Judah's Promise Part I

Jacob gathered his son’s together in Genesis 49 and told them what the future had in store for their descendents. Judah, his forth son, was given a great promise. The old patriarch referred to Judah as a young lion, whose father’s children would bow down to him.

Most of us know the story of Joseph, Jacob’s eleventh son. But Judah is also a special son, because Jesus descended form him. Genesis 49:8-12 can be considered the first Christmas prophecy. So for the rest of the month, I plan to look at the life of Judah.

***

After Jacob had stolen his brother’s birthright, Esau sought to take his life. When Isaac, their father, heard of this he sent Jacob away. Jacob spent the next several years in Pandaram and lived with his uncle Laban. The first person Jacob met was Rachel, Laban’s youngest daughter. It was love at first sight. Laban agreed that he could marry Rachel for seven years of labor.

When seven years was fulfilled, a wedding did take place. But Jacob, unknowingly, married Laban’s oldest daughter Leah. The scriptures states that she was tendered eyed, which means that she was unattractive. Jacob didn‘t realize he had been tricked until the next morning. Laban explained that is was against their customs for the youngest daughter to marry first. So Jacob had to labor another seven years to marry Rachel.

Many would consider this story tragic, since Jacob was tricked into marrying a women he did not love. However, God’s hand was at work. God favored Leah over Rachel because her son Judah would be the one who received the promise.

There is a lesson here to be learned. At times in our life, we don’t get the things we really want. But as times passes, we discover that things worked out for the best. And God’s blessing went beyond our on dreams. The same can be said for Jacob’s marriage to Leah. On his deathbed, he looked into Judah’s eyes, and realized Leah had given him a special son.