Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Looking at Genesis 49:8-12
- All about predictions
- An old man who is about to die
- He predicts many things that will happen in the future
- Given by God
- Could you predict the future? (we can't)
- Where Jesus would be born?
- How He would be born?
- The things that would happen at His birth?
- Example - fleeing to Egypt and the slaughter of Herod
- The manner in which they would die?
- The significance of their life and death?
- The probability of all these things happening - would be mind boggling
- 8 predictions in a person's life1 in 10 to the power of 17
- 48 predictions - 1 in 10 to the power of 157
- 456 prophecies about Jesus Christ (in the Old Testament)
- Micah 5:2
- Isaiah 7, 9:6, 53:12
- Zechariah 9:9
- Looking at v8-12
- Predictions about the tribe of Judah - the pre-eminent tribe
- How Judah is a type of Christ - the words speak about Jesus Christ
- Overview:
- A surprising prophecy
- An accurate prophecy
- A prophecy that demands a response
A surprising prophecy
- In the previous passage, Jacob had made predictions about his son Joseph
- Gen 48:15-16 - Blessings upon Joseph
- You may assume the greatest predictions are for Joseph and not Judah
- Predictions:
- Made for Reuben (v3-4)
- Then Simeon and Levi (v5-7)
- Judah must be trembling about what predictions would be made of him
- He did sell his brother into slavery (though he let him live)
- He committed sexual sin
- However, the blessings are of triumphant, blessing and grace
- Judah is a changed man - God has worked in him
- He speaks up for and protects Benjamin
- Though there has been much sin in his life - God's grace has worked in his life
- The birthright blessing goes to Judah (the double blessing goes to Joseph)
- There are those of great sin in the lineage of Jesus
- God is a God of all grace
- God transforms sinners - examples
- God has purposes for sinners
- Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners - not the righteous
- Jesus came to give them the gift of everlasting life
- Remember that God chose Judah
- God shows His glory and grace
An accurate prophecy
- The tribe of Judah - what it would become
- About Jesus
- The prophecy
- v8 - not the other tribes bowing down to Joseph - Judah would take the pre-eminence
- v9 - became a fearless tribe, victorious in battle
- v10 - it was a royal tribe where kings reigned
- v11 - much propsperity
- Accurately fulfilled in Judah:
- It became a leading tribe
- It multiplied after coming out of Egypt - Numbers 1
- It gained ascendancy in the time of the Judges
- Kings came from Judah - David (Ps 18:40), Solomon
- It became as strong as a lion
- It became prosperous
- In the time of Solomon - consider the report from the Queen of Sheba
- Did the sceptre depart from Judah? (no)
- Consider Daniel and those of Judah put in power by pagan kings
- Accurately fulfilled in Jesus:
- Judah means praise - Jesus is the one who all the nations praise
- He triumphed over sin, satan and death - this shall be seen by all at His second coming
- The "Lion of the tribe of Judah" Rev 5:5
- He had great power
- He was the great "I am"
- He took up the sceptre - Shiloh
- One day all will bow to Jesus
- Prosperity, peace, joy and all blessings - are all found in Jesus
- A celestial city
- Going to the cross
- The beauty and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ
- Accurate prophecies
- 640 years before the reign of King David and Solomon
- 2000 years before Christ came
A prophecy that demands a response
- They demand a response:
- Do you take the Bible seriously?
- Do you see it as the word of God?
- Do you see the other prophecies?
- Do you listen to God's word?
- Do you believe the word of God?
- Do you obey the word of God?
- Have you accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour?
- Have you submitted your life to Him?
- He knows the future - have you put your future in His hands?
- What is your response to the message?