resulted in Jacob getting the blessing he fought for. We all struggle and wrestle with difficult issues throughout our lives. The sooner we realize our limitations, the sooner we place a greater trust in God’s love, and wisdom, the sooner we live a fuller and joy filled life. We continue in a life of prayer and patiently wait on the Lord for His direction and answer to our needs. God answers our prayers in many different ways and in some ways we do not understand. For example, God will wait until the time is right for an issue to be resolved. The right time could be dependent on other people, an individual’s maturity, experiences to be realized, knowledge of the issues, and countless other aspects of daily life.
Judah and Tamar
(Approximately 1755–1676 BC)
Jacob had twelve sons. Jacob and his wife Leah’s sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Jacob and his wife Rachel sons were Joseph and Benjamin. He also had sons with Zipah (Gad, Asher) and Bilaha (Dan, Naphtali). Reuben was the oldest son and would have normally been given the double portion of land and the family blessing; however, because of his involvement in the selling of Joseph to a caravan, he was denied that inheritance.
Jacob would bless all twelve sons by giving them all some portion of the Promised Land which now includes all of Israel. Jacob under God’s direction singled out Judah the forth son for the most prominent blessing. Jacob’s son Levi and his sons would become priests and would be responsible for keeping and maintaining the law for all the tribes.
However, Judah hated his brother Joseph and was involved along with his brothers in the selling of his brother Joseph. This sin caused Judah a great deal of suffering over the next twenty years with his wife and sons. Two of Judah’s sons lost their lives because of their sin and disobedience. Judah’s third son Shelah was too young and did not marry Tamar the chosen wife for Judah’s first son Er. Tamar changed her appearance and tricked Judah into having a relationship that resulted in the birth of twins. The child named Perez was the first born and was in the genealogy line that God delivered His promise and blessing for all of mankind.
The tribe of Judah was blessed and grew to great strength and was the law giver for all the tribes of Israel. Judah was a strong warrior with a strong character and determination to follow God’s plan for Israel. It was the tribe of Judah’s numbers and strength that allowed them to be aggressive in driving out the Canaanites. In addition, Judah’s strength allowed him to move the tabernacle from Shiloh to Mount Zion. Mount Zion is located on an eastern hill in the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the capital of the southern kingdom of Israel, Judah.
Genesis 49:8-10 reads, “Judah, thou art he whom thy breather shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thy 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? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him the gathering of the people be.”
Judah was held in high esteem as the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. Judah took on a leadership role of Jacob’s family and negotiated a smooth transition into the land 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.
