As often as YHVH has spoken against Ephraim, He will certainly still remember him (Jeremiah 31)
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- Category: Prophecy
- Published on Saturday, 18 April 2009 11:50
Not much needs to be added to the following passage. It should bring the House of Joseph (10-Israel) much comfort in knowing 
has NOT forgotten their exile.
Jeremiah 31:16-22
(16) Thus said
(17) “And there is expectancy for your latter end,” declares
(18) “I have clearly heard Ephrayim lamenting, ‘You have chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf. Turn me back, and I shall turn back, for You are
(19) ‘For after my turning back, I repented. And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh. I was ashamed, even humiliated, for I bore the reproach of my youth.’
(20) “Is Ephrayim a precious son to Me, a child of delights? For though I spoke against him, I still remembered him. That is why My affections were deeply moved for him. I have great compassion for him,” declares
(21) “Set up signposts, make landmarks; set your heart toward the highway, the way in which you went. Turn back, O maiden of Yisra’el, turn back to these cities of yours!
(22) “Till when would you turn here and there, O backsliding daughter? For
Verse 22's statement "a woman encompasses a man" has confounded many teachers and is frequently debated. It may simply mean the Assembly of 10-Israel (Ephraim) and Judah, who are frequently spoken of as proverbial women or daughters (e.g. Jeremiah 3), will be regathered from the four corners of the earth and shall surround the Bridegroom in Zion. That seems to be the general context of Jeremiah 31. The old natural order of things was men seeking out a woman, surrounding her to win her attention or interest, but it seems the Daughters of Ephraim and Zion will be coming and seeking and surrounding the , instead of Him having to go after them.
There are probably other ways to extract meaning from that particular verse and they may all provide insight and value in some way.
Hanok ben-Isaak