Day 14 – Genesis 38:1-5
Judah Went Down
Scripture Reading – Genesis 38:1-5
And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
Genesis 38:1 KJV
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.
Genesis 38:2 KJV
And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
Genesis 38:3 KJV
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.
Genesis 38:4 KJV
And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.
Genesis 38:5 KJV
Scripture Review
Genesis 38 turns away from Joseph in Egypt and follows Judah in Canaan. Judah separates from his brethren, joins himself to Hirah the Adullamite, marries the daughter of a Canaanite, and fathers three sons. The words “went down” describe geography, so I should not force every direction on a map into a spiritual symbol. Still, the chapter plainly shows a man moving through relationships without seeking the Lord.
This is not a needless interruption. The Judah who suggested selling Joseph will later offer himself for Benjamin. Before Scripture shows that changed man, it shows the sin and failure from which he had to be changed. God does not airbrush the family through whom the promised Seed will come. He tells the truth. Grace is not impressive because the people in the story were naturally better; grace is impressive because God works with sinners and does not surrender His holy purpose.
Judah meant to establish a life among the Canaanites according to his own choices, apart from any recorded concern for the covenant or the Lord’s direction.
God was exposing Judah honestly and preserving the line through which the kings and, ultimately, Christ according to the flesh would come.
What this asks of me
I should not skip uncomfortable chapters just because they disturb the cleaner version of a Bible character I prefer. Scripture tells the truth about sin so that repentance and grace have their proper weight. My failures do not become virtues, but neither do they place me beyond God’s call to turn and obey.
Consider
- Am I tempted to hide the chapters of my life that most clearly show my need of grace?
- Have I mistaken outward progress for spiritual direction?