EVIL TURNED ROUND FOR GOOD
Judah, Perez, and Zerah
From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our journey brings us round to Judah, the fourth son of Jacob (by Leah) and his sons, twins Perez and Zerah. Judah, meaning this time I will praise the Lord, was Jacob’s son through whom the promised covenant would continue, as we will see regardless of any merit of his own. Judah had three sons by his Canaanite wife. Oddly, however, it would be his twins, Perez and Zerah, conceived in a twisted tangle of deceit and sin, through whom the seed would continue (both mentioned in the Matthew’s genealogy of Christ). I find it so intriguing the meaning of Judah’s name… this time I will praise the Lord. Whether they knew it or not, Judah and his sons had reason enough. From him and tribe would one day come the Lion of Judah! And this One, Heaven’s Prince come to serve and save, would be perfect provision, a once-and-for-all sacrifice, and, just as promised, would give the entirety of creation reason to praise!
Before we dive into Judah’s family life, we view life among his brothers, as son of Jacob and one of twelve! In chapter 37 of Genesis, we find Judah and brothers conspiring against Joseph, Jacob’s favored son. Just as Jacob’s father, Isaac, played favorites, ironically Jacob had to a greater extent, favoring Rachel as wife and thus her sons, Joseph and Benjamin, above all others. Jealousy full blown, Joseph’s brothers left him in a pit, intent on his death and neither grieved for his affliction. At an opportune time, a traveling caravan passed. Judah suggested selling Joseph rather than let him die in the pit. In verse 26, Judah said, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishamaelites and not lay our hands on him for he is our brother, our own flesh.” As I read, I paused to wander through Judah’s mind. I think he realized with Joseph’s death would come guilt for him. Maybe compassion for his brother made him suggest the slave traders (albeit tainted with selfish deceit for he would later take part in convincing his father that wild animals ate Joseph!). But one thing I can know for certain: never did he fathom that Joseph, sold a slave, would one day be ruler to whom he would bow! Do I see compassion in Judah? Yes, in a form, but further still, I see providence of God! As you know, Judah’s brothers listened and Joseph was off to Egypt. God’s plan, turning harm into good, was just beginning to unfold...
Years passed and a famine-stricken Canaan forced Jacob to send ten sons (excluding Benjamin) down to Egypt for grain (Genesis 42). There Judah and his brothers unknowingly met Joseph, bowed to him just as Joseph’s dream foretold (Genesis 37), and, after Joseph inquired of him, returned to their father to fetch Benjamin and return to Joseph. Remarkably, Joseph forgave his brothers. On several occasions throughout this passage (Genesis 42-45) Judah spoke to both Joseph and his father Jacob. In a dramatic scene in chapter 44 we find Judah pleading before Joseph on behalf of his youngest brother, Benjamin, (son of Rachel and Jacob’s remaining joy). In chapter prior, we find that Judah offered himself to Jacob as surety, his life responsible for Benjamin’s safe return. Judah, on his knees before Joseph, uttered words relevant as we, once again, find in pages of scripture words pointing straight to Him! Dig with me and be blessed, friend.
