Judah, Thou Art He

Here we’ll learn about the Messiah and the plan of salvation as the Lord reveals things through the blessing Jacob gave to his sons.  These Old Testament writings are how the scribes should have known when Jesus would be born.  This talks about the tribes of Israel, 12 of them, which would come through Jacob (Israel).  One of them would be the descendant of Jesus.  That son was Judah.

Genesis 49:  ⁸Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. ⁹Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? ¹⁰The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.¹¹Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

Each blessing to the sons was unique.  When it came to Judah, the blessing consisted of these few verses.  It’s a descriptive passage concerning the Savior.  Judah was not the oldest.  We would think it would have been Reuben.  It was not the favorite.  I’ve often wondered why Jacob didn’t choose Joseph.  God has his reasons.  He chose Judah.  It would be through him that 2000 years later a virgin girl named Mary would give birth to a son.  This shows us how meticulous God’s plan was.  He made certain promises to Judah, and when we look back we can do so in confidence knowing we trust the true God.  There is no other Messiah.  There is no other Savior.  No one else came down from heaven.  No one else lived a sinless life.  No one else died and rose again the third day.

Verse 8 tells us that Judah’s brothers will praise him.  Everyone will look to him.  It was Judah who tried to help his brother Benjamin when he was detained in Egypt at the hands of the second man in power.  He didn’t know it was his own brother Joseph who held Benjamin.  He was the first to speak up on behalf of his brother.  He was Benjamin’s intercessor.  In time to come, one would come forth from Judah who would intercede for mankind.

Verse 10 tells us that the scepter was in his hand.  Judah was the law giver until the Law of Moses went into effect.  It really never left his hand, and when Jesus came he was the one who would fulfill the law.  During the time of the offerings, the tribe of Judah was given first place in line because Judah was willing to offer himself.  From him would come the offering of Jesus.

Verse 9 describes Judah as a lion.  He had courage.  He was willing to lay his life on the line for his brother.  The lion has prevailed through Jesus Christ, and Jesus will prevail.  He took a bite out of the devil and this world’s system.  He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.  All power is given unto him in heaven and earth.  When Judah was in the will of God, he faced his enemies and won victory.  There is no power stronger than the Lord Jesus.  He has overcoming power; we can too.  Empires rose and fell, but no matter who ruled, the scepter didn’t depart from Judah.  When the tribes split the northern part was called Israel; the southern part was called Judah.  Even when they were carried into captivity, the scepter never left Judah’s hand.

Verse 10 also tells us that when Shiloh comes there will be a gathering.  Shiloh is another name for Messiah.  He will gather the people as a lion to victory.  Jesus himself said “come unto me all ye that are heavy laden.”  In spite of the world’s system, in spite of what people believe or refuse to believe, God will send Jesus to gather us unto him.

Verse 11 says Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. Guess who appeared on Palm Sunday riding a donkey?  It was Jesus, the son of God, the son of Mary, the Lion from the tribe of Judah.  Later he would pray until his sweat would be drops of blood falling to the ground.  He would bleed under the whipping of the guards and the nails of the cross.

Judah, thou art he.  We can hear Jesus say, “I am he.”  Let him hear your praise.  Let him see your commitment.  We should be thankful here and now to know him as Savior.  Our trust is not in vain.