Leaders chosen by God

The Roman Catholic Lectionary at the midpoint of Advent presents texts to link Jesus to the ancient promise of rulers of the descendants of Jacob (Israel) from the tribe of Judah. The passage from Genesisis an assessment of the sons of Jacob and the decision that Judah should receive the blessing with the inheritance of the firstborn. Reuben is denied his natural place as the firstborn because of pride and immorality. Simeon and Levi are passed over as leaders because of violent action. The Sceptre of Judah is the tradition from which Israelite leadership will arise. The psalmist describes the characteristics of the leader of the people of God who attends to the poor, needy and weak in response to the guidance of God who does wondrous things for Israel. The fourteen generations described in the account of the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel from Abraham to David bring a descendent of Judah to rule the people. The tradition of the Messiah, as One who would also be of the line of Judah and the royal house of David is developed by Matthew through two more periods of fourteen generations, to the Babylonian exile and from that time to the birth of Jesus. Some rabbinical comment at the time of Jesus, when the Romans removed the authority to put people to death from the Jewish leaders, increased speculation that the Messiah may be present among them to restore the Spectre of Judah. Matthew will bring us and his Jewish audience to know that Jesus continues the Promise as the Kingdom of Heaven is established through His reign.