Genesis 29-49 - Judah, The Father of Our Lord's Tribe

An Imperfect Reflection of His Glory

Judah was the fourth son of Jacob’s wife Leah. We read about his birth in Genesis 29:35.

35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore, she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing. - Genesis 29:35 ESV

The name Judah יְהוּדָה (yehūdāh) is derived from the word יָדָה (yādāh) literally means to hold out or to extend the hand (as an individual would in worship). Genesis 29:35 tells us that it is this sense that Leah intended when she named her son Judah, saying, “This time I will praise the Lord,” or I will extend my hands in praise to God for this son.

Names in Scripture are important. Judah represented the gratitude of his mother and the joy she had in what the Lord had done for her in giving her this son. The question we ask ourselves here is whether Judah’s life and ancestry would be a reflection of the praise and gratitude Leah felt on the day of his birth.

One of the first times we encounter Judah, he is with his brothers in the region of Dothan, tending sheep. Their father Jacob, sent Joseph to them to inquire of their well-being. Joseph was a favoured son of his father, and his brothers resented him. Seeing him coming at a distance, they determined to kill him and throw him in a pit:

 18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him.  19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.  20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” - Genesis 37:18-20 ESV

Were it not for the intervention of his oldest brother, Reuben, Joseph’s brothers would have followed through with their plan. Reuben encouraged them not to take Joseph’s life but to simply throw him in that pit and leave him there. Genesis 37:22 tells us that it was his intention to rescue him from that pit and get him back to his father.

 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”— that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. - Genesis 37:22 ESV

Not understanding Reuben’s intentions, the brothers agreed to leave Joseph in the pit to die a slow and cruel death. As the brothers sat down to eat, however, they saw a group of Ishmaelite traders heading to Egypt with their goods for sale. When Judah saw them, he suggested that instead of leaving Joseph to die in the pit, they could sell him into slavery. His brothers agreed to this and were paid twenty shekels of silver for Joseph. The Ishmaelite traders took Joseph to Egypt.

Judah’s suggestion to sell Joseph to these traders was cruel and bitter. Consider, however, what would take place as a result of Judah's suggestion. Joseph was sold to the captain of the guard in Pharaoh’s army. He found favour with his master, who gave him more and more influence and authority:

 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.  5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.  6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him, he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. - Genesis 39:4-6 ESV

Through a series of divinely orchestrated events, Joseph rose in power and became second in command of the nation of Egypt. When a famine struck Canaan, Joseph invited his family to join him in Egypt, where they were spared from what could have destroyed them as a people. Judah’s cruel decision to sell Joseph into bondage set the scene for the salvation of the entire nation. Speaking to his brothers about this, Joseph said:

 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. - Genesis 50:20 ESV

Judah’s decision to sell Joseph into slavery was meant by God to accomplish great good for the entire nation. God protected Joseph and blessed him abundantly until he was in the place He intended him to be. As cruel as Judah’s decision appears to be, it was used by God for good and would ultimately bring great praise and honour to the God of his father Jacob.

Let’s consider, in more detail, the famine that struck Canaan in the days Joseph was ruler in Egypt. Jacob and his sons felt the full impact of that famine and found themself in want of food to feed their families. Hearing that there was grain for sale in Egypt, Jacob sent his sons to buy some and bring it back for their families. Leaving Benjamin, their youngest brother, behind, the brothers made the trip to Egypt for supplies. Unknown to them, Joseph was in charge of the grain. Recognizing them as his brothers, Joseph hid his identity and spoke harshly with them, accusing them of being spies. His brothers reassured him that they were all brothers from a simple family in Canaan. They told him that they had a father and younger brother, and families still at home, and they had simply come to buy supplies to feed them.

Joseph told his brothers that the only way he would believe them was if they brought his youngest brother to him. To assure that they would, he took Simeon, bound him, and kept him in Egypt until they returned with Benjamin.

When their food ran out a second time, the brothers were compelled to return to Egypt to restock their grain supply. When Jacob again asked his sons to return to Egypt, Judah reminded his father that this would not be possible if they did not bring Benjamin with them. Jacob was reluctant to let Benjamin go. Judah negotiated with his father, however, and made him see that there was no other possibility:

 8 And Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones.  9 I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.  10 If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.” - Genesis 43:8-10 ESV

Note what Judah does here.

First, he reminds his father that the lives of the entire family were at stake. If they did not go, they would starve to death, and the whole family would be lost.

Second, they would not be received in Egypt unless they brought Benjamin, so if Jacob wanted to save the family from certain death, he had to allow his son to go with them. Only Benjamin could save the family.

