When Jacob blessed his sons he first came to Joseph and said of Josephs 2 sons these are mine and placed his hands on their heads and pronounced a blessing upon them; he blessed Ephriam above his older brother and he was the first of Jacobs sons to receive the blessing. The 12 tribes split into 2 nations during the reign of Solomons son. One nation was called Israel contained 10 tribes the other Judah contained 2 and also Jerusalem.. Many times the name Ephraim is used to identify the northern kingdom of israel. The principal of receiving Gods judgment prior to repenting and calling on Gods name still stands. Israel is going to be the center piece of prophecy again as we head into the day of the Lord and the time of Jacobs trouble, or the great tribulation. They will call upon God and be saved out of great distress.