The Two Sticks

 The Two Sticks: A Prophetic Vision of Unity

In the prophetic book of Ezekiel, the Lord speaks through powerful imagery to reveal His divine plan for the future of Israel, the Church, and the nations. One of the most striking and meaningful symbols comes from Ezekiel 37:15-19, where the prophet is instructed to take two sticks and join them as one. This prophetic act unveils God’s vision for unity in the last days: the uniting of the Jewish people and the Gentiles, the merging of the Church and the Kingdom of God, and the eventual restoration of Israel.

The Two Sticks in Ezekiel 37:15-19

Ezekiel is told to take two sticks. On one, he writes, "For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions" (Ezekiel 37:16). This represents the Jewish people, the descendants of Judah and Israel. The second stick is marked "For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions" (Ezekiel 37:16). Ephraim, a tribe descended from Joseph, had assimilated many Gentile elements over time, and in biblical typology, Ephraim is often seen as a symbol of the Gentiles.

Ezekiel is then commanded to join these two sticks together into one, as a powerful demonstration of the unification that God will bring about in the last days. This act signifies that, in God’s redemptive plan, He will bring both the Jewish people (Judah) and the Gentiles (Ephraim) into one unified body. The Church, which began with the Gentiles being grafted into God's covenant, will be united with the Jewish people at the time of Israel’s spiritual awakening.

The Resurrection of Israel and the Joining of Jew and Gentile

The unification of the two sticks is closely tied to the resurrection of the Jewish people from spiritual death, as foretold in the earlier part of Ezekiel 37 (1-14). These verses depict the famous vision of the dry bones, where God breathes life into the bones, symbolizing the restoration of Israel. In the context of the two sticks, this spiritual resurrection will pave the way for the Jewish people to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, leading them to be united with Gentiles in one body—the body of Christ.

The timing of this union is crucial. It will happen at Israel’s national day of salvation, when the Jewish people, once separated from God due to disobedience, will be restored to Him through faith in Christ. At that moment, they will join with the Gentiles, forming one united people under the Lord’s leadership. The Apostle Paul speaks of this mystery in Romans 11, where he explains that the fullness of the Gentiles will be brought in, and "all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:26).

The Role of the Church in Provoking Israel to Jealousy

As part of this process, God will use the Church to provoke the Jewish people to jealousy (Romans 11:11). Ezekiel 43:10 elaborates on this idea, where the Lord instructs the prophet to show the house (or Church) of God to the house of Israel, so that they may be ashamed of their unbelief. The Church, consisting largely of Gentiles, will be the vehicle through which God works to bring Israel back to Himself. The Gentiles, who were once "not a people," will be part of the larger story of redemption, showing the Jewish people the riches of God's grace.

The Unification of the Church and the Kingdom

Beyond the reconciliation of Jew and Gentile, the two sticks also represent the eventual unification of the Church and the Kingdom of God. The stick of Judah, which symbolizes the Church as the sanctuary of God, will be joined with the stick of Ephraim, representing the Kingdom. These two aspects of God's redemptive work—His kingdom rule and His Church—will merge into one unified whole. This speaks to the future fulfillment of God's eternal Kingdom, where both Jew and Gentile will worship together as one people under Christ the King.

A Natural Restoration of Israel

Lastly, the two sticks point to the natural restoration of the nation of Israel. As the spiritual awakening of the Jewish people leads to their recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, the nation of Israel will be physically restored. The land will be prepared for their return, and God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be fulfilled in their entirety.

Unity in the Hand of God

The message of the two sticks is one of unity in the hand of God. The joining of the Jewish people (Judah) and the Gentiles (Ephraim), the unification of the Church and the Kingdom, and the restoration of Israel all point to a glorious future where God's plan for all people comes to fruition. The two sticks, once separate, are now brought together in a powerful demonstration of God’s ability to unite and restore what was once divided.

In conclusion, the two sticks in Ezekiel 37 are a vivid picture of God's redemptive work in the last days. They symbolize the coming together of Jew and Gentile in Christ, the merging of the Church and the Kingdom, and the ultimate restoration of Israel. As we look toward the fulfillment of these prophecies, we are reminded that God’s plan for unity and reconciliation is at the heart of His eternal purpose. May we, as the Church, be faithful to our calling in this time of waiting, trusting that the Lord will bring about His perfect will for His people, both Jewish and Gentile, in His perfect timing.

Dr. Phil Spears