The Promised One - Part 2: God Transforms Part 1

Open your Bibles to before we begin. So often the Bible stories that we learned as kids got it wrong, whether it was in Sunday School or it was through Veggie Tales. Most of the stories of the Old Testament, filled with their wonderful truths have been relegated to children’s books and flannel graphs. And most of the time the children’s version of these stories gets it wrong. Somehow the main application from David is to conquer the giants in your life. Or from our text, at the end of Genesis, the “Joseph Story”, be nice to your brothers and sisters. The reason for these blatant misses is this, we title these sections the “Noah Story”; the “Abraham Story”; the “Joseph Story”; the “David Story”; the “Esther Story”, when in fact it is, as I stated last week, God’s story. It is God’s story where He declares Himself to be the ultimate sovereign, the King of His Creation and the Final Champion over Satan, Over Sin and Over Death.

Main point: God so powerful and so merciful that He is able to transform the worst of people for His good purpose

Point #1 - Joseph Sold - 37 - 10 mins

God’s Story

So now as we arrive at the end of the book of Genesis tonight and camp out for two weeks, we will not be studying the Story of Joseph, nor will we be studying the Story of Judah, the actual human protagonist of this final section of the book. We will be studying the Story of God and in this story we will learn how He is a God who transforms evil into good. This story is broken into 5 sections and tonight we will tackle the first two: : an Introduction to Joseph and : an Introduction to Judah. But before we get into this story about God lets look back at what got us here.

Previous Context

Historical Context

Noahic Covenant

Last week we began our series at the beginning of Genesis where we saw God open the Bible with the thesis statement that He Wins. In we saw God curse Satan and promise to the woman that there will be war between her and the serpent, that there will be war between her offspring and his offspring and that in the end her seed, the New Adam will crush Satan once and for all. Now the question is, where will this New Adam, this Seed come from? Who will be the woman’s offspring? Well in He narrows His focus on one particular man, Abraham. There we see a covenant made with Abraham, signifying that God will use His line of descendents to bring about the promised seed. In , Abraham and Sarah, in their old age conceive and give birth to Isaac. On his death bed Abraham insures that Isaac would not marry a Canaanite and become drawn into their idolatry and Isaac ends up marrying a distant relative by the name of Rebekah. In Rebekah gives birth to twins, Esau, the eldest, and Jacob the youngest. Jacob devises a scheme to take the birth right or best inheritance from his older brother and then in he goes to find a wife from his mother’s family. He ends up finding two wives at the cost of 14 years of labor and ends up marrying two more of his wives’ servants. Through his four wives we see in that he has 13 children. To which you say, I thought that there were only 12 tribes of Israel! And I respond, how dare you forget about Jacob’s daughter Dinah, you sexist bigot. In fact in we find the last touchpoint leading into the final section of Genesis involves Dinah. She is raped by a Canaanite prince and in return, the oldest brother Reuben, aided by Levi, kills the entire city of Canaanites and takes back his sister. Notice with me that this chosen family of Abraham has steadily declined into a state of corruption and dysfunction. In and 38 we will see how bad they really are.

Part 1: An Introduction to Joseph - the Immature Dreamer - Genesis 37

The Favored Son - 37:1-4

You heard me right, I said immature. So often we think of Joseph as a really cute cuddly kid who is picked on by his big bully brothers. That’s not what the text emphasizes. “2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.” He is 17! In today’s world he is a senior in high school. Another thing to point out from the text is that he was in charge over some of his older brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. These ladies are the servant wives of Jacob, the least favorite of his four wives. Those of you with younger siblings, what would it be like if your father put your younger brother in charge over you? How would that make you feel? Moses makes this even more clear in vs 3-4, “3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” It’s obvious that there is some major favoritism going on in this family. Jacob loved Joseph’s mother, Rachel, the most and therefore Joseph became the honored one. This family has some issues

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

The Arrogant Son - 37:5-11

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

In verses 5-11 we see tell his family about some interesting dreams he has been having. “ 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.” Imagine the scene with me, Joseph comes barging in one morning while everyone is eating breakfest and says guys! I had a dream that my wheat sheaves rose above your wheat sheaves, and they bowed down to my sheaf! Can you believe it. And like you would if you were one of his brothers, were like there is no way that you will rule over us!

