Put Judah First

Scripture Focus: Genesis 49:8,10
“Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise… The sceptre shall not depart from Judah,
nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come…”
When Jacob spoke over Judah, his words were loaded with destiny. He saw, far beyond his
lifetime, that kings would rise from Judah’s line, culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ, the
Lion of the tribe of Judah. This was no guesswork; it was prophetic accuracy. The sceptre would
remain with Judah, and history proved it true. From David to Solomon, and ultimately to Jesus,
the King of kings, the promise never failed.
Interestingly, elsewhere in Scripture, God gave the instruction to “put Judah first” when Israel
went to battle (Judges 1:2). Judah means “praise.” Before strategy, before weapons, before
human effort, praise was to lead the way. For believers, this is a spiritual principle: make praise
your first response, not your last resort. Praise invites God’s presence, unlocks His power, and
keeps your heart aligned with His will. Jesus Himself chose to come through the lineage of
“praise.” That is no coincidence, it is a divine statement. Choose praise first, and the rewards
will keep flowing without end.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to put praise first in every battle, every decision, and every season of my
life. Amen.
Further Study: Judges 1:1-2, Psalm 22:3, Hebrews 7:14