Post by Josh on Dec 14, 2007 16:20:07 GMT -8
Genesis 49:1, 10-11
49:1
Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come. ..
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs
and the obedience of the nations is his.
11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.
This prophecy could be viewed with two fulfillments in mind:
1) a prediction of David's reign over Israel or
2) a prediction of the Messiah's reign
Donkeys and wine (symbolic of warfare/blood here and elsewhere) are associated with both David and Jesus.
The "obedience of the nations" seems to apply more to Jesus than David. David's kingdom did not extend beyond the boundaries of nearby nations, whereas Jesus can be said to have culled allegiance from members of every nation in a very substantial way (roughly 1/3 of the world's population claim to be Christians)
There are many theories as to the "scepter shall not depart" part of this prophecy, which I won't go into now, except to say that some argue that certain powers of leadership belonged to the tribe of Judah all the way up until 70 AD, after which the tribe of Judah effectively disappeared. It is interesting, therefore, to note that Jesus' life falls at the bitter end of the possible range for this passage to be fulfilled.
Still, one could easily argue that this verse is simply about King David and leave it at that.
49:1
Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come. ..
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs
and the obedience of the nations is his.
11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.
This prophecy could be viewed with two fulfillments in mind:
1) a prediction of David's reign over Israel or
2) a prediction of the Messiah's reign
Donkeys and wine (symbolic of warfare/blood here and elsewhere) are associated with both David and Jesus.
The "obedience of the nations" seems to apply more to Jesus than David. David's kingdom did not extend beyond the boundaries of nearby nations, whereas Jesus can be said to have culled allegiance from members of every nation in a very substantial way (roughly 1/3 of the world's population claim to be Christians)
There are many theories as to the "scepter shall not depart" part of this prophecy, which I won't go into now, except to say that some argue that certain powers of leadership belonged to the tribe of Judah all the way up until 70 AD, after which the tribe of Judah effectively disappeared. It is interesting, therefore, to note that Jesus' life falls at the bitter end of the possible range for this passage to be fulfilled.
Still, one could easily argue that this verse is simply about King David and leave it at that.