Refine Women’s Ministry Genesis 49 ’s Dozen: “Til Cones” Lesson 6: February 26, 2020 by Kim Peelen "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. 2 "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. 3 "Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to . 4 "Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, A leader and commander for the peoples. Isa 55:1-4

Jacob bestows numerous blessings on his fourth son Judah in Genesis 49, in spite of his corrupt episode with his daughter-in-law Tamar (Genesis 38). Judah becomes the leader of his brothers because reckless sin of the three older sons, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi disqualifies them (1 Chronicles 5:1). Additionally, the descendants of Judah will be conquerors that will defeat and rule their enemies - David and Solomon being the greatest examples. Jacob also prophesies that the tribe will produce the royal line of kings, including the tribe from which will come, and there will be prosperity in their future.

"Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's sons shall bow down to you. 9 "Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? 10 "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. 11 "He ties his foal to the vine, And his donkey's colt to the choice vine; He washes his garments in wine, And his robes in the blood of grapes. 12 "His eyes are dull from wine, And his teeth white from milk.” Genesis 49: 8-12

Until Shiloh Comes

"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

A scepter and ruler’s staff are symbols of royalty, and Jacob, through prophetic inspiration of God, prophecies that the right to rule over Israel will belong to the ‘until Shiloh comes’. William Varner explains: Some interpret this to mean, when Shiloh comes, the scepter will depart. This, however, is not what the verse is teaching. No mention is made of a time when the scepter will depart from Judah. The word until in the phrase until Shiloh comes does not imply termination. The same word is used in God’s promise to Jacob in Genesis 28:15: “And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places to which thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” God’s assurance that He would not leave Jacob until He fulfilled the promise does not mean that He left him when the promise was fulfilled. In reality, the scepter has never departed from Judah. The promise given in Genesis 49:10 is not that the scepter will depart from Judah, but that in Shiloh the scepter will reach its greatest glory and extent (page 33).

1 Who or What is Shiloh?

Shiloh is a town in Israel where the Tabernacle was set up after they conquered the Promised Land (Joshua 18) and remained there during the time of the Judges (Judges 18:31). Shiloh was the center of Israelite worship when Samuel’s mother Hannah left him with Eli the priest and his wicked sons (1 Samuel 1:3). It seems obvious that Jacob’s meaning is not: in the town of Shiloh, the scepter (rulership) will reach its greatest glory.

Most scholars interpret Shiloh as a personal name of the Messiah. The Talmud lists “Shiloh” as one of the names o f Messiah as well as the most ancient Jewish commentary on the . The Authorized Version and many evangelical commentators also come to this interpretation (Varner, p. 34). Shiloh can relate to Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace. Prophets use this term to describe the Messiah: His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace Isaiah. 9:6. This One will be our peace Micah 5: 5. Matthew Henry states, “Judah should be the royal tribe, the tribe from which Messiah the Prince should come. Shiloh, that promised Seed in whom the earth should be blessed, “that peaceable and prosperous one,” or “Saviour,” he shall come of Judah (pg. 71).

And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples

When Messiah (Shiloh) comes, it is His rulership that the peoples will obey. Jacob‘s prophetic blessing means the right of kingship will always be with Judah and when Messiah comes the nations will submit to Him. With Jacob’s words of blessing to Judah, he further develops the portrait of the Messiah in the Old Testament, and from this point forward the people of Israel look for the Promised One to come from tribe of Judah.

God declares His plan for a Savior beginning in Genesis 3:15,promising that the deliverer will come from mankind (seed of the woman). Genesis 9:26 gives another clue that He will come from Shem, one of Noah’s sons. Then the Lord promises Abram, a descendant of Shem, that through him all the earth will be blessed (Genesis 12:3). It is Abraham’s son Isaac, not Ishmael, that the line of Messiah is promised (21:12). The Messianic line narrows to one of Isaac’s twins, Jacob, leaving Esau excluded (25:23). In our passage in Genesis 49, Jacob prophesies that of his twelve sons, Judah, will produce the Promised One. Some 600 years later, God promises a descendant of Judah, David, that his will be the family of the Anointed Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Further Prophesies of the Messiah: Micah 5:2-5

2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah [or Ephrath], Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." 3 Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren Will return to the sons of Israel. 4 And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth. 5 This One will be our peace.

