The following blog post is a revised manuscript from a sermon preached by Dylan on December 21st, 2025 at Heritage Baptist Church. To listen, navigate here.
Genesis 49:8-12
[8] Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. [9] Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? [10] The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. [11] Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. [12] His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. (ESV)
Genesis 49 takes place at the end of Jacob's life. He and his family are now in Egypt, due to God's providence in sending Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, ahead of them in order to preserve them.
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Through a series of events, he rises in power to second-in-command to Pharaoh in Egypt.
Due to a famine in the land of Canaan, Jacob and his family are altogether in Egypt now.
Genesis 49 begings with Jacob calling together his 12 sons and says, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.” This is prophetic.
Verse 8 begins the blessing given to Judah.
And this is meant to shock us. We are supposed to get to this passage and be blown away.
It culminates in verse 10, where we learn about a coming king and his kingdom.
So, there are two aspects of this prophecy we are meant to pick up on:
- The Promised King
- The Promised Kingdom
The Promised King
So, the first aspect: The Promised King. See verse 10.
Genesis 49:10
[10] The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. (ESV)
The kingly language here is evident. There is a scepter and a ruler's staff; king's accessories. Tribute is brought to this king and to this king shall be the obedience of the peoples.
Jacob is prophesying that a king will come from the tribe of Judah. Not just a single king, but multiple kings of Judah’s lineage. "The scepter shall not depart from Judah".
This thought is reiterated in the second phrase. “Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet”. Again, Judah’s sons, “his feet”, will produce kings.
We see what kind of king he will be: one that rules with the authority of a scepter, yet tenderly guides like a shepherd and his sheep, with his staff.
It continues and says, "until tribute comes to him". This phrase is translated with difficulty. I was helped by the footnote in my Bible, or your translation may read, "until he comes to whom it belongs".
So this prophecy is saying that kings will come from the tribe of Judah and culminate in a single, ultimate King, one to whom it belongs to.
This makes sense. Both Jacob and his grandfather Abraham were told "kings shall come from you", in Genesis 17 and 35. Now we know they will come from Judah's lineage, specifically.
What's happening here?
Recall the central question to Genesis, and the whole Bible: Who will be the fulfillment of God's curse upon the serpent in the Garden of Eden? In Genesis 3:15, God says to the serpent,
Genesis 3:15
[15] I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (ESV)
Throughout the whole Genesis narrative, this is who we are looking for. And as history progresses, God narrows down where this offspring will come from. He chooses Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and now we know this offspring will come from Judah.
The Promised King will be the one who bruises the serpent's head.
This leads us to two questions from verse 10:
The first question: Who is this King?
It is our Lord Jesus.
The throne comes to the tribe of Judah when David is made King, ~400 years later. God then makes a covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7. God says,
2 Samuel 7:16
[16] And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” (ESV)
Later it's prophesied in Micah chapter 5 that the ruler of Israel is to come from Bethlehem.
Matthew chapter 2 tells of magi from the east bringing gifts to baby Jesus in Bethlehem. It's connected with Psalm 72 of where it talks about the nations bringing gifts and falling down before the true King.
Compare Revelation 5 with verse 9 from Jacob’s blessing, where Jacob compared Judah to a lion’s cub,
Revelation 5:5
[5] And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (ESV)
David, son of Judah, received the crown. His son, Solomon, received the crown. And their sons after them received the crown. But they died! They are in the grave.
But Jesus, the Root of David, the Lion of Judah, rose from the grave. He rules with a scepter, the authority of a king and guides with his staff, like a shepherd with his flock. He is the Promised King. He has established His throne in the heavens and His kingdom rules over all for all eternity.
This leads us to our second question: What will be to Him?
Focus to that last phrase in verse 10 -- "and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples"
Obedience will be to him. And not just the tribe of Judah, or the Jews, but all the peoples will be obedient.
This is a definitive statement. There is no room for doubt or ambiguity. It is authoritative -- this will happen.
That phrase, "the peoples", is a common phrase used throughout the Bible. It's one that refers to people groups, or nations, ethnic groups. People that are grouped by a common culture or language.
This is further evidence for why Jesus is the Promised King.
No other name will the peoples bow down to. Not David, not Solomon, but Jesus.
It's just as the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2,
Philippians 2:10–11
[10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)
This is incredible. This is how the blessing given to Abraham in Genesis 12 will be brought to all the families of the earth, just as God promised.
Some reflective questions we should ask...
How are you living obediently to Jesus?
Is obedience to Jesus something you desire?
Do you obey him at all?
Maybe a better question is, how are you living disobediently?
These are important questions to ask ourselves if the obedience of the peoples will be to Christ.
Why should this blessing shock us?
Consider who this messianic prophecy is given to: Judah, a man who lived disobediently.
It was Judah's idea to profit off his brother Joseph and sell him into slavery. It was Judah who is responsible for one of the most detestable chapters in our Bible, Genesis 38.
Yet, here he is receiving such a profound, significant blessing.
At the end of Genesis 38, after his wicked sins catch up with him, there is evidence of Judah's repentance. He recognizes his sins and is overwhelmed by the grace of God.
We see further evidence of this in how he pledges safety for the youngest brother, Jacob's new favorite, Benjamin, in their travels to Egypt and then how he puts himself forward as a sacrifice for Benjamin when Benjamin is framed for stealing.
