Introduction: There’s a scene in Wayne’s World when the guys figure out they can save the day because of something a random security guard told them weeks ago: “Wow, what an important detail!  Though it seemed extraneous at the time.” 

Such is the common treatment of Genesis 38: an extraneous detail that seems to intrude on the Joseph story.  Genesis 37 ended with Joseph a slave in Potiphar’s house.  Genesis 39 picks up where 37 ended.  Chapter 38… is a story about the weird marital relations of Judah’s family.   You can’t preach it.  You can’t read it with your kids.  I’m sure it never came up in the Muffin family devotions.   

But, I promise you, it matters.  

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Flashback: Judah’s Nightmare; from Genesis 38

Judah – fourth born of Jacob, but obviously the leader of his generation.  It was Judah who convinced his brothers to “make a little money” off of Joseph and deceive their father that a wild animal had killed his favorite son.  While Joseph was gone in Egypt, Judah’s family grows up, and his firstborn son, Er, marries a woman named Tamar.  The story tells us that Er was wicked and the LORD “put him to death.”  Tamar was then married to Er’s brother, Onan, so that Er could have an heir.  But Onan didn’t want to participate in helping his dead brother, and the LORD puts him to death as well.

Judah promises his third son, Shelah, will marry Tamar when he is old enough.  But Judah had no intention of following through – he’d already lost two sons who were married to her – and simply told Tamar: go back to your parents and live like a widow until I send for you.  But he never did.

Tamar had no intention of being put away like this, so she devised a plan.  She disguised herself, and got Judah to, well, you know, and, you know, promise to pay her, and, well, you know, he did.  As a promise of payment, he left his staff and his personal seal-and-cord.  But when he sent her payment, she had vanished.  

Months later, Judah received word: “Your former daughter-in-law is pregnant.”  Judah was outraged: how could she be pregnant when she’s pledged to my son?  Outrage!   He goes looking for her to execute justice, and when she’s found, she sends out a seal and staff: “In case you’re wondering, these belong to the man who got me pregnant.”  

Judah is caught, and contrite: “She is more righteous than I…”

Eventually, Tamar gives birth to two sons, Perez and Zerah (I guess twins run in the family).  Judah’s sons are restored; Tamar has a place in the family; and Judah is humbled by his own deceit.  

An extraneous detail?   We’ll find out.

Have a great trip!

Daddio