Genesis 35, 37, 38, 43-44, 46, 49
“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Genesis 49:8-10
Today, in light of how my church is studying the life of Joseph in Genesis, I am drawn to look more closely at Judah, one of Joseph's brothers, as it is Judah, not Joseph, from whom Jesus descends (see Matthew 1). Similar to Rahab - see Joshua 2 - whom we know was a prostitute, and not even an Israelite, God redeems in Judah a sinful and dysfunctional life to be part of a broader purpose. Rahab is remembered in Hebrews 11 - aka the hall of faith." Interestingly, Rahab fails to get the ink Judah does - which begs the question if both are equally sinful, and God redeems both lives for part of a broader purpose - the incarnation of Jesus, what more can we learn from scripture about Judah, as scripture dedicates much more text vs Rahab.
Judah is first mentioned, albeit briefly, in Genesis 35 as one of twelve sons of Jacob from Rachel, Leah, Bilpah (Rachel's servant), and Zilpah (Leah's servant). Judah is born of Leah. We next see Judah and his brothers plotting to kill Joseph in Genesis 37, but in verse 26-27 Judah (like his older brother Reuben in verse 21-22) has second thoughts and proposes to his brothers that they "sell him to the Ishmaelites...[a]nd his brothers listened to him." We next see Judah in Genesis 38, where one might think to oneself we are taking a detour from Joseph's story. In Genesis 38, we see how Jacob and Rachel's deceptive lives are passed on to Jacob's son's, in particular Judah who marries a Canaanite. One of Judah's son's Er marries Tamar and she deceives Judah into sleeping with her - the deception and dysfunction continues. However, we know from Matthew 1 that Perez (from Judah and Tamar) is in the line of Jesus, so we can be encouraged how God redeems sin and dysfunction for His glory. See also this commentary.
We then see Judah next in Genesis 43, where Joseph's brothers have gone to Egypt seen Joseph (but Joseph has not identified himself to them) and returned to Jacob with food as the land was experiencing famine. Joseph instructed them that if they were to return they must bring their youngest brother - Benjamin. Although Jacob does not want to see Benjamin go, he relents and Joseph's brothers return to Egypt, with Benjamin, in an effort to secure more food. Upon their return they are successful in securing more grain, but upon leaving, Joseph, in act of deception himself, plants a silver cup on Benjamin's sack and of course Joseph's men find out and Joseph is indignant and Judah offers himself to stay in Benjamin's place. Judah's impassioned plea for Benjamin (and for his father) in Genesis 44 ultimately leads Joseph to reconcile with his brothers. Ultimately, in Genesis 49, we see before he dies, Jacob blesses his sons, including Judah, as Jacob prophecies how Judah's line will reign over Israel. See also this commentary about Judah's transformation and how God redeems Judah's sin and dysfunctional life.
The story of Judah is an important component of scripture and we should examine every aspect of it for truth and application (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good! All of scripture is perfect and worthy of study as it provides incredible encouragement for how You use broken and sinful lives like mine. I am not deserving of how You redeem and save. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
