So I've wondered about this for quite some time and have heard some answers, but nothing that seemed definitive. Just curious as to any responses.
In the genealogy of Christ, He comes from the Tribe of Judah, but why, as opposed to one of the other tribes?
Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. Usually the name we hear about is Joseph or even the youngest brother Benjamin.
Luke 3:33-34 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,
The nation of Israel was named after Jacob whose name was changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28; 35:10). Jacob had 12 sons and in those days the position of leadership of the family clan was usually passed on to the eldest son. And the eldest son’s birthright was a double portion of the inheritance (Dt. 21:17).
But we see from the Bible that the tribe of Judah (4th son) became prominent instead of the tribe of Reuben (1st son) – king David was a descendant of Judah (10th generation, 1 Chron. 2:1-15), Jerusalem the capital of Israel was located in their territory and they were the last tribe to be conquered and taken into captivity. This was unusual because Judah was the fourth oldest son of Jacob and not the firstborn.
Of Judah’s descendants, the most prominent in the Old Testament is king David and the most prominent in the New Testament is Jesus Christ. Jesus was the promised Jewish Messiah (Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6), the “son of David” (Mt. 1:1; 22:42; Lk. 1:32, 69; Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8; Rev. 5:5; 22:16). One of Christ’s titles is, “the lion of the tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5). This relates to Judah being promised the right to rule “until he to whom it belongs [Jesus] shall come” (Gen. 49:8-10).
After the Babylonian exile, the Israelites were called “Jews”. This name is derived from the word “Judah” and was used because, by that time, virtually all Israelites were descendants of the kingdom of Judah (the rest had assimilated into other nations). Also, the Jewish religion was known as “Judaism”. So Judah’s prominence is reflected by these words.
So, there are two main reasons why Judah was the most prominent tribe of Israel. First, Reuben forfeited his rights by his incest and Simeon and Levi forfeited their rights by their cruelty and violence. They were disqualified for misconduct. Judah was the next in the order of birth and that is why he received the blessing. Second, this prominence was prophesized by Jacob before he died.
Very interesting! Jesus was from the house of David. Just remember, God set it up this way ! From the beginning until Mary gave birth to Jesus. God's plan not man's.
Good insight. Judah was also the one who offered himself as a servant over the perceived guilt of Benjamin after the silver cup was found in his bag. Although not necessarily birthright, I believe it can be contrasted with the sacrifice of Christ. Judah was willing to sacrifice himself and his freedom for what he believed was his brother's "crime", even though the brothers were told that the ones without the cup would be free to leave. The exchange led to what was once lost being found again, as they were sent to retrieve Jacob, which led to him eventually being reunited with his father.
Gen 44:16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
Gen 46:29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
It's interesting that the birthright eventually passed to Judah, as it was first passed to Jacob from Esau.
Gen 25:32-33 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
I’ve been critical of Richard’s irresponsible handing of God’s words many times.
Here, once again Richard mishandles the Word.
Richard the “prophetic” says
Quote:
“So, there are two main reasons why Judah was the most prominent tribe of Israel. First, Reuben forfeited his rights by his incest and Simeon and Levi forfeited their rights by their cruelty and violence. They were disqualified for misconduct. Judah was the next in the order of birth and that is why he received the blessing. Second, this prominence was prophesized by Jacob before he died.”
End quote Richard the “prophetic”
If “prophetic” Richard wants to offer up a possible interpretation he’s welcome to it but he needs to clearly state it as his **own opinion** and stop acting as if his wrong ideas are settled doctrine.
Actually we are not told explicitly why Judah was chosen to receive the blessing over his brothers.
But what does God’s word say about the person receiving Rueben’s rights as firstborn?
Once again, God’s word contradicts the “prophetic” Richard
1 Chronicles 5 (NIV)
5 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were **given to the sons of Joseph** son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright, 2 and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the **rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)**
So clearly, we see from the Bible, Reuben’s firstborn rights were not passed on to Judah just because he “was the next in the order of birth” according to “prophetic” but to Joseph.
So if the firstborn rights must always entail royal heritage why wasn’t it granted to Joesph?
Secondly,
God does not always chose according to the order of birth or according to someone’s supposed righteous acts.
For example, Jacob wasn’t firstborn but he was chosen before he or his firstborn brother Esau were born or had done anything good or bad. Issac also was not firstborn. And finally Jacob places his right hand on Joseph’s second born son Ephraim not Joseph's firstborn. David was not the first born but was the youngest son of Jessie. But regardless of David’s birth order God chose him as king of Israel. There are more examples of others who were not firstborn taking first place.
It’s also interesting to note how Joesph’s second born son Ephraim’s descendants became prominent among the tribes, even becoming the name by which the ten northern tribes of Israel were identified.
Thirdly,
Who says Judah’s blessing from Jacob had anything to do with his birth order or because of Rueben, Simeon and Levi’s sinful past or because Judah was rewarded with the scepter by offering himself a slave in place of Benjamin?
Levi’s tribe, in spite of Levi’s violence, eventually became the priestly tribe. Yet Judah’s tribe became the royal tribe by God’s choice.
