The Lion of Judah

C.S. Lewis, in his book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, teaches children theology. It describes the children’s curiosity of finding out who Asland—the Christ Figure is.

“Who is Asland?” asked Susan. “Asland” said Mr. Beaver, “Why don’t you know?”  “He is the King.” “Is he a man?” asked Lucy. “Asland, a man?” said Mr. Beaver sternly, “Certainly not! I tell you he is the king of the wood and the son of the great emperor beyond the sea.” “Don’t you know who is the king of beasts?  Asland is a lion.” The lion, the great lion. “OO said Susan. “Is he quiet safe? I shall feel quite nervous about meeting a lion.” “That you will dearie.” “And no mistake” said Mrs. Beaver “If there is anyone who can appear before Asland without their knees knocking they are either braver than most or else just silly.” “Then he isn’t safe” said Lucy. “Safe” said Mr. Beaver, “Who said anything about safe? Certainly he isn’t safe but he is good.” He is the king I tell you.

When the patriarch Jacob spoke his last words in the form of blessings and curses on each of his sons, he predicted that a Lion from the tribe of Judah would come. Jacob tells us where the phrase “Lion of Judah,” which is a name for Jesus, comes from: “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion, he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? (Gen 49:8-9). Jacob says The Lion would come one day!

The three older sons were disqualified from his blessing because of their rebellious hearts. Judah, however, was the recipient, not because he was worthy but because he was repentant, and God uses people who repent. Jacob said of Judah: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his (Gen 49:10). The scepter underscored that God would bless Judah’s descendants because from them would come the Messiah.

When this Messiah comes, there would be abundance and prosperity never seen before: 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 (Gen 49:11). In this messianic prophecy of Jesus, wine is a symbol of prosperity.

There will be such an abundance of grapes that the Messiah will tie his donkey to a choice grapevine with no concern about his donkey’s eating the grapes. There would be such an abundance of wine that you could use wine for wash water if you wanted to.

In a world where evil abounds and truth has been turned upside down, we long for the Messiah to come. Isaiah said, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20). Is there a verse that could describe our society today better than this? Yes, please come Jesus and usher in your kingdom. Jacob says he is coming, and he is powerful: “His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk” (Gen 49:12). Here is a picture of strength and power. We long for Jesus to come, and when he does, he will set this world right—it is upside down, but he will turn right side up.

(Parenting with a Long View) https://bovdbrooks.com/