Judah was given the leadership position because Reuben, the eldest, forfeited his birthright through sexual sin, and God sovereignly elevated Judah.
Reuben, as the firstborn, held the natural right to leadership, but he committed adultery with one of Jacob's wives, an act that Jacob recalled on his deathbed. Because of this, Reuben was not esteemed as the eldest. God, in His sovereign control, then brought Judah forward as the leading tribe, and from Judah came Christ.
Genesis 49:3-4 — Jacob's blessing on Reuben directly addresses his sin and loss of preeminence.
The Bible records that Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob, defiled his father's bed by lying with Bilhah, his father's concubine (Genesis 35:22). Later, on his deathbed, Jacob pronounced a blessing on his sons. Concerning Reuben, he declared: 'Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.' (Genesis 49:3-4). This pronouncement indicated that Reuben would not retain the preeminence that his birthright would normally confer. In contrast, Jacob's blessing on Judah includes the significant prophecy: 'The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.' (Genesis 49:10). This indicates a royal and leadership role for Judah's tribe. Throughout the history of Israel, Judah's leading role is evident when the tribes camped and moved. Scripture describes the order of march when the Israelites journeyed: 'In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies' (Numbers 10:14). Thus, Judah was positioned at the forefront.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Judah's leadership was not due to being the oldest but because Reuben, the eldest, disqualified himself through immorality. Les points out that Reuben committed adultery with one of Jacob's wives, an act that went unnoticed by others but was remembered by Jacob at his deathbed. As a result, Jacob said Reuben would not have the birthright or the blessing. Les also connects Judah's prominence to Christ's lineage, noting that Jesus came from the tribe of Judah. In the encampment around the tabernacle, Judah was positioned at the front, leading the march. This, Les teaches, is indicative of Christ's coming from Judah rather than Reuben. He highlights God's sovereign control in arranging these events, noting that everything fits perfectly in God's plan. Additionally, Les points to the 144,000 in Revelation, where Judah is named first among the tribes, further signifying its leadership role.
Les Feldick explains that Reuben, the eldest son, committed adultery with one of Jacob's wives. This act was unchaste and the most awful deed among the brothers. Although seemingly no one else knew about it, it was brought to light on Jacob's deathbed. Jacob then declared that Reuben would not have the birthright or the blessing, and he would not be esteemed as the eldest.
Because Reuben forfeited his rightful position, God in His sovereignty brought Judah into prominence. In the arrangement of the tribes around the tabernacle, Judah was encamped in front of the main gate and was always the first tribe to move when the cloud lifted. Les points out that this is indicative of Christ coming from the tribe of Judah. Furthermore, in the listing of the 144,000 in Revelation, Judah is named first, reinforcing its leading role.
Judah's leadership is significant because it points to Christ. Jesus Christ came from the tribe of Judah, as Les emphasizes. The statement in Scripture that the scepter would not depart from Judah indicates a permanent royal lineage culminating in Christ. God's sovereign control is seen in how He overruled Reuben's failure and elevated Judah, ensuring the messianic line.
What Saves You? Head Knowledge vs. Heart Belief
at night if I thought I was going to go out into that kind of an eternity. I mean, listen, it's going to be awful for those who are lost, and we can't compromise that. But for those of us who believe, and as it shows here, it begins in the heart. All right, now I've got to go on.
Judah Leads the Tribes
Les directly answers the question by noting that despite Reuben being the eldest, Judah circumvented that and became the leading tribe, always first to move, because Christ came from Judah.
Christ's Lineage Through Judah
Les emphasizes that Judah leads to David and ultimately to Christ, showing God's sovereign control in the genealogical line.
Reuben's Sin and Loss of Birthright
Les explains the reason: Reuben committed adultery with one of Jacob's wives, and on his deathbed Jacob declared Reuben would not have the birthright or blessing.
Why Israel Rejected God as King — 1 Samuel 8 Explained
And so when Rehoboam refused to lower the taxes and keep peace amongst the people, the ten tribes of the north seceded, I guess we would say. And they said, All right, we'll have our own king. And that turned out to be not even a man who was in the kingly or the royal family line. And his name was Jeroboam.
Judah First in Revelation
Les notes that in the list of the 144,000, Judah is named first, highlighting his continued prominence among the tribes.
The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel — What the Bible Really Says
And He has providentially kept at least this many young Jews fairly pure in their tribal bloodline so that He can say, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben. 12,000 from the tribe of Gad. 12,000 from the tribe of Asher. And right on down the line, He's going to be able to finger them and say, you're from that tribe.
The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel — What the Bible Really Says
That has ended. The church is gone and God is right back where He left off with Israel, back up there in the early part of Acts. And these young Jewish men, of course, are going to proclaim the coming of the King, the gospel of the kingdom. But I want you to see that all 12 tribes are represented.
Genesis 35:22: And it came to pass, while Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
Records the incident of Reuben's sin with his father's concubine.
Genesis 49:3-4: Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
Jacob's blessing on Reuben, highlighting his lost preeminence due to defiling his father's bed.
Genesis 49:10: The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Prophecy of Judah's enduring leadership and the coming of the Messiah.
Numbers 10:14: In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Shows Judah leading the march of the tribes.
Yes, according to Les Feldick, Reuben lost the birthright and blessing because he committed adultery with one of Jacob's wives. Jacob on his deathbed declared that Reuben would not be esteemed as the eldest, and thus he lost his position.
God chose Judah because Reuben forfeited his right through sin, and God sovereignly elevated Judah. This also set the stage for Christ to come from the tribe of Judah, as promised.
The Bible shows that when the Israelites moved, the standard of the camp of Judah went first (Numbers 10:14). Les also points out that in the tribe encampment, Judah was at the front.
Watch the Teaching: What Saves You? Head Knowledge vs. Heart Belief