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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 301

"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments." Psalm 119:176

Text: Genesis 38:1-30

THREE SONS FOR JUDAH

In due course, Judah had at least three sons from his union with his wife Shua.

“So she conceived and bore a son,
and he called his name Er.
She conceived again and bore a son,
and she called his name Onan.
And she conceived yet again and bore a son,
and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib
when she bore him.”
GENESIS 38:3-5

There was no mention of God in this marriage. There was little reference to Israel and the rest of the family. Years had slipped by, but Israel did not seem to have exercised much influence over his children or grandchildren.


MANY YEARS LATER

The children of Judah had now grown up. They were soon at a marriageable age. Judah took an active interest in the affairs of his firstborn. He arranged for the marriage of his son, something his own father did not look into for him.

“Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn,
and her name was Tamar.”
GENESIS 38:6


A WICKED SON

What was Er like? Obviously, Judah must have loved him, for he was the firstborn. His father even arranged his marriage for him. However, he must have been very wicked.

“But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord,
and the Lord killed him.”
GENESIS 38:7

He must have been wicked indeed! The deeds of the sons of Jacob in slaying the Shechemites would be considered wicked! However, the Lord did not step in to deal with them as He did Er! One can only imagine just how wicked he must have been to be slain by the Lord! Seldom would the Lord step in like that, unless something terrible must have happened to necessitate the Lord’s personal intervention.


NOT WORKING OUT WELL

Things had not turned out so well for Judah at all. Imagine the death of his firstborn – slain by the Lord Himself. There was little or no awareness of the Covenantal promises of God.

The promise of blessing from the Lord wasn’t being fulfilled much in Judah and his family. The death of the firstborn should have caused Judah to be more sensitive to the Lord – but apparently this was not the case!