Day 21: The Plot Thickens

Today we read Genesis 38, Job 29-30, and Proverbs 3:28-32. This passage may seem disruptive and confusing as we might expect the Joseph story to continue here, yet, this passage has a specific place in the unified story of the Bible with connections in repetition of motif and Hebrew word choices. This passage answers the question, which of the sons of Jacob will take over the right of primogeniture and step into the line of blessing coming down from Abraham after Isaac and Jacob? We might expect it to be Joseph, and yes Joseph does receive a double portion of inheritance from His father and God does bless Him and give Him favor, but God is also picking who will be the descendants of His earthly family - Mary and Joseph. And I notice that God’s picks are typically socio-culturally unexpected. We see that here, again, in this story. God chooses Judah and Tamar to continue the rescue mission of bringing the wounded victor, Jesus. We continue to see a pattern, God does not pick a person and call them into His mission based on merit. We do not earn or deserve the call to be blessed or be a blessing, but rather the call is a testament to the amazing immutable character of God who loves us prodigally with grace and that Jesus Christ will save us based on God’s merit, not the chosen people in the rescue mission. He does not want any confusion about Him descending from a line of people who were holy in their own right but that God aligns with sinners who trust Him, seek and accept His restoration and redemption back into the Kingdom mission of close relationship with Him in a special place (where Heaven meets Earth; where the Holy Spirit fills us) with special benefits (forever with Him) for the purpose of blessing others and creation care! The story of the Bible is unfolding today and Jesus will return for the completion of this Kingdom mission restoration and redemption project. So exciting!

Resources:

Hans-Georg WÜNCH. (January, 2012). Genesis 38 – Judah’s Turning Point: Structural Analysis and Narrative Techniques and their Meaning for Genesis 38 and its Placement in the Story of Joseph, Old Testament Essays. pgs. 777-806

 

Matthew Henry Commentary on Genesis 38, Bible Hub. Retrieved from: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/genesis/38.htm 

 

Father Mike Schmitz (2021). Day 20: Judah and Tamar. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-20-judah-and-tamar-2023/id1539568321?i=1000595616695 

 

Credits:

Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.