Genesis 49:10 Until He Comes...

"The scepter will not depart from Judah,

nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,

until he comes to whom it belongs

and the obedience of the nations is his."

(Genesis 49:10 NIV)

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Jacob is in the midst of blessing his son Judah when this verse comes along.  Its curious statement is sandwiched between promises of preeminence and prosperity for this tribe.  It is curious not because of the words themselves, which are fairly obvious:  Judah's tribe will continue to reign over the others.  However, the object of the last part of the verse and the scope of that one's rule is what gets our attention.

First, we might ask ourselves, "Just who is that one 'to whom it belongs', anyway?"  Actually, we need to look at the scope of this one's rule to help give us a clue.  The obedience of the nations will be his, not just the tribes of Israel.  Therefore, he is someone who will be far greater than Judah himself.  It is as though Judah and his descendants will be placeholders until the actual ruler comes along, one who is from that tribe.

Then we need to ask ourselves, "To whom does that right belong -- to rule over all the nations?"  My first thought would be 'God'.  As Creator, he has the right to reign over all nations.  Other Scriptures immediately come to mind:

Psalm 2, where the kings and rulers of the earth take their stand against the LORD and against his Anointed One (v.2), but God merely laughs at them and insists that He has installed His king on Zion (v.4-6).  This King is spoken of as having an iron scepter (v.9) and the kings are urged to serve him, and submit to his rule, or they will be destroyed (v.10-12).  However, those who take refuge in him are blessed (v.12).

It is this Anointed One who Genesis 49:10 speaks about.  Both Genesis 49:10 and Psalm 2 are regarded as Messianic -- that is, they refer to the Messiah who will come.  There is much more to be said on this matter, but this will come out as we go along.  Personally, I believe that Jesus Christ turns out to be that Messiah who is predicted here.  Perhaps you do not believe that.  I hope you will still follow along and see why I believe that way.  There are a whole lot of Scriptures which point to him.  As we go along, I will try to point them out.

By the way, 'Christ' is the English term for the Greek word which means 'the anointed one'.  It is a translation of the Hebrew word which means Messiah.  So, even to those who do not claim to believe in Jesus' divinity, Jesus is commonly known as Jesus Christ, or Jesus the Annointed One/Messiah.  I think that is interesting.  As is the fact that 'Jesus' translates to "Yahweh/Jehovah/God is salvation". 

Genesis 49:8-12 Jacob's Blessing: Judah, The Lion King

"Judah, your brothers will praise you;

your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;

your father's sons will bow down to you.

You are a lion's cub, O Judah;

you return from the prey, my son.

Like a lion he crouches and lies down,

like a lioness -- who dares to rouse him?

The scepter will not depart from Judah,

nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,

until he comes to whom it belongs

and the obedience of the nations is his.

He will tether his donkey to a vine,

his colt to the choicest branch;

he will wash his garments in wine,

his robes in the blood of grapes.

His eyes will be darker than wine,

his teeth whiter than milk."

Genesis 49:8-12 (NIV)

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Judah's name means "praise".  He was the fourth son of Jacob's wife Leah.  Jacob now gives him this amazing blessing.  Some observations about this blessing:

• Judah's brothers would praise him.  We will hear more about Judah and his descendants as we continue to follow the story of the Israelites.  Already Judah has distinguished himself as being willing to make hard decisions and take personal consequences for his decisions.  Remember when Judah offered himself to his father as surety for Benjamin?  Soon afterwards he offered himself as the substitute for Benjamin when the silver cup of Joseph was found among Benjamin's belongings and it looked as though Benjamin would be taken as Joseph's slave.  Such an attitude of self-sacrifice and the ability to take decisive action in a crisis are indications of the character of true leadership.
• Judah would be victorious.  Like a lion he would return from his hunt having obtained his objective.  There is a sense of quiet dignity about his bearing which inspired respect from others.
• His brothers would bow down to him.  We are used to hearing these type of words in connection with Joseph, whose dreams indicated that his brothers would bow down to him, and they did.  Joseph might hold the position of the favored firstborn, but to Judah would come the kingly right of being the head of all the tribes of Israel.
• Verse 10 is a prophecy of the continued rule of the tribe of Judah "until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his."  This prophecy has been traditionally understood as being Messianic.  I will do another post on this verse specifically, because there are too many important details to cover here.
• Prosperity would be the result of his reign.  His vines would be robust enough to allow them to be used as tethers for a donkey or young horse.  Plentiful grapes would allow him to wash his clothes in wine, if he so desired, for wine would be as abundant as water.  His eyes would be darker than wine -- not from excessive drinking, but an indication of health and strength.  His teeth would be white and strong, for milk would be abundant as well.  Altogether, these images indicate divine blessing upon his land.
• Judah is called "a lion's cub" (v.9).  Doesn't that give you the idea that there is someone in his line who is actually the Lion -- that is, someone who is even greater than Judah?  Yes, I think it is time to stop this post and go on to a fuller explanation of verse 10, as promised.