When our church was between pastors for a few weeks, I had the rare opportunity to give the message one Wednesday evening. I called my message “God Will Have His Way.”
The main Scripture passage was Genesis 38 with a few others to support the points I made. I’ll summarize, but I invite you to click the link below to hear the full message.
Genesis 38 is a shocking and disturbing passage. It would be rated PG or R if it was a movie.
But I didn’t share it for shock value. There’s a bigger picture with lessons that apply to us.
This chapter interrupts the story of Joseph, which is told in chapters 37 and 39-50. It stands in stark contrast to Joseph’s life.
Two of Judah’s sons are killed by God. His daughter-in-law Tamar acts as a prostitute. Judah has a child by her, though he didn’t know he was the father until she reveals it to him.
Sounds more twisted than today’s modern dramas, doesn’t it?
Though Genesis 38 is a strange account, Judah had to have children because Christ would be a descendant of the tribe of Judah. Our first clue about this comes in Genesis 49: 10.
In spite of Satan’s attempts to thwart the birth of Christ, such as the death of Judah’s first two sons, God would have His way. He brings order out of chaos.
Notice who is mentioned in Matthew 1, verse 3. It’s none other than Tamar herself.
And on the genealogy goes down through Boaz, Jesse, David, Solomon, and on to Christ Himself.
It was unusual for women to be included in genealogies. What’s more, Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth, who are mentioned in Matthew 1, are all gentiles. This shows how God works with grace and mercy that goes beyond our comprehension.
Three lessons we can draw from this are as follows:
- God will accomplish His will, for His glory, no matter what happens.
- God can bring good out of our sin-riddled lives, no matter what happens.
- We dare not abuse God’s grace, no matter what happens.
The bottom line is that God will have His way, no matter what happens.
If you don’t know Christ as your Savior and Lord, you’re missing out. Come to Him and let Him redeem and bless you.
If you do know Christ, be sure not to miss His direction and blessings in your life.
Click here to listen to the message. (Right click to download.)