Joel M Bradshaw

24About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.”

Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!”

25As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.”

26Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not sleep with her again.–Genesis 38

At first glance, Genesis 38 is the most awkward text for Easter Sunday–a day full of celebration and joy. And this Bible chapter is sexual and full of brokenness. But what it does do is present the defining moment for Judah, a key villain of the Joseph story.

Judah will be the most prominent of the sons of Jacob and will be the most important tribe. And in Joseph’s day, Judah was seen as the leader of his brothers. Under Judah’s influence Joseph’s death was faked, he was then sold into slavery, and Dad was misled.

Near the end of Genesis, Judah appears to have changed. He became selfless and sacrificial towards his brothers. So what changed? Genesis 38. It’s here we meet Tamar whom Judah denied justice to then proceeded to get humbled by her. It’s in this moment that we see a change begin with Judah and the reason this story is included in the larger Joseph narrative.

Judah illustrates that THE VILLAIN DOESN’T HAVE TO REMAIN THE VILLAIN. The path forward for the villain is humility, brokenness, repentance, and daily intentionality. I argue that from this point forward, Judah is no longer the villain. He had been broken and humbled, but his past choices no longer defined him. For the repentant once-villain, the previous sentence is all what one hopes for most! There is hope for you, my friend. Repent, seek accountability, offer amends, and start living the intentionally new life following Jesus. What better day than Easter to get started!–JMB