While our reading today starts off with what may seem like a random story in the midst of the story of Joseph, we can trust that every word of Scripture has a purpose. So far, the eldest sons of Jacob appear to be kind of sketchy, right? In Chapter 34, we see sons #1 and #2 (Simeon and Levi) avenge the rape of their sister, Dinah by killing all the men of Shechem, not just the rapist. In Chapter 35, we see Reuben, the firstborn, commit adultery with one of his father’s concubines. Then in Chapter 37, the brothers all conspire against their younger brother, whom they hated, and sell him into slavery. Now, in Chapter 38 we see Judah drift away from his family, hook up with a Canaanite woman, have three sons – two of whom are put to death by the Lord because of their wickedness – and then commit adultery with his daughter in law, thinking she is a prostitute.
Then suddenly we are back into the story of Joseph. We see the oft repeated phrase, “the LORD was with him” which reminds us that even in his enslavement and imprisonment, God was at work. We read how the Lord blessed everything that Joseph did, and it earned him the trust and favor of Potiphar. But that trust quickly expired when Potiphar’s wife wrongly accused Joseph. Then when he is sent to prison, the Lord once again blesses all that he does, and he receives the favor and trust of the prison captain. He accurately interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and baker, but he is soon forgotten and remains in prison.
Wow. Drama, intrigue, deception, suspense – it is all here!
So, why the story of Judah and Tamar in the middle of Joseph’s saga? While it may seem random to us, nothing in God’s economy is random. In what seems like a strange turn of events, this section of Genesis reminds us that God is working behind the scenes of every single circumstance. Remember the promise he made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He told Abraham that he would make Abraham a great nation…and that in Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). He makes the same covenant with Isaac (26:3-5). Then in Chapter 35 (9-15) the promise is passed on to Jacob. Ultimately, the line of these men would be traced to the birth of Jesus. That is why we divert momentarily to the story of Judah and Tamar. Make a note of the firstborn of the twins at the end of this section – we will see it again later.
As I read through the lens of God’s sovereignty, it completely transforms the way I read, and I gain more clarity on the accounts told of in Genesis. And since it is the same God who wrote the rest of the book, I am encouraged that it won’t end with Genesis. I have always struggled getting through the OT. This is the first time I have made myself slow down and really think about it like this. I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe and encouragement. My prayer is that as we walk through these next several months together in our reading, that we would continue to grow in that awe and encouragement – and that it would result in our growth in holiness and godliness. To him be the glory!
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