The Stone of Judah

The God of the Bible is looking for sons and daughters. The apostle Paul in Galatians 4:1-7 speaks of a child, a slave, an orphan, and a son in the context of maturity. In verses 6 and 7 we have the apostolic decree, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

A church that refuses to mature, will eventually diminish, dismiss, and discard the truth of sonship. It’s the sons who will reverse the corruption of the age and receive their commendation from the Father “Well done.”

In studying Elijah’s confrontation with the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), we have a vivid picture of a son in action. Elijah, in re-pairing the broken altar, reversed the corruption that had plagued the twelve tribes for generations, restoring the purpose and calling of each tribe to the nation. There was a time when these stones (the tribes of Israel) were paired, and heaven and earth aligned. In re-pairing the broken-down altar, Elijah reestablished a vital connection between heaven and earth; the two were paired once again. This vital connection cleansed the land of the false prophets of Baal, converted the hearts of the people, and restored a nation back to God. Each stone stood for a tribe; each tribe stood for a unique calling, contribution, purpose to rebuilding according to Gods design. Elijah’s confrontation and triumph is a picture of what it’s going to take for the ekklesia (the judicial arm of heaven on earth) to win the battle for the nation. One of the stones in the repaired altar was of Judah.

Judah means “stone thrower”. In studying this stone, we have greater insight into the Spirit of sonship. A derivative meaning of Judah is praise. But the essence of Judah does not mean “to give praise” but “to receive praise”. Judah means “to be praised, to give thanks for”.

What does it mean to be praised? It does not mean to worship; it means God looks at your maturity and says He’s pleased. He identifies things in your life that are doing well in the assignment He’s given you and things that need correction. It goes both ways. Judah also means “to make a confession, to be placed in certainty.” When we think of confession, we think of sin, but in Judah’s context it is a confession of joy. Joy that the Father has in the Son, and the Son has in the Father. It is mutual joy.

This is what Jacob, the father of Judah, prophesied:

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” Genesis 49:10 . Tribute comes to him, or in other words, he receives praise.

At Jesus’ baptism, the Father praised the Son:

“and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

At Jesus’ transfiguration, the Father praised the Son:

“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5

King David was from the tribe of Judah. From David’s life, we can learn the significance of Elijah placing the Judah stone as he repaired the broken altar.

Courage was the principal attribute in David’s life – courage to face his enemies but also courage to face his sins and fears. David ran toward the battle line to meet the Philistine- 1 Samuel 17:48

When the stone of Judah is rightly placed in your life, you run towards the battle lines, not hide behind the rocks. David’s brothers went to battle with spears and shields, trying to win battles outside their identity. That didn’t work. They hid behind their purpose (remember they were from the tribe of stone throwers), when purpose was meant to be wielded as a weapon in front of them.

You must know what God’s called you to do and where you’re strategically placed to win battles.

When Judah’s out of place, there is shame instead of praise. People follow the crowd and hide from the fight. David’s brothers may have looked kingly, but David had the fortitude of kingship on the inside. Christians may look great on the outside, but it’s sons and daughters that God is looking for.

When Judah’s in place there is proficiency in your gifting. Sons don’t waste their gifts; they steward it well. David did not take Saul’s armour although he tried to dress him in it. Saul was a Benjamite, David was from Judah, the two have different purposes.

Sons and heirs don’t hide behind purposes but advance the kingdom of God on earth. Learn to choose your battles, and fight the ones strategically aligned to your purpose.

David was proficient in his gift, and he knew which stone to take to slay the giant. Today, churches throw stones at each other and at their leaders, when they should be advancing the kingdom of God on the earth.

Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah – the second notable member of the tribe of Judah.

John 8:1-11 the redemptive message of Jesus is still true. We are here not to throw stones, but to release mercy in place of judgement.

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

The stone of Judah needs to be repaired. The time is now!