Interpreters are quite at a loss respecting this stone. Ephraim was engraved upon it. This name of Joseph's second son has that remarkable dual termination, which is also found in other words in Hebrew, (such as heaven, Jerusalem, etc.,) and seems to express double fruit or double increase. Joseph found the land of affliction to be the land where God made him fruitful. He had been cast into a pit by his brethren-sold as a slave-imprisoned-his feet hurt with fetters-he was laid in iron. Thus peculiarly had Egypt been to him a land of affliction. But he had been raised suddenly from a prison to a throne. And in the midst of the years of plentifulness, (so that the corn could not be measured for its abundance,) the Lord had given him two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim; the latter of whom he called by this expressive name of " fruitfulness," in thankfulness to God for the wondrous way in which He had turned the place of his deepest trial into one of blessing and fruit-bearing.
In this beautiful type, we read the story of the Cross. Believers are the blessing that. God has given to Christ in the land of His affliction. The corn of wheat has fallen into the ground; and having died, it has brought forth much fruit: and the Lord Jesus can say, from the throne of His glory, " Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me." The almond-rod cut off, and laid up in death before the Lord, has been found in the morning, covered with fruit, blossoms, and buds.
In like manner, the great High Priest has ordained that His people should go and bring forth fruit, that His Father may be glorified.
The true Vine, the fruitful bough by the well, produces clusters of rich fruit to God, by means of the life-giving sap, with which it invigorates and fertilizes its branches: and fruitfulness will be found generally to be produced in the members of Christ through affliction and tribulation.
The Father also as the Husbandman, cleanses the branches in order that righteousness, which is the peaceable fruit, may be yielded to His glory. We have received out of the fullness of Christ, and grace corresponding to every grace that is in Him. And may that one cluster-" the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance"-be abundantly borne by each of the ten thousands of the spiritual Ephraim. It is comforting to the soul to know that our great High Priest sustains all of us before God as fruitful branches: and though there may be apparently but little progress made-and though the difficulties and temptations are great-still every child of God will be found to the praise and honor and glory of Him, in the day of manifestation which is fast approaching. " Ye have not chosen me; but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." John 15:1616Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16).