QT 12/8/2025 Gen 38:20-33, Recognizing God's will in all circumstances

Genesis 38:20–30 (ESV) —

20 When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her. 21 And he asked the men of the place, “Where is the cult prostitute who was at Enaim at the roadside?” And they said, “No cult prostitute has been here.” 22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’ ” 23 And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”

24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.

27 When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. 28 And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29 But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

 

NOTE: Judah is ready to have Tamar burned for her immorality, but as for his, he is worried about his reputation when they can't locate the cult prostitute to pay her back. It most certainly is a double standard. The only thing to say in Judah's behalf is that he admits Tamar was more righteous than him because he would not give her his third son in accordance with levirate marriage customs. His recognition of his own sin seems to be the start of a transformation in the life of Judah. He was caught, he admitted his guilt, and slowly he begins to be the leader in Jacob's family (42:2; 44:18-34). His son Perez is the next in the line of the Messiah.

 

God works through our failures when necessary to accomplish his will. There are a number of ways he could have provided the next in line, but he allowed this situation to occur. Was it for Tamar or was is for Judah or both? We don't know. We will fall at times. Do we repent, admit our sin to God, and then grow? We need to be reviewing our life and our goals regularly? Where are we and what does the Lord want me to do?

 

PONDER:

1. When was the last time I did a spiritual accountability check on myself?
2. Am I in Gods' will or am I in my will (doing what I want to do)?

 

PRAYER: Father, I do pray for leading and guidance. I want to do your will, not my will. Help me to know when things change or when I am living for myself.