Dear Church of the Open Bible,
As we anticipate celebrating the sending of God’s Son, this past Sunday we began tracing how He prepared that work of salvation in history. In Genesis 3:15, we saw God provide hope in the midst of the devastating consequences of sin. He would do this by sending One who would suffer death to bring victory over Satan. Below are a few additional passages to study as we see this promise take shape progressively through the Old Testament. Feel free to use these questions below for your individual study or together as family and friends in the coming days.
Genesis 49:8-12 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
As we trace the Promised “seed of the woman” from Genesis, we follow the line from Seth to Noah to Abraham to Jacob. In Genesis 49, we see where it goes from here.
- Look at the beginning of Gen 49. Why are Reuben, Simeon, and Levi disqualified (all brothers older than Judah)?
- Read Gen 49:8-12. What is unique about Jacob’s blessing to Judah and his descendants?
- 49:8 describes the pre-eminence of Judah over his brothers and enemies.
- 49:9 describes the power of Judah as being like a lion (Rev 5:5).
- 49:10-12 - describe a ruler from Judah who will have authority (v. 10b), prosperity (v. 11), and vitality (v. 12).
Now we begin to watch for a ruler to come from the tribe of Judah and “who shall have the obedience of the peoples.”
Numbers 24:5-19 - The Star & Scepter of Jacob
Balaam, a pagan priest, is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. But God only enables Balaam to bless Israel. In Balaam’s 3rd and 4th oracles, God expands upon the promises He has already given up to this point.
- Read Numbers 24:5-9 and 24:15-19, and look for words or images that God has already used to describe the coming of His Promised One.
- Here are some of those allusions: Jacob’s “seed” (24:7a), Jacob’s exalted king and kingdom (24:7b), the “lion” of Judah (24:9), His coming in the distant future (24:17a), the “scepter” of Judah (24:17b), crush the “forehead” of Moab (24:17c) - defeat Israel’s enemies, have dominion (24:19).
- Read 24:10-14. How do these verses encourage you about the truth of God’s promises and blessings?