Daily Devotions
Genesis
"And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints - Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him." Psalm 148:14
Text: Genesis 49:1-33
SOME MORE, SOME LESS
Jacob did not speak in equal volume concerning all his sons. He spoke more of some sons than others. Having understood that his words were essentially inspired by the Lord, we cannot blame him for speaking more about some sons and less about others. The Lord was directing Jacob in his address of his sons.
MORE ABOUT JUDAH
Jacob spoke glowingly about Judah, not because he was the most wonderful son. He had left the family for some years. He had done some very wrong things in his life (Cf. Genesis 38). Nevertheless, the line of the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah. Let us ponder the other words he spoke concerning this particular son.
“Binding his donkey to the vine,
And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,
He washed his garments in wine,
And his clothes in the blood of grapes.
His eyes are darker than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk”
GENESIS 49:11-12
What a picture Jacob painted about Judah! Two things may be highlighted from this text.
1. A picture of Wealth
Judah would be blessed with prosperity! Those who plant grapes would always be careful about how they keep their vineyards. The last thing any vineyard owner would do is to allow donkeys and their colts to be tied to a choice vine! Those donkeys would start to eat the choice grapes! But if there is such an abundance of choice vines, the wealthy and indulgent owner would allow his donkey and its colt to eat from the choicest vines!
In the early days, wine was processed by people jumping on harvested grapes. Naturally, the garments worn would be splattered with grape juice. The colour of the grapes would be so rich it is blood-red! There would be so much grape-stain that it would appear that the whole garment is drenched in blood! This text portrayed great wealth!
2. A picture of health
Judah is depicted as a healthy looking person whose eyes are so healthy they are dark (in contrast to the word “pale”). A healthy person would also be able to have “milk-white teeth”. Of course, the fact that Judah was blessed with great wealth would contribute to his ability to stay healthy.
THE GRACIOUS BLESSINGS OF GOD
It is out of the grace of God that Judah would be so blessed. He certainly did not deserve this special blessing on his own merit! Such blessings display the glory of God.