Judah’s Sceptre
In his closing days on earth, Jacob uttered a number of prophecies regarding the future fortunes of his sons. Concerning Judah, he said. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh come” (Genesis 49:10).
For many years it has been acknowledged both by Jewish and Christian writers that this passage refers to the Messiah (regardless of the differences in views over details, e.g., the precise meaning of “Shiloh”). Watson noted that “the ancient Jews are in this matter agreed with the Christians, in acknowledging that the word stands for the Messiah, the King” (Watson, 946). The text clearly indicates that, in some sense, the Jews would retain their sovereignty until the arrival of the Messiah, after which, at some point, that rule would be surrendered.
The historical facts are these. The substantial sovereignty of the nation never ceased until Herod Archelaus was removed from his position. Herod the Great’s wicked son, Archelaus, “reigned” over the Hebrews until he was deposed in A.D. 6 (cf. Matthew 2:22). The Jews henceforth were governed by the Romans through a series of procurators, one of whom was Pontius Pilate. It thus is clear that by the time the Romans took direct control over the Jews, the Hebrew “ruling” power (“scepter”) was completely and permanently gone (for further study see: McClintock, IX.681). “Shiloh” (Messiah) had come! His appearance is not awaiting the future.