Genesis 38 Commentary
The account of Jacob continues. We have heard about Reuben’s indiscretions – how he committed incest with his father’s wife. We also saw Simeon and Levi’s cruel and ruthless anger. Judah comes next. He is son number four after Reuben, Simeon, and Levi.
What we read about in this chapter must be looked at through the lens of the New Testament. These events don’t represent the will of the Creator God, as it was in the beginning. Of course, there is a beginning which the LORD Jesus Christ references by the statement: “It wasn’t so in the beginning.” Judah’s wickedness isn’t the beginning! Matthew 19v8.
We shall see how Joseph refuses, loathes, and rejects the sexual temptation at Potiphar’s house. But here is Judah at full throttle in pursuit of sin! He picks up sin and pays for it!
You can also see how easily Judah picks up the Canaanite woman for a wife. Abraham wouldn’t have it this way with Isaac! The faith of Abraham hasn’t downloaded completely!
We don’t have the details of the wickedness of Er. We can leave it there.
However, we have the details of the wickedness of Onan. But we must leave it there, otherwise we shall have trouble with the scale used to measure Onan’s sin. It looks different from the one used to measure Rueben’s sin!
A small comment though could be that the same scale was used. But we guess the scale was tempered with in one case – the case of Reuben. Grace (probably because of Abraham) could be the culprit. Regardless, we leave it there. It’s always a safe place!
We hear about a shrine prostitute for the first time, in this chapter. Judah is all by himself and effortlessly copies the practices of the locals. It becomes part of him. See the difference. Joseph will be all by himself but will refuse to dishonor God with Potiphar’s wife. Yes, it is possible!
Tamar’s prostitution must be punished by death! Of course, we don’t hear anything about the partner! Even at this time, Judah knew prostitution was wickedness. He also knew Tamar’s partner was equally wicked. In a twist of things, Judah is the partner! He wasn’t going to be the first one to throw a stone at Tamar!
Forgiveness becomes easier when you are part of the crime! The LORD Jesus orders the saint to think about their own need for forgiveness as they seek to forgive others.
The story of Tamar is interesting because she carried the seed of the promise. But the process! Disgusting!
This chapter draws our attention to self – the same filthy self. We know we aren’t any better than Judah and Tamar! You are a happy man when Grace shows up in the courtroom!
Tamar is saved because Judah is also guilty – guiltier than Tamar! You are reminded of Judah’s son – the Servant, who would one day be guiltier and die in place of Tamar!
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