“Judah, your brothers shall praise/thank you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies… Judah is a lion’s cub… The scepter shall not depart from Judah… Binding his foal to the vine… he washes his garments in wine…” –
Genesis 49:8–11
Leah’s “this time I will thank the LORD” (Gen 29:35) becomes Judah’s name and Jacob’s prophecy. If we wear Judah’s gratitude, here’s what thankfulness does in a life:
Gratitude draws honor (v. 8): “Your brothers shall praise/thank you.” Thankfulness softens rivalry and attracts trust; it turns influence into shared worship, not self-promotion.
Gratitude gains leverage over enemies (v. 8): “Hand on the neck of your enemies.” Thanks chokes out fear, envy, and bitterness, giving holy advantage over inner and outer opposition.
Gratitude makes you lion-hearted (v. 9): A cub that matures, then rests. True strength is courage with restraint—able to act, then un-anxiously be still.
Gratitude steadies authority (v. 10): “The scepter shall not depart.” Thankfulness sustains long-haul leadership; it keeps the staff in hands that serve.
Gratitude lives from abundance (v. 11): Vines so plentiful you tie a colt to them; garments washed in wine—images of overflow.
Thanksgiving trains the heart to see and share God’s plenty.
Let thanks reign.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, the God of Judah, teach my heart to thank You until honor displaces rivalry, courage outlasts noise, and Your scepter rests on servant hands. Let thanks reign in me and through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
