The Scepter Given to Judah

September 25, 2022 Background Scripture: Genesis 35:22b - 26; 38:12 - 19, 24 - 26; 49:8 - 12 Lesson Passage: Genesis 35:22b - 26; 38:24 - 26; 49: 10 - 12 The scepter, robe, crown, and throne were four physical objects that identified the highest political leader, or sovereign, of a people. Among those four objects, the passing of the scepter was used ceremonially to indicate the transition of leadership. The scepter was a rod, or baton, possessed by the highest ruler of a kingdom, or some other named realm of dominion. Again, the succession or change from one ruler to another was indicated by passing the scepter to the heir. The heir to the throne was often the oldest son of the ruler. It is understanding these customs that help us see how odd it was for Judah to become the successor in Israel. Judah was the fourth son born to Jacob. Based on the local custom, Judah should have been fourth in line to inherit the blessings of their father, Jacob. However, the eldest son, Reuben, disqualified himself by laying with his father's concubine. This act is considered despicable even today. As a result of Reuben's indiscretion, his father described him as being unstable as water. (Water always seeks to flow to the lowest level it can reach.) The next two sons born to Jacob were Simeon and Levi. They had demonstrated a viciousness that had frightened their father. They had slain all the men in a village because one of the men had raped their sister. That wanton disrespect for the life of the men who were innocent of the atrocity got their father's attention. Jacob refused to even bless their joint inheritance of land. Only one of their tribes would be allowed to inherit land in the division of Canaan. The other tribe had to be scattered throughout the remainder of the tribes. Jacob believed those two brothers would commit untold evil if they were both allowed to inherit land in Canaan. Scattering the descendants of one of them prevented their unholy alliance, and neither would be allowed to rule over the family in the end. Therefore, in his final blessing upon his sons, Jacob announced that the political rule, or oversight, of the family clan would pass through the tribe of Judah. And here's the other twist to Israel's history, the nation began as a theocracy with a Levite, Moses, and afterwards the High Priest, as the principal leader. Through the discontent of the people hundreds of years later, they demanded they become a monarchy like the other nations around them. Although the monarchy began with King Saul from the tribe of Benjamin, it soon transitioned to King David from the tribe of Judah. During David's reign, God promised David that the governance of Israel would continue to move through the Davidic lineage. In other words, the scepter would remain in the tribe of Judah, Even more than that, God promised that the earthly kingdom would eventually be supplanted by a spiritual kingdom, That spiritual kingdom would be ruled by God's Son who would be David's descendant. Jacob's blessing of his sons proved more profound than it might have initially appeared. Even the spiritual ruler of Jacob's family and the universe would descend through the lineage of Judah. That scepter would have more than an earthly meaning. When it reached the hand of God's Son, it represents rule of the entire universe. The scepter remains in the hand of God's Son forever. Through a prophetic blessing, Jacob gave the scepter to Judah. It eventually reached the hand of the descendant of Judah who lives eternally. And there it shall remain throughout eternity. Robert C. Hudson August 20, 2022