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December 11, 2010 by Jason Hood
Judah, Jesus, and the Great Commission
In one chapter of my dissertation I briefly make the claim that in Genesis Judah is transformed from a royal failure to a royal figure who will lead his brothers. (The same is true for Jechoniah; more on him some other time.) The messianic promises for Judah’s line in 49:8-12 are the culmination of this transformation: his descendant will receive kingship; his (11?) brothers will worship him; and the nations will obey him.
This messianic promise in Gen 49 is one of the three most important messianic passages in and around the 1st century. Matthew 1:2, “Judah and his brothers,” is best understood as a hint at this royal role. I suggest that Matthew sees the messianic promise in Gen 49 fulfilled in Matt 28:16-20, where Jesus receives comprehensive kingship, his eleven “brothers” (28:10, 16-17) worship him, and he tells them to teach the nations to obey him.
The Great Commission is the fulfillment of the Great Messianic Mission, the promised destiny of Judah.
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About the SAET Blog
Welcome to the SAET blog. Herein you will find the theological/pastoral ramblings of the Rev. Matthew Mason, the good Doctor Jason Hood, and Pastor Gerald Hiestand. All three write under the premise that theology and the pastorate belong together, and that (at least some) pastors must once again function as writing theologians for the wider church, for the ecclesial renewal of theology and the theological renewal of the church.
Contributors
Gerald Hiestand
Gerald has served as the SAET board president since 2006. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1999, and serves currently as the Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL. He is pursuing a PhD in Classical Studies from the University of Kent, Canterbury.
Jason Hood
Jason is a graduate of Rhodes College, Reformed Theological Seminary, Highland Theological College and the Univ. of Aberdeen. Jason works as Scholar-in-Residence and director of Christ College Residency Program at Christ UMC. He's trying to figure out the twitter thing, @jasonbhood, and sometimes writes for ChristianityToday.com.
Matthew Mason
Matthew earned an MTh at Oak Hill College, London. He is an Assistant Pastor at Church of the Resurrection, Washington D. C. (Anglican Province of Rwanda).
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Recent Comments
Nice. Preaching the Joseph Narrative back in Jan, I concluded that the reason for Judah’s transformation, and elevation above his brothers, was his new willingness to lay down his life for his brother. I take it, through and in Christ, this feeds into our understanding of how we fulfil the Great Commission.
12/12/10 10:32 PM | Comment Link
I’ve always found the story of Judah’s transformation remarkable. On the front end, he is the brother who leads the other brothers in getting rid of Joseph–the favorite child. At the back end, he is the brother who offers his own life to save Benjamin–the new favorite child. A remarkable turn of events, given the fact that Jacob is still playing favorites with his children, and still treating Judah and his brothers like they are second rate sons.
12/13/10 10:13 AM | Comment Link
SAET » Judah Transformed » The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology said...
[...] the comments on my earlier post on Judah, Jesus, and the Great Commission, it was noted that the transformation of Judah makes a nice sermon or [...]
12/14/10 9:14 AM | Comment Link
SAET » Why Moses Wrote Genesis » The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology said...
[...] Genesis 37 – 50. Again, Israel goes down into Egypt because of famine…but isn’t supposed to stay there. The redeemer is an Israelite in Pharaoh’s courts. These stories give Israel a picture of tribal relationships—leadership roles belong to Judah (Caleb, later David) and Joseph (Ephraim/Manasseh, Joshua). And leadership is typified by wisdom (Joseph) and by laying one’s life on the line for the brothers (Judah; for more on this, see these posts on Judah). [...]
09/10/12 10:08 AM | Comment Link