An Unlikely Story of Redemption: Genesis 38

Judah’s departure (physically and spiritually).

Genesis 38:1-5

Judah’s passivity and the complication that develops. Genesis 38:6-11

Judah’s immorality: Genesis 38:12-19 (ESV)

Judah’s hypocrisy (reputation and convenience):
Genesis 38:20-24 (ESV)

Judah’s humiliation: Genesis 38:25-26 (ESV)

Judah’s redemption: Genesis 38:27-30 (ESV)

10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Genesis 49:10 (ESV)

Lessons from Genesis 38:

Sin can progressively escalate, and you will be found out, so repent sooner rather than later.

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (ESV)

You can be in a place of promise without the peace of promise. (Vodie Baucham)

12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
Revelation 3:12 (ESV)

The People of God Have Always Been Multiethnic (Vodie Baucham)

3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, Matthew 1:3 (ESV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 (ESV)

God goes out of His way to show salvation is by grace.

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, Romans 5:20 (ESV)