The Royal Line of Judah

The old man was coming to the end of his tour of duty here on earth. His had been a long, fruitful life, albeit one full of exacting challenges and a dash of tragedy (cf Genesis 47:9). And now one more final thing remained. He needed to "put his house in order", before going "the way of all the earth..." He had blessings to bestow and pronouncements to make (some of which utterances would reverberate throughout the course of human history). The old man of our discourse is Ya'acov son of Yitzhak, grandson to Abraham the Hebrew (cf Genesis 14:13). We examine his "will" here only in so far as it pertains to just one of his sons: Judah. But more of that later.

First, who was Judah? He was Israel's fourth born son by Leah his first wife. Leah was deeply entangled in a web of bitter rivalry with her more beautiful younger sister, Rachel. They competed, striving for the affections of Jacob - their common husband. So when she gave birth to her fourth born - while Rachel remained as yet barren - Leah felt triumphant! She named little one Yahudah, saying: "...this time I will praise the Lord" (cf Genesis 29:35). Indeed the Hebrew name Yahudah means "praise". For Leah, it was proof positive that she was now victorious over her younger sibling.  

But a bit of genealogy first. At some point in his life, the adventurous Judah left his brothers and settled among the Canaanites (Genesis 38). We will do well to remember that Canaan (Kena'an in Hebrew) was one of the four sons of Ham (Noah's only black or melanated son).

It was from among these melanated people that Judah obtained a wife - the daughter of a man named Shua. She bore him three sons: Er, Onan and Shelah. The Bible reports that Er was wicked in divine eyesight and so God killed him. Judah then bade his second son Onan inherit his elder brother's wife Tamar to raise progeny for him. Onan, however, was unwilling to raise children who would be referred by another man's name. He therefore practiced the withdrawal method during coitus to ensure that Tamar did not become pregnant by him. God punished this  wickedness by killing Onan. Fearing that his youngest son would suffer the unfortunate fate of his elder brothers, Judah then requested his daughter-in-law Tamar to return to her parents and live as a widow. This was on the understanding that Tamar would be given to Shelah to wife once Judah's third born came of age. The girl complied. However, once Shelah attained maturity, Judah baulked at his promise. When Tamar realised that she was not to be wedded to Shelah, as promised, she resorted to subterfuge. In a carefully planned, then executed scheme, she ended up bearing the twins Perez and Zerah, to Judah her father-in-law! (cf Ruth 4:12, Matthew 1:3). The kind of scandalous stuff the  glossy tabloids of Hollywood gossip would die for!

But that is not all! Judah's genealogy also includes the harlot Rahab of Jericho. This shrewd daughter of the twilight zone correctly interpreted the times. Realising that Jericho was doomed, she not only saved Joshua's spies, but arranged matters in such a way as to ensure that she and her family did not perish in the impending armed clash (cf Joshua 6:17,22-23). Rahab too was a Canaanite since Jericho was a Canaanite city. Then there is Ruth the Moabitess, daughter-in-law to Naomi (cf Matthew 1:5). Remember the Moabites were descended from Lot via one of his daughters (another sordid saga, after the family fled burning Sodom)! In all probability, Lot's wife was also Canaanite from the city of Sodom since there is no record of Lot marrying from his own people (cf 19:30-38). Much later on, and more interesting still, King David sired Solomon by Bathsheba. She was initially wife to Uriah the Hittite, one of David's army officers. Bathsheba was therefore probably a Canaanite too, for Uriah her slain husband, was a Hittite and the Hittites were descended from Canaan. In fact, the name Bathsheba seems to suggest as much. It literally means "daughter of Sheba". Sheba was one of the descendants of Cush/Nubi (cf Genesis 10:7). The thrust of my argument heres that, generally speaking, one marries within their community. Uriah's likely followed that default mode. Therefore Bathsheba was most likely, a black woman too. So when all is said and done, it becomes quite unlikely that the image of an effeminate blue-eyed long-haired Yahshua is grossly misleading! It is an image created by Caucasian Eurocentrists and foisted upon the entire world! Such has been the consistent portrayal of Yahshua in the Western playbook - Hollywood movies, paintings, drawings, sculptures, etc! Popular, but erroneous and far from the truth.

I mean, why would the writer of Matthew go out of his way to mention  Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba in Yahshua's tree of genealogy? Why is he totally silent on all the other Hebrew mothers in that family tree? Is it not to emphasize  the presence of these non-Israelite genes in Yahshua's human bloodline?! Indeed that seems to be the Bible's modus operandi. For example, when outlining the children of Israel that went down to Egypt, we read: "...and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman." (Genesis 46:10. Again: "...In Egypt, Menashe and Ephraim were born to Yoseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On." (Genesis 46:20). It is a pattern, non-Hebrew mothers are always pointed out.

