WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:06.520 Phil is going to come and read to us from Genesis 38 and 39. 00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:10.019 A long story. 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:12.400 Well, it's the two stories, but as we'll see, 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.359 two stories that speak of the same story of salvation. 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:32.320 It can be found on page 42 of the Church Bibles. 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:44.600 At that time, Judah left his brothers 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:48.420 and went down to stay with a man of Adalam named Hirah. 00:00:49.340 --> 00:00:53.160 There, Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:55.820 He married her and lay with her. 00:00:56.260 --> 00:01:00.020 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son who was named Er. 00:01:00.400 --> 00:01:04.760 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan. 00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:09.140 She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah. 00:01:09.980 --> 00:01:13.120 It was at Kazib that she gave birth to him. 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:18.680 Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:23.219 But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the Lord's sight, 00:01:23.700 --> 00:01:25.520 so the Lord put him to death. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:28.040 Then Judah said to Onan, 00:01:28.600 --> 00:01:32.980 Lie with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her 00:01:32.980 --> 00:01:36.659 as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother. 00:01:36.659 --> 00:01:40.519 But Onan knew that his offspring would not be his. 00:01:41.060 --> 00:01:43.239 So whenever he lay with his brother's wife, 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:45.200 he spilt his semen on the ground 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:47.500 to keep from producing offspring for his brother. 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:51.200 What he did was wicked in the Lord's sight, 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:53.739 so he put him to death also. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:57.000 Judah then said to his daughter-in-law, Tamar, 00:01:57.500 --> 00:02:00.219 Live as a widow in your father's house 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:02.480 until my son Shelah grows up, 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:06.620 for he thought he may die too, just like his brothers. 00:02:07.480 --> 00:02:10.680 So Tamar went to live in her father's house. 00:02:11.740 --> 00:02:16.099 After a long time, Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. 00:02:16.900 --> 00:02:19.120 When Judah had recovered from his grief, 00:02:19.259 --> 00:02:22.979 he went up to Timnah to the men who were shearing his sheep, 00:02:22.979 --> 00:02:27.379 and his friend Hirah the Adalemite went with him. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:29.919 When Tamar was told, 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:33.819 Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to his sheep, 00:02:34.239 --> 00:02:36.019 she took off her widow's clothes, 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:39.419 covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, 00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:42.959 and then sat down at the entrance to Anayim, 00:02:43.519 --> 00:02:45.579 which is on the road to Timnah. 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:49.599 For she saw that though Shelah had now grown up, 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:52.659 she had not been given to him as his wife. 00:02:53.739 --> 00:02:56.560 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, 00:02:57.060 --> 00:02:58.500 for she had covered her face. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.839 Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, 00:03:02.519 --> 00:03:06.299 he went over to her by the roadside and said, 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:08.899 Come now, let me sleep with you. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:12.560 And what will you give me to sleep with you? 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:13.239 She asked. 00:03:13.739 --> 00:03:16.799 I'll send you a young goat from my flock, he said. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:20.500 Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it? 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:21.339 She asked. 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:24.280 He said, What pledge should I give you? 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:29.520 Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand, she answered. 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:32.980 So he gave them to her and slept with her, 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:34.939 and she became pregnant by him. 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:37.840 After she left, she took off her veil 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:40.319 and put on her widow's clothes again. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:44.180 Meanwhile, Judah sent the young goat by his friend, 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:48.340 the Adulamite, in order to get his pledge back from the woman, 00:03:48.340 --> 00:03:50.180 but he did not find her. 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:52.700 When he asked the men who lived there, 00:03:53.020 --> 00:03:56.480 Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Anayim? 00:03:57.659 --> 00:04:02.060 They said, There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here, they said. 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:06.240 So he went back to Judah and said, I didn't find her. 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:08.719 Besides, the men who lived there said, 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:11.439 There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:14.759 Then Judah said, Let her keep what she has, 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:16.620 or we will become a laughing stock. 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:20.160 After all, I did send her this young goat, 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:21.639 but you didn't find her. 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:25.800 About three months later, Judah was told, 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:29.680 Your daughter-in-law, Tamar, is guilty of prostitution, 00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:32.040 and as a result, she is now pregnant. 00:04:32.899 --> 00:04:36.199 Judah said, Bring her out and have her burned to death. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:38.599 As she was being brought out, 00:04:38.719 --> 00:04:40.620 she sent a message to her father-in-law. 00:04:41.379 --> 00:04:44.579 I am pregnant by the man who owns these, she said. 00:04:45.099 --> 00:04:47.779 And she added, See if you recognize 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:50.819 whose seal and cord and staff these are. 