Which kingdom does each of the two sticks in Ezekiel 37 represent?
In Ezekiel 37, the stick inscribed for Judah represents the southern kingdom, while the stick inscribed for Joseph, specifically Ephraim, represents the northern kingdom. The two sticks symbolize the divided nation of Israel, which God promises to reunite into one kingdom under one king.
Les explains that Ezekiel was commanded to take one stick and write on it for Judah and the children of Israel his companions, and another stick for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and all the house of Israel his companions. This referred to the nation when it was divided into the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom. Then in verse 19, God says He will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows—the northern kingdom—and put them with the stick of Judah, the southern kingdom, and make them one stick. No longer a divided kingdom, but once again a singular kingdom. God also promises to gather the children of Israel from among the heathen and bring them into their own land, making them one nation upon the mountains of Israel, with one king over them all, so they shall no more be two nations nor divided into two kingdoms.