# 446 The Lion of Judah Part 2

The Book of Genesis

Day 446

Ge 49:8 "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you.  9 Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?  10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.  11 Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey's colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes.

More on the blessing of Judah today As we mentioned last time, the scepter is symbolic of a ruler, and verse 10 here has been traditionally understood to be Messianic. By that I mean it was initially fulfilled in David, but ultimately in Jesus Christ. 

Let’s look at some other prophecies in Scripture and see if we can make the connection between this blessing of Judah and the Messiah, Jesus Christ.In Num 24:17, we read of the scepter once again, this time from the lips of Balaam, who had been asked to curse Israel by Balak. But instead, Balaam says, “I see Him but not now: I behold Him but not near. A star will come out of Jacob, a scepter will rise out of Israel…..a ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.” Again, this was initially fulfilled in David, but ultimately in the coming Messiah’s rule. Jesus Himself tells us in Re 22:16b "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

Also in this blessing of Judah, we have the reference “until Shiloh comes.” Shiloh is associated with peace, and this phrase is another way of saying, “until He comes into that which belongs to peace.” Who else could this be but the Messiah? 

And let us not miss the reference in this prophecy to Palm Sunday. Jesus is the vine (See John 15) that is bound to the donkey and the colt of the donkey as He rode into Jerusalem!

It’s interesting to note still another prophecy concerning this “Ruler of Peace.” It’s found in Ezek 21:26 when Zedekiah, (who was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian captivity) was told to remove the crown from his head because dominion over Jerusalem will ultimately be given to the one to “whom it rightfully belongs.”  Eze 21:26,27 reads: 'thus says the Lord GOD: "Remove the turban, and take off the crown; Nothing shall remain the same. Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted.  27 Overthrown, overthrown, I will make it overthrown! It shall be no longer, Until He comes whose right it is, And I will give it to Him."'

So this blessing given to Judah from Jacob is built upon and clarified through the ages by the prophets, always pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus! Peace belongs to Him! He is our Shiloh, “and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.”  In other words, He shall rule.

Is He ruling in your heart? Have you bowed your knee to Him? What are you waiting for? The Bible tells us that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow of those in heaven and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father!. (Phil 2:10,11)

Every human being who ever lived or shall live, will eventually bow their knee to Jesus. Every mouth will agree that His is Lord. Some will bow and confess in their heart while living and go on to their eternal reward which will be so peaceful, so abundant that one could tie a grape eating donkey to the choicest vine and not be concerned over losing the grapes! All will be clothed with the royal color of purple as children of the King. Perfect health as symbolized by eyes darker than wine and teeth whiter than milk!

Others, who refuse His free gift of salvation and reject His rule in their lives, will bow and confess Him as Lord, but it will be too late on that final Day and they will be tossed into the fiery pit forever!

Friend, don’t overlook the overwhelming prophetic evidence of Jesus as the Messiah. Bow your knee to Him today, while you still have time! Today is the day of salvation! Today is your day of salvation! This same prophetic word from Jacob offers the same promise of peace for your soul today.

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, (the offspring of Judah) and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom 10:9)

Just now, in the quietness of your heart, kneel and confess and you too will become a citizen of Shiloh, you will be a part of His eternal kingdom of peace!