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January 25th
Our bible reading today is in Genesis chapters 38,39 40.
We start out learning a little more about Jacob’s fourth son, Judah. We already know that his name means “to be praised.”
We also, already know...that he joined Rueben in saving young Joseph from the other brother’s murderous plot against the dreamer.
Though Judah resented his little brother for his obvious favor with their dad, Judah wasn’t up for murder. Perhaps Judah should be praised for his rescue effort, but what happens next does not live up to his name.
According to the text, Judah leaves his brothers in Mamre and moves to the Canaanite town of Adullam. Hirah of Adullam becomes Judah’s new best friend...At least friend enough to persuade Judah to take Shua, a Canaanite woman for his wife.
Already, Judah has broken away from his family, which was not customary for Jacob’s clan...
and he has integrated with Canaanites, which Abraham, Isaac, and his dad, Jacob warned the family not to do. (Even missionary dating would have been frowned upon).
Today we learn that Judah had three sons by Shua. Wonder which one of those sons would join the divine lineage of the promised Messiah.
None of them!
By the names given to the boys, Er, Onan, and Shelah, we know that Judah and his wife raised the boys as Canaanites, not Israelites. And that means the boys would have been raised at the altars of Baal, Asherah, Dagon, or a host of other false gods instead of Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Apparently the two oldest boys lived the pagan lifestyle...rampant immorality and godlessness.
When Judah’s oldest reached the age of marriage, he chose a Canaanite woman, Tamar, for Er’s wife. Er was wicked in his heart, the bible says. God killed him. Was God saving Tamar?
Next, Tamar married Er’s younger brother, Onan...he was just like his older brother...wicked and selfish and.... unwilling to raise up a child to the memory and legacy of his dead brother. Onan refused the ancient custom. And God put him to death too.
For most of us, passages like these cause us at least some pause. Most of us pass over it without much thought. Most of us hope that we don't get the “Why” question from our children or friends.
But as sincere readers of the book that God authored for us, we must ask the same question we ask in every chapter...every passage...”What’s God up to in this portion of His story?” “What is it that we are to understand from His activity here?”
We know, from the genealogy of Jesus Christ found in Matthew’s Gospel account, that Tamar is mentioned in that genealogy....and why?...because her son, by Judah, Perez, is in the line of Christ.
So what do we see in the reading of God’s Word today?
Some rebellion...some evil...some life...some putting to death...some justice...some mercy...
some Jews...some Gentiles...
And governing all?!...not in the same way...but sovereignly fulfilling His divine purposes...
is our Almighty God...
“In whose hands is the life and death of all mankind.” Job 12
“...Working all things together for good...to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”
And who is a sinner today...you and me...
and when justice was served, who took our place...
and when mercy and grace was poured out on us, who gave us repentance and faith to believe...who forgave our sins and gave us his eternal life?...
JESUS...He is always better!
Have a good day!
