Back to the Beginning

A Study of Genesis – Chapter 38

This chapter is the sad and shameful story of Judah and Tamar.

  • It proves the inspiration of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16)

The Bible is a book man could not have written if he wanted to and he would not have written if he could. The Bible surpasses man and it condemns him.

  • It shows the depths of human sin (Jeremiah 17:9) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Apart from God anything is possible.

  • It reveals the contamination of the world (2 Cor. 6:17) Wherefore come out

from among them, and be separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Canaan is a picture of the world.

This chapter occurs at the same time when Joseph was taken to Egypt. It also reveals the main reason why Joseph went to Egypt. For Jacob’s family to stay in Canaan would contaminate and corrupt the chosen family. God calls His people to be separate from the world.

  • It magnifies the grace of God (Rom. 5:20)

We would not appreciate His grace, if it were not for our sin.

(Romans 5:20) – Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

1. Judah’s DISOBEDIENCE(verses 1-10)

Judah is seen in stark contrast to Joseph. Joseph had been sold into slavery, and Judah pocketed his share of the sale. He had two coins and a troubled conscience to show for it. Day after day he saw the agony and despair of his aging father. Day after day he was haunted with the look on Joseph’s face as the brothers betrayed him. Judah did what so many people do when they can’t stand their conscience anymore, he ran from home.

  • His met a certain friend (Hirah - verses 1, 12, 20)

Apparently this man was a bad influence on Judah.

  • He married a worldly woman (Shuah – verse 2)

She would have had the mentality and the morals of Canaan.

  • He had some wicked sons (Er and Onan – verses 3-10)

2. Judah’s DEPRAVITY(verses 11-26)

  • The deception – Tamar took matters into her own hands, like so many others in the book of Genesis. She disguised herself as a temple prostitute (the word “harlot” in verse 15 literally means “the consecrated”).

She knew her father-in-law well enough to know that he would be a customer for the kind of services such a person could offer.

  • The desire – Judah was willing to pay dearly to satisfy his lusts. He parted with his signet ring, his bracelets, and his staff. He was willing to pay a high price for one moment of lust. When a person gives in to lust, the price is always too high!
  • The double standard – Judah was ready to have Tamar burned. What a hypocrite! (See 2 Samuel 12:1-14, where Nathan said to David, “Thou art the man.”)
  • The discovery – What if we knew our actions would be recorded in the Bible? Judah was willing to confess his sin and repent of it.

Be sure your sins will find you out!

3. Judah’s DESCENDANTS(verses 27-30)

Tamar gave birth to twin sons. Remember that God had taken away two sons in judgment (Er and Onan). But now He gave Judah two sons in return. Isn’t that just like the grace of God! This chapter reminds us that God’s grace is greater than all our sin.

  • The scarlet thread was a symbol of salvation (the next time we read about a scarlet thread is Joshua 2:18-21)
  • Both Judah and Tamar were in the family line of Jesus

Four Women in Jesus’ Family Tree (Matthew 1:3-6)

Tamar – a Canaanite woman who acted like a prostitute

(Genesis 38)

Rahab – a Canaanite woman who was a prostitute

(Joshua 2)

Ruth – a Moabite woman, from Moab, a child of incest

(Genesis 19)

Bathsheba – an Israelite woman who committed adultery

(2 Samuel 12)

Back to the Beginning

A Study of Genesis – Chapter 38

This chapter is the______story of Judah and Tamar.

  • It proves the______of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16)
  • It shows the______of human sin (Jer. 17:9)
  • It reveals the______of the world (2 Cor. 6:17)
  • It magnifies the______of God (Rom. 5:20)

1. Judah’s______(verses 1-10)

  • His met a certain______(Hirah - verses 1, 12, 20)
  • He married a worldly______(Shuah – verse 2)
  • He had some wicked______(Er and Onan – verses 3-10)

2. Judah’s______(verses 11-26)

  • The______
  • The______
  • The______
  • The______

3. Judah’s______(verses 27-30)

  • The scarlet thread was a symbol of______
  • Both Judah and Tamar were in the______

Four Women in Jesus’ Family Tree (Matthew 1:3-6)

______– a Canaanite woman who acted like a prostitute (Genesis 38)

______– a Canaanite woman who was a prostitute (Joshua 2)

______– a Moabite woman, from Moab, a child of incest (Gen. 19)

______– an Israelite woman who committed adultery (2 Samuel 12)