Strength in the Lion of the tribe of Judah

The phrase as used in Freemasonry

Every Master Mason has heard the phrase “there is strength in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and HE shall prevail” (emphasis supplied).  I have had the honor of not only hearing it, but uttering it many times.

As years pass, you also have had the opportunity to witness the exemplification of our degrees many times. You hear the words and focus on their meanings.  As you progress both Masonically and in age your personal experiences bring more light to these words and symbols.

Have you ever asked yourself why the word “He”  is used instead of the word “I”?

After all, the protagonist himself  seems to be say that even though he has failed twice, he will now prevail. Indeed, he appears to do so as the degree progresses to the conclusion set out in most Masonic ritual books.  But, he says that it is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah that will prevail, not that he will prevail with the assistance of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Following is an insight I gained when my son died that answered that question for me and I hope it increases the value of that Masonic lesson for you.

Freemasonry’s use of symbols and metaphors allows many of our Masonic lessons to speak to you on several levels.  For me, the death of my son caused this phrase to speak to me in a more powerful way than ever before.  I wish to share that lesson with you.

Masonic tradition holds that the material body of GMHA was interred.  There is a final scene in the degree  that takes place at the tomb.  I have read it but never seen it portrayed.  This is represented by the Masonic symbol of the beautiful virgin weeping at a broken column.  This implies that the “prevailing” by the  Lion of the Tribe of Judah was not witnessed during the scene portrayed in our degree, but was of a different nature altogether.

In this paper you will be given some background on the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  This is so you can understand what I believe it means to allow your hand to be taken by the paw of that lion.

Next,  you will see the parallels I found in the sequence my family went through when my son died with the scene at the graveside. I conclude with how this understanding has given that beautiful degree a deeply personal meaning.  For me this meaning takes it beyond its purely Masonic explanations.  I hope it encourages you to find a way to make this lesson equally meaningful to you.

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Judah receives the blessing of Israel

Judah was one of the 12 sons of Israel (formerly Jacob).  Each formed one of what became known as the  12 tribes of Israel.  On his death bed, Israel gave each a blessing, foretelling the fate of each.  Judah is called a “lion’s whelp” by his father and likened to a lion.  He is given a leadership role.  It is important to note for Freemasons that both Solomon and David were members of the Tribe of Judah.

The lion becomes the symbol of Judea.

The tribe of Judah settled in the southern portion of Israel and its territory became known as Judea.  Jerusalem was its capital and it becomes an important and wealthy kingdom.  It reached its peak during the reign of Solomon.  The lion becomes its symbol and the Emblem of Jerusalem even now features a lion.

 Christians identify Jesus as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

The Gospel of Matthew begins by tracing the lineage of Jesus, through Joseph back to Solomon and David and through Judah to Abraham.  Jesus is shown to be of the “House of David”.  In Revelation 5:5 we read “behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”  For Christians, this is a clear reference to Jesus as are the references which follow regarding the Lamb.  Note how close this is to the Masonic statement: “There is strength in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and he shall prevail”.

2 Esdras 12:31 refers to the lion which spoke to Esdras in a dream as “the Messiah whom the Most High has kept back until the end”.  Esdras was well known to our ancient Brethren as they use a story from 1 Esdras as the basis for the Prince of Jerusalem degrees in the Scottish Rite.

 How can you make the statement “There is strength in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and he shall prevail” take on a deeper more personal meaning?

For me, it happened as I reflected on the death of my son.

Background

Several years ago my son died of Colorectal cancer.  He was a socially isolated person and did not share how he was feeling with anyone.  In addition, he was ignoring the symptoms and not seeking help.  I did not learn about his condition until his sister’s business took her to a city near where he lived.  His sister had not seen him in person for some time.  And she insisted he either come to her or allow her to visit him.  When he did show up, she was alarmed at what she saw.  She notified me and began the process of insisting he seek treatment.

Our response as that of Entered Apprentices.

My wife and I and his sister immediately made arrangements to fly down to be with him.  We did everything we could to get him back on his feet.   His family had no professional training with which to assist him, but we surrounded him with love.  We worked to get him to start fighting and want to live.  In addition, we worked to get his living conditions in order, cared for him and got him back to eating better and generally taking care of himself. 

However, it was clear that his condition was too far advanced for our grip on him to be sufficient to raise him out of his condition.

We bring in those with the necessary schooling to assist (the Fellowcrafts).

Even though our grip on him was insufficient on its own,  we had access to a stronger  grip, that of the medical profession.  He finally sought help from doctors and surgeons that specialized in treating Colorectal cancer.  He was seen by several specialists.  Many tests and some surgery followed.  They diagnosed his condition, but soon reported that his cancer was too far advanced for them to raise him out of his condition.  Even their grip was insufficient.

Our efforts were in vain, what was left to do?

Pray.  Now, of course, we had been praying ever since we learned my son was ill.  We were asking for a portion of that unlimited supply of strength and wisdom from above that is promised us, when our own fails.  Now we realized that only the strength of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah was capable of raising him.  It was time for him to place his hand in the paw of that lion.  He entered hospice and our efforts were centered on keeping him comfortable and feeling well loved.

In a couple of weeks it was over.

Surrounded by family he slipped away.  I had a feeling, not of defeat, but of peace.  I was certain that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah had my son well in the strong grip of his paw and had prevailed.

Conclusion

It was not until many months afterward, probably after I next saw the Master Mason Degree, that the parallels between the experience I had been through and the lessons of the degree began to dawn on me.  Now, whenever I see the degree, I think of my son and take comfort in knowing that he is being taken care of and loved.  I personally have a Christian background, so for me it is the Christ that has taken him in his hand. 

However,  throughout the Bible we find many references to a lion when speaking of God’s power and protection.  So you can be certain when you face a similar situation that, however you define the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, you can have confidence in his strength and know, as words of the degree promise, that He will prevail.