February 2, 2025

A Chosen Son

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Genesis 49:8-12, Psalm 72
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Looking at a Chosen Family
  • Who would have thought that a man with 2 wives and children through 4 women would be chose by God to be the progenitor of the nation of Israel
    • From him would come the 12 Tribes of Israel
      • Not one child was exempt – though there was much failure in many
    • The story of Jacob is the story of God’s grace
      • One of the titles of God in the Old Testament is the God of Jacob – Ps 46
      • How Jacob was transformed in God’s grace
  • Thinking about a chosen family
  • Thinking tonight about a chosen son
  • Jacob had two wives
    • One loved (Rachel) and one unloved (Leah)
    • The blessings came to the son of the one who was unloved wife (Leah)
      • The Messiah would come from Judah
      • Great kings would come from Judah
    • Judah was pre-eminent amongst his brothers
  • Looking at Judah this evening
  • Reading Genesis 49:8-12

Judah the Preeminent One

  • Deut 21:15-17 – The firstborn blessings should go to the first born, even if borne by the unloved wife
    • Reuben forfeited his firstborn blessings, as did Simeon and Levi
    • God chooses Judah – the fourth born
      • God has not forgotten Joseph, who is also blessed
    • Judah is more blessed
  • Judah’s name means praise (v8)
    • Although we saw his actions with Tamar and Joseph, we saw his repentance and humility
      • We praise God for the grace of God seen in Judah
      • We praise God when we hear such testimony
  • v8 – Judah is taking the place of Joseph
    • The family will bow down to him – certainly in terms of his military prowess
    • He is the preeminent one amongst the 12
      • This reminds us of Jesus Christ
      • The first Adam versus the second Adam
      • Our Elder Brother preeminent

Judah is Powerful

  • v9 – a picture of Judah, who began as a small cub
    • Read the Book of Joshua – Example of Caleb
    • Read the Book of the Judges – Judah taking the lead
    • Read the Book of the Kings – Judah (the place) becomes powerful and the righteous kings come from Judah
  • Judah is prefiguring Jesus Christ – described as being the Lion of the tribe of Judah
    • Jesus will come in great power as a lion to judge the nations
  • v10 – The sceptre will not depart from Judah
    • Even when the kingdom split into the Northern and Southern kingdoms
      • There remained a remnant
    • At the time of Jesus – the most significant region was Judah
  • Jacob in his time of dying is given these revelations

Judah as the Precursor to the Messiah

  • v10 – until Shiloh comes
    • "Shiloh" – difficult to translate, it involves peace and rest
    • Until the one the sceptre belongs to comes – Jesus Christ
    • Christ will establish His kingdom – it will grown like a mustard seed
    • Christ brings peace
    • Christ gives rest
    • Christ satisfies the soul
  • Ps 72:8 – Christ will have dominion from sea to sea
  • Ps 72:11 – all peoples/nations shall worship Christ
    • It is lovely to be where the nations are gathered
    • Christ came for the nations
  • Ps 72:12 – Christ came for the broken hearted, set the captive free, give good news to the poor, for sinners
  • Ps 72:13
  • Ps 72:17 – Jacob sees the day of Messiah
    • Not just Abraham seeing the day of Christ
    • The nations are blessed in Christ
      • Statistics
    • Christians have every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus – examples

Judah shall be Prosperous

  • v11 – Fruitfulness in Judah, a fertile land, such that the donkey can be tied to the vine and you could wash your clothes in the grapejuice
    • A metaphor
    • Jesus is the vine, we are the branches
      • He is attached to us
    • His clothes were washed in blood [at the cross]
  • v12 – speaking of the character of Jesus

Closing Remarks

  • As we come to the table – remember the body and blood of Jesus that was given for you, for the forgiveness of sins
  • We can know the abundant blessings offered to us in the gospel – through Jesus Christ
  • As you remember Him – let you hearts be warmed and be encouraged
  • We have all we ever need in Him