A STRANGE INTERLUDE

GENESIS 38


Pastor Rick Jackson


Genesis 38 is a very strange chapter. In many ways it is a sad chapter. One must wonder why it is placed one chapter into the 13 chapter story of Joseph. Of course God makes no mistakes so it is up to us to find the reasons for the placement of this chapter in Holy Writ. I believe there are several reasons- which we will look at following the body of the message.


I. THE WAYWARDNESS OF MAN [v. 1-5]


1. No Separation [v. 1]


2. No Admonition [v. 2]


It seems that Jacob's first 10 sons got very little spiritual instruction. Jacob told Laban how busy he had been and apparently this caused great havoc in his children's lives. Joseph and Benjamin seemed to have benefited from their father's spiritual growth and growing up away from Laban. Similar to Bing Crosby's relationship to Gary compared with his other children by Cathy Lee Crosby.


3. No Strength [v. 3-5]


II. THE WEAKNESS OF MAN [v. 6-11]


1. Wickedness [v. 6-7]


2. Selfishness [v. 8-10]


3. Self-deception [v. 11, I Jn. 1:8]

III. THE WISDOM OF GOD [v. 12-30]

1. Tamar knew Judah's weakness [v. 12-23]

2. Tamar knew Judah's hypocrisy [v. 24-26]

3. Tamar knew the Grace of God [v. 27-30; Mt. 1:3-6; Lk. 3:31; I Chr. 3:5]



Historically, it shows the need for the children of Israel to go down to Egypt. The Egyptians for the most part would have nothing to do with people of other nations. They wouldn't eat with them, much less intermarry with them. The Israelites would have no choice but to become a separated nation.



Morally, it shows how Israel needed this time away from the influence of other nations.



Prophetically this chapter shows how the line of Christ was furthered even though several sinful rebellious men tried to thwart God's plan albeit unknowingly. It also sets up Israel coming out of Egypt even as Christ would come out of Egypt. Matthew 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.



Spiritually it shows how the grace of God can overcome our sin and weaknesses and use us. Don't ever think you cannot be used of God my friends. Serve Him willingly by the mercies of God... present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.