God’s
response to Israel’s inquiry was "Judah shall go up." As
in days gone by, Judah is first in battle. This is offensive warfare
at its best.
I. HIS BIRTH AND NAME (Gen.
29:35).
A. THE FOURTH SON BORN TO
JACOB AND LEAH
B. HIS NAME MEANS
"PRAISE" or "THE PRAISE OF JEHOVAH". Praise is
vocal, audible, and/or visible. Praise is always active, assertive,
demonstrative, and open.
Praise is vocal (Ps.
145:21; 63:3; 66:1; 26:7).
Praise is audible (Ps.
47:1; 150:3-5).
Praise is visible (Ps.
63:4; Ps. 149:3).
II. JUDAH’S BLESSINGS
A. JACOB’S (Gen.
49:8-12)
Draws others
Is victorious
The royal tribe – We
are kings and priests.
Authority – Pictured
in the scepter.
Joyful – Garments
washed in wine.
Overflows with
blessings – Eyes red, teeth white.
Foal/Vine – common
things linked to choice things.
B. MOSAIC (Dt. 33:7)
Praise makes prayer
effective.
Provision or
sufficiency of God in ministry.
Provision or
sufficiency of God in warfare.
III. HIS POSITION
A. CAMP ORDER (Nu. 2:3-9)
– Judah’s position was at the northeast corner of the Tabernacle,
next to Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons. They were among the first to
receive the light of the dawning sun and had direct access to the
Tabernacle court.
B. MARCHING ORDER (Nu.
10:11-14) – Judah was first, Issachar was second, Zebulun was third,
and Gershon and Merari followed them carrying the Tabernacle.
C. MILITARY ORDER
(Judges1:1-2). In this passage Judah is first.
D. EPHOD ORDER (Ex. 28:17).
First over or on the heart of the High Priest.
IV. CENSUS
A. IN THE WILDERNESS OF
SINAI (Nu. 1:26; 2:3, 4). Judah was recorded as having an army of
74,600. There were the largest in number.
B. AFTER THIRTY-EIGHT
YEARS (Nu. 26:22). This census followed a plague and Judah was
numbered at 76,5000 and was still the largest of the tribes.
C. LARGEST OF THE CAMPS (Nu.
2:11)
Judah 186,400
Reuben 151,450
Ephriam 108,100
Dan 157,600
V. JUDAH’S DIGNITARIES
CALEB (Nu. 13:6)
BETHLEHEM (Ju. 17:7)
DAVID (1Sam. 16:1)
JESUS (Rev. 5:5; Heb.
7:14).
VI. JUDAH’S PRIVILEGES
THE ARK WAS LOCATED IN
JUDAH’S TERRITORY DURING DAVID’S REIGN (2Sam. 6:2; 1Chr. 13:6).
The Ark speaks of God’s presence. God dwells in the midst of
praise.
JUDAH AS LAST TO FALL.
Israel fell in 722 BC, while Judah fell in 587 BC.
CONCLUSION/APPLICATION
GOD GIVES GREAT PRIORITY
TO PRAISE
First in everyday life
First in warfare
First on the heart of
our great High Priest
GOD GIVES GREAT BLESSINGS
TO PRAISERS
Victory over enemies
Authority
Joy
Abundance
Effectiveness in
ministry
Effectiveness in
warfare
GOD GIVES GREAT
PRIVILEGES TO PRAISERS
His Presence
Endurance