17 December 2020
‘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.
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;
and the obedience of the peoples is his.
Genesis 49:2,8-10 NRSV
This passage is part of the ‘Blessing of Jacob’ which is a prophetic poem in which the dying Jacob mentions each of his twelve sons. Several of the twelve brothers are castigated by their father for their misdeeds. Judah, however, is praised by his father for his strength and leadership. This is a little surprising because we know that Judah was not blameless. For example, it was Judah who suggested getting rid of his brother Joseph for money. Despite his imperfections, God decided that it was into the tribe of Judah that Jesus Christ would be born.
- Why did God, through Jacob, give a great blessing to someone who was not always deserving?
- Do we ever question why good things happen to apparently undeserving people?
As we approach Christmas, it is natural to think back to our parents, grandparents and other predecessors. As you recall these people, give thanks for any blessings that you received from them.
