Lions

O.T. #108 "Lions"
August 16, 2013
Genesis 49-Part 4
Judah, 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.  Genesis 49:8

LET IT GLOW

I have only seen real live lions in zoos and a safari. They were behind strong bars or cages, of which I was glad. I realize that lions are strong creatures and are known as the king of the jungle, so I want to keep my distance from them. I have watched lions attack their prey on television shows. They are equipped with huge teeth, paws, and claws. I see why they are called the king of the jungle, although they don't live in the jungle. Did you know that Judah's tribe is considered a lion? Read on.

Judah was the fourth son of Leah. His name means praise, conveying the thought of not merely the praised one, but the one for whom Jehovah is praised. Evidently, Leah was a godly woman; three of the four names refer to Jehovah. Judah was to be praised by his brothers and to become the leader among the tribes. (Falwell)

Verses 11-12 promise great  material blessings to Judah. (Wiersbe)
These verses describe the millennial prosperity (Is. 11:1-9, Ez.34:23-31, Amos 9:11-15). (Falwell)

Judah was certainly the blessed tribe. David and Solomon were the richest kings during their time. the material and monetary blessings were examples of the riches of God's grace. We will talk about why Judah didn't deserve all of this.

Americans live as kings in comparison to other countries. My small house is like a palace when I think of wooden shacks or huts in poor countries. It makes me thankful for what I am blessed to have.
Are we willing to leave our palace to go share the gospel in needy places?

LET IT GROW

Judah wasn't the brother to be admired. He had skeletons in his closet.
Judah suggested a profit motive in getting rid of Joseph (37:26) when his brothers wanted to kill Joseph or leave him in a pit. He didn't deal faithfully with his daughter in law Tamar (38:26), and he had sex with her as a prostitute (38:16). But he did shine when he interceded and offered himself as a substitute for Benjamin (44:18-34).

Judah is identified with the lion, the kingly beast and the lawgiver (Christ), out of which all the kings of Israel would come. Judah was given the ruling position among his brothers. He inherited the leadership aspect of the firstborn's inheritance (Reuben).

Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, found in Revelation 5:5. Jesus came through the lineage of David, who was of the tribe of Judah. King David was as a lion, which symbolized his royalty, courage, valor, and conquests, who having subdued the nations around him, crouched like a lion and had rest from his enemies, eventually.

Jesus is also the Messiah in reference to Shiloh. the prophecy too some 640 years to fulfill in the reign of King David and Judah's dynasty of other kings, and some 1600 years to fulfill in the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.

On the march through the wilderness, Judah went first (Num.10:14) and had the largest population in Moses' census (Num.1:27, 26:22). Then, much later, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, his triumphal entry honoring Him as King by Gentiles.

I am so glad to be an adopted child of the King Jesus. Are you one?

[Resources: Commentaries of David Guzik, John Gill, Matthew Henry, Jerry Falwell, Warren Wiersbe, John MacArthur]


LET IT GO

Be like a lion when it comes to my faith in Jesus.

Act like a child of the King.

Thank God for His Grace.