5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Next morning rolls around and Joseph comes barging in saying “guys, guys, I had another dream, the sun (as he looks at his dad) and the moon (as he looks at his mom) and the eleven, emphasis on the number 11, bowed down to me! Jacob catches on and is like, you mean to say that I and your mom and all your brothers will bow down to you. And Joseph is just nodding like yeah isn’t that cool guys! One day you will all bow at my feet! The sense that this family has some major issues boiling under the surface becomes clearer.

The Persecuted Son - 37:12-36

After hearing of Joseph’s dreams all his brothers are so fed up that they leave the family home and take the flock to the region Dotham, leaving the favorite son, Joseph behind. Jacob sends Joseph to find his brothers and is instead As Joseph is approaching his brothers they have a discussion as to what to do with him, “19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.” These guys are so fed up that they want to kill their own brother, whom they mockingly call, “the dreamer.” But then we see Reuben step in, and before you think that he does this out of the kindness of his heart, think again. Reuben is the first born, by seniority, he deserves the honor of the birthright. Ever since the rape of his sister Dinah, he has been trying to earn his father’s favor, first by killing an entire city to defend his family honor, and now by devising a plot to save Joseph from his brothers. He is scheming to make himself look like the good guy. This is important to keep in mind for next week.

Let’s continue, “ 25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.” Judah doesn’t quite like Reuben’s plan and he convinces his brothers to modify the plan and make some profit while their at it - two birds with one stone. In verse 27 I want you to notice a key phrase, “and his brothers listened to him” The text is making it clear that Judah is the leader, an evil and selfish leader at that. The chapter ends with Reuben returning to see that his plan had been foiled and the sons lying to their father that his favorite son has died. Meanwhile Joseph is sold to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s chief body guard, which is where we will leave him tonight. And you thought your family was dysfunctional. Welcome to the people of God.

19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors

The Question of Chapter 37

25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

It is at this point that I want to stop and ask the question you should be asking after reading this story with fresh eyes. To what extent is God truly sovereign? Heritage is a church that frequentyl and unashamedly preaches the sovereignty of God. But what happens when good theology meets tragic reality? There are moments that happen in life when we find ourselves asking the question, why do bad things happen to good people? You might have been tempted to ask this very question after the church shooting this past sunday where over two dozen were killed, the youngest of whom was 5 years old. You might have been tempted to ask this very quetion when Huricanes caused massive flooding and damage in Texas, Florida and Peurto Rico this year. You might have asked this question when a close family member was diagnosed with a terminal illness. What do you do when good theology meets tragic reality? Why do bad things happen to good people? This is a question that isn’t quite strong enough. For us as believers, and for Joseph, the wounds penetrate deeper. Often the more accurate question we find ourselves asking is why do bad things happen to God’s people? Have we assumed better of God than we should. What good is a God that can’t or won’t control the trajectory of a bullet, the growth of a tumor, the direction of the economy or the path of a storm. We sing “indescribable, uncontainable, All powerful, untameable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God.” But is He? Is he running the show or isn’t He? Is he in control or isn’t he. In the daily events of our lives, to what things is God truly sovereign?

Have we assumed better of God than we should. What good is a God that can’t...or won’t control the trajectory of a bullet, the growth of a tumor, the direction of the economy or the path of a storm. We sing “indescribable, uncontainable, All powerful, untameable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God.” But is He?Is he running the show or isn’t He? Is he in control or isn’t he. n the daily events of our lives, to what things is God truly sovereign? And here we are at the beginning of Chapter 38 looking for answers and we find no mention of Joseph at all. Instead we find a story about his older brother Judah. In fact we find one of the filthiest chapters in the entire Bible. Is this a diversion? We come to chapter 38 and we think “we don’t want to read this! Who stuck this chapter in here anyway. This disgusting tale is all together irrelevant!” Or is it?

t is a commonly asked question after a shooting rampage, a devastating hurricane, a terminal illness, an untimely death. Why do bad things happen to good people? THis is a question that isn’t quite strong enough. For us as believers, the wounds penetrate deeper. When tragedies like the one this weekend happen we find ourselves asking why do bad things happen to God’s people? Have we assumed better of God than we should. What good is a God that can’t...or won’t control the trajectory of a bullet, the growth of a tumor, the direction of the economy or the path of a storm. We sing indescribable….But is He? Or have we made Him amazing for the sake of our own sanity. In the daily events of our lives, to what things is God truly sovereign? It is the question you are meant to ask at the end of Chapter 37 given the violent and evil things that have befallen the 17 year old Joseph. Is he running the show or isn’t He? Is he in control or isn’t he. Here we are at the beginning of Chapter 38 looking for answers and we find no mention of Joseph at all. Instead we find a story about his selfish, at best, older brother Judah. In fact we find one of the filthiest chapters in the entire Bible. Is this a diversion? We come to chapter 38 and think we don’t want to read this! Who stuck this chapter in here anyway. It’s all together irrelevant. Or is it?