2 The genealogy of Messiah narrows again when Micah states the specific town within Judah, Bethlehem Ephrathah - using the two names differentiates it from a Galilean town of the same name - to be the site of His birth. Luke records Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth to (Luke 2:4, 6). The Messiah is from tribe of Judah, as well as born in their land. It is where King David was born (1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13), Jacob’s wife Rachel died (Gen. 48:7), and where Naomi and Ruth lived (Ru4:11). This prophecy also describes the eternal Messiah leaving His heavenly reign to be born of a woman. Verse 3 describes a time after His incarnation but before His Second Coming (v. 3b-5) when He will rule as King of Kings.

More Prophesies of the Messiah: Isaiah 9:2-7

2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. 3 You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. 5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. 6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah’s words describe not only the current situation with Assyrian invasion, but also the first coming of Jesus Christ (Matt 4:12-16). The future government of the Promised Son will include removing their captivity from bondage to their enemies and their numbers increasing like sand of the seashore (promised to Abraham in Gen 22:17). The child born is a royal son of David who will rule the entire world with supernatural wisdom, as a conquering warrior, like a father caring and disciplining His people, who will implement enduring peace among all the nations. He is the rightful heir to David’s throne and inherits all the promises God made to David (2 Samuel 7:12- 16; Psalm 89:1-37).

The Branch of the Lord: Isaiah 11:1-5, 10

1 Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3 And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; 4 But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. 5 Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, And faithfulness the belt about His waist. ... 10 Then in that day The nations [Gentiles] will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious.

3 Jesse is the father of David, and through his family came King David and it will also produce the Branch, or Messiah. Isaiah describes the qualifications that the Spirit of God gives to the Messiah so He rules with forceful justice, wisdom, and righteousness. Non-Jews will be attracted to Messiah in the later days, and they will become part of the future kingdom.

The Righteous Branch of the Lord: Jeremiah 23:3-6

3 "Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. 4 "I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD. 5 "Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. 6 "In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness.'

God condemns false leaders who have scattered the people and sharply contrasts them with the future shepherds He will provide. This language communicates a complete restoration, so its fulfillment by Messiah is still in the future (Jer. 32:37-41).

The United Branch of the Lord: Zechariah 6:11-13

11 "Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 "Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD. 13 "Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."'

During Old Testament times, the offices of king (house of David) and priest (house of Levi) were strictly distinct and separate. However, by having this kingly crown (which is not the high priestly crown or turban) placed on Joshua the high priest, God depicts the future coming of the Messiah, the Branch, who will unite both offices of king and priest.

The Second Coming of Christ: Revelation 19: 11-16

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

4 The prophecies of the Old Testament include both Messiah’s First Coming as the Suffering Servant and His Second coming as the Conquering King, often with no clarification of which is which. This vision of John depicts the Messiah at His Second Coming as the Victorious King of Kings, which is not yet fulfilled.

In Groups discuss Jeremiah 33:10-26. "The scepter shall not depart from Judah. God promises the tribe of Judah that they will produce an everlasting kingdom through King David. However, as the years progress and the people of Israel continue to reject God and His commandments, He disciplines His children as a loving father by having enemies overrun their land and carry them off prisoners. Jeremiah, God’s prophet, warns the people (and kings of Judah) of the coming disaster as well as reminds them that God has not forgotten His covenant to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.

10 "Thus says the LORD, 'Yet again there will be heard in this place, of which you say, "It is a waste, without man and without beast," that is, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, 11 the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, "Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting"; and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,' says the LORD.

1. How does the LORD describe the current situation in ‘this place’ in verse 10?

2. In verse 11, what voices will be heard in ‘this place’ in the future? Are these voices positive or negative images?

3. What else will occur in the house of the LORD?

4. What reason does the LORD give for these happenings?

12 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'There will again be in this place which is waste, without man or beast, and in all its cities, a habitation of shepherds who rest their flocks. 13 'In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the Negev, in the land of Benjamin, in the environs of Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who numbers them,' says the LORD.

