Genesis 49:8-12

Today we are going to look at the prophecy concerning the tribe of Judah. We don’t know why God chose this line to be the line of the Messiah, but we see in these verses that this tribe would come to the forefront.

“Judah, your brothers will praise you;
 
   your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
 
   your father’s sons will bow down to you.

You are a lion’s cub, O Judah;
 
   you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
 
   like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
The scepter will not depart from Judah,
 
   nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs
 
   and the obedience of the nations is his.
He will tether his donkey to a vine,
 
   his colt to the choicest branch; 

he will wash his garments in wine,
 
   his robes in the blood of grapes. 

His eyes will be darker than wine,
 
   his teeth whiter than milk.” (Genesis 49:8-12)

As with all of these blessings, this one refers not just to Judah’s immediate family, but to the future of the nation. So much of this passage directs us to Christ and both His first and His second comings. Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5), so this reference to the lion here points to His preeminence and His power. The “scepter” speaks of His Kingship, His eternal rule. While the tribe of Judah would rule over Israel through David and his line, it would be the final One, “he who comes,” who would be the ultimate King:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
 
   and gave him the name that is above every name, 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
 
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
 
   to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11)

Yet, His humility in coming as a man is shown in the reference in Judah’s blessing to the donkey. The Son of Man, God the Son entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. The allusions to blood and wine point to Christ’s death on the cross. I don’t know about you, but I love the consistency of the Bible, the fact that it is His Story from beginning to end! His presence is seen from the beginning of creation to His return and rule in Revelation. We have to wonder how so many of the Jews missed it at His first coming!
 
This reminds me that we are entering the time of year when most of the world completely misses His presence, even though He is the reason for season! Let’s not get so caught up in the busyness of this time of year that we miss the point! The Incarnation is central to ALL of history - not just His Story. We need to take time to join the angels in awe of this wondrous event.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Focus on and meditate on those names! Wow!