Genesis 37 and 38 show that Judah was a carnal believer. He nearly had his brother Joseph killed. He agreed to sell Joseph into slavery. He married a Canaanite woman. His two oldest sons were evil, and God killed them. He refused to give his daughter-in-law, Tamar, to his youngest son. Judah’s wife died. One tragedy after another occurred due to his carnality.

Then, after a time of mourning his wife, Judah–thinking he was hiring a harlot–had relations with Tamar. Only when he discovered that he was the guilty party did he do the right thing. He confessed his sin and acknowledged that she was more righteous than he.

Yet despite his being carnally-minded, God chose to bless him. He was the brother chosen to be in the line of Messiah:

The scepter shall not depart from Judah,

Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,

Until Shiloh comes;

And to Him shall be the obedience of the people (Gen 49:10).

Israel’s three eldest sons were passed over for this blessing because of major moral failures (Gen 49:3-7). Israel said of Judah: “You are he whom your brothers shall praise” (Gen 49:8a). Though Judah was still a baby believer with his own moral failures, his confession of his sin and acknowledgment of Tamar’s righteousness suggest that he was not in rebellion against God. Instead, Judah was immature in his faith. See 1 Cor 3:1-3 and the rest of that letter for examples of other baby believers.

Genesis 37 to 50 tells the story of Joseph. Why, then, did Moses insert a chapter about Judah? First, it helps explain how Judah’s tribe could be chosen as the line from which Messiah would come. Second, Judah’s story is a wonderful contrast to the story of Joseph’s early years in Egypt.

Joseph had received two dreams from God, telling him that he would become the head of the family. Yet he found himself a slave in the house of Potiphar. A partial indication of the truth of the dream is found in God’s blessing Joseph and making him ruler of Potiphar’s house. God was using calamity to prepare Joseph for future rule—just as He does for us today. As Dr. Radmacher loved to say, “This life is training time for reigning time.”

Whereas Judas sought out relations with someone he thought to be a harlot, Joseph is propositioned by Potiphar’s wife. Not just once, but day after day she attempted to seduce him. Unlike his brother, he did not give in to carnal lusts. He fled youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22). His reward? He was cast into a dungeon prison!

Did Joseph lose faith in God’s promise of future rulership when he was a slave and then a prisoner in a dungeon? Genesis 39 does not hint at that. While in prison, God again blessed him, and he rose to rule the prison.

We all face tests: cancer, inflation, job loss, death of loved ones, and conflicts with family and friends. We may not be sold into slavery and sent to prison for something we did not do. But we face hardships.

“If we endure, we shall reign with Him” (2 Tim 2:12). Everlasting life is a free gift received when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for it (John 3:16). Eternal rewards are earned by faithfulness. “It is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor 4:2).

Keep grace in focus.