The Dark Decline of Judah (Genesis 38)

Sermon Notes:

1. The Decline of into Darkness (38:1-24)

   a. His choices

   i. His choice of location (v. 1)

   ii. His choice of friends (v. 1)

   iii. His choice of spouse (v. 2)

   iv. His choice of daughter-in-law (v. 6)

   b. His calamities

   i. His son Er, was wicked and put to death (v. 7)

   ii. His son Onan, was wicked and put to death (vv. 8-10)

   iii. His wife dies (v. 12)

   c. His moral failure

   i. Betrays his family (v. 11, 14)

   ii. Defiles himself (vv. 12-23)

   iii. Condemns his daughter-in-law hypocritically (v. 24)

2. The Dawn of Redeeming Grace (38:25-30)

   a. Tamar’s proof (vv. 24-25)

   b. Tamar’s pardon (v. 26)

   c. Judah’s pivot (vv. 26, 43:8-9, 44:32-34)

   d. Judah’s progeny (vv. 27-30)

   e. God’s providence and grace (Gen 49:8-10, Ruth 4:18-22, Matt 1:3, Luke 3:33, Rev 5:5)
   
   Addendum: Onan and Birth Control