BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 23, Day 4: Genesis 38:1-12

Summary of Genesis 38:1-12:

Judah left the family and went up to Adullam. He got married and had three sons. Judah got a wife for his firstborn, Er, but he was wicked so God put him to death. Onan, Er’s brother, was then to lie with Er’s wife, but he refused to have kids with her so he was put to death. The widow Tamar was sent to live with her father until Shelah, Judah’s final son, was of age. Judah’s wife died, and he went to Timnah.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 23, Day 4: Genesis 38:1-12

10) He married a Canaanite woman and so too did his sons.

11a) Er was wicked in the eyes of the Lord (that is all we are told). Onan refused to have children with Er’s widow, which violated Deuteronomy 25:5-10

b) God does not tolerate wickedness, and He enacts justice.

12) It helps me to not stray from God’s path, to remember Him, and hopefully to not sin as much.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 23, Day 4: Genesis 38:1-12

I really don’t remember this chapter in Genesis. It seems out of place to me, especially if this is Joseph’s remembrances.

map of adullam and timnah www.atozmomm.comBSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 23, Day 4: Genesis 38:1-12

It seems strange to me that Judah did this. Perhaps he is reminded daily of his sin against his father when he sees him so he leaves. Yet, he violates God’s wishes by marrying a Canaanite woman, which we see a lot in Genesis. (Genesis 24:328:128:8

Being required to marry the widow of your brother was one of God’s ways to care for widows. Widows would probably have lived the rest of their lives struggling if not provided for. Onan refused to have kids with Tamar because they would not be his (they would be considered kids of the one who died, in this case Er). Thus, only obeying God half-way is still a sin.

Judah was afraid his last son would face God’s judgement too so he sent Tamar away.

2 thoughts on “BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 23, Day 4: Genesis 38:1-12

Leave a Reply