Could that be the reason why Yosef and Miriam fled into Egypt with baby Yahshua to escape Herod's murderous designs (Matthew 2:13)? I mean, is it not logical that the family could more successfully hide among people who closely looked like themselves? For the Bible is clear that Egypt (Mitzrayim in Hebrew) was a descendant of the black Ham (cf Genesis 10:6, Psalm 105:27, 106:21-22).

But back to the Patriarch Jacob. We find the entire text of his "will" in Genesis 49. However the text of our interest lies in Verses 8 to 10 only. It reads: 
"You Yahudah, your brothers will praise you; your hand is on the neck of your enemies; your father's children will bow down before you.
Yahudah is a lion's cub; from the prey you have gone up my son! He bowed down, he crouched like a lion. And like a lion, who rouses him?
The sceptre shall not turn aside from Yahudah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him is the obedience of the peoples..." (Genesis 49:8-10, HalleluYah Scriptures).

So it is clear from the above that among the twelve tribes of Israel, leadership was ascribed to Judah. One can even argue that Judah's leadership traits were evident from much earlier. For example, it was Judah that was instrumental in ensuring that the hated Joseph was not killed by his jealous siblings (Genesis 37:26-27). Later, Judah offered to guarantee Benjamin's safety, so that their troubled, grief-stricken father could allow them to return to Egypt to get the starving family some more food (cf Genesis 43:8).

Significantly no doubt, we note that the adopted tribal pennant for the tribe of Judah was sky blue in colour. This is a colour usually associated with royalty. More about this later.

We also note that the "totem animal" (for lack of a better term) of the tribe of Judah was the lion. We are all familiar with this powerful, kingly, totally fearless beast of the Savannahs of Afrika. Striding boldly across the golden plains, the lion's dignified, regal disposition leaves absolutely no doubt that he is potentate among the animals! His fearsome roar sets all else quaking in fear, and can be heard a good eight kilometres away!

That choice of symbol is also a powerful suggestion that the tribe of Judah was the foremost warrior tribe of all the children of Israel. It is an indication of strength and leadership. Thus, whenever war broke out, Judah was almost always  required to "go first" in the order of battle against their enemies (cf Judges 20:18). Again, as noted earlier, the tribe of Judah's pennant was sky blue in colour. It is a colour of royalty. Is it coincidental then, that the flag of the modern State of Israel is a white banner with two sky blue stripes? Is it by happenstance that a Star of David of the same colour is emblazoned on the said flag?!

It is instructive to note that the patriarch's prophecy clearly spells out that Judah shall provide Israel's rulers: "...the sceptre shall not depart from between his feet..." (verse 10). This royal line began  with the Prophet Samuel's anointing of Yishai of Beyth-Lehem's youngest son, the ruddy, giant-slaying, shepherd-boy David. The Bible chronicles a long string of kings from this family until the captivity to Babylon in 606BC. (The only brief interruption being by the usurper Queen Athaliah, whose reign lasted only for six years - please read 2 Kings 11:3). The Prophet Isaiah confirms this Davidic royal line by linking the Coming King with Yishai of Beyth-Lehem (cf Isaiah 11:1-9).

Thus Judah's lineage was to provide Israel's rulers until the coming of Shiloh - a figure who would also rule over all mankind. The name "Shiloh" means or translates to "Peace Maker", "Tranquility", and "Abundance." It is obviously a Messianic prophecy pointing to the coming of Yahshua - the ultimate Prince of Peace who will: "...reign on David's throne and over his kingdom...forever and ever." (cf Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 1:31-33).

These wonderful sentiments are also captured most beautifully by Mikah of Moresheth. He prophesied: "But you, O Beyth-Lehem Ephrathah, you who are little among the clans of Yahudah, out of you shall come forth to Me the One to become Ruler in Yisrael. And his comings forth are of old, from everlasting..." (Micah 5:2, HS). And so it came to be that from Bethlehem (the "House of Bread"), came Yahshua - the Bread of Life (cf John 6:35).

The name Judah, as earlier stated, means "praise". The meaning of the name is further reinforced in old man Jacob's utterance - "...your brothers will PRAISE you..." (Genesis 49:8, NIV, full caps added). And so we see, for example, David - the fearless giant-slaying, foreskin-harvesting warrior of Judah - praised by Israel's lady folk. Exulting in his awesome battle exploits, the damsels danced: "...Shaul has slain his thousands, and Dawid his tens of thousands..." (cf 1 Samuel 18:7, 21:11, 29:5). In fact, the versatile King David himself is better known for his musical prowess as Israel's singer of praises, than for his exploits on the battlefield. Is not the evergreen Book of Psalms (at least in large part) ascribed to him? Did he not set out the musical corps for the House of Adonai in Yehrushalayim?! (cf 1 Chronicles 25).