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:53.199 Judah recognized them and said, 00:04:53.919 --> 00:04:55.480 She is more righteous than I, 00:04:55.980 --> 00:04:58.939 since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah, 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:01.180 and he did not sleep with her again. 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:04.680 When the time came for her to give birth, 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:06.780 there were twin boys in her womb, 00:05:07.579 --> 00:05:09.400 and as she was giving birth, 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:11.019 one of them put out his hand. 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:13.600 So the midwife took a scarlet thread 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.699 and tied it onto his wrist and said, 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:17.819 This one came out first. 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:20.120 But when he drew back his hand, 00:05:20.220 --> 00:05:21.819 his brother came out, and she said, 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:24.360 So this is how you have broken out. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:26.100 And he was named Perez. 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:28.040 Then his brother, 00:05:28.280 --> 00:05:30.259 who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, 00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:33.379 came out, and he was given the name Zerah. 00:05:33.379 --> 00:05:37.879 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:42.339 Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:44.040 the captain of the guard, 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:47.860 bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:51.060 The Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered, 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:53.860 and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:56.980 When his master saw that the Lord was with him 00:05:56.980 --> 00:06:01.400 and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 00:06:01.960 --> 00:06:04.939 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:09.120 Potiphar put him in charge of his household 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:12.000 and entrusted to his care everything he owned. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:15.160 From the time he put him in charge of his household 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:16.879 and of all that he owned, 00:06:17.100 --> 00:06:19.060 the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:20.040 because of Joseph. 00:06:20.840 --> 00:06:24.200 The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.420 both in the house and in the field. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:30.319 So he left in Joseph's care everything he had. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:32.860 With Joseph in charge, 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:35.360 he did not concern himself with anything 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:37.099 except the food he ate. 00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:41.180 Now Joseph was well built and handsome, 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:42.899 and after a while, 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:45.839 his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, 00:06:46.599 --> 00:06:47.740 come to bed with me. 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:49.199 But he refused. 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:51.639 With me in charge, he told her, 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:53.579 my master does not concern himself 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:54.959 with anything in the house. 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:57.899 Everything he owns, he is entrusted to my care. 00:06:58.599 --> 00:07:02.000 No one is greater in this house than I am. 00:07:02.479 --> 00:07:05.719 My master has withheld nothing from me except you 00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:07.439 because you are his wife. 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:11.219 How then could I do such a wicked thing 00:07:11.219 --> 00:07:12.779 and sin against God? 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:16.240 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, 00:07:16.419 --> 00:07:18.099 he refused to go to bed with her 00:07:18.099 --> 00:07:20.019 or even to be with her. 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:24.919 One day, he went into the house to attend to his duties, 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:27.579 and none of the household servants was inside. 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:29.939 She caught him by his cloak and said, 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:31.539 come to bed with me. 00:07:32.039 --> 00:07:34.019 But he left his cloak in her hand 00:07:34.019 --> 00:07:35.180 and ran out of the house. 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:39.099 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand 00:07:39.099 --> 00:07:40.399 and had run out of the house, 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:42.759 she called out to her household servants, 00:07:43.180 --> 00:07:44.759 look, she said to them, 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:48.319 this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us. 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:50.500 He came in here to sleep with me, 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:51.439 but I screamed. 00:07:52.039 --> 00:07:53.659 When he heard me scream for help, 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:56.599 he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house. 00:07:57.139 --> 00:08:00.300 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:02.259 Then she told him this story. 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:05.199 That Hebrew slave you brought us 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:07.439 came to me to make sport of me. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:09.519 But as soon as I screamed for help, 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:12.539 he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:15.479 When his master heard the story, 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:17.199 his wife told him, saying, 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.859 this is how your slave treated me, 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:20.419 he burned with anger. 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:24.240 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:26.879 the place where the king's prisoners were confined. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:30.419 But while Joseph was there in the prison, 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:32.139 the Lord was with him. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:35.120 He showed him kindness and granted him favour 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:36.840 in the eyes of the prison warden. 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:40.500 So the warder put Joseph in charge 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:42.240 of all those held in the prison 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:45.440 and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 00:08:46.280 --> 00:08:49.620 The warder paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:51.519 because the Lord was with Joseph 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:53.879 and gave him success in whatever he did. 