Seems we’ve forgotten how Judah attempted to hire a prostitute but didn’t realize the “prostitute” was his own daughter-in-law until she began pregnant. After learning his daughter-in-law was pregnant, self-righteous Judah wanted her killed. But when she exposed Judah as the father of her child she was spared. Judah even admitted the adulterous daughter-in-law was “more righteous” than he. Judah acknowledged his irresponsible leadership.
Fourth,
We mistakenly overlook Gods sovereignty of choice. God chooses whoever he wants whenever he wants for whatever purpose he wants
I cannot overemphasize the imperative of accurate understanding and communication, especially when it comes to understanding Gods word.
Accurate communication starts with accurate listening.
Marriage counselors often hammer home the point of good communication everyday. How much more important it is to accurately hear God’s words.
How many times have we said, “l didn’t say what you say I said...”. Obviously errors in communication happen everyday and we all know how frustrating it is to be misunderstood.
When people carelessly or purposely misunderstand God, it angers him too. He speaks often about people misrepresenting his word. Some people even add and take away from his word.
As usual we have a lot of ridiculous quotes by Little David!!
JUDAH'S PROMINENCE:
The nation of Israel was named after Jacob whose name was changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28; 35:10). Jacob had 12 sons and in those days the position of leadership of the family clan was usually passed on to the eldest son. And the eldest son’s birthright was a double portion of the inheritance (As per Deut. 21:17).
But we see from the Bible that the tribe of **JUDAH** (The 4th son) became prominent instead of the tribe of Reuben (1st son) – king David was a descendant of **JUDAH* (10th generation, 1 Chron. 2:1-15), Jerusalem the capital of Israel was located in their territory and they were the last tribe to be conquered and taken into captivity. This was unusual because Judah was the fourth oldest son of Jacob and not the firstborn.
Of Judah’s descendants, the most prominent in the Old Testament is king David and the most prominent in the New Testament is Jesus Christ. Jesus was the promised Jewish Messiah (Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6), the “son of David” (Mt. 1:1; 22:42; Lk. 1:32, 69; Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8; Rev. 5:5; 22:16). One of Christ’s titles is, “THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH**," (Rev. 5:5). This relates to **JUDAH** being promised the right to rule “until he to whom it belongs [Jesus] shall come” (Gen. 49:8-10).
After the Babylonian exile, the Israelites were called “Jews”. This name is derived from the word “Judah” and was used because, by that time, virtually all Israelites were descendants of the kingdom of Judah (the rest had assimilated into other nations). Also, the Jewish religion was known as “Judaism”. So Judah’s prominence is reflected by these words.
So, there are two main reasons why Judah was the most prominent tribe of Israel. First, Reuben forfeited his rights by his incest and Simeon and Levi forfeited their rights by their cruelty and violence. They were disqualified for misconduct. Judah was the next in the order of birth and that is why he received the blessing. Second, **THIS PROMUNENCE WAS PROPHESIED BY JACOB {ISRAEL} before he died.
**JACOB'S {ISRAEL'S} BLESSINGS TO HIS SONS JUST BEFORE HIS DEATH**:
Genesis 49:8-10: Then Jacob called for his sons and said.: "Gather around and so I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.... Judah, your brothers will praise you: Your hand will be at the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down to you. You are a lion's cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a **LION** he crouches and lies down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse him? The **SCEPTER WILL NOT DEPART FROM **JUDAH**scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the **RULER'S staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall com and the **OBEDIENCE OF THE NATIONS SHALL BE HIS**!"
Like all false prophets, Richard doesn’t like it when you believe God’s Word instead of him.
As you can see God’s Word clearly says Joesph received Rueben’s rights as first born, thus contradicting false prophetic Richard’s false teaching.
Here’s what God’s Word says:
1 Chronicles 5 (NIV)
5 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were **given to the sons of Joseph** son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright, 2 and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the **rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)**
What this comes down to is this: either we believe God or a lying false prophetic.
As usual we have a lot of ridiculous quotes by Little David!!
JUDAH'S PROMINENCE:
The nation of Israel was named after Jacob whose name was changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28; 35:10). Jacob had 12 sons and in those days the position of leadership of the family clan was usually passed on to the eldest son. And the eldest son’s birthright was a double portion of the inheritance (As per Deut. 21:17).
But we see from the Bible that the tribe of **JUDAH** (The 4th son) became prominent instead of the tribe of Reuben (1st son) – king David was a descendant of **JUDAH* (10th generation, 1 Chron. 2:1-15), Jerusalem the capital of Israel was located in their territory and they were the last tribe to be conquered and taken into captivity. This was unusual because Judah was the fourth oldest son of Jacob and not the firstborn.
Of Judah’s descendants, the most prominent in the Old Testament is king David and the most prominent in the New Testament is Jesus Christ. Jesus was the promised Jewish Messiah (Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6), the “son of David” (Mt. 1:1; 22:42; Lk. 1:32, 69; Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8; Rev. 5:5; 22:16). One of Christ’s titles is, “THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH**," (Rev. 5:5). This relates to **JUDAH** being promised the right to rule “until he to whom it belongs [Jesus] shall come” (Gen. 49:8-10).
