PASTOR’S NOTES
It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah.”
Chapter 38 in the book of Genesis has long stumped readers and teachers alike for many years. This chapter almost reads as if it was misplaced in the story. We started the story of Joseph in chapter 37 and in the next chapter the story seems to quickly abandon the narrative of the main star. However, most of our confusion is where I believe God’s message is shown in this wonderful story of God’s sovereignty (His hand in our life).
Most are confused with chapter 38 because the chapter is more about Judah than it is about Joseph, and in that we see God’s truth! God is not only working in the “main character” of each story, but He is working in all people of every story. The last chapters of Genesis are not the story of Joseph, it’s the story of God! Each brother had God’s hand on their life. In the midst of faith and sin we see God working! In the midst of life and death we see God working! God’s hand is on all parts of life.
This is a great reminder that God is working simultaneously in each life through different ways. What you are experiencing is for your good and His glory, but also for the same in others. Right now, God is working through and by you for His ultimate plan of good! As hard as it might be to believe, your not the main star of your story, God is!
God’s sovereign hand is something that man cannot fully grasp but should bring us comfort that He is in control. As we unpack the story of Judah this week, we see glorious outcomes through correction and consequences. God will take Joseph to new life through faith and obedience while He takes Judah to new life through sin and hardship. By no means is chapter 38 a misplaced chapter in God’s perfect story! Chapter 38 was perfectly placed to show us that God will walk with us and take us down any road for His glory.
EXTRA READING THIS WEEK
Read Genesis 44:18-21 & 49:8-10 to see what God was preparing Judah for later in the story.