5. What else will happen in verse 12? In verse 13, describe the specific places where the flocks will be counted (pass under the hands of the one who numbers them).

5 14 'Behold, days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 'In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. 16 'In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the LORD is our righteousness.'

6. What will happen when the LORD fulfills His word to Israel/Judah? What is the new name for Israel?

17 "For thus says the LORD, 'David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; 18 and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to prepare sacrifices continually.'"

8. What two tribes/families are included in the Lord’s promise?

19 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 20 "Thus says the LORD, 'If you can break My covenant for the day and My covenant for the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time, 21 then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levitical priests, My ministers. 22 'As the host of heaven cannot be counted and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me.'"

9. Discuss the significance to the Hebrew people (and us) of having both David and Levitical priests serve before the LORD forever. See Zechariah 6:11-13 on page 3. Would having only one and not both been possible for the Lord to remain faithful to His promise?

23 And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 24 "Have you not observed what this people have spoken, saying, 'The two families which the LORD chose, He has rejected them'? Thus they despise My people, no longer are they as a nation in their sight. 25 "Thus says the LORD, 'If My covenant for day and night stand not, and the fixed patterns of heaven and earth I have not established, 26 then I would reject the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, not taking from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.'"

10. What conclusion have the Israelites made about the Lord’s promise to David and Levites in verse 24? What is the Lord’s response to their claim in v. 26?

11. Does our level of trust in God’s promise change the Lord’s plan and purpose? Discuss our role as followers of Christ to positively impact what believers and unbelievers conclude about God – what should we proclaim? How should we live?

6 Summary: Jeremiah endures a lonely, difficult life as the prophet whose message proclaims destruction of the land, Temple, and people of Israel. However, he also reminds the forgetful people of God’s enduring promise to David and the Levites -it will be completely fulfilled. The Lord sees and hears the people’s complaining and lack of assurance in His Covenant, and He declares it a poison and an affront to Him as the Creator and Sustainer of His people. Followers of Jesus today must not fall into the same unfaithful habit of living as if God is dead and has forgotten His many promises. He is alive; He remains faithful to His Word. Unlike Old Testament saints, we have the written Word of the Messiah’s first Advent, fulfilling the many prophecies of Scripture with precision to encourage our faith in God. But like in the Old Testament, we have to anticipate with faithful trust for the Second Coming of Jesus, living with confident expectation of His return at any moment.

In Revelation, Apostle John’s vision records the events of Messiah’s triumphant Second Coming as the Conquering King of Kings, quite a contrast to his experience living alongside Jesus Christ during His First Advent as the Suffering Servant. Before Messiah can rule in majesty, the payment for any and all sin is required to satisfy the Righteousness of God the Father. Jesus fulfilled every aspect that God demanded when He lived a perfect, sinless life, died a death to atone for each and every sin committed, rose again by the power of the Almighty, and lives again at the right hand of the Father, opening the throne room of the LORD to all those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ and His complete work of salvation. “The very meaning of salvation is to bring eternal life to those who, because of sin, face eternal death (Romans 6:23)” John MacArthur. John’s final words in Revelation should be our constant hope and focus:

10 And he [Jesus] said to me [John], "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 "Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy."

12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." 17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

7 18 I [[John] testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:10-21

Homework

1. Read Jeremiah chapter 23. Compare and contrast the shepherds described.

2. What specific things does the Lord promise to the evil shepherds/prophets? To Israel?

3. Read Psalm 89:1-37. What covenant is the psalmist recalling? What does he declare about God and His promise? Record any thoughts. (The last half of the psalm contrasts the promise of God to the reality of Israel’s current state.)

Resources Jacob’s Dozen: A Prophetic Look at the Tribes of Israel by William Varner, 1987. John MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, 1982 Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, & Time Lines, 2005. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary of the Whole Bible, 1997 The Ryrie Study Bible, New American Standard Translation, 1978

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