And here we are at the beginning of Chapter 38 looking for answers and we find no mention of Joseph at all. Instead we find a story about his older brother Judah. In fact we find one of the filthiest chapters in the entire Bible. Is this a diversion? We come to chapter 38 and we think “we don’t want to read this! Who stuck this chapter in here anyway. This disgusting tale is all together irrelevant!” Or is it?

Part 2: An Introduction to Judah - The Disobedient Schemer - Chapter 38

The Disobedient Son - vs 1-11

In verse 1 we see Judah’s disobedience right way, “It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.” At that time is given there to signal that at the very same point in time that Joseph was being sold into Potiphar’s house, Judah leaves his family and goes down to Canaan. This going down is more than an expression for moving down from Hebron’s heights to Canaan’s lowlands, it is a mirror of his spiritual condition. And this is confirmed by the phrase, turned aside which is an expression used to describe someone leaving the path of loyalty to God and His covenant. We continue to see this in verse 2, “2 There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her” Notice how the language of marital intimacy is missing here. If you look back at , you will see that Moses uses the phrase knew - Adam knew his wife. Sex in marriage is meant to be an act of intimate knowing where the oneness between two people is far more than physical. But here, such language is absent, implying that Judah was doing nothing more than satisfying his lustful desires. More than that, he is forsaking the pattern set forth for him by his father and grandfather. He wasn’t supossed to marry a canaanite. Now friends this isn’t about racisms, it is about ensuring the faithfulness of God’s people. If you look back into the lives of Judah’s ancestors, innvolvement iwth the canaanites always led to involvement with their wicked sin and idolatry - think Lot and Sodom and Gommorah. In just two verses we get the idea that Judah doesn’t care about his family, and he doesn’t care about God’s covenant relationship because he is too busy carrying about is satisfying his own wicked desires. In verses 3-5 we read “3 and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. 4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. 5 Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.” We do not learn the name of Judah’s wife but it is clear that she is fertile.

3 and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. 4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. 5 Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The degeneration into greater paganism continues in verse 6, “6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn,” When the chapter begins Judah is single. He gets married and has son number 1, son number 2 and son number 3. Son number 1 gets married indicating that a significant time has passed. “and her name was Tamar.” In all probability a Canaanite, “7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death.” We don’t know his sin but it must have been so reprehensible because this time in the bible that God explicitly kills someone for their sin. “8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” Now this sounds very strange in today’s society but in the Ancient middle east it was common law for a brother to marry his deceased brother’s wife and by proxy father a child who would become heir to the deceased brother’s estate. But as we see in verse 9 brother number two, Onan, knew that his child would not be his in terms of Judah’s inheritance. Who is the dead brother? Er. What position did he occupy in the family? First born, the one who inherits the largest portion of his father’s estate. With Er gone, guess what happens? The right of the first born along with it’s big payoff passes to Onan. But if Onan has a child with Tamar, guess who gets the big prize? The new son. So, out of sheer greed and selfishness he refused to impregnate Tamar every time that they were intimate. Keeping in mind the promise of , this is not only a greedy and shameful act performed against Tamar, it is an act done in gross disregard for the covenant promises of God. And for this we see in verse 10, “10 And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also.” This is rank disobedience from start to finish. Judah leaves his covenant family. He embraces the canaanite pagan as his new best friend. He marries a canaanite women driven by little more than his lust. He has three sons, two of whom are so incredibly wicked that God kills them. But wait there is still one more brother! Judah doesn’t want this to happen again. “11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house.” This isn’t where she belongs. It’s Judah’s place to care for his defenseless daughter. It’s his responsibility, he is a man of means and of stature but his only burden now is to cut her out from the family portrait. He does this by trying to trick her, “till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father’s house.” He lies to her. In his mind Tamar is obviously cursed, he is 0 for 2 and isn’t about to strike out. Welcome to the covenant family...welcome to the people of God...maybe you are thinking my family isn’t so messed up after all. You see, the Bible is never unrealistic. It never offers to you a sanitized view of human wickedness. Here the faith of God’s chosen family, once so vibrant in the life of Abraham, has declined in just two generations to the brink of apostasy. It is important to point out that htis isn’t just a one time occurance. This is a pattern that we can see in the church world today. Unless we exeriecne a saving relationship with God ourselves, the faith of our parents and grandparents will give way to the influence of the pagan culture. Before long the tirumph of the culture will be come obious proving itself when children of believer establish their most intimate relastionships, not with people who are followers of GOd but that with people who are explicetily pagan. As believers we are to love unbelievers, but never to the extent to which we become unvelivers. Friends, see the wisdom behind the very clear Biblical teaching against Christians marrying non-christians. Everytime you think this family couldn’t sink any lower, it does. They are involved in every perversion on the planet. Can God really use a family like this? Or can He? To what extent is He truly sovereign?

