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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Genesis 49:10
“The sceptre 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.”
Jacob proves here that he is a prophet.
First he prefers Ephraim before Manasseh as he blesses them. Maybe, he was just remembering that he was the younger of two who got the blessing but I think there was more to it. Family blessings were important. They were like a prophetic word for each recipient and even Jacob, especially now, wouldn’t have played games with what God had placed in his mind.
It was different from his own – in that Isaac had left nothing for Esau – Jacob actually blesses them both but confirms that Manasseh will serve Ephraim. At the end of Chapter 48 he gives the ‘high ground’ of Canaan to Joseph: “the ridge of land I took from the Ammonites with my sword and bow.”
Here in Chapter 49 he blesses all his sons with the ‘appropriate’ blessing. I would encourage you to read the whole chapter again because it is very significant in the lives of the Israelites. Also, when you have time, compare Moses’ blessings on the tribes recorded in Deuteronomy 33.
What Jacob says and reveals here in Chapter 49, I find fascinating and enlightening. You need to study all his blessings individually – it’s a revelation.
However, I just want to refer to a few. Reuben. He despised his birthright when he had sexual intercourse with his father’s concubine, Bilhah - Dan and Naphtali’s mother. Jacob didn’t forget and now sentence was pronounced. Verses 3 and 4 are some of the saddest we could read. Reuben had all the potential possible but blew it, just like Esau.
It’s interesting what Jacob says of Levi (and Simeon): “let me not enter their counsel [nor] join their assembly” (v 6), and yet out of Levi came the eventual priesthood. Then we have verse 8 and Judah. What could Judah have done to make Jacob give this blessing? He was the one who sold Joseph as a slave into Egypt; the one who had sexual intercourse with a prostitute – but who turned out to be his daughter-in-law – and a child was born.
Had it been me – I’m quite sure this blessing would have been given to Joseph. Joseph was Jacob’s favourite. Joseph was the one with utmost integrity. Joseph, the one who had proved himself worthy of the honour and position of kings.
Certainly Judah hadn’t. Jacob did have a terrific blessing for Joseph, which was very similar to the blessing he himself received from Isaac – but Judah’s was different. His blessing was divine. Jacob appeared to go ‘out of himself’ for this one.
Yes, Judah means praise – but here, it is “your brothers will praise you.” Doesn’t that make you think of Jesus? Only One is worthy of another human’s praise and that One is Jesus.
“Your father’s sons will bow down to you.” Yes, Jesus is worthy of our adoration – every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11).
“Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.” Yes, Jesus has won the Victor’s Crown. He has triumphed over ALL His enemies.
“You are a lion’s cub, O Judah.” That is why Jesus is called ‘the Lion of the Tribe of Judah’.
“The sceptre will not depart from Judah.” Look at Psalm 2, Isaiah 9, and Revelation 19:15. In fact look up all the references to “sceptre”, and see Jesus. And Judah has the line of kings from David onwards. Yes, Jesus was of David’s line – See Matthew 1 & Luke 2:4.
“Until He comes to Whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is His.” Yes, David fulfilled much of that. But I believe the Holy Spirit, through Jacob, was prophetically looking right on down to Jesus and indeed to the end of this world to the establishment of the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, King of all kings, Lord of all lords.
He is the only One who is worthy. He is the One to whom all nations must be obedient. And that Day is coming.
Isn’t that awesome?
Doesn’t that thrill your heart?
Are you getting ready to see it, with your own eyes?
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