This chapter covers many years of time. It is probable that the episode began several years before the brothers sold Joseph.

Though the details of this chapter are unsavoury, God placed them in the Bible for our benefit. God wants us to learn from the sinful mistakes of people in the past so that we can avoid making the same foolish mistakes.

Once again, we see the fruits of the principle in Galatians 6:7-8. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” If we do not pull out the weeds of sin, they will multiply.

Transition

As we circumspectly step through the sins of this chapter, ask God to place a fear in your soul and a purpose in your heart that you will not be deceived by similar temptations.

Judah married an unbeliever (v.1-5)

1. He married Shuah a Canaanite
   1. Where was Jacob when his sons needed help finding wives? Abraham and Isaac both helped their sons find wives from among “professing” believers. Jacob failed.
   2. Judah “saw” a daughter of Hirah and took her to wife. He saw her beauty not her character. She was a pagan. Elevating beauty over character is never a wise choice.
      ☆ Dads, you need to protect your children and help them when it comes time to find a spouse. Start preparing them when they are young. Teach them to save their heart and body for their spouse. Teach them to look for character not beauty.
      ☆ Young people, do not be fooled by beauty and charm. When beauty fades, character (or the lack of it) comes to the surface. Those who marry a spouse with godly character are far more likely to have a stable happy marriage.
2. Shuah bore three sons to Judah
   1. The first was named Er. The second was Onan. The third was Shelah.
   2. He was in Chezib when the third was born.

Judah failed to pass on godly character (v.6-11)

1. Years pass and Judah took a wife for Er
   1. Judah helped Er find a wife named Tamar, but we know nothing of her background – probably Canaanite.
   2. Er was wicked and the Lord killed him (v.7). We do not know what he did. Perhaps he had learned evil religious practices from his pagan mother. Whatever it was, it was serious and God killed him.
      ☆ Last week we were reminded of the importance of instilling character and godliness in our children. Here again is another reminder. Judah failed to pass on godly character to Er and God took his life prematurely.
2. Judah told his son Onan to marry Tamar.
   1. Onan was to marry Tamar and have children by her to carry on the family name of Er his brother. It seems as though God gave this rule to Abraham’s family to insure that they multiply. To us, this was an unusual demand, yet God also required it of his people years later in the Law (Deu 25:5-6).
   2. Onan did not want a child by Tamar that would be called after his brother’s name. He refused to give her conception. Evidently, he knew his refusal was against God’s will. For his, God killed him too (v.9-10).
      ☆ I find nothing in the Bible that requires us to follow this practice today, but it does remind us of two facts. 1) Children are a blessing from the Lord, not a curse. 2) It is a serious mistake to rebel against the Lord.
3. Judah asked Tamar to remain a widow until Shelah his third son was old enough to marry her.
   1. This may have been more of an excuse than a reality because he feared losing Shelah as well (v.11).
   2. Shelah grew up and Judah never fulfilled his promise.

Judah yielded to sensual temptation (v.12-23)

1. Judah’s wife died and he was left alone
   1. He went to visit his sheep shearers in Timnath.
   2. He went with Hirah his friend. Hirah was not the kind of friend Judah needed. He needed a wise friend who would help him stay close to God.
   3. Judah let down his guard against temptation.
      ☆ You cannot trust unsaved friends to help you live godly. Build friendships with godly wise people.
      ☆ (Proverbs 13:20) “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
      ☆ (Proverbs 14:7) “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”
      ☆ (1 Corinthians 15:33) “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
2. Tamar plans an evil plot
   1. She was frustrated that Judah did not fulfil his promise to have her marry Shelah.
   2. She dressed like a harlot, covered her face, and waited by the roadside to entice Jacob (v.13-14).
      ☆ Ladies, the way you dress has a powerful effect on men. If you wear clothing that is tight or that reveals your upper legs, your low neckline, your bare shoulders, you are tempting men to look at you with lustful thoughts. This includes swimsuits! No godly woman would want to tempt men.
   3. Judah yielded to the temptation and was immoral with her.
   4. She took his signet, bracelets, and staff as payment until he returned with a kid goat from the flock (v.18).
   5. When Judah sent the kid goat to her, she was gone (v.19-21).
      ☆ The other day as I listened to a sermon, the preacher wisely warned men of the three most common times for temptation to attack. 1) When you are TIRED, 2) When you are TRAVELLING, 3) When you are TROUBLED. When we are tired, travelling, or troubled, we must double our guard and meditate on God’s Victory Steps of James 4:7-10.
      ☆ “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Judah is shamed by his sin (v.24-30)

1. News got out that Tamar was pregnant.
   1. Judah heard and demanded she be put to death (v.24).
   2. Tamar said the father of her child was the owner of the signet, bracelets, and staff (v.25).
   3. Judah was shamed and dropped the charges (v.26).
2. Tamar gave birth to twins
   1. She named them Pharez and Zarah.
   2. Even in this sinful situation, we see the mercy and grace of God. God forgave the sin and allowed Judah and Tamar’s son Pharez to be in the family line of the Messiah.
      ☆ (Matthew 1:3) “And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;”
      ☆ Our God is merciful. He never overlooks sin, but he will ALWAYS forgive any sin when we repent and confess it.
      ☆ (Psalms 86:5) “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
      ☆ (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Conclusion

Sexual sin and immorality is spreading like weeds. Tempting immodesty is everywhere we turn. To keep ourselves from sexual sins, we must fear God and purpose in our hearts like Daniel not to defile ourselves. We must protect our eyes, guard our thoughts, and dress modestly. Avoid being alone with the opposite gender and flee intimate conversations. Be on red alert when you are tired, travelling, or troubled. Young people, pray that God will lead you to a spouse with godly character. Let’s be wise and walk with the wise.

If you need God’s forgiveness, He is waiting with open arms to forgive you if you will humbly confess your wrong to Him.

If you are not positive you are saved, receive God’s salvation today.

Song: Yield Not to Temptation – 364
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Sin Grows Like Weeds!
11 January 2014 am – Genesis 38:1-30 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs