“Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches, he lies down as a lion, and as a lion, who dares to stir him up?  The scepter will not depart from Judah nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

– GENESIS 49:9-10 NASB –

The Lord gives us this promise as the patriarch Jacob, in his last days, speaks a prophetic word over each one of his twelve sons.  Jacob calls them to his side, “Gather around me, and I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come” (Genesis 49:1 NLT).     

And in this final word, we see that not only was the Messiah to be from the kingly tribe of Judah (“Praised”), but also the authority and right to govern given to that tribe would continue “until Shiloh comes” (more on this tomorrow).   

One final thought: just as Jacob compares Judah to a lion, Messiah will one day be called, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5 ESV). 

O COME LET US ADORE HIM!