God is the lion of Judah and the lamb that was slain.
The lion is a symbol of the tribe of Judah. It consists of the descendants of Jacob, the fourth son of Isaac. (Genesis 29:31-35, 35:23). God had promised Abraham that nations and kings would come from him, and He would establish His everlasting covenant with him and his descendants. (Genesis 17:6-8). This line of kings would be culminating in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would offer salvation for the world. Abraham confirmed this to his son, Isaac (Genesis 26:3-5); and years later, the Lord promises this to Isaac’s son, Jacob. (Genesis 28:10-19; 35:11).
Ruben, the firstborn was not listed in the lineage of the genealogy because he defiled his father’s bed. His birthright went to Manasseh and Ephraim, the sons of Joseph. (1 Chronicle 5:1-2). Judah eventually becomes prominent among his brothers and before the death of his father, Jacob blesses his sons and decrees “Judah, a lion’s cub; With the prey, my son, you have gone high up [the mountain]. He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, and like a lion—who dares rouse him? 10 “The scepter [of royalty] shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes, And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (Genesis 49:9-10, AMP). The kingly line leading to the Messiah went to him. This prophecy places the lion as the heraldic emblem of Judah.
A Lion symbolizes power, it’s fierce, and known as the king of the beast. This gigantic majestic creature isn’t afraid of its enemies. Isaiah 31:4 declares; “As the lion or the young lion growls over his prey, And though a large group of shepherds is called out against him He will not be terrified at their voice nor cringe at their noise, So the Lord of hosts will come down to wage war on Mount Zion and on its hill.” Jesus Christ is the King of kings. When life gets difficult, we become weary and weak, and it seems unbearable, we have the lion of Judah to depend on. The Lord fights our battles and defeats those who come against us. He has conquered and overcome the world. He will keep us until it’s time to usher us into His throne.
In Revelation, John weeps because nobody can break the seven seals; which contain the judgment of God. Jesus is the one that triumphs and is worthy to open the seals. Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.” (Revelations 5:5). Jesus is the only man who is the perfect embodiment of Judah’s legacy.
The lamb signifies the one who died for the sins of humanity. There between the throne, the four beasts and the elders were the lamb. (Revelations 5:6-10). Jesus lived a perfect sinless life and by shedding His blood for the sins of humanity, He offered Himself as our substitute. He paved the way for our salvation. His sacrificial death and resurrection secure our eternal destiny. In this kingdom, Jesus rules as the lion of Judah.
Father, thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who came to redeem humanity. He is the epitome of all that is pure, holy, and unselfish love. Help us to follow His example in our ABCs -Attitude, behavior, and communication.
I pray the song, The Lion and The Lamb by Big Daddy Weave ministers to you.
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