Third, Judah commits himself as a pledge to assure Benjamin’s safety, and tells his father that if Benjamin did not return safe and sound, he would take the blame and any repercussions demanded by his father.

Finally, Judah reminded his father of the urgency of making a decision on this matter. They could have gone to Egypt and returned twice in the time Jacob hesitated to let Benjamin go.

Judah takes a position of leadership in this matter. We have seen that his brothers took his advice to sell Joseph into slavery. Now we see him negotiating with his father to save his family from famine. It is Judah who convinced Jacob to let Benjamin go with them to Egypt. Were it not for Judah’s negotiating and leadership skills, his family could have perished.

As we come to Genesis 44, we see that Judah’s promise to pledge his own life for Benjamin’s is put to the test. Arriving in Egypt, the brothers stood before Joseph, who had not yet revealed his identity to them. Joseph receives them, speaks with his younger brother, and sends them on their way home, wagons loaded with grain. He told his steward, however, to secretly put his personal cup in Benjamin’s bag. After the brothers left for Canaan, Joseph sent his steward after them, accusing them of stealing his cup. The steward told them that the person in whose bag the cup was found would be taken captive and become Joseph’s servant. The cup was found in Benjamin’s bag.

The brothers returned to Egypt to stand before Joseph. Note, however, the words of Genesis 44:14:

 14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground. - Genesis 44:14 ESV

Observe the phrase “when Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house.” Judah is clearly seen as the leader among his brothers. That leadership becomes evident when they arrive at Joseph’s home, and Judah becomes Benjamin’s spokesman and defender. When Joseph insisted that Benjamin remain in Egypt as his servant, Judah asked for permission to speak. He explained about the special relationship Benjamin had with his father and that if they returned without him, this would, in all likelihood, cause such grief to their aging father that it would kill him. Listen to Judah’s words here:

 32 For your servant became a pledge of safety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.’  33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers.  34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.” - Genesis 44:32-34 ESV

Judah pleads with Joseph to allow him to take his younger brother’s place as his servant. What is most interesting is the response of Joseph to Judah’s petition:

 1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.  2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it.  3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence - Genesis 45:1-3 ESV

It appears that Joseph was powerfully touched by Judah’s petition and willingness to take Benjamin’s place. The brother who had suggested he be sold into slavery is now willing to take his younger brother’s place. Judah, the leader among his brothers, becomes a picture of self-sacrificing love by his willingness to take Benjamin’s punishment upon himself.

After revealing his identity to his brothers, Joseph invites them to live in Egypt for the duration of the famine under his protection. The brothers informed Jacob that Joseph was alive and returned to Egypt to live. Genesis 46: 26-28 recounts what took place when Jacob and his brothers arrived in Egypt:

 26 All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his own descendants, not including Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all.  27 And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy. 28 He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. - Genesis 46:26-28 ESV

It is easy to miss what these verses tell us about Judah. Jacob sent him ahead “to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen.” Judah was sent ahead to contact Joseph and to lead the family to their new home. The man who was willing to sacrifice himself for his father’s beloved now goes ahead to lead his people into the land promised to them by Joseph. It is to him alone that the father entrusts this task.

The final words we read about Judah, the son of Jacob, come from his father Jacob. As Jacob was nearing the point of death, he called his sons to him and blessed them. Of particular interest to us here are the words of Jacob about his son Judah as recorded in Genesis 49:8-12. Let’s take a moment to examine Judah’s blessing, as prophetically pronounced by his father. Understand that the blessings of Genesis 49 were prophesied over the sons of Jacob but would extend to their tribe over the years to come.

Note first the words:

 8 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you” - Genesis 49:8 ESV

Remember that Judah’s name comes from a Hebrew root meaning to extend the hand as one does in praise to the Lord. His mother Leah called him Judah, saying, “This time I will praise the Lord” (see Genesis 29:35). Jacob uses a play on words here, but in the process confirms that the name his wife Leah gave Judah was prophetic. The day would come when all of Judah’s brothers would look to his tribe and offer praise. While Judah and his tribe would certainly be great among the tribes of Israel, Hebrews 7:14 reminds us that the Lord Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. His work brought salvation to the ends of the earth. I believe that the day will come when the tribes of Israel will turn to the Lord Jesus, and this prophecy will be ultimately fulfilled in Him.

Second, Jacob told his son Judah that his hand would be on the neck of his enemies.