Joseph in many ways painted a portrait of a coming Christ, who would be, just as Joseph, sold and betrayed, but would, in turn, offer forgiveness and restoration. Movingly, in verse 16, Judah said, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? And how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants…” In these few words, Judah, unbeknownst to himself, told the gospel story of grace! We are, left to our striving and effort, unable to build any staircase or climb any ladder sufficient enough. I sit back in awe as I realize that even as Judah spoke, God already had His plan to deliver the Promised One in working motion! Years later, as only He could, He set His cross upon a hill, called His Son to become perfect sacrifice in our stead, and accomplished there all we could not do for ourselves! Yes, we, like Judah, remain left with words lacking and deeds insufficient to justify our state. But, gloriously, just as Joseph, God forgives in measure complete for us! Romans says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus!” What words do we have for such a gift? What stake can we claim? None but His! Fallen short – yet justified! Were it not for grace…
At the end of chapter 44, we find Judah once again pleading for Benjamin. Joseph, before revealing his identity, told his brothers to return to Canaan without Benjamin (to remain a slave). Interestingly and perhaps reminiscent of a situation remarkably similar with another brother years ago, Judah, this time, offered to exchange places with his brother, Benjamin. Did he hold remorse? Did he have regret? Most certainly. Without a doubt, I see in Judah this: He knew his sins and he recognized his state because of them. Oh what that says to us. Following Judah’s plea, Joseph told Judah and brothers who he was and granted mercy! We are left with much to reflect… Do you know who you are today? More importantly, do you know who He is? Above all else, have you found yourself at the foot of His cross, forgiven, redeemed, justified, and able to stand as child and heir to eternal promise? Mercy sweet in gift of grace can there be found…
Later in Genesis, we read that Jacob moved his entire family, including Judah, to Egypt. Tracing this journey from Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, and finally through Judah and Judah’s sons, I can see clearly God and His sovereignty. You know, His ways aren’t always clear to us. He doesn’t offer us the ten-step plan like we so often shake our fists for! Above all, however, we can know that those ways are working to accomplish His purposes! When I don’t understand or question why, I will remember the words Joseph shared with a scared Judah and brothers just after Jacob’s death. In Genesis 50:20, he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result.” God meant it for good… and a result there was! Comforting that despite all circumstance might shout at us God is working in the midst of it all…
We have seen Judah with brothers and father. Now we view his family. In chapter 38 of Genesis, we find his intriguing story. Judah, a young man, left his father, went down to Adullam and visited a friend named Hirah. Unwise was his choice, for there he saw the daughter of a Canaanite and took her for his wife, a union of which his father certainly wouldn’t approve! (Jacob’s own brother, Esau, had married Canaanite women just to displease his father, Isaac; see Genesis 28:8-9). His Canaanite wife fathered Judah three sons, Er, Onan and Shelah. Er, the oldest son, was “evil in the sight of the Lord” (Genesis 38:7). Judah chose a wife for him, Tamar, but God took Er’s life before she could conceive. As tradition held, Judah commanded his second son, Onan, to take Tamar as wife and with her conceive. He consented to marriage but refused her his seed. His actions, displeasing God, also ended his life (Genesis 38:9-10). Upon the death of his second son, Judah told Tamar to remain in her father’s house a widow until his third son was of age. I wonder about Judah’s intentions. Could it be that he refused to consider giving his last son? I think he likely offered with no intention to keep his promise. In fact, verse 11 tells us that Judah was afraid that his third son, should he marry Tamar, would die just as his brothers had.
Time passed and with it came the death of Judah’s wife. After mourning, Judah and his friend, Hirah, who really was not much of a friend at all, traveled to Timnah. Along the way, Tamar posed as a prostitute, seduced Judah, and conceived Judah’s child! With forethought, Tamar seized her chance, exposed herself, while Judah, unknowingly, became guilty of the incest that, ironically, would provide her with child. Lest you think light of Judah’s mistake or quickly dismiss it for ignorance, realize that regardless of whether he recognized his daughter-in-law, he still sinned just as Tamar. And in the process, she gained Judah’s seal, his cord, and his staff as a pledge until further payment (a goat) could be arranged. Once again, Judah’s intentions foiled when he sent the goat by way of, you guessed it, his friend, Hirah, and the prostitute (Tamar) could not be found. When Hirah returned with no staff, cord or seal, Judah declared his only course of action – silence. Sadly, Judah, in the bottom of his pit, wanted only to cover his tracks to prevent shame. He showed yet no hint of remorse for his action.
