(Genesis) Genesis 38:1-11
Judah's sin and the consequences of disobedience are highlighted in this passage, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Judah from the book of Genesis, specifically chapter 38. Judah, a member of the kingly line, goes down to do business and encounters a Canaanite woman named Shua, with whom he has an affair. She conceives and bears three sons: Er, Onan, and Sheila. However, Er and Onan are both wicked in the sight of the Lord and are subsequently slain by Him. The preacher emphasizes the sinful nature of this family and highlights the importance of following God's commandments.
Full Transcript
Now, it's Judah. Judah is the kingly line, as we'll see later on. But notice Judah.
And it came to pass at that time that Judah went down from his brethren and turned in to a certain Adulamite whose name was Hirah. Now, this is in chapter 38, verse 1. Notice this, "...and Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shuah, and he took her and went in unto her." Now, this is the story of Judah. He went down to do business with a certain Adulamite, and when he got down there, he saw this Canaanitish woman.
He had an affair with her, and she conceived and bear a son. He called his name Er, and believe me, that's exactly what this man Judah had done. He had erred, or he'd certainly sinned.
And she conceived again and bear a son, and she called his name Onan. And she yet again conceived and bear a son, called his name Shelah. He was at Shezeb when she bore him.
And Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Tamar gets into the genealogy of Christ, by the way. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord slew him.
Now, look at this family, just loaded with sin. "...And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his." And so he didn't take her to wife, by the way.
"...And the thing which he did displeased the Lord, wherefore he slew him also." Now, this is certainly something that fits right into the present hour when there's such an emphasis on sex. Believe me, the sons of Jacob put an emphasis there also. Certainly Judah did, let's say that.
We read then, "...Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow in thy father's house, tell Shelah my son be grown. For, he said, lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went, and dwelt in her father's house." Now, that was the custom in that day that when a man died, his brother was to marry her.
And the two of them, actually, they refused to do it, and they were smitten with death. Now, Judah tells her to go into her father's house and wait. He has another son that's coming along.
Sermon Outline
- I. Judah's Sin and the Consequences
- A. Judah's affair with a Canaanitish woman
- B. The birth of Er, Onan, and Shelah
- C. The death of Er and Onan
- II. The Custom of Levirate Marriage
- A. Judah's instruction to Tamar
- B. The refusal of Judah's sons to marry Tamar
- III. The Consequences of Sin
- A. The emphasis on sex in the present hour
- B. The need for obedience to God's commands
Key Quotes
“He had erred, or he'd certainly sinned.” — J. Vernon McGee
“And the thing which he did displeased the Lord, wherefore he slew him also.” — J. Vernon McGee
“For, he said, lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We must be careful to avoid sin and disobedience, as it can have severe consequences.
- We should prioritize obedience to God's commands, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable.
- Our actions have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for those around us as well.