Judah and the Lion

 Judah and Joseph – Luke 3:34, Genesis 37-45; 49:8-12

Jacob, who became known as Israel, had 12 sons. Jealous of their father's love for his younger son, Joseph, Judah and his brothers had secretly sold Joseph as a slave – their father was grief-stricken. Through a series of events, over many years, Joseph had risen to power in Egypt second only to Pharaoh. During a severe famine, Joseph’s brothers had come to Egypt to buy food, but didn’t recognize Joseph. Joseph tested his brothers and ordered their youngest brother to be kept as a slave to serve him. 

Judah, who by this time had lost two of his own sons to death, spoke to Joseph, still incognito, ‘Please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the sorrow this would cause my father!’ Joseph couldn’t control himself … he wept loudly and said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph!’ Genesis 44:33-45.3

Judah had passed the test, offering himself as a substitute, and through his line would come the kings of Israel leading to the Messiah, King of kings.

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