He, like as is such the human struggle, consumed himself with others’ thoughts of him. He was worried about his public image rather than what God thought about him! Once again, convicted I am as I think about how easy it is to let the opinion of others affect choices, thoughts and attitudes. Hebrews 3:1 contains two words I love; they are “Consider Jesus” (also 12:3). Above all else and in the midst of all…consider Him! With eyes focused, perspective righted, feet obedient, and heart willing, we, in Him, can live, just as Paul wrote in Galatians, as bond-servants of Christ! In Galatians
In verse 24 of Genesis 38, we see Judah’s judgment and rage upon hearing his daughter-in-law was with child. Still unknowing, Judah, ready to bring her to the fire for her actions was adamant to reveal her shame. Ironically, just as he tried so desperately to avoid three months prior, the tables quickly turned. Tamar held the cord, the staff and the seal, undeniable proof that Judah had fathered her child! He, so quick to bring shame upon another, was revealed also as such! Judah, surprisingly but with no other choice, confessed his twofold wronging of Tamar, not giving Shelah his son, causing her act of prostitution, and his adulterous offense. For what it is worth (a whole lot this time), Judah this time was truly repentant. He was ashamed publicly, but unlike before, he recognized his own sin! He knew exactly what he was and what he had done…
Much that says to me, but most importantly this: A Lamb unblemished bore my sins on His cross so that I, whose righteousness compared at best to filthy rags, might live in righteousness! Psalm 130:3-4 says, “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You that You may be feared.” Judah made mistakes, yes, but before we judge, let us remember that even in the best, God would not find righteousness worth standing. All fall short, huge and slight mistakes standing side by side in the mirror reflecting terrible unrighteousness before a just and Holy God. His mercy alone spares. God and God alone deposits credit to our name. Should he have chosen not to, to leave us to our own efforts and devices rather, I choose to think not. He has, by great miraculous measure, chosen us. In choosing, He loved us. In choosing, He made a path for us. In choosing, He marked us clean. Yes, recognize who you are, but view yourself in light of Him! He has made all the difference!
Out of these events, to Tamar and Judah twin sons, Perez and Zerah, were born. These twins battled for birthright, just as another pair we visited not so long ago. Zerah, marked with a scarlet thread as his hand emerged, looked to be born first, but as his hand withdrew, Perez, whose name means breach, came forth! Both children are mentioned in Matthew’s lineage of Christ, but Perez would later father what would be the tribe of Judah. Illegitimate child of a wayward Judah and a Canaanite woman reduced to prostitution, Perez would father kings and one day the Messiah! It seems so strange that Christ would emerge from family havoc such as this, but, as God does, here is woven a portrait of redeeming grace and forgiveness, human weakness strikingly opposite His perfection. Christ came for such as these, for you and for me, because He knew the mess we would be! He knew our sin and resulting state and chose to save regardless – grace unmerited! Truly He was and is Holy, Perfect, and Worthy, not because of the men in his lineage but simply because He is!
Finally, in Genesis 49 we find Jacob blessing his sons just prior to his death. Verses 8 through 12 contain the blessing to Judah. After just walking through his story, I find it so intriguing that it would begin with, “Judah, your brothers shall praise you.” His brothers would praise him? Really? (But then again, God chose grace above all I deserved). I realized that Judah’s life aside, his line of children would be such that other tribes of Jacob would extol him – from him would come David and eventually Christ!
Dig with me here, friends, for a moment as we explore Jacob’s blessing to Judah. Overall it is highly prophetic and symbolic. In verse 10, we read the prophecy that “the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” The scepter obviously represented rule and the term Shiloh is used here as a “symbolic name for the ruler of Judah.” (It is the only occurrence in this manner throughout scripture. Every other time Shiloh appears, it speaks of a physical place – Strong’s.) Jacob’s words of blessing pointed to Judah’s Messiah who would come and rule. I can’t read this passage without thinking of the day when that Messiah returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Then certainly all will be in obedience to Him, acknowledging Him as Lord! Until that day, we wait and know that He remains reason enough to praise!
Judah’s life was not perfect, his example not admirable at times, but from his tribe would come Christ, the Lion of Judah! Jacob blesses Judah as such in Genesis 49:8-9 but it would be Christ who would truly overcome as King of Kings. I can think of no better way to end but with this: In Revelation chapter 5, John wept, none found worthy in heaven or earth to open the scrolls. Then, with emotion sweet, he beheld amidst the throne the Lion from the tribe of Judah and the Root of David! Lion of Judah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, stood willing and worthy to be our Lamb of Sacrifice. Look up, precious one, just as John did. That Lion of Judah, upon His cross and with nail-ravaged hands, purchased your life for God – evil turned round for good! For that time we will praise the Lord!