Does that self-sacrifice remind you of anyone?
The fact this blessing is given to Judah is meant to drive us to the cross and marvel at the grace of King Jesus, who forgives all your disobedience through faith in him.
The Promised Kingdom
This takes us to the second aspect of this prophecy, the Promised Kingdom
Focus to verse 11.
Genesis 49:11
[11] Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. (ESV)
Here Jacob's words are telling us what the promised king does in his kingdom and it provides descriptions of what his kingdom is like.
There are two descriptions evident here.
The first description: Christ's kingdom is one of Abundance Beyond Necessity.
Jacob says that a foal is bound to the vine and a donkey's colt to the choice vine, or the best vine.
Vines grow grapes which produce wine. Vines were a commodity that you wouldn't tie an animal to because it was likely that animal would eat of that vine.
And yet, in Christ's kingdom, even the donkey's colt can be tied to the vine. And not just any vine, but the choice vine.
This is because there is an abundance beyond necessity. A commodity is made a simple utility, a hitching post. This is like using a $100 bill to start a fire, as one commentator puts it.
This is the kingdom we look forward to. We hope for. If we are in Christ. There is no longer any lack.
And while we look forward to this Promised Kingdom to come, where every tear is wiped away and we live in abundance, we can experience spiritual abundance today in Christ because he is not simply the choice vine, but the true vine.
This imagery is meant to point us to Christ! Recall how our Lord entered into Jerusalem where his suffering awaited him: upon a colt.
And as Jesus says in John 15,
John 15:5
[5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (ESV)
Apart from Christ we can do nothing. And while this Promised Kingdom is one to come, every spiritual blessing is freely offered to anyone who puts their faith in Jesus alone.
The second description: Christ's kingdom is one of Satisfaction Beyond Measure.
The second part of verse 11 reads, "he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes".
Similar to the vines, this imagery now shows wine as abundant and plentiful. Garments are able to be washed in it. There's so much.
Wine is a symbol of blessing and prosperity. This kingdom is one that satisfies you beyond measure.
Once again, we're pointed to the Promised King. What was Jesus' first sign, first miracle?
He turns water into wine. At the wedding in Cana. He makes wine abundant and he satisfies the wedding guests. Jesus was announcing his kingdom in this miracle and as John 2 says, "the disciples believed in him."
But, we can't ignore what else this imagery is meant to invoke. Look again at the last phrase, "and his vesture in the blood of grapes".
That's striking, isn't it? Vesture, clothing or robe of status. But in the blood of grapes? Why did Jacob say it like that?
John gives us insight as to why in the book of Revelation. Hear how he describes the Lord Jesus,
Revelation 19:13–16
[13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. [14] And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. [15] From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (ESV)
Do not overlook how this Promised Kingdom will come. While abundance and satisfaction await those who have faith in Christ, a sharp sword and a rod of iron will come to those who do not.
This is the Promised Kingdom. One of Abundance Beyond Necessity and Satisfaction Beyond Measure.
We’ve explored two aspects of this prophecy: The Promised King and the Promised Kingdom.
How do we respond?
First: marvel at the grace of the king
Just as Judah recognized his own unrighteousness, that is the position you stand in apart from faith in Christ.
But, you need not be left there. This is why Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. And because he became flesh, lived a sinless life yet was crucified, he was risen from the grave. Defeating death. And it is in this good news, this Gospel of the Promised King, we are gifted life everlasting.
Judah was overcome with God's grace. He saw that God was good, yet he himself was not. And he repented; he turned from his sin and to God.
If you haven't repented of your sin, and made the Promised King, Jesus, the Lord and Savior and Treasure of your life, he offers that to you right now.
Confess your sins to the Lord and put your faith in him.
And to you, Christian, never grow tired of God's grace. That grace given to Judah is the same grace that was applied to you.
Judah did not deserve to receive such a remarkable blessing – but that is who our God is. He is good and gracious.
This should drive us to more worship.
Second, share the joys of the king.
Our King and His Kingdom is one filled with joy. We look forward to the day we experience that abundance and satisfaction.
We can share the good news of our King with others. We can share the Gospel. Our King is worshipped through the spread of his name.
While the consummation of the kingdom means abundant joy for God's people, it also means God's wrath upon those who are not of the faith. Because to him will be the obedience of the peoples.
So our sharing should have some urgency with it.
Within local churches, we can encourage one another by sharing stories of evangelism and inviting one another into sharing the gospel together.
Lastly, wait patiently for our king.
We yet to experience the Promised Kingdom. We continue waiting for our King to return.
But, Christian, take refuge in the Lion of Judah. The True Vine. As it says in Revelation 5, Weep no more! For he has conquered.
Pray. Immerse yourself in God's Word daily. Resolve to make daily prayer and Bible reading a spiritual habit in 2026.
Encourage one another. Do not neglect to meet. Serve one another. That we may all be found ready when our King returns.
Do not wonder how the greater story will end. Don't wonder how your story will end.
Because in Christ, we are spiritually abundant. Spiritually satisfied. He is true food and true drink. And he is faithful to keep us unto the end.
Jesus is the Promised King, and an abundant, satisfying kingdom awaits those who Treasure the Lion of Judah.