Genesis 38

As you read this tawdry story you may be wondering why it is recorded for us.  After all, isn’t Joseph the key figure in this part of Genesis?  Remember that this is “the history of Jacob” (37:2).  This is about his sons, all of whom will be leaders in the “house of Israel”.  And there are 2 of those sons who will rise to the top in Genesis (1 Chronicles 5:1-2).  One is Joseph; the other is Judah who will become a leader among the brothers and will be the one through whom the Savior will come.  Let us review the story and then consider God’s work in Judah’s life.

·        v1-11: Judah’s life in a sinful world.  Judah has left the confines of the “chosen family” of God and is living in nearby Adullam.  There he marries a Canaanite.  That joins Judah to the very cursed people who eventually will be removed from the land because of their wickedness.  Judah finds that life does not go well for one, chosen of God, who seeks to live apart from God.  Among other things, his sons do not have a liking for the ways of God’s people.  Both Er and Onan are “killed by the Lord”, harsh words that express God’s holy aversion for rebellion. 

·        v12-23: Judah’s life with a sinful nature.  The events that follow reveal again the deep sinfulness of Judah as was seen in the previous chapter.  His wife having died he engages in immorality, not knowing what is really happening.  It is interesting that Judah knew that what he was doing was shameful (v23).  Even the Canaanites would consider it shameful.  What Tamar did was certainly sinful, but even Judah recognizes that she was “more righteous” than he was.  What a terrible thing has happened to the “chosen” people.  Of Jacob’s 12 sons one is “dead”, one has turned to the world, and at stake is the Messianic line.  What can possible save the situation?  Or perhaps we should ask, “Who can save us?”

·        v24-30: Judah’s life under a gracious God.  Judah’s first response in finding out Tamar’s sin is the typical “self-righteous” approach.  “Burn her!”  His second response at finding out the whole truth (v25-26) is that of a man convicted of sin.  The end of the chapter reveals Tamar’s place in the line of the Messiah, one of 5 women mentioned in Matt. 1.

Now we ask again, why is this story given to us?  Is it so we can see the need of the brothers for a Savior?  It is true that Judah needs Someone to atone for sin.  Does it emphasize the holiness of God in His hatred for sin?  Does it reveal His grace as seen especially to Tamar?  Yes, yes, it does all this.  But may I suggest that the story fits in with the “history of Jacob” because of what is happening to Judah.  His words, “she is more righteous than I” (v26) reveal the beginnings of God’s work in Judah.  God has chosen Jacob and his 12 sons.  God will make each the head of a tribe in Israel.  But as He did with their fathers, He will bring them to righteousness through faith in the Savior.  The work has begun with Judah.  We ought to ask ourselves, “Where am I in that journey of faith?”