A GREAT LION … A YOUNG LION

The verses of our meditation are derived from the first and sec­ond parables by Balaam towards Israel. Balaam had been hired by Balak to curse Israel, but instead he blessed them saying, ‘How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?’, Num. 23. 8.

Among the many excellences that Balaam identified in Jacob, he prophesied, ‘Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain’, Num. 23. 24. It is not without significance that when Jacob blessed his sons whilst on his death-bed, he said concerning Judah, ‘Judah is a lion’s whelp … he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?’ Gen. 49. 9. It is suggested that this prophecy finds its ultimate fulfilment in the person of Christ. Revelation chapter 5 verse 5 would support this thought, where we read, ‘And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof’.

The figure of a lion is always associated with kingship and power and, in Revelation chapter 5, we see it finding its ultimate expression in the once slain Lamb, as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. The Lord Himself came from the tribe of Judah and it is therefore appropriate that He should be the One who will inter­vene in judgement during the tribulation period and bring in ultimate blessing during His reign in the millennial kingdom. Revelation chapter 19 describes for us the scenes of terrible car­nage on that day when the Lord will descend from heaven in power and glory, and invite the fowls of heaven to the ‘supper of the great God … to eat the flesh of kings … captains … mighty men … horses. men’, Rev. 19. 17, 18. He is the one who will ‘eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain’. The day of judgement is coming for this world and the Judge will be the once slain Lamb of Calvary, now returning to the scene of His humiliation, as ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’.

For the Lion of Judah will break every chain, And give us the victory, again and again.