BibleSumo Weekly Bible Study

Genesis 38 Outline

• Judah's First Sin - Marrying a Pagan Wife (v.1-5)
• Judah's Second Sin - Breaking a Promise (v.6-14)
• Judah's Third Sin - Soliciting a Prostitute (v.15-23)
• Tamar's Vindication (v.24-26)
• Tamar Bears Twins (v.27-30)

In this episode, we will study a parenthetical chapter: Genesis 38. This chapter is a flashback in Canaan to Joseph older brother Judah. Many ask, “why is this here?” It seems to interrupt the plot development of the Genesis narrative of Joseph.

There are at least 5 reasons why the account of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar.

• First, it is a part of Jacob’s story. Remember that the heading of Genesis 37:2 is “These are the generations of Jacob.” Even though I have consistently referred to Genesis 37-50 as the Joseph narrative, it is really the story of Jacob’s household. We will soon see that in this story of Jacob’s children, Judah becomes a central protagonist.
• Second, this chapter explains why it was necessary for God to bring Israel to Egypt. Jacob’s sons were intermarrying with the Canaanites and in danger of being swallowed up by Canaan’s culture. God chose to preserve the Jews in Egypt as a separate people, since the Egyptians disliked foreigners, particularly shepherds.
• Third, Genesis 38 contrasts the shortcoming of Judah with the uprightness of Joseph in Genesis 39.
• Fourth, this chapter provides important background for us that will built up to the climax in Genesis 44, when Judah becomes a pledge and guaranteer for Benjamin. I can’t wait til chapter 44 when we see one of the strongest foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
• Finally, this story gives Judah’s lineage that provides further background to the genealogy of the Messiah. We learn that God’s promised Messiah, Christ Jesus, will come through the line of Judah through Tamar.

In this episode, we continue our study of The Joseph narrative. It's here in the second section of Genesis 37 where we learn how the brothers sell Joseph to Egypt. The second part of Genesis 37 can be summarized with four events.

• Joseph is sent to Shechem (v.12-17)
• Joseph is sold at Dothan (v.18-30)
• Jacob mourns in Hebron (v.31-35)
• Joseph is sold to Potiphar (v.36)

Bible study and prayer go hand in hand.

Here are 10 Puritan Prayers on the Trinity of God. Each prayer is about 2 minutes long.

1. The Trinity
2. God the All (2:12)
3. God the Source of All Good (4:15)
4. The Great God (6:21)
5. The All-Good (8:27)
6. The Mover (10:17)
7. The Divine Will (12:19)
8. Divine Mercies (14:24)
9. God Enjoyed (16:43)
10. A Present Salvation (18:49)

In this episode, we continue our study of The Joseph story. It's here in the first section of Genesis 37 where we meet Joseph the Dreamer. Through this passage, we learn four realities.

• Joseph’s special status (v.2)
• His father’s favoritism (v.3)
• His brother’s hatred (v.4)
• God’s providential revelation (v.5-11)

I’m going to cover five topics in our introduction to the Joseph narrative:

• Joseph’s childhood and upbringing
• Joseph’s model character
• Joseph in the New Testament
• Joseph’s similarities with Christ Jesus
• Joseph and God’s providence 

We will take a closer look at Joseph’s childhood and how God prepares him for the difficult life he will live to protect and preserve his family.

To conclude our survey of the Genesis narrative of Jacob, an important question must be asked. “Why did God choose Jacob, not Esau?” Another way to ask this question is “On what basis did God choose Jacob over Esau?”

• Systematic avoidance of Romans 9
• Romans 9 is not talking about individuals but talking about nations.
• Romans 9 is referring to individual election of temporal and material blessing.
• Doctrine of prescience

“Why did God choose Jacob, not Esau?”

Answer: God chooses to whom He grants mercy not on the basis of man’s will, but based on God’s sovereign free will so that His purposes might stand. And that divine prerogative is what makes Him God.

Genesis 36 gives us the genealogy of Isaac's older son Esau.

Esau spurned his birthright, and never did he show any spiritual perception or interest. But God did not forget him. Esau was still the son of Isaac. He was still Jacob’s brother. He became the father of Israel’s “brother” nation, Edom. 

Jacob returns to Bethel before seeing his father Isaac at Hebron and enduring several more trials.

Genesis 35 can be divided into two main sections.

• Jacob returns to Bethel (v.1-15)
• Birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel and Isaac (v.16-29)

In Genesis 34, we read the account of Jacob's sons exacting revenge against Shechem for raping their sister Dinah.

Genesis 34 can be divided into 6 sections

• The wickedness of exposure and rape (v.1-4)
• The wickedness of accepting immorality (v.5-6)
• The wickedness of deception and misusing religion (v.7-17)
• The wickedness of greed and covetousness (v.18-24)
• The wickedness of revenge and false justice (v.25-29)
• The result of wickedness (v.30-31)

In Genesis 33, we see Jacob's long-anticipated reunion with Esau.

Today’s story of Jacob’s reconciliation with Esau can be divided into five sections

• Jacob approached Esau humbly (v.1-4)
• Jacob shared about his life with Esau (v.5-7)
• Jacob asked for a sealing of the reconciliation (v.8-11)
• Jacob saw proof of reconciliation (v.12-16)
• Jacob experienced the results of reconciliation (v.17-20)