The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
Genesis 49:10
In Genesis 49, Joseph has reunited with his father and family. Joseph is the second-in-command ruler in Egypt. The famine has brought Jacob’s family to Egypt where food is available; Joseph reveals himself to his family; and, Jacob is blessing each of his children (and, grandchildren) before he dies. Reuben lost the privileges of the firstborn because he slept with his father’s concubine. Wanton violence and anarchy cost Simeon and Levi their right of first son-ship. Jacob’s next son in the birth order is Judah. A reading of Judah’s life in earlier Genesis chapters shows that Judah sinned grievously by his involvement in the sale of Joseph into Egyptian slavery and he wickedly failed to provide a husband to his daughter-in-law, Tamar. These alone should end of his opportunity at first son-ship, losing the greatest portion of Jacob’s favor as well. However, Judah showed himself sensitive to the Holy Spirit when he confessed his evil deeds concerning Tamar. Later, Judah’s repentance bore its fullest fruit when he offered to sacrifice himself and take Benjamin’s place as Joseph’s slave. So, Judah inherits the firstborn’s rights because of his selflessness. Jacob declares, in today’s verse, that Judah will triumph over his foes. Joseph has fulfilled the dreams he had revealed to his family. And, Judah will later become Israel’s chief tribe, and, the head of the nation after Joshua’s death. Judah’s clan will produce David and his descendants, Messiah. In the following verses, Jacob, as he transfers blessings to the tribe of Judah, declares Judah’s Kingdom shall be no common kingdom, because from it shall proceed the fullness of the promised benediction, Messiah. One of Judah’s sons will rule over a kingdom so blessed that costly vines, the source of wine and income, will be hitches for donkeys. These animals would surely chew through such vines, but this is not a problem since the number of vines they own in the kingdom is so vast that losing them will not cause financial ruin. That would be Solomon’s rule of Israel. So, consider that Judah’s repentance and exaltation illustrates the biblical principal that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Judah’s greatest son, Jesus of Nazareth, is the ultimate object of this prophecy. We, too, will be lifted up if we humble ourselves in service to the Father as our Lord Jesus did. Humility and self-sacrifice is the only path to exaltation.
Source: S C Ball December 17, 2023
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