Genesis 49:10
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.
Dictator for life. This was the name given to the Roman emperors in Jesus’ day. Fidel Castro is a modern example. There is something they all have in common but one way Jesus is different. Their graves are occupied and the tomb of Jesus is empty. Here, Jacob prophesied about Judah that he would rule forever. Judah may have thought that it meant that he would live forever but every Hebrew knew what Jacob meant. It would be Judah’s legacy after his death. This was hinted at when God made a covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7 that his offspring would be on the throne forever. It is fulfilled now that Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, sits on the throne.
Come to Cape Community Church tomorrow and see how the good news was anticipated several times in Genesis alone and how Jesus is the fulfillment of every anticipation. We no longer have to wait for the King of kings to rule. We need only worship him and wait for his return with anticipation of the nations bowing to him in obedience. The promise that the scepter shall not depart is our comfort that Jesus has already won, even in a world in chaos.
Dear Lord, we pray for that day when all the nations come to the throne of the Lion of Judah to bow in obedience to your will and worship you forever. We pray that some of them will worship you in church tomorrow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.