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As Ephraim is mentioned separately in this prophecy, the reference to " Israel" must apply to the United States, which is now the more dominant of the two nations.

For two centuries prior to World War II, the roles were reversed with the multitude of nations—the British Empire—a greater power than the single nation, the United States. But today America is the greater.

Genesis 48:17-20

17 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.
18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
19 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 ("fullness of the Gentiles").
20 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.

Ephraim = "double fruitfulness" and also "double ash heap"

The blessings of the eldest is real interesting no doubt. GOD’s blessing on Ishmael for example started it all. But Isaac was the one given the line of the inheritance even though Ishmael was to be the father of a great nation and is. Next is Esau and Jacob. Several interesting things. Esau’s physical description in the Bible wasn’t necessary because Isaac was nearly blind as much as it described the physical traits of a tribe to be born from him. Esau selling his birthright and his children in turn made Jacob {Israel} the tribe from which blessing nations would be blessed. These were not accidents and laid the foundations for the events of today as you pointed out. The cause and effects of it all is still unfolding in this age.

As Ephraim is mentioned separately in this prophecy, the reference to " Israel" must apply to the United States, which is now the more dominant of the two nations.

I very much agree with what you are saying. My question is do you believe the "tribes" today are still physical only, or spiritual only.... or both?

Some I speak with think that it is spiritual only since the Advent of Christ. My personal understanding is that there remains a blood lineage tribal connection but any Gentile becomes part of that family through belief in Christ.

What is your understanding?

....Ping-Pong

Better make that ‘Eight’!

Acts 3

18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Messiah would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent (Tshuvah) therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Yeshua Messiah, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration (Tikkunim)of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.