Genesis 49:9-10 - Judah is a lion’s cub...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. 

Jacob had twelve sons, and God moved them to Egypt for a while so they would become a unique nation, separated from the other people with whom they shared a language. God wanted them to be His people, not because of who they were, or because He loved them more, but simply because He had chosen them to be the nation from which the Messiah would be born. 


Of the twelve sons, Judah was selected by God to begin the tribe which would become the kingly tribe. God’s promise in our verse today was unequalled in history – never before, and to only one man since, was the promise made: a king of this tribe would always carry the title of ruler. Even though Israel had no physical king after their slavery in Babylon, the royal lineage was kept in the records to know exactly who would be the next in line. 

However, it would be about 400 years before the first king from the Tribe of Judah would be crowned – David.


Prayer: Lord God, thank you that the Old Testament points continually to our Savior. May we see Jesus in its words and in its promises. Focus us this day on the Lion of Judah. In His name we pray, Amen.