8 … your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies - Genesis 49:8

As we read the story of the tribe of Judah, we see how God certainly protected them and gave them victory over many enemies. Ultimately, however, true and eternal victory over sin, Satan, and the grave only comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul the apostle said:

 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. - Romans 8:35-37 ESV

In Christ Jesus alone, the descendant of Judah, will this prophetic word come true. In Him alone will there be ultimate victory over every enemy.

Third, Jacob declared that Judah would be a lion’s cub and all his brothers would bow down before him.

8 … your father’s sons shall bow down before you. 9 Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?

The lion is the king of the wild beasts, powerful and inspiring terror in the hearts of the other animals of the forest. Judah would be elevated before his brothers, powerful and demanding respect. As Jacob said, “who dares rouse him?”

In Revelation 5, John saw a scroll with many seals containing the purpose of God for the judgment of the earth. Initially, no one in heaven or on earth was found worthy to open up those seals and execute the purpose of God. John wept, for if no one was found worthy, sin and evil would triumph. Listen, however, to the words of one of the elders to grieving John in Revelation 5:5:

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” - Revelation 5:2-5 ESV

The Lion of the tribe of Judah had conquered and was the only one found worthy to open the scroll and its seals, unfolding God’s judgment upon the earth. He was the true lion to whom all of Jacob’s sons would one day bow.

Genesis 49:10 is somewhat difficult to translate. In essence, however, we see that Jacob tells his sons that Judah would be given a sceptre and a ruler’s staff. In life, Judah proved to be a leader among his brothers. That position of authority and respect would be given to his family and tribe. They would be kings and leaders among their brothers.

Observe, however, that the time would come when that position would be given to one to whom tribute and obedience of all people was due. The King James Version translates this part of the verse by the words, “until Shiloh comes.” The word “shiloh” means tranquil, safe or prosperous. Imagine a land with no enemies producing abundantly, with its inhabitants living in peace and tranquility. What is important to understand here is that the word “shiloh” came to refer to the Messiah who was to bring this peace, safety, and prosperity. He was Shiloh.

What Jacob is telling Judah here is that he would be a leader among his people, and out of his line would come the Messiah, who would bring this tranquility, safety, and prosperity as a true leader of His people. To Him all tribute and obedience were due.

There is one final blessing Jacob gave to his son Judah and to the tribe that would be called by his name. Jacob pronounces this blessing by the use of a series of images.

First, Jacob would bind his foal and donkey’s colt to a choice vine.

 11 Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine - Genesis 49:11, ESV

Foals and colts were generally placed in a pasture where they ate the grass of the field. The prosperity of Judah, however, would be such that they would bind these animals to the best vines and let them feast on grapes. Even their animals would feast in abundance and luxury.

Second, the richness of the tribe would be seen in the fact that they would wash their garments in wine:

11 … he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. - Genesis 49:11, ESV

While clothes were usually washed in water, the abundance of wine would be such that they would wash them in the “blood of grapes” instead.

Finally, note in Genesis 49:12 that their eyes would be darker than wine and their teeth whiter than milk.

 12 His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. - Genesis 49:8-12 ESV

The picture seems to be related to plenty. Judah would have plenty of wine from the vines and would drink it in abundance. This would be reflected in his eyes. His herds would produce an abundance of milk, whitening his teeth as they drank it.

Judah would be prosperous and blessed. The Messiah from the tribe of Judah promised this blessing to all who would come to Him:

 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:10 ESV

Abundant life in this world and streets of gold in the next are the inheritance for all who open their hearts to this Lion of the tribe of Judah.

What do we see from the life of Judah, the father of our Lord’s tribe? His life was not perfect. He made bad decisions. Despite this, you can’t help but catch a faint glimpse of the coming Messiah through his life. Ultimately, as his name prophesied, he did bring praise to the Lord through his life, the life of his descendants, and particularly the life of the one descendant to whom the sceptre of kingship, the tribute and obedience of all nations belonged. As the father of our Lord’s tribe, he imperfectly reflected something of what was to come in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As the one whose name represents the praise of the Lord, he would be a link in the family line of the Lord Jesus Christ to whom all tribute and obedience is due. His name looked forward to this Lord to whom we now bow in praise. There are pictures in his life of self-sacrificing leadership and concern for the salvation of his people. The blessings he received from his father pointed to the Messiah who was to come. His tribe would pass on the sceptre to Him as the King and leader of His people who would vanquish all His enemies and be the great “Shiloh,” leading His people into safety, and eternal blessing at His side.

All of us reflect the person of the Lord Jesus. As imperfect as that reflection may be, we do catch glimpses of the Messiah to come through him. I ask myself the question as I reflect on this life: To what extent will my life reflect the Messiah, my Lord Jesus Christ?