After the Babylonian exile, the Israelites were called “Jews”. This name is derived from the word “Judah” and was used because, by that time, virtually all Israelites were descendants of the kingdom of Judah (the rest had assimilated into other nations). Also, the Jewish religion was known as “Judaism”. So Judah’s prominence is reflected by these words.
So, there are two main reasons why Judah was the most prominent tribe of Israel. First, Reuben forfeited his rights by his incest and Simeon and Levi forfeited their rights by their cruelty and violence. They were disqualified for misconduct. Judah was the next in the order of birth and that is why he received the blessing. Second, **THIS PROMUNENCE WAS PROPHESIED BY JACOB {ISRAEL} before he died.
**JACOB'S {ISRAEL'S} BLESSINGS TO HIS SONS JUST BEFORE HIS DEATH**:
Genesis 49:1,8-10: Then Jacob called for his sons and said.: "Gather around and so I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.... Judah, your brothers will praise you: Your hand will be at the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down to you. You are a lion's cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a **LION** he crouches and lies down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse him? The **SCEPTER WILL NOT DEPART FROM **JUDAH**scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the **RULER'S staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come {**JESUS**} and the **OBEDIENCE OF THE NATIONS SHALL BE HIS**!"
As usual we have a lot of ridiculous quotes by Little David!!
JUDAH'S PROMINENCE:
The nation of Israel was named after Jacob whose name was changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28; 35:10). Jacob had 12 sons and in those days the position of leadership of the family clan was usually passed on to the eldest son. And the eldest son’s birthright was a double portion of the inheritance (As per Deut. 21:17).
But we see from the Bible that the tribe of **JUDAH** (The 4th son) became prominent instead of the tribe of Reuben (1st son) – king David was a descendant of **JUDAH* (10th generation, 1 Chron. 2:1-15), Jerusalem the capital of Israel was located in their territory and they were the last tribe to be conquered and taken into captivity. This was unusual because Judah was the fourth oldest son of Jacob and not the firstborn.
Of Judah’s descendants, the most prominent in the Old Testament is king David and the most prominent in the New Testament is Jesus Christ. Jesus was the promised Jewish Messiah (Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6), the “son of David” (Mt. 1:1; 22:42; Lk. 1:32, 69; Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8; Rev. 5:5; 22:16). One of Christ’s titles is, “THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH**," (Rev. 5:5). This relates to **JUDAH** being promised the right to rule “until he to whom it belongs [Jesus] shall come” (Gen. 49:8-10).
After the Babylonian exile, the Israelites were called “Jews”. This name is derived from the word “Judah” and was used because, by that time, virtually all Israelites were descendants of the kingdom of Judah (the rest had assimilated into other nations). Also, the Jewish religion was known as “Judaism”. So Judah’s prominence is reflected by these words.
So, there are two main reasons why Judah was the most prominent tribe of Israel. First, Reuben forfeited his rights by his incest and Simeon and Levi forfeited their rights by their cruelty and violence. They were disqualified for misconduct. Judah was the next in the order of birth and that is why he received the blessing. Second, **THIS PROMUNENCE WAS PROPHESIED BY JACOB {ISRAEL} before he died.
**JACOB'S {ISRAEL'S} BLESSINGS TO HIS SONS JUST BEFORE HIS DEATH**:
Genesis 49:8-10: Then Jacob called for his sons and said.: "Gather around and so I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.... Judah, your brothers will praise you: Your hand will be at the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down to you. You are a lion's cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a **LION** he crouches and lies down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse him? The **SCEPTER WILL NOT DEPART FROM **JUDAH**scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the **RULER'S staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall com and the **OBEDIENCE OF THE NATIONS SHALL BE HIS**!"
LittleDavid tries convince us that all the rights of the firstborn of Jacob were give to the sons of Joseph and not to Judah by quoting I Chronicles 5:1,2 belowI
Chronicles 5:1-3: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. {Shown in I Chron 5:3 below} He was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were **given to the sons of Joseph** son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the **GENEALOGICAL RECORD** in accordance with his birthright, and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the **rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph** {BUT ONLY ACCORDING TO THE GENEALOGICAL RECORD**} The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi.
But we can clearly see that according to God's Word in Genesis 49:8-10 above that Jacob {Isreal} **GAVE ALL THE RIGHTS OF THE FIRSTBORN TO JUDAH**!!
One of the benefits of having a false prophet like Richard on the forum is the live demonstration to readers of a false prophetic like Richard twisting scripture before their very eyes.
1 Chronicles 5 (NIV) is very clear!! Even a casual observer couldn’t miss it.
5 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were **given to the sons of Joseph** son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright, 2 and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the **rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)**
God says Rueben’s firstborn rights went to Joseph. But the false prophetic Richard says they went to Judah.
Notice how the false prophetic bends and twists other portions of scripture as he makes his way through selections of Genesis and then concludes with his own human reasoning
I believe Richard would make an excellent liberal politician. He could make an emotional speech about correcting all the cultural ills in order to win votes but would do absolutely nothing to fix the problems.
