of Goshen (eastern part of the delta of the Nile). Jacob predicted that the tribe of Judah would grow to have superior power over the other tribes and grow in prosperity. It was the tribe of Judah after the enslavement in Egypt that was able to unify the Hebrew people of Israel. The tribe of Judah preserved the true religion, maintained and preserved the priesthood, and ensured the ceremonies of the temple.
It was promised that the Messiah for all of mankind would be from the tribe of Judah and the Son of David.
Isaiah 9:6-7 reads, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, and upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and upon his kingdom, or order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Jacob would move his twelve sons and their families (est. 70 members) to Goshen that was part of the Nile delta in Egypt. He meets Joseph in Goshen in about 1660 BC.
Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and was chosen by God to carry on the genealogy line of the Messiah. However, Joseph the son of Jacob and Rachel was also a righteous man that lived a godly life and was also blessed. Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son and received the family blessings because of his father’s love and because of how he was treated by his brothers. Joseph was hated by his brothers who sold him into slavery. Jacob also blessed Josephs’ sons Ephraim and Manasseh. In this situation sin was the major obstacle in preventing the first born Reuben or many of his brothers from receiving the family blessing. Sin cannot be under estimated. Sin is extremely dangerous and clever and is always looking for an opportunity to creep into and destroy a persons’ life.
Genesis 50:18-20 reads, “And his brethren also went and fell down before his face, and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Joseph was hated by his brothers, was thrown into a pit and later sold to a caravan. Joseph ended up in Egypt as a slave. After many years in Egypt and many difficulties Joseph eventually rose to a position of great responsibility. Many years later he met his brothers again. However, at this time Joseph was in control and could have easily taken revenge against his brothers for being sold into slavery. God had blessed Joseph and had changed his character. Joseph realized God was responsible for his blessings and success and that his position was for the purpose of helping others. Consequently, he fed his brothers and cared for them. God’s blessings in this case carried the responsibility of caring for others.
There was a great famine that caused Jacob and his twelve sons to migrate to Egypt. Joseph had been in Egypt for many years and became reunited with his family. The families quickly grew in numbers and were forced into ruthless labor by the Egyptians. It is believed that Joseph and all of his brothers died in Egypt. However, the twelve tribes of Jacob grew in great numbers and were able to flourish in the lush delta of the Nile in spite of the harsh treatment under slave labor.
Application
Jacob called all his sons together during his last days for the purpose of delivering his blessing to Judah.
Genesis 49:8-9 reads, “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 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?”
Judah was no ordinary man. It is believed that Judah was an extremely strong man capable of throwing large rocks that would knock a soldier off his horse. He was also a fierce warrior that caused his enemies to flee rather than engage in battle. From that time forward the tribe of Judah would be symbolized by a lion.
Even though Judah was a fierce warrior and was compared to a lion, he was also aware of his failures and was willing to share these failures with his children. He was able share his love with his children by teaching them to avoid what the world considers important. Our children are God’s gifts to us to be treasured and prepared for a meaningful life centered on praising and worshipping their Messiah and Lord.
As parents it is important that we are honest and share our success and failures with our children. Raising children today is extremely difficult due to the lack of morals and Christian values that are missing in almost every aspect of our daily life. It is not uncommon to hear of school teachers that have been sexually involved with their students and for students to kill teachers and other students. Children are not being taught Christian values and morals and consequently do not know the difference between good and evil. They are easily influenced by their peers and follow those they see as role models.
Unfortunately, society will continue to deteriorate as more continue to view religion as dogma and spirituality is ignored by the public schools. The result is that we have children being raised in our society without any spiritual guidance from the home or in the public schools.
Fifty years ago we did not have children killing children. In fact, children fifty years ago were allowed to join school gun clubs and shoot at the school’s gun range without concern for a child’s safety. So, how did society deteriorate to the point where some children have no regard for their own life or the life of another person? Fifty years ago children did not have access to the internet and the huge collection of uncensored information. Television was in most homes but subject to heavy censorship if material was considered objectionable, harmful to children, and morally degrading. Today, those moral requirements are no longer enforced and children are exposed to all types of violence and immorality at a young age on the television or on the internet. The combination of the deterioration of the family unit, exposure to decades of immorality on the TV and the internet, and no spiritual education has resulted in a greater number of children with no respect for themselves or for other children and life itself. It is critical that young impressionable minds be protected from the perverse ideology of today’s society. Children are easily convinced to follow and will copy behavior they see on the internet and other uncensored media.
Those that are responsible and guilty of destroying the innocence of young minds will pay a heavy price on judgment day.
Jesus Christ is also referred to as the lion of Judah and the root of David.
Revelations 5:5 reads, “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and loose the seven seals thereof.”
Jesus Christ alone has absolute control and has the power to open the seven seals and to judge and rule. Jesus Christ was a descendent of David and with devastating force will bring judgment upon the earth.
Jesus Christ was the lamb that was sacrificed for all of our sins and is the only one that has the authority to break the seals of judgment upon His return. He alone with God the Father sits on the throne that provides the sure foundation that each Christian builds his faith in hopes of eternity. A Christian’s faith is built on God’s promise to provide the safety that will be needed by all on Judgment day.
Perez and wife unknown
(Approx. 1663–1573 BC)
Perez was the first born of Judah and Tamar. He also had a twin brother named Zerah.
Ruth 4:12 reads, “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.”
Perez was blessed greatly with the honor of carrying on the lineage of Judah. This blessing was remembered by the Jewish people as a blessing that was beyond measure. In addition, not only did Perez carry on the line of Judah, he was also an eminent part in carrying on the lineage of the Messiah. Some 1700 years later Jesus Christ would be born from this lineage as a child from the tribe of Judah.
It is believed that during this time period Joseph and all of his brothers died in Egypt. However,