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:57.800 Now, can you turn back with me 00:08:57.800 --> 00:08:59.960 to those chapters that Phil read for us? 00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:04.060 Genesis 38 and 39. 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:08.179 I want us to think this morning from God's word 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:10.699 of the reality that God's people 00:09:10.699 --> 00:09:13.259 are those who are saved by grace 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:16.699 in order to live holy lives, 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:20.019 to see how the stories of Judah and Joseph 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:22.339 help us to get to that truth. 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:25.639 Now, I guess some of us will have noticed 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:28.599 that it's Oscar season in Hollywood. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:31.559 One of the movies that people are talking about 00:09:31.559 --> 00:09:34.939 is the film 1917 because it was filmed 00:09:34.939 --> 00:09:38.099 in a single take, something new, 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:40.819 both in terms of direction and cinematography. 00:09:42.599 --> 00:09:45.719 I find Moses' storytelling is so interesting 00:09:45.719 --> 00:09:49.139 and compelling as you get into the details of Genesis. 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:51.879 Here he is writing the story of salvation. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:54.419 And what's Moses' cinematography? 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:56.539 How does he lay out the story? 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:59.719 Well, here in chapters 38 and 39, 00:09:59.839 --> 00:10:01.279 we have these two brothers. 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:02.360 We have Judah and Joseph. 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:06.399 We have two journeys, both going down. 00:10:06.839 --> 00:10:08.399 So in one sense, we can think about it 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:10.279 as a sort of split screen, 00:10:10.839 --> 00:10:13.980 these two diverging stories, 00:10:14.459 --> 00:10:16.079 but they also come together. 00:10:17.079 --> 00:10:18.539 There are contrasts, 00:10:19.439 --> 00:10:22.279 but they both help us to understand 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:26.220 the big idea of God's salvation 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:29.779 that Moses wants to share with the people then 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:31.639 and with us today. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.319 So on one level, we can read them, 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.699 and we will in a sense read them 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:38.579 as negative and positive example stories, 00:10:39.079 --> 00:10:40.319 but much more than that, 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:42.559 they're helping us to see the story of salvation, 00:10:43.439 --> 00:10:45.659 to learn new things about God's grace 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:48.360 and about how God's people are to live. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:53.060 So as always, when we come to God's Word 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:54.200 and to these stories, 00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:56.120 we're going to see how they relate 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:57.759 to the wider story of salvation, 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:00.779 how we can draw applications to our own lives, 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:02.759 and principally, we want to see Jesus 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:07.100 as the great hero of this story of salvation always. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:13.019 So two stories of similarity and contrast. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:15.980 Maybe one question we should ask at the beginning, 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:18.720 we've seen that Moses is writing the story 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:19.759 of Jacob's family, 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:22.680 and he's focused from the beginning 00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:25.279 on one of the sons called Joseph. 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:27.080 So then we need to ask ourselves, 00:11:27.180 --> 00:11:29.680 well, why is Genesis 38 here? 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:32.600 Why does it seem like there's this page break 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:37.220 and into the story of Joseph comes Judah? 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:40.480 Well, one of the things as we see the whole story, 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:41.779 and we'll get there in a few weeks, 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:43.560 we'll understand that Judah too 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:45.860 is on a spiritual journey. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:48.600 We're going to see that God is going to choose him 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:52.600 to be the line through which God's King Jesus will come, 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:57.759 and so we're going to see his spiritual transformation, 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.720 and we'll think about that in part today. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:04.180 But I think that's why this story is here. 00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:06.620 But it's also here because it helps to provide 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:08.879 a number of points of connection 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:11.379 and contrast with the Joseph story. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:14.100 So we'll begin thinking about journeys. 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:16.800 Both of them, we're told, 00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:19.440 at the beginning of each chapter, went down. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:21.519 Look at chapter 38, verse 1. 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:24.100 At that time, Judah left his brothers 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:26.899 and went down to stay with a man of Adullam. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:29.220 And then chapter 39 begins, 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:31.740 now Joseph had been taken down. 00:12:32.440 --> 00:12:35.899 So we see Judah's journey is a free choice. 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:40.379 Here is Judah walking away from his family. