Until Shiloh Comes

When Jacob called his sons before him to bless them as he was about to die, his blessing for Judah was very remarkable. (Genesis 49:10) It was both a blessing and a prophecy about the kingdom of Israel and the Messiah. He gave it some 1,700 years before Christ came into the world.

Jacob pronounced that the scepter or the throne would not depart from Judah and his descendants. When Israel began to have kings, Saul was first, but he was the choice of the people. Then, David was God's choice to follow Saul. David was from the tribe of Judah, and God promised him that his sons would continue to reign, which they did, until the kingdom of Judah fell to Babylon.

Then, Jesus came as a descendant of David of the tribe of Judah. He was the Suffering Servant who came to die and rise again for our sins the first time He came. However, He will return and assume the throne of David, which He inherited. The name Shiloh means "tranquility or peaceful." Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We go to Him today to find the peace that passes understanding and to give us tranquility in our souls.

All of the blessings of Christ come to those who trust and obey. That was what Jacob alluded to as well. Shiloh or Jesus would be the One to obey, because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I would say that is a very notable blessing from the mouth of Jacob.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 50 and Exodus 1-2.

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