Readings for today: Genesis 47-50
In today’s reading, the redemptive arc of Judah’s life comes to completion. What began in shame and dishonor as he sold his brother into slavery ends in pre-eminence and glory as he is raised to leadership among the tribes of Israel. Judah will now take his place at the head of the clan. He displaces his eldest brother Reuben whose lust cost him his position. He displaces his older brothers Levi and Simeon whose anger and violence spun out of control when they massacred an entire city. He now will lead the family. His descendants will become kings and establish the greatest dynasty in Israel’s history. In fact, the southern kingdom of Judah will bear his name and even the post-exilic people of Israel will become known as “Jews”, bearing his namesake throughout the centuries and into the modern day. Judah and his descendants will be known for their strength and courage. God will give them victory after victory in war. In fact, the “Lion of Judah” becomes part of their particular tribal heritage. And, of course, Judah’s line will eventually yield the Messiah. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the promise contained in verse ten which says, “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs; the nations will obey him.” (Genesis 49:10 NET)
The thing I love most about Judah’s life is the hope it gives a person like me. In many ways, my early years were also filled with shame and dishonor as I struggled with an alcohol problem that thankfully didn’t turn into an addiction. Failed out of college because of a complete lack of self-discipline. Battled my own demons of pride and lust and greed and selfishness. Thankfully, Jesus met me in the midst of all that darkness and brought me into the light. The Holy Spirit came to dwell inside me and began to sanctify me from the inside out. As I surrendered more and more to Him, He, in turn, made more and more like Jesus. And as I became more and more like Jesus, I began to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life. My wife noticed. My children noticed. My parents noticed. My friends noticed. The people I serve in the churches where I’ve been noticed. And the result was blessing upon blessing. Blessings in my life. Blessings through my life. The redemptive arc of my life has yet to come to completion. I know I still have so far to go but by the grace of God, I can look back over my life and see how He has shaped and formed in profound ways into the man and husband and father and pastor I am today.
What about you? Where do you find yourself on the redemptive arc? Are you at the beginning? Still battling all kinds of guilt and shame? Let the grace of Christ minister to you and deliver you from the burdens you carry. Have you received Christ? Wonderful! Now the task is to surrender more and more of you life into His hands. Let the Holy Spirit do His sanctifying work within you, making you more like Christ with each passing day. Are you nearing the end of your journey? Do you sense the redemptive arc of your life coming to a close as you near the end? Finish strong. Let Christ bring to completion the good work He’s begun in you so that your life, from beginning to end, will be a testimony to His grace, love and power.
Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays