Genesis 49:8-12
“Judah, your brothers will praise you.
Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.
Your father’s sons will bow down before you.
Judah is a lion’s cub.
From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He stooped down, he crouched as a lion,
as a lioness.
Who will rouse him up?
The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs.
To him will the obedience of the peoples be.
Binding his foal to the vine,
his donkey’s colt to the choice vine;
he has washed his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.
His eyes will be red with wine,
his teeth white with milk.
This is one of the most amazing prophecies ever written. Jacob, himself, spoke these words to the original twelve brothers of the nation. In this passage, Jacob predicts the coming of Jesus as king of the world.
God had predicted in Joseph’s dream that his brothers would bow down to him someday. Now we discover that Joseph will ultimately bow down to Judah!
It is amazing that we find such a far reaching prophesy in the very first book of the Bible being spoken by the very leader of the nation. Remarkably, it states that “The scepter will not depart from Judah.” In other words, his family is to be a line of kings forever. Notice that, ultimately, the kingdom is to come to him “to whom it belongs.” And, just to make sure we know that this isn’t just for Jews, it says:
“To him will the obedience of the peoples be.”
Some of this prophesy has already happened. Jesus who was born from the line of Judah, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey colt. It appears that the rest of what is said about Judah’s line has yet to happen. When the Bible talks about the blood of grapes and red wine, it is often talking about the wrath of God. Jesus is to return to earth and kill his enemies in a bloody battle someday. In that day, the anger of God against sin will be witnessed by all who live on earth.
This was spoken by Jacob, but he didn’t know what we know about Jesus yet. This was written down by Moses, but he didn’t know what we know about Jesus yet. This was passed down over and over again by Jewish scribes but they didn’t know what we know about Jesus yet. This passage demonstrates the supernatural truth that God has put in the Bible. Thousands of years passed before Jesus came and it happened. It is important for us to see that the prophesy it isn’t complete yet. The kingdom still belongs to Jesus and He is yet to return to rule on earth. This should either comfort or concern you depending on your perspective. We should remember that the God who predicted this has never failed to do what He says He will do.