ISrael is corrupting inside and the outside influence of Canaan is creeping in

English Standard Version Chapter 38

6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Significant time has past

Tamar - canaanite

till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father’s house.

11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house

At that time… while Joseph is being sold into slavery…

Put him to death - wickedness was so reprehensible as this was the first time that the Bible explicitly states that God kills an individual

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Raise up offspring

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. He doesn’t want to strike out.

Moving away from the covenant people - he went down from Hebron’s heights to Canaan’s lowlands mirrors his spiritual condition

Come law in the ANE, codified in Deut. Brother has responsibility to marry deceased brother’s wife and sire his heir

Offspring would receive firstborn estate...instead of himsel

. - he sends her back to her father - out of the family - lies to her. Tamar is obviously cursed - he isn’t about to strike out. Welcome to the covenant family - welcome to the people of God - maybe my family isn’t so messed up. The Bible is never unrealistic. It never offers to you a sanitized view of human wickedness. Here the faith of God’s chosen family, once so vibrant in the life of Abraham, has declined in just two generations to the brink of apostasy. Everytime you think this family couldn’t sink any lower, it does. They are involved in every perversion on the plannet. Can God really use a family like this? Or can He? To what extent is He truly sovereign?

Turned Aside - Expression used to describe someone leaving the path of loyalty to YHWH

Wastes seed - every time he was intimate he avoided getting his brother’s wife pregnant

Took her and went to her - lust at first sight but incredibly fertile. Problem - strongly warned to stay away from pagan canaanites - aware of the promise of - very careful to avoid intermarrying with the most wicked of neighbors.

He either wasn’t taught or could not care less about God’s promise

God cares and He kills

Everytime you think this family couldn’t sink any lower, it does. They are involved in every perversion on the planet. Can God really use a family like this? Or can He? To what extent is He truly sovereign?

Blatant affront to God and a disregard for God’s covenant purpose - he couldn’t care less about God and he couldn’t care less about his family

But wait there is still one more brother! Judah doesn’t want this to happen again - he sends her back to her father - out of the family - lies to her. Tamar is obviously cursed - he isn’t about to strike out. Welcome to the covenant family - welcome to the people of God - maybe my family isn’t so messed up. The Bible is never unrealistic. It never offers to you a sanitized view of human wickedness. Here the faith of God’s chosen family, once so vibrant in the life of Abraham, has declined in just two generations to the brink of apostasy. Everytime you think this family couldn’t sink any lower, it does. They are involved in every perversion on the plannet. Can God really use a family like this? Or can He? To what extent is He truly sovereign?

Sidenote - danger in marrying an unbeliever

Blatant affront to God and a disregard for God’s covenant purpose - he couldn’t care less about God and he couldn’t care less about his family

Review: This is rank disobedience - Judah leaves covenant family and embraces a canaanite pagan as his new best friend, in disregard for God’s purpose for His life He marries a canaanite woman driven by little more than his sexual appetite. He has three sons, two of whom are so exceedingly wicked that God kills them.

