identity. From the time of the return under Cyrus onwards, Scripture speaks of a single Israel again.
Yet there is one more subject that deserves attention. It concerns Ephraim, the tribe that held the most prominent position within the Ten-Tribe Kingdom. Words are spoken regarding Ephraim that later reappear in a striking way in the Epistle to the Romans.
The birthright
Anyone reading the book of Genesis quickly notices that the birthright plays a significant role. Remarkably, this privilege usually does not go to the one born first.
Isaac receives the blessing instead of Ishmael.
Jacob receives the blessing instead of Esau.
The order is also reversed with Joseph’s sons. When Jacob blesses Manasseh and Ephraim at the end of his life, he places his right hand on Ephraim’s head, even though he is the younger of the two.
Genesis 48
19 (…) And nevertheless, his younger brother (=Ephraim) shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a fullness of nations.
Ephraim receives the supreme blessing and, with it, the birthright.
Ephraim and the Ten-Tribe Kingdom
Later, the Kingdom of Israel is divided into two parts. The southern kingdom is called Judah. The northern kingdom is usually called Israel, but is also frequently referred to as Ephraim, after the kingdom’s most prominent tribe. When the prophets speak of Ephraim, they therefore often refer to the entire Ten-Tribe Kingdom. That Ten-Tribe Kingdom was eventually carried off to Assyria. Only a small portion later returned to the land. The majority was absorbed into the nations and lost its Israelite identity. In this way, Jacob’s words became reality in a remarkable manner. The Ten-Tribe Kingdom largely disappeared among the nations, and thus the statement concerning Ephraim found a striking fulfillment.
the fullness of the nations
When Paul writes about Israel’s temporary hardening in Romans 11, he uses a striking expression.
Romans 11
25 For, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret (so that you might not be conceited): that a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the nations has come in.
Although Paul does not quote Genesis 48:19 verbatim, a reference to this passage is highly likely. This is evident particularly from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament widely used in Paul’s day. It employs virtually the same combination of words as found in Romans 11:25.
The combination of “fullness” and “nations” is too specific to be a coincidence. For Paul, who knew the Scriptures from his youth, the echo of Jacob’s blessing upon Ephraim would have been present. This raises the question of why Paul uses this particular expression.
What does “fullness” mean?
We encounter the word “fullness” earlier in Romans 11.
Romans 11
12 And if their (=Israel’s) trespass is the riches of the world and their diminution the riches of the nations, how much more their fullness!
There, Paul contrasts Israel’s current deficit with Israel’s future fullness. By “fullness,” he refers to the moment when God’s purpose for Israel will be realized. Similarly, the “fullness of the nations” speaks of the moment when God’s current work among the nations will be completed.
Why does Paul refer to Ephraim?
Yet the question remains as to why Paul uses these specific words. He could simply have spoken of the full number of believers from the nations. Instead, he chooses an expression that directly recalls Jacob’s words regarding Ephraim. That does not seem to be a coincidence.
Ephraim received the birthright
Ephraim later became the leading tribe of the ten-tribe kingdom.
The ten tribes subsequently disappeared among the nations and lost their Israelite identity. Thus, Ephraim was no longer distinguished from the peoples but became absorbed into them. Against that background, Jacob’s words about a “fullness of nations” take on a special significance.
This does not mean that the nations have become Israel. Nor does it mean that the ecclesia consists of the lost ten tribes. In previous blog posts, we saw that Paul continues to distinguish between Israel and the nations. Yet the connection Paul makes with Genesis 48 is no less remarkable for that reason.
grace
This sheds a unique light on God’s dealings. Ephraim once received the birthright but later disappeared among the nations. The Ten-Tribe Kingdom lost its identity and was absorbed by the peoples. In doing so, it ended up in the same position as all other nations.
It is precisely among those nations that God is gathering a people for His name today. Not on the basis of lineage, nationality, or rights, but solely on the basis of His grace.
That makes the reference to Ephraim all the more remarkable. The one who once received the birthright disappeared among the nations. And it is precisely among those nations that God calls people to Himself today and grants them the highest conceivable position.
a secret
Paul calls this a secret or a hidden truth. Israel has been temporarily hardened. Meanwhile, God is gathering a people for His name from among the nations. Only when the fullness of the nations has come in will God bring His dealings with Israel back to the forefront. It is remarkable that, in this very context, words are used that recall Ephraim and his birthright.
conclusion
Jacob spoke of Ephraim, saying his descendants would become a fullness of nations. Centuries later, Paul speaks of the “fullness of the nations” when describing God’s current work among the peoples.
This does not mean that the nations are the lost ten tribes. In previous blog posts, we saw that Scripture distinguishes between Israel and the nations and nowhere speaks of a hidden Israelite identity among the peoples.
Perhaps that is precisely where the appeal of the “lost ten tribes” teaching lies. There are clear parallels between the history of Ephraim and God’s current work among the nations. But parallels do not make two things identical. The fact that Ephraim foreshadows God’s present work does not mean that the ecclesia consists of Ephraim. Scripture draws a distinction between the foreshadowing and the fulfillment.
It is noteworthy, however, that Paul uses words that specifically recall Jacob’s blessing upon Ephraim. Ephraim received the birthright, later became the principal part of the Ten-Tribe Kingdom, and was ultimately absorbed into the nations. Against this backdrop, the expression “the fullness of the nations” takes on added significance.