Scripture to Read: Genesis 38:1-10
In Genesis 38, we see the wickedness of sin on display in the life of Judah and his family. Genesis 38 begins as Judah leaves his family and marries a Canaanite woman. Throughout Genesis, God gave His warnings and we have read the results of His people marrying the Canaanites. Both Isaac and Jacob were directed to marry from within their own (Genesis 24; Genesis 29:1-20), but Judah left his family and married a Canaanite. Judah's sin continued throughout his family as his firstborn, Er, is described as "wicked in the sight of the LORD," and God put him to death. Before his death, Er married a woman named Tamar. After Er's death, as was custom and put into law in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Er's younger brother Onan was to take Tamar and raise children for his brother. Rather than honor the custom, Onan chose to refuse to have children with Tamar! Thus, we see the unwise joining of the people of God with those who did not worship God. In Genesis 38, God shows how the wickedness of sin destroys relationships. Like Er and Onan, we are born with a sin-filled nature. Although we deserve death, God provided His Son to die in our place so that we could have life through a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Our response must be to place our trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and turn from the wickedness of our sin. When we repent of our sins and put our complete faith in Christ as Lord, we are forgiven and made right with God.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about how serious He takes sin and how wicked it is?
2. What are sins your heart has been exposed to that you need to confess and repent from?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!