The Deceptive Daughter In-Law - vs 12-26

Let us see, vs 12 “12 In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua’s daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.” Ok what about Tamar? Enough time has passed for son number 3 to be of marrying age but she has been kept a widow in her father’s house, unable to leave Judah’s awful family and marry another. She is boxed in. And so is son number 3. As long as Tamar lives, he is unable to marry anyone else. The line of Judah stands on the brink of extinction. But, Tamar recognizes her window of opportunity. She answers Judah’s rank disobedience and deceptively uses his lustful passions against him. This time of the sheepshearers is a celebratory occasion where there was much drunkeness and pleanty of opportunity to satisfy his desires with the cult prostitutes that lined the road, selling their services as fertility magic to invoke the gods to bless the growth of the flock. Verse 13, “13 And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” 14 she took off her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage.” This is a bold deception customized to the character of Judah. It was by a trick, that she intended to trick the one who had tried to trick her. And it works to perfection, “15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.” Friends what does this say about the wickedness of Judah, that his own daughter in law could be so sure that she could get the better of him by possing as a prosititute. He couldn’t be anymore eager, “She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?” 17 He answered, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” A high price to pay for quick pleasure, but Tamar knows that she can leverage Judah’s lack of control against him. “And she said, “If you give me a pledge, until you send it—” 18 He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” The signet was a stamp seal that was mark of identifcation used for any transaction and to authentify any type of corespondance. It was like an ID and a credit card wrapped into one and it was worn around his neck with a cord. The staff was a symbol of authority in the city, a very prized posession meant only to be passed down as an inheritance. Realize who utterly stupid this is. He gave such valuable objects for such a fleating pleasure. This is precicesly what lust does. It makes people foolish and careless. Like Solomon says in the man that falls for the temptress is like an Ox going to the slaughter. He has no idea what he is in for. Notice how far Judah has assimilated into the pagan culture. Notice how careless he is with his wealth and respect with a prostitute, but when it comes to carrying for his widowed daughter in law, he is nowhere to be found. “So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him.” Quick and business like.

19 Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.

“19 Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood. 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.” Judah cuts his losses so that his reputation wouldn’t be lost. But for the record he wants to make it known that he made a good attempt to return payment. What a man of integrity.

Fast forward to vs 24, “24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.”Since Shelah has been locked away from marrying someone else, Judah ceases the opportunity to rid himself from Tamar and free up his son for someone else. And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned. 25” He has no guilt about hiring a cult prostitute for himself but he is eager to burn this woman for acting in the same way she did. “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.” She is keeping her game up to the very last minute, on the way to the stake, in all probability in front of the entire city, she reveals Judah’s sin. Judah confesses in vs “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.” He is caught, he is humiliated, he is shamed, he is guilty. Judah confesses Tamar’s superior righteousness. Tamar has engaged in what the GOOD people of the world would condemn - engaging in bold deception and ilicet sex. On the other hand, Judah has lied, deceived, violated Tamar’s rights, spurned her needs and in so doing threatens the promise of . Neither are righteous but he is more responsible for the injustice. He publicly acknowledges his guilt - he owns up for the first time in his life. He is humble, devastated and broken. This confession on the part of Judah is the first indication of a an inward transformation into the man we will meet in the continuation of the story of Joseph. This chapter encompasses a time of 20 plus years. This portion of the story occrus just before Joseph comes face to face with his brothers again, and as we will see, Judah is a profoundly different man.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

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.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Redemptive God - vs 27-30

15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

13 And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” 14 she took off her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Redemptive God - vs 27-30

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

We’ve had rank disobedience, we’ve had bold deception, now witness the redemptive outcome. “27 When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb.” Hmmm. Where have we seen twins before? Notice the deja vu of vs 28-30, “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.” This is a word for word repitition of the birth of Jacob and Esau. The older was identified by the color red, but the younger superseded his brother and he is the one by whom the seed would come. This is meant to indicate to you that Perez is someone you should pay attention to. We come across him later in the book of Ruth, in the geneology of all things. And what do we read in this geneology? Begeinning with Perez follows ten generations through whom comes Israel’s greatest King. It is through the child of disobedient Judah and deceptive Tamar that King David Himself comes. But this isn’t the last time we run into Perez. We find him again in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1, in a genealogy of all places. THere we discover the most astonishing thing of all! The promised seed of the woman, the Messiah Himself our saviour Jesus Christ comes through the line of disobedient Judah and deceptive Tamar! Tamar in the Mesianic Line! Are you kidding? Have you noticed by chance that the genealogy of Jesus is distinguished by the names of 5 women. The similarities of these 5 is nothing short of astounding. The most obvious, they are all woman mired in scandal. First we see Tamar, who acts as a prostitute. Next we have Rahab, who was a prostitute. Then we find Ruth, a descendent of incest and who if caught at Boaz’s feet would have been condemned for fornication. Then we see Bathsheba, an adulterer. All anticpating the young woman who’s circumstances would arise the greatest and most sure suspicion of illicit sexual sin, pregnant though she was never intimate with any man, Mary. This is the whisper of grace in the shout of scandal.

Rahab - who was a prostitue

Ruth - a descendent of incest and who if caught at Boaz’s feet would have been condemned for fornication

Bathsheba - an adulterous

Anticpating the young woman who’s circumstances would arose the greatest and most sure suspicion of illicit sexual sin, pregnant though she was never intimate with any man, Mary - this is the whisper of grace in the shout of scandal

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Redemptive God - vs 27-30

Conclusion

Welcome to the People of God

Let me ask you, you got things you want to hide? Skeletons in your closet? Scandals? Shameful secrets? Humiliating, embarrassing, terrifying things? Stop running. Stop hiding. Stop pretending. Welcome to the people of God. He is a God who specializes in saving and using people like Tamar for His wonderful and gracious purposes. The God who saves and uses scoundrels like Judah!

How Sovereign is God really?

Tow what extent is God really sovereign? When all of heaven is gathered to see who it is who is worthy to open the scroll of human history. John weeps because it appears that no one is worthy. The angel says, weep no more, behold the Lion of the Tribe of JUDAH. He will open the seals for He has conquered. John looks to see who this Kingly conqueror is. Who does He see!? The Lamb. It is the seed of the Woman, the seed of Abraham, the seed of Judah and Tamar, the Seed of David and Bathsheeba, He sees Jesus Christ. And we have a Savior. On a human level it all goes back to this scandelous one night stand. A disobedient man, a deceptive woman, but my dear friends things don’t just happen on a human level only. To what extent is God truly sovereign. He is this sovereign! He uses the most flagrant expression of human disobedience and deception to achieve our salvation. This is how sovereign He is! God specializes in working in the compost of human sin to achieve His perfect and holy will.

Why do Good Things Happen to Bad People?

Why do bad things happen to good people? Wrong question. Why do bad things happen to God’s people? It too is the wrong question. Why good things to happen bad people? That is the question that finally gets it right. That is the question that finally grasps reality. Why do good things happen to bad people? Is Joseph Good? Is Judah Good? Is Tamar Good? Is rahab Good? Is David Good? Is Bathsheba Good? Are you Good? Are any of us Good? So why do good things happen to bad people? Because there is a God who is so utterly sovereign that He can use evil to achieve salvation by the only one who is utterly and completely good, Jesus Christ. Allow yourselves to be humiliated and see that you are so uterly helpless. Cry out to Jesus for forgiveness and He will make you rigtheouss. Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die. Let’s Pray

God you are so incredibly sovereign. Your mercy and faithfulness are more sweet than life itself. We look back on your word, back on your Redemptive History and we are broken. Broken because we realize how terribly wicked we really are. We can fool each other, but there is no fooling you God. But Lord we aren’t just broken becasue of the guilt of our sin. We are broken by the sight of your amazing mercy. Your love reaches to the heighest heavens for you have born our wrath and shame. You died so that we might be made holy and righteous again. Fasten our wandering, wicked hearts to you God. Cause us to love your Word more than riches, to love you more than Life itself so that we might not sin against you. Amen.

Friends, I wonder what this all means for our good friend Joseph. I wonder what all of this may mean for you. Come back Friday.

Application

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Abrahamic Covenant/History

Joseph and Partiality vs 1-4

Joseph’s Dreams vs 5-11

Plot Against Joseph: How Bad is the Family - 12-36

Point #2 - Judah Sins - 38:1-30 - 10 mins

How Sovereign?

Rank Disobedience

Bold Deception

Redemptive Outcome

Conclusion - 5 mins

Gospel Connection

Application

Hymn Quote

Related Media

Related Sermons

The Promised One - Part 2: God Transforms Part 1

Introduction

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Beginning to End

God’s Story

Historical Context

Part 1: An Introduction to Joseph - the Immature Dreamer - Genesis 37

The Favored Son - 37:1-4

The Arrogant Son - 37:5-11

The Persecuted Son - 37:12-36

The Question of Chapter 37

Part 2: An Introduction to Judah - The Disobedient Schemer - Chapter 38

The Disobedient Son - vs 1-11

The Deceptive Daughter In-Law - vs 12-26

The Redemptive God - vs 27-30

The Redemptive God - vs 27-30

Conclusion

Welcome to the People of God

How Sovereign is God really?

Why do Good Things Happen to Bad People?

Application