Genesis 49:8-12 Video Devotional

Posted on May 7, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , , ,

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you.

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 scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes.

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

In previous devotionals, we have already discussed the undeserved nature of Judah’s blessing and promise. He certainly did not earn his opportunity to be in the line of kings. That said, He was the patriarch of the tribe of Judah, and that tribe is blessed in some serious ways.

What we see in this passage is basically a direct line to Jesus. Again, friends, Jesus is the blessing! He is the culmination of and the reason for all of the blessings of the Old Testament. The whole point is to get to Jesus. While this blessing incorporates more than just Jesus (Judah’s line of kings encompasses more than the King of kings), it clearly references Him. The peaceful kingdom full of plenty [hinting at the final kingdom full of peace and plenty – heaven]; the eternal kingship and reference to obedience of the peoples (referring to more than one people group); the hints at wine and grapes [His sacrifice] – these all foreshadow the Savior. 

Jesus is clearly the One who was prophesied about throughout Genesis and the rest of the Old Testament. Jesus is the blessing. Jesus is the gospel. The good news isn’t just about Jesus, it IS Jesus! He didn’t bring the message of God, He IS the message of God. The good news of our salvation is the life Jesus lived. We are blessed because of Jesus! Praise Him who gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)!


Genesis 29:31-35 Video Devotional

Posted on Apr 30, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , , ,

“When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. 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 29:31-35)

Though often times missed or forgotten for the sake of the larger story, this passage holds some incredible truths about the promise of our Savior. This proclamation over Judah shows us that God has something special planned for him, regardless of who he is or what he does with his life (he definitely makes some questionable choices). While Judah does at times show himself to be a natural leader, this has no bearing on these words spoken over him at his birth. Judah was just a man – but he was a man given a promise from God. And kept keeps His promises – no matter what.

In this story, what he see is that with the birth of Judah, Leah finally turns to praise the Lord. Her actions have no bearing on the plan God laid out before creation, but is a glimpse, showing all who read this that, despite the three children born previously, it is shown that praising the Lord comes with the birth of Judah. Why? Because of the promise of our Savior!

While there is nothing special about Judah himself, he is the herald (ancestor) to Jesus, who is the One who makes it possible for us to praise the Lord. We see here the first mention that through Judah we will be able to praise the Lord. We know this now to be because of Jesus. Again, friends, even in these small, one-liners, we see how intricately woven God’s rescue plan truly is.

Want to know more about Jesus? Please comment or send me a message – I would be happy to talk with you anytime!


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