"....yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's...." (1 Chronicles 5:2)
A lot of more "professional" commentators may have another interpretation of our text. Yes, David was a descendant of Judah, and was the first in Judah's line to become king of Israel. Yet for me, there is the fragrance of King Jesus here.
If you are a regular reader of the Bible, you will know that Jacob's family did have some dysfunction. In the normal order of things, the birthright should have been Reuben's, yet he proved to be, "unstable as water." Furthermore, no one probably disputes the fact that Joseph was Jacob's "favorite." So many times we read of a "breaking" with tradition or the established norm. It seems as though the Living Triune God just wants to gently remind us as to just Who is in charge.
When we read of the last moments of Jacob's life in Genesis 49 and read his prophecy concerning Judah, we see that the office of King and Lawgiver is Judah's descendant. "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise....The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people."
We are Followers of the King and Lawgiver, Jesus. He reigns, rules, decrees, cares for, forgives, heals, delivers, sustains, and brings us to Glory, "....and to Him shall be the obedience of the people."
Father, in Jesus' Name, more and more as I read Your Words I just am amazed and overwhelmed. Thank You for always bringing me to Them. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
