Back to the Beginning
A Study of Genesis – Chapter 38
This chapter is the sad and shameful story of Judah and Tamar.

It proves the inspiration of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16)
The Bible is a book man could not have written if he wanted to and he
would not have written if he could. The Bible surpasses man and it
condemns him.

It shows the depths of human sin (Jeremiah 17:9) The heart is deceitful
above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Apart from God anything is possible.

It reveals the contamination of the world (2 Cor. 6:17) Wherefore come out
from among them, and be separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Canaan is a picture of the world.
This chapter occurs at the same time when Joseph was taken to Egypt. It also
reveals the main reason why Joseph went to Egypt. For Jacob’s family to stay in
Canaan would contaminate and corrupt the chosen family. God calls His people
to be separate from the world.

It magnifies the grace of God (Rom. 5:20)
We would not appreciate His grace, if it were not for our sin.
(Romans 5:20) – Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
1. Judah’s DISOBEDIENCE (verses 1-10)
Judah is seen in stark contrast to Joseph. Joseph had been sold into slavery,
and Judah pocketed his share of the sale. He had two coins and a troubled
conscience to show for it. Day after day he saw the agony and despair of his
aging father. Day after day he was haunted with the look on Joseph’s face as
the brothers betrayed him. Judah did what so many people do when they can’t
stand their conscience anymore, he ran from home.
 His met a certain friend (Hirah - verses 1, 12, 20)
Apparently this man was a bad influence on Judah.
 He married a worldly woman (Shuah – verse 2)
She would have had the mentality and the morals of Canaan.

He had some wicked sons (Er and Onan – verses 3-10)
2. Judah’s DEPRAVITY (verses 11-26)

The deception – Tamar took matters into her own hands, like so many
others in the book of Genesis. She disguised herself as a temple
prostitute (the word “harlot” in verse 15 literally means “the consecrated”).
She knew her father-in-law well enough to know that he would be a
customer for the kind of services such a person could offer.

The desire – Judah was willing to pay dearly to satisfy his lusts. He parted
with his signet ring, his bracelets, and his staff. He was willing to pay a
high price for one moment of lust. When a person gives in to lust, the
price is always too high!

The double standard – Judah was ready to have Tamar burned. What a
hypocrite! (See 2 Samuel 12:1-14, where Nathan said to David, “Thou art
the man.”)

The discovery – What if we knew our actions would be recorded in the
Bible? Judah was willing to confess his sin and repent of it.
Be sure your sins will find you out!
3. Judah’s DESCENDANTS (verses 27-30)
Tamar gave birth to twin sons. Remember that God had taken away two sons in
judgment (Er and Onan). But now He gave Judah two sons in return. Isn’t that
just like the grace of God! This chapter reminds us that God’s grace is greater
than all our sin.

The scarlet thread was a symbol of salvation (the next time we read about
a scarlet thread is Joshua 2:18-21)

Both Judah and Tamar were in the family line of Jesus
Four Women in Jesus’ Family Tree (Matthew 1:3-6)
 Tamar – a Canaanite woman who acted like a prostitute
(Genesis 38)
 Rahab – a Canaanite woman who was a prostitute
(Joshua 2)
 Ruth – a Moabite woman, from Moab, a child of incest
(Genesis 19)
 Bathsheba – an Israelite woman who committed adultery
(2 Samuel 12)
Back to the Beginning
A Study of Genesis – Chapter 38
This chapter is the_________________________________________ story of Judah and Tamar.

It proves the_______________________________________ of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16)

It shows the_______________________________________ of human sin (Jer. 17:9)

It reveals the_______________________________________ of the world (2 Cor. 6:17)

It magnifies the_____________________________________ of God (Rom. 5:20)
1. Judah’s_______________________________________________ (verses 1-10)

His met a certain____________________________________ (Hirah - verses 1, 12, 20)

He married a worldly_________________________________ (Shuah – verse 2)

He had some wicked_______________________________ (Er and Onan – verses 3-10)
2. Judah’s_______________________________________________ (verses 11-26)

The____________________________________

The____________________________________

The____________________________________

The____________________________________
3. Judah’s________________________________________________ (verses 27-30)

The scarlet thread was a symbol of_______________________________________

Both Judah and Tamar were in the___________________________________________
Four Women in Jesus’ Family Tree (Matthew 1:3-6)
 __________________ – a Canaanite woman who acted like a prostitute (Genesis 38)
 __________________ – a Canaanite woman who was a prostitute (Joshua 2)
 __________________ – a Moabite woman, from Moab, a child of incest (Gen. 19)
 __________________ – an Israelite woman who committed adultery (2 Samuel 12)