Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The family of Jacob

a. It was dysfunctional

b. It was in danger

2. Jacob

a. He was in deep grief over the loss of Joseph

b. He did not seem to relate much to his other children

THE STORY OF JUDAH

1. His involvement in Joseph’s plight

2. He suggested selling Joseph to the Midianite traders Genesis 37:26-28

3. He did not want to see Joseph killed by the brothers

4. But how good was it to sell Joseph away?

GOING AWAY FROM THE FAMILY

1. He departed from his brothers Genesis 38:1a

a. His reasons were not made known

b. But this was a departure from the usual practice

2. Normal Practice of ancient families

a. The family stays together

i. The siblings work together

ii. They support each other

iii. To depart was unusual

b. It would be very hard to make it on your own

i. No support

ii. Grave challenges abound

GOING TO ADULLAM

1. This was an ancient city

2. It even had a ruler of the city-state

3. It was one of the cities of Canaan

4. Judah had an Adullamite friend in Hirah Genesis 38:1b

a. Perhaps a business partner

b. He became a friend with whom Judah stayed

MARRYING AN ADULLAMITE GIRL

1. The girl’s name was Shua

2. Judah married her

3. They had 3 sons

a. Er Genesis 38:3

b. Onan Genesis 38:4

c. Shelah Genesis 38:5

THE SONS OF JUDAH

1. Er, the Firstborn

a. He was wicked in the sight of the LORD Genesis 38:7a

b. He was so wicked; the LORD slew him Genesis 38:7b

2. His wicked deeds

a. These were not made known

b. But they were wicked enough for God to take action against him severely

THE LEVIRATE MARRIAGE

1. The word “Levirate” comes from the Latin

2. It means “Brother-in-law”

3. How the Levirate system works:

a. The brother-in-law marries the brother’s widow

b. The first-born son will not be considered his son

c. This son would be considered the son of the dead brother

d. Subsequently, all other children would be considered his own children

THE WICKEDNESS OF ONAN

1. He obeyed Judah, his father

2. He married Tamar

3. But he did not like to have his firstborn named after his departed older brother

4. He did a wicked thing

a. He spilled his semen on the ground

b. Thus, Tamar would not have any children Genesis 38:9

5. The LORD slew him for his wickedness Genesis 38:10

THE FAMILY OF JUDAH

1. Failure of Judah

a. As a son to his father, Jacob

b. As a brother to his siblings

c. As a father to his sons

d. He was more concerned about himself than he was about his family

2. Failure of the sons

a. Er was so wicked, God slew him

b. Onan was as wicked and God slew him too

c. They showed similar characteristics:

i. There was wickedness

ii. There was self-interest

CONCLUSION

1. Problems that can affect us adversely

a. The LORD did not feature at all

b. There was no faith to speak of

c. Wickedness was allowed to have the upper hand

2. Our Challenge

a. To check whether God is a part of our life

b. To check if we are harbouring wickedness in our heart

c. To return to God and to ask for cleansing of our life