SCRIPTURE: Genesis 38:1-30

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Here we see in dramatic fashion how God works in this sinful world – not affirming the sin, but working through the sin – to accomplish His purpose. Moralistic preaching takes Bible characters and says “be like them” or “don’t be like them”, but often the very best characters live shady lives. Think of David the adulterer, the murderer. And yet he is described as “a man after (God’s) own heart” (Acts 13:22). And of course, Jesus is the Son of David, but also the Son of Tamar (see Matthew 1:3, look at the other disreputable women mentioned, Bathsheba, Ruth, Matthew 1:5-6).

The way of the Lord is a humble path, identified by prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, outcasts, sinners, etc. God chooses the “foolish things” to shame the wise, the “weak things” to shame the strong. Once again God is in the business of humbling us, and the story of Judah shows us that we are all shameful sinners in need of God’s mercy, and He graciously intervenes through our shameful lives to bring about our salvation.

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for not giving up on us, on me. Deep down I know the sin that lives in me, the sin that makes me a candidate for grace, but also keeps me from reaching out for it. Remind me of my need for a Saviour, and help me to claim You as my Saviour and Lord. Amen.