Advent Flow #19 - NAME OF GOD: Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Your devotional haiku for the day:

Praying our Lord’s names,
He reveals himself to us
So we’ll know Him well.

NAME OF GOD: Lion of the Tribe of Judah

by Kris Hilgaertner

The Lion of Judah is first hinted at in Genesis and returns fully in Revelation. When Jacob is on his deathbed, he calls his sons in to give them his last blessing and give each a prophesy. Though Judah was a far from perfect son, he’d grown in character and in leadership. Jacob tells Judah and his brothers:

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, (Genesis 49)

From then on, Judah was known as “Judah the Lion,” who would be a warrior and king that the other tribes would follow. From his tribe would come King David whose "heart is as the heart of a lion" (II Sam. 17:10) and, eventually, Jesus.

Then we hear Jesus referred to in the book of Revelation as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah at a very dramatic point in time. In John’s vision, he has just seen an incredible manifestation of heaven with Jesus sitting on the throne worshiped by the elders and the heavenly beings. 

1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 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.”

The Lion has roared and King Jesus has conquered the enemy of death and sin once and for all and has redeemed his people from God’s judgement. Interesting, in the verses that follow we are reminded how the Lion of Judah conquered. He does not conquer with a mighty roar. He does not smite the enemy with a powerful swipe of his paw, or trample the enemy with his strength and might. Instead, He conquers death and sin by becoming a Lamb. He is the sacrificial Lamb whose death paid the price for us all, so that God’s justice is maintained, the penalty is paid and we are forgiven. And for that, King Jesus is worthy to break the seal of the scroll.

 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, 

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

The mighty Lion of the Tribe of Judah allowed himself to be led like a Lamb to the slaughter in order to save you for eternity with the Father. Out of His immeasurable love for you, he rescued you and brought you home!

Questions:

What has the Lion of Judah conquered in your life for you on your behalf? From where or what has he delivered you?

What does God still need to conquer in your life on your behalf? 

What is keeping you from letting his Kingdom reign in your heart? Mind? Actions?

When was the last time you worshiped like the elders and angels did in Revelation?

Meditate on Revelation Chapters 4 and 5. And use the time to worship Him in his majesty. Feel free to use this song in your prayer time to worship.