This chapter again reminds me of a soap opera. You have family members making choices that are not pleasing before the Lord. I've read a statement that said something like this… “You are free to make the choices you want but you are not free to choose the consequences of your choices.” I think that statement applies to this chapter. If we're going to live a life apart from God, that we need to be ready for the consequences. The ultimate consequence is separation from God forever in the Lake of Fire called hell. It's not always easy to make good choices because I sometimes get caught up in different pleasures of this world, but I pray that when I fail I will continue to come back to the Lord for forgiveness and for strength to stay on the right path.
Daily Bible Challenge: Day 38-Genesis 38
If chapters of the Bible had ratings like movies do, I would think that this one would not be rated very well for family friendliness. I’ve been teaching children in a church setting for quite some time now and I can say that this is a chapter that I don’t ever remember discussing or ever plan to discuss with kids in the future for that matter. Judah’s two oldest sons, Er and Onan were both put to death by the Lord because of their wickedness. The incident with Judah first saying to burn Tamar when she was actually pregnant with his child reminds me of when David would be confronted by Nathan about his sin in 2 Samuel 12 and how David was also rebuked. Judah admitted that Tamar was more righteous than himself when he realized that he was the man who was the father of her child. This makes me wonder about how many times have I accused others of doing things that I am guilty of having done myself? Jesus addressed this in Matthew 7 when he talked about removing the log from our own eyes before trying to remove the speck from the eyes of others. We need to be careful because there’s so much poison in this world, but we should remember that we don’t ever need bad things for a good time. The consequences are never worth it! Besides, we can have a much better time in Christ anyway!
Here’s the link for today’s parody, Bad Things For a Good Time.
https://youtu.be/NXzaN7d5YV8
Amen, Pastor Blair & Jim! May I also add that I am so blessed by being a part of this group.
Our Father devotes an entire chapter in the middle of Joseph’s story to Judah’s sad and sordid story. It’s as if to say, choose … you can be like Joseph or Judah. But, when all is said and done, Jesus chooses to identify himself as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Including Tamar in His genealogy is grace but identifying in Judah is amazing grace! It gives hope to us all.
It is true that the sins we cover up are the ones that make us angry when we see them in others. When we admit our sins and ask God to forgive us, it gets easier to forgive others. I turn again and again to Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB) Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me; And lead me in the everlasting way.
Wow
Thanks be to God for the grace and mercy He gives to us each and every day! This chapter was full of uncomfortable, shameful sin, so wicked that the sinners were killed because of it. I know that in my life I have made some really terrible choices and am ashamed of my sin, but I am so thankful through Jesus Christ we have forgiveness!
I have such a difficult time letting go and giving forgiveness when someone sins against me. Every little thing they do drives me crazy, and makes me cringe! This is also driving me away from peace and happiness and holiness. I will work to pull the log out of my eye- and stop focusing on the specks in others!