Fast forward to the present. Apparently, as it was in ancient times, so it would seem so now. The first premier of the modern State of Israel was named David Ben-Gurion (meaning "David son of the Lion"). Coincidental? Maybe, maybe not. This astute leader dexterously mid-wifed the rebirth of Israel into the comity of nations. Ben Gurion then triumphantly led the infant nation over the mine-field of warfare against multiple Arab adversaries during Israel's War of Independence. With   odds heavily stacked against them, the Jews somehow emerged victorious! It was a David versus Goliath scenario all over again! And by the way, the term "Jew" was coined from the name Judah (initially descriptive of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, though now encompassing all the tribes of Israel). Could there be a possibility that David Ben Gurion descended from the tribe of Judah? I would not be surprised at all if it turned out so! But then, are not almost all subsequent Israeli leaders seasoned, battle hardened men of war? Is it possible we are talking about descendants of the warlike Judah here? From Levi Eshkol, to Moshe Sharett, to Menachem Begin, to Yitzhak Rabin, to  Ariel Sharon, to Ehud Barak, and now to Benjamin Netanyahu...the common denominator is one: they are all brave military men, forged in the effervescent crucible of a very volatile Middle East!

In the steadily brewing Arab-Israeli  conflict, Judah is again expected to play a crucial role. The simmering powder keg tensions will eventually explode into Armageddon - the Third World War. Predicts the Prophet Zekar-Yah: "On that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a brazier in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves..." (Zechariah 12:6). Again: "...the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them..." (Zechariah 12:8). So in essence, Judah provides leadership both during peacetime and at war. And just as it was in the past, so it will be in the rapidly approaching future. Already, we see the grounds for that final altercation being set.

We also see that Judah is central to the question of Adonai's salvation. Says the writer of Hebrews: "...for it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah..." (Hebrews 7:14). In fact, Yahshua actually comes to the rescue of his brothers at Armageddon (cf Isaiah 63:1-5). By that time things will be going so sore for the House of Jacob, that they will cry out: "...blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD..." (cf Matthew 23:37-39). " Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle..." (Zechariah 14:3). He comes back as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah as mentioned in Revelation 5:5. The Prophet Joel also predicted: "...The LORD will ROAR from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem..." (Joel 3:16, capitals mine). Only lions roar, not so?!

Yahshua is actually the Star which the enlightened Balaam saw: "I see him, but not now; I behold him but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth..." (Numbers 24:17). Balaam was clearly talking about a Ruler who will once and for all resolve the ever-festering Arab-Israeli conflict. The Sheth mentioned in the prophecy is none other than the vengeful, bloodthirsty, desert-dwelling god of ancient mid-eastern peoples. Some versions of the Bible render his name as Chaos, or Tumult. The Greeks called this satyr of the the outbacks Pan. He is the master of chaos as is clearly suggested by the term PANdemonium.  So when we look at the chaos, violence and implacable hatred directed at the Jews in that part of the world...it becomes clear who these children of Shet are.

We can also deduce from the foregoing, that the so-called Middle East conflict is an intractable spiritual problem.
It therefore requires a spiritual solution...not countless UN resolutions. And so, Yahshua the Warrior-King from the Tribe of Judah comes at the End of the Age to sort it out. He will figuratively: "...wash his garments, his robes in the blood of grapes..." as he tramples on the "...winepress of God's wrath..." at Armageddon (cf Genesis 49:11, Isaiah 63:1-6, Joel 3: 13-17, and Revelation 14:14-20).

He will then usher in an Age of unparalleled peace, prosperity, tranquility and abundance. He will live up to his billing as Shiloh, fulfilling Jacob's ancient prophecy. As for Jerusalem, a city: "...lashed by storms and not comforted..." down through the centuries (cf Isaiah 54:10), it will finally live up to the meaning of its name: "City of Peace". The overthrow prophecies uttered in Ezekiel 21: 25-27, will finally have been completed. Said the prophet of old: "...I will overturn, overturn, overturn it! As for this city, it will not be the same until the one to whom it rightfully belongs comes; to him I will give it." The three overturns are now complete. Jerusalem was first destroyed by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar in 606BC. The city was again razed to the ground by the Roman Emperor Vespasian in 70AD, an occurrence predicted by Yahshua himself (cf Matthew 24:2). Lastly, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Mohammedans in 632AD, who then put up a Moslem shrine - the Mosque of Omar on the holy site of Solomon's Temple. We now only await the coming of Jerusalem's rightful Ruler. The city rightfully belongs to Yahshua as his capital (cf Matthew 5:35), and in fact bears his Name (1 Kings 5:5, 8:29). Yahrushalayim shall therefore be the global capital of the Millennial Kingdom of Yahshua (cf Zekar-Yah 14:1-9, Luke 1:31-33, Matthew 5:35). O what glad tidings for our tired, war weary planet! From my desk here, I can only say Maran atha! Blessings.

JC Nyambu
Buna
22/09/2025