Bringing Forth Christ – Part 5 – Judah

At first sight, Judah does not seem to be the likely son of Jacob to become an ancestor of the Messiah. Joseph certainly had better character and indeed in many areas of his life was a fore-shadow of Christ in being sold and hated by his brethren, but becoming their savior in spite of that. Yet 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 points out that while Joseph received the birthright in the place of Reuben, Judah received the rulership. Judah prevailed above his brethren. The promise of the scepter was given to him and his descendants by Jacob on his death bed (Gen. 49:8-11). So what does Judah’s life show us?
Genesis 38 is a very sad chapter of the Bible. It shows us Judah and his family life. He picks worldly friends marries a worldly woman. Two of his sons marry another worldly woman, Tamar, and by their wickedness bring down God’s hand of judgment upon them. It is good to remember that one of the main purposes God has for marriage is a godly offspring. In Judah’s marriage he was 1 for 3, probably to a large extant because of whom he married.
After his wife’s death came the incident with Tamar which seems incredible to us living thousands of years after the event. To better realize why this could come about it should be remembered that in more patriarchal societies women cannot really support themselves. They are supported by their husbands or their sons after the passing of the husbands. Jesus in Mat. 5:32 speaking in the context of Jewish society even in His day states that a husband by divorcing his wife causes her to commit adultery. Her being divorced and unable to fend for herself would almost force her into another marriage. In light of this Tamar’s conduct becomes more understandable, deeply sinful, deeply fallen, but all too human. In my mission area here in Malawi I have heard of several young women who have pursued richer men in the hope of something better in life than they have known only too often to end up with a child and no support. The god of this world has created nothing, but twists that which God has made to destroy its goodness. Thus the good of self-preservation which God instilled to protect the gift of life He gave, becomes instead the lever whereby the enemy justifies iniquity and introduces misery.
Judah, like David after him, has his sin exposed by his own hasty and harsh judgment. Apparently the shame of it all did work some measure of repentance on Judah’s part. The fact that the sin of Judah was so reproved shows that in spite of his flaws God loved him for whom He loves He chastens.
Skipping ahead to the second journey to procure food in Egypt, the brothers try to persuade Jacob to release Benjamin to go with them so they can buy food and obtain the release of Simeon. Reuben as firstborn tries first and offers the lives of his two own sons in pawn for Benjamin. Jacob is unmoved by this. Judah points out that all of them will die without the food, and then offers himself as surety. This is where Judah begins to come into the forefront. God was bringing about this circumstance to show something that was in Judah that is an essential for leadership – laying down his life for another. Reuben was willing to sacrifice his children, but not himself. Judah took the responsibility upon his shoulders. Later when tested, he took the lead of his brethren, willingly offering to take the place of the (seemingly) guilty Benjamin, so that he could be reconciled with his father (Gen. 44:32-34). As he did this he became unknowingly a type of Another One who would take our place and our punishment that we might be reconciled to the Father. Judah for all his faults had tied his donkey to a choice vine, and as a consequence he would benefit from the connection. It is not who we are, but whom we are joined to that makes the most difference. Amen.