Genesis, chapter 49, is one of the most important chapters of Genesis. This is because we learn of what will happen in the last days and more specifically, Jesus’s first and second coming. And to help you understand this truth, let’s read verse 1. It reads, “and Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.” (Genesis 49:1) Now, let these words sync in as you read the next few verses about Judah and who will come from His generations. It is written “Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?” (Genesis 49:8,9) The person that is to come from Judah is Jesus. He is the promised Messiah to come. He is the Lion of Judah and the first and the last. This is what it means to be an old lion, but still as alive as ever, for His Father in heaven is with Him. It is in Jesus’s second coming that His wrath will be poured out upon the wicked.
Jacob also blessed Judah and said, “the sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.” (Genesis 49:10-12) This speaks of a royal sceptre for a king, for the person coming from the lineage of Judah is the King of all kings. Shiloh means the promised Messiah, who is to come into the world. But before this happens, He shall ride into Jerusalem on a colt. This is before Jesus would be tried as a sinner and be found guilty. He died for our sins on the cross. Three days after Jesus rose from the grave and start the gathering of His people through the Holy Spirit on earth. This led to the preaching of the gospel in all the world, where people are gathered into Christ’s fold. And when Jesus returns, his eyes shall be red, while his teeth white. I testify to you that this blessing is actually a prophecy about Jesus coming into the world. It is so amazing. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will fully understand what You did for us Jesus on the cross. How You died for our sins and that through Your blood we can be forgiven. This is the greatest sacrifice of all. Centuries before this happened, You revealed Your coming to Jacob, who is Israel. And since then, the Hebrew people anxiously awaited their promised Messiah. It may have taken a bit longer than they expected, but You did come exactly as was expected. The same can be said with Your second coming. Although it has been two thousand years since You first came, it feels like forever. We anxiously await Your second coming. We may be few in number compared to the billions of people on earth, but still, we are strong in the faith. No matter if people ridicule us or persecute us because of our obedience to You, we will never let down. Your presence in our lives means more to us than anything else this world can offer us. Our treasures are built up in heaven. Lord, we bless and honor You. You are our God, Jesus, and we praise Your holy Name. Draw us and others to You before their lives come to an end. I love You, Lord. I trust in You, God. Amen.
