Genesis 49:8-12 – The Lion of the tribe of Judah

The words Jacob declared over Reuben, Simeon and Levi were not pleasant words. He had his reasons. Reuben went out of control when he committed incest with his father’s concubine. And Simeon and Levi could not control their anger and committed mass genocide at Shechem. Now we come to Jacob’s fourth son, Judah. He did not start off too well. He impregnated his daughter-in-law Tamar, who disguised herself as a prostitute. The reason she did it was to make Jacob fulfil a promise made to her. The detail of the account of this shameful act was recorded in Genesis 38. Despite a bad start, Judah changed as he progressed. He was quick to acknowledge his wrong regarding his daughter-in-law Tamar when he realized it. Notice his words in Genesis 38:26. He said concerning her, “She is more righteous than I….” Not only did he change at this point but stepped up and put his life on the line for Benjamin. In Genesis 44:18-34, he pleaded with Joseph for Benjamin and offered to be his brother’s substitute. In all these, Judah had shown his growth in maturity and godliness as a person. For his humility and character, he did not go un-noticed. Jacob prophesied over him an honorable role. The tribe of Judah would play a kingly role until the coming of the ultimate King, the Messiah, who would hail from the tribe f Judah.    

Jacob first declared that the descendants of Judah’s brothers would bow down to his descendants. Not only would the tribe of Judah seize the enemies by the neck, but would also become a ferocious lion. In the Bible, the picture of Judah as a lion would become a common expression. One of the terms used for the Messiah is the Lion of Judah. In Revelation 5:5, the Lord Jesus is referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Here Jacob was declaring the messianic age. How should we see verse 10? In this verse we see both the scepter and the ruler’s staff remaining with Judah until Shiloh comes. This was literary fulfilled: in that the Southern Kingdom of Judah remained in the land until Jesus, the Messiah, came.  

Verses 11-12 have a double fulfilment. It is first seen in the tribe itself, when they were apportioned the land in the south, where vine growing was the feature. Secondly, we see a picture of the Lord Jesus as narrated by Isaiah 63:1-3:

Who is this who comes from Edom,
With garments of glowing colours from Bozrah,
This One who is majestic in His apparel,

Marching in the greatness of His strength?
“It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”

Why is Your apparel red,
And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press

 “I have trodden the wine trough alone,
And from the peoples there was no man with Me.
I also trod them in My anger
And trampled them in My wrath;
And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments,
And I stained all My raiment.

Praise God that Jesus, our Messiah, has poured out His blood for us. The wine He supplies is still in abundance. It’s no longer just the cup of sorrow but also the cup of joy. And we, who honour Him as our Messiah and Lord, can freely come to Him and drink freely of the cup in repentance and joy. Hallelujah!