There are many bad things going on in the world around us. It is an ongoing challenge to not be affected by it. Sometimes it drags us in and down like a riptide. Circumstances, decisions, unintended consequences are all factors in our daily lives. We can look in the mirror and wonder why it is the way it is or what will happen next. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” While our lives maybe challenging at the moment, it is true that God has a plan and purpose for those of us who love him. We need to be open to God’s thoughts of a future and a hope for us, even in the darkest hour. Here’s an example.
In Genesis 37:1-40:23, the narrative turns to that of Jacob’s son Joseph, the firstborn of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel, who had died giving birth to their son Benjamin. Jacob favored Joseph more than all of his sons, so much so that he gave Joseph a special tunic, and also put him in charge of overseeing his brothers, causing a heap of trouble for Joseph. They hated him even more when Joseph shared a couple of his dreams that foretold that he would be ruling over them all. Eventually, the brothers conspired to kill Joseph. Reuben talked them out of killing Joseph and throwing him into a cistern instead. However, while Reuben was away, Judah had the great idea of selling Joseph to a Midianite caravan. To cover their guilt, the brothers deceived their father Jacob into thinking Joseph was killed by a wild animal.
The story is then interrupted by describing how Judah moves away from his brothers and marries a Canaanite woman. They have three sons, the first married a woman named Tamar, but he died childless. The next brother married her in a levirate marriage to carry on the name. He also died before any children were born. Despite promises to Tamar that Judah’s youngest son Shelah would marry her when he grew up, Judah had no intention of Shelah marrying Tamar for fear that he also would die. Tamar realized Judah was not going to keep his promise. Disguised as a prostitute, she slept with Judah, becoming pregnant. Judah had given Tamar his seal, cord and staff as a guarantee of payment. When Judah heard that Tamar was pregnant, he ordered her to be burned for harlotry. But Tamar used Judah’s guarantee proving his paternity.
Judah admitted in Genesis 38:26, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t let her become the wife of my son Shelah.” After this chapter, the story returns to Joseph, who eventually saved the messianic line. The parenthetical insertion of Judah and Tamar’s story demonstrated how Judah changed after his betrayal of Joseph and his treatment of Tamar. The union of Judah and Tamar bore twin boys, Zerach and Perez. The line of Perez (his name in Hebrew means, “bursting forth”) begets King David, and ultimately Jesus, who’s salvation, “burst forth” for us all. Despite their dark situations caused by bad intentions, both Joseph and Judah became willing vessels for God’s purpose to be realized. Likewise, no matter how difficult your situation, God’s thoughts of a future and a hope for you can become reality if you are willing. Be encouraged!
