Today’s passage: Genesis 38:1-30
Helpful thoughts:
- The account written in this chapter seems like a major break in the ongoing narrative of Genesis. But, it will become critically important as things move along.
- In this chapter, we see a depravity of sin in Judah and his household (His sons). But, then we also get to see a turning point in Judah’s life. A turning point that leads to major changes in his actions that bring about major implications in the history of Israel.
- It’s possible Tamar was covering her face when she heard Judah was coming to show she still considered herself betrothed to Judah’s youngest son, Shelah. Once she realized Judah had no intention to fulfill his agreement, she changed her strategy.
- What Tamar did wasn’t right. Judah still later acknowledged, “She is more righteous than I.”
- When Judah found out Tamar was pregnant through immorality, he was ready to put her to death. His hypocrisy would soon turn into a humbling.
Questions to consider:
- If this was truly of time of humbling and repentance in Judah’s life, how would we expect him to act differently going forward? What does true repentance look like (Ephesians 4:17-24)?
- Why had Judah kept Shelah away from Tamar in the first place? Who did he see as the dangerous one? Who were actually the ones who were dangerous? Why? How had Judah’ sin blinded him from reality? How did the confrontation he received (And the Lord’s grace to open his eyes) cause him to begin to see things differently?
- What have we come to expect from these unique accounts of twins and the firstborn status? What is the reader to expect concerning Perez? Who came from his lineage (Ruth 4:18-22)?