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:43.419 His father is mourning, 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.139 and Judah walks away, 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:49.100 and in so doing is also separating himself 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:50.740 from Jacob, his father, 00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:52.759 who had received the promises of God. 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:57.039 There is something shocking in Judah 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:59.240 separating himself from the family. 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:03.120 The nation has dealt with a minor shock 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:05.279 of Harry and Meghan walking away 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.820 from the royal family. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:10.240 Here is a much more significant departure. 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:12.460 And he's gone there, 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:15.299 and he will marry a Canaanite woman. 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:17.680 Abraham had said, 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:20.539 I don't want my son to marry a Canaanite. 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.379 Isaac had said, 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:23.919 I don't want my son to marry a Canaanite. 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:26.799 But Judah decides that's exactly 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.620 what he's going to do. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:30.639 So that's the beginning of Judah's journey, 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:32.100 whereas Joseph, we see, 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:35.000 he has been sold into slavery. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.279 We saw this last week. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:38.539 So Judah came up with the idea 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:42.980 to sell Joseph into the hands of these traders, 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:46.500 and he will become a slave in Egypt. 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.279 So we have this contrast. 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:50.720 We have one son, disobedient son, Judah. 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:52.680 He's living in the promised land, 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:55.100 and we find Joseph, the obedient son, 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:57.139 he's living in the land of oppression 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.019 and slavery, 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:03.199 a land dominated by the anti-God of the Pharaohs. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.840 But one is walking with God. 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.159 One is walking away. 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:12.759 The imagery of journey is important. 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:14.419 And I wonder today, 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:16.360 as we find ourselves in church, 00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:18.860 would we describe our spiritual journey 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:22.279 as one of walking towards God 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:24.779 and walking with God? 00:14:25.959 --> 00:14:26.980 Or like Judah, 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:30.559 are we walking away from God? 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:34.159 What are the measures that we use 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:36.039 to look at which direction 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.500 our spiritual journey is? 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:39.720 Perhaps you can think about 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:41.919 your connection to the Word of God. 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:44.079 Do you find yourself 00:14:44.079 --> 00:14:45.839 reading the Bible regularly 00:14:45.839 --> 00:14:47.480 and enjoying that time 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.800 to enjoy fellowship 00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:50.879 with your Father in heaven? 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:53.480 Perhaps we can think about 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.940 your connection to church. 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:57.800 Are you glad to be able 00:14:57.800 --> 00:14:59.019 to have the privilege 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:01.659 of worshiping your God? 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:04.379 Are we making the most of 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:07.539 fellowship with God's people? 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:10.719 What is our connection to Jesus, 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.759 the Son of God? 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:15.539 Is He someone we're intrigued by? 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:17.579 Or is He more than that? 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:20.659 Is He someone we are trusting in 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:22.620 as our Lord and our Savior? 00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:25.539 It's important for us to think about 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:27.199 our direction, 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:30.159 our spiritual journey. 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:33.000 In these chapters, 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:34.539 another similarity, 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.799 another contrast, 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:37.759 we find God's verdict 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:40.459 on their lives at this point. 00:15:40.579 --> 00:15:42.279 One, we see judgment. 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.639 The other, Joseph, 00:15:43.839 --> 00:15:46.059 we see receives blessing. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.399 So we can perhaps remind ourselves 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:51.159 of Judah's story 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.439 and his family's story. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.379 Chapter 38, 00:15:53.459 --> 00:15:55.259 we can read it verse 7. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:57.519 Ere, Judah's firstborn, 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:59.939 was wicked in the Lord's sight, 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:01.859 so the Lord put him to death. 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:04.379 Onan, verses 9 and 10, 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:07.159 is also wicked in his actions 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.179 in the Lord's sight, 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:10.659 so he put him to death also. 