Day 15 – Genesis 38:6-11
Duty Refused and Judgment Given
Scripture Reading – Genesis 38:6-11
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
Genesis 38:6 KJV
And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
Genesis 38:7 KJV
And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
Genesis 38:8 KJV
And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
Genesis 38:9 KJV
And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
Genesis 38:10 KJV
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.
Genesis 38:11 KJV
Scripture Review
Judah takes Tamar as a wife for Er, but Er is wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD slays him. Onan is then commanded to fulfill his family duty and raise up seed for his brother. He uses Tamar selfishly while deliberately refusing the responsibility attached to the relationship. The thing displeases the LORD, and judgment follows.
This passage is sometimes reduced to a single modern debate, but the text emphasizes Onan’s calculated refusal, selfish exploitation, and disobedience. He wanted the benefit without accepting the duty because the child would not be counted as his own. Sin asks, “What can I take?” Covenant responsibility asks, “What have I been entrusted to give?” God sees both the public act and the motive behind it. Nothing in a family arrangement hides wickedness from His sight.
Er chose wickedness, and Onan meant to protect his own interest while appearing to carry out a duty he was secretly refusing.
God meant to judge open wickedness and hidden exploitation, showing that covenant responsibilities cannot be treated as tools for selfish pleasure.
What this asks of me
I need to examine whether I am enjoying the privileges of a relationship, position, or ministry while quietly refusing its responsibilities. Partial outward compliance does not deceive God. He sees why I act. Faithfulness does not use another person to guard my own name, comfort, or advantage.
Consider
- Where am I tempted to accept a privilege while avoiding the duty that belongs with it?
- Does my outward obedience hide a motive centered only on myself?