Genesis 38

Bible Passage: Genesis 38

This chapter seemed like an abrupt interruption.

In Chapter 37, we read the account of Joseph being sold into slavery. Chapter 39 tells us of Joseph in the house of Pharoah’s officer, Potiphar.

Chapter 38 therefore seems to halt the flow of the story of the principal character, Joseph.

But we know that we can draw lessons from every person, every story and every verse mentioned in the bible, hence this chapter about Judah and Tamar is no different.

In Jacob’s day, as in our own, the devil’s greatest priority is to attack the home of the people of God.

Despite being sons of Jacob, they were morally corrupted..hardly an all star team.

Judah eagerly committed the sin that he and his brothers slaughtered an entire city(earlier in chapter 34) for.

He married a Canaanite woman and had sexual relations with a woman whom he thought was a prostitute. He was besties with an Adullamite named Hirah.

WANDERING PREY

Trends, goals and desires of the world seem to me like giant magnets, dragging people further and further away from God…just like how Judah departed from his brothers (Gen 38:1).

What followed was a series of consequences that he and his sons had to bear.

There were a couple of times when I felt like a stranger when I entered the church hall.

Seems ridiculous as I attended service a couple of days ago, but as I am writing this, I realized that was a warning.

As I was too caught up in my own worldly affairs I felt like a stranger in God’s house. (Rom 12:2)

We place ourselves in very vulnerable positions if we are not careful and let matters of the world ensnare our hearts. (Mark 4:19)

We could end up suffering the same consequences as Judah.

As mentioned by some of the writers, indeed the devil prowls like a lion among us, waiting to ambush those who slip up; the weak, the weary , the ones who drop out from the flock. (1 Peter 5:8)

Despite growing up surrounded by church doctrines and teachings, it is easy to drift away from the path of righteousness if we lose sight of God.

Hence we have to be vigilant and sober, and examine ourselves constantly lest we fall prey to the enemy.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

Albeit his evil ways, Judah was chosen by God to continue the Messanic line.

Despite his and Tamar’s ungodliness, God put their son in the family line of the Messiah.

Such a glorious example of grace; God chose them despite their wickedness to have a role in His plan of salvation.

It is really amazing how God works through disobedient people.

This reminds me of how I came to know God and His true church.

Due to my own doing I ended up in a very awful situation.

Yet God had mercy on me in spite of what I did.

He placed a sister at that point in my life, at that very moment when I had doubts of God’s existence, at that time when I was seeking and was going to give up seeking for a true church.

Writing this now brings tears to my eyes as I think of how He used this unfavourable incident as an instrument in His plan of redemption for me.

God’s promises are sure and true, and we must live godly lives to please and glorify Him.

We must stand firm and not fall short of His grace.