In Ezekiel 37:16, it says two things, and by doing so, shows a distinction:

- take you one stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children of Israel, his companions

- then take another stick, and write upon it, for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions

“Moreover, you son of man, take you one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel, his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in your hand.” (Ezekiel 37:16-17).

On the one hand, this would mean Judah represents Manasseh because the other stick represents Ephraim. However, it then says that to the stick of Ephraim, one must also add the house of Israel, which would mean Ephraim is also Judah. Also, both sticks have written either “the children of Israel” or “the house of Israel”, which means both sticks are both Judah and Israel.

So, the distinction is not between natural Jew and spiritual Jew, but between “first fruits” and “latter fruits”. Ephraim is a type of first fruits, receiving a double portion, and Manasseh is a type of last fruit, being the last fruits of the great harvest. Even though Ephraim was born second, Jacob blessed him first, as Ephraim represents those who receive Christ first. Even though natural Israel came first, many natural Jews rejected Christ, and hence God declared Ephraim to be His firstborn. Because Ephraim is a type of those who came after, but who received His Son first.

“Judah”, therefore, is the remnant of first fruits that return to the Lord first — being a first fruits company in both sides. Judah represents those who return to the Lord first. “Israel” is the latter fruits that return to the Lord later during the great harvest. And this latter fruit belongs to both groups of Manasseh and Ephraim - which also simultaneously confirms the two groups of 144,000 of the remnant. For David’s army (representing the remnant army of Joel 2), was 288,000 or 2 x 144,000. One group of 144,000 for the cultivated olive branch (Manasseh), and one for the wild olive branch (Ephraim).

And this also has integrity with the pattern of “a remnant”, because Judah represents “two tribes out of the twelve tribes”, being a remnant. Just like Joshua and Caleb represent two or a remnant out of twelve. Where Joshua and Caleb represent one from each side of the natural and spiritual Jews.

In 930 BC, the 10 tribes formed the independent Kingdom of Israel in “the north” and the two other tribes, Judah and Benjamin, set up the Kingdom of Judah in “the south”. Also the south represents the gentle wind of the Spirit of God shepherding His people. Whereas the north wind represents opposition - being a pattern of those who, although saved (the remaining 10 tribes), in complacency of spirit or stagnation of spirit (Zechariah 1:12-13), oppose or resist the finished work of Christ.

The south wind is a pattern of the Spirit and the bride (remnant) saying come! (Rev. 22:17). The remnant will bring in the great harvest as a southern wind of the leading of Spirit, not a north wind of opposition. Being the latter rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus calls Himself the Lion of “Judah”. Not the Lion of “Israel”. So as “the Lion”, He represents the first fruits company of the remnant. As “the Lamb”, He represents the whole house. Both the remnant and the harvest. Being the Saviour of us all.