“Judah is a lion’s cub… The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet” (Genesis 49:9-10 ESV).
When Jacob, whom God named Israel, was on his deathbed, he called each of his twelve sons to his bedside that he might bless them. The blessing he spoke over his fourth son, Judah, was one of the clearest prophecies that the Messiah would be born to the line of Judah.
From that day forward the tribe of Judah took the image of the lion as its symbol, flying it on a banner above their camp. The “scepter” indeed came to the tribe of Judah when David became king. Yet, the prophecy was not fulfilled until the coming of Jesus, who was born in the line of David in the tribe of Judah.
One day, according to John’s revelation, Jesus will be the only one worthy to open the scroll with the seven seals. For John was weeping that no one was found worthy to open it when one of the elders in heaven said to him, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (Rev. 5:5).
Jesus is the fulfillment of Jacob’s blessing on Judah. Jesus is the Lion of Judah, symbolizing His power, majesty, and victory over sin, death, and the grave!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed at the way Your Word has been fulfilled in Jesus. Strengthen us this day to follow Him fully and to proclaim Him to everyone we encounter. In Jesus’ name, amen.