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.840 And Judah, too, 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:14.360 is guilty of unrighteousness. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.360 His leaving, 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:17.919 his father leaving those promises behind 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:18.840 was unrighteous. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:21.039 His marriage to a Canaanite woman 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.480 was unrighteous. 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.539 His failure to keep his promise 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.700 to his daughter-in-law, 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.220 Tamar, 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.759 was unrighteous. 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.539 His seeking out a prostitute 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:31.820 was unrighteous. 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:33.140 And one of the wonderful things 00:16:33.140 --> 00:16:34.379 about the story of Judah 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.780 is we see that this unrighteous man 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:38.300 will receive mercy from God. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.620 He'll receive a place 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.800 in the family of God. 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.379 He stands for us 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.400 as an object lesson 00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:45.600 in the mercy 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:47.160 and the grace of God. 00:16:47.260 --> 00:16:49.160 We see Ere and Onan, 00:16:49.280 --> 00:16:49.960 these two sons, 00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:51.540 are both unrighteous. 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.900 Ere is simply described 00:16:52.900 --> 00:16:53.600 as wicked, 00:16:54.020 --> 00:16:55.300 whereas Onan's actions, 00:16:55.640 --> 00:16:56.680 as a lawbreaker, 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:58.939 failing to fulfill his duties, 00:16:59.259 --> 00:16:59.739 he, too, 00:17:00.099 --> 00:17:00.839 is wicked 00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:03.620 and God judges them. 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.700 And that reminds us 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:08.220 that God's justice is real. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.159 Something perhaps 00:17:10.159 --> 00:17:11.379 we don't like to think about, 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:11.899 but it's something 00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:14.819 the Bible never hides from us. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.139 The justice 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:18.240 and the judgment of God 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.359 is intended to be 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.779 an alarm to us, 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.859 a wake-up call 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:24.579 to be right with our God. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:26.980 In this story, 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.679 we see God's justice is real 00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:29.339 and sometimes 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:31.419 that judgment comes immediately. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.119 Here he is judging 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:34.919 Ere and Onan 00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:36.079 for their wickedness. 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.439 Other times, 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:39.299 because of the patience of God, 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:40.339 that judgment comes 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.559 after death 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.859 on wickedness. 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:45.419 But we need to be clear 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.240 that the penalty 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:48.639 for God's broken law 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:50.059 always comes 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:53.240 because God is just. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.819 What about the verdict 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:57.119 on Joseph's life? 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:00.220 We see repeating, 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.639 verse 2 as an example, 00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:03.819 that the Lord 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:06.059 was with Joseph. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.220 Verse 5, 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.259 we see from the time 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.299 he put him in charge 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:11.000 of his household 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.000 and of all that he owned, 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.919 the Lord blessed 00:18:12.919 --> 00:18:13.519 the household 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.319 of the Egyptian 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:17.279 because of Joseph. 00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:19.199 In Genesis 12, 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.399 a promise had been made 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.039 to Abraham. 00:18:21.919 --> 00:18:22.779 God said to Abraham, 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.920 I will bless you 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:25.379 and those who bless you, 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.279 I will bless. 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.920 Others will be blessed 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:29.319 because of Abraham. 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.279 And here we see this 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.000 coming true 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.960 in the life 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.819 of another family member, 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:35.779 in the life of Joseph. 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:38.720 Even while he is a servant 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.319 in Egypt, 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.619 the Lord is with him 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.839 and the Lord is blessing him 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.720 and those around him. 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.319 Even when he finds himself 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.779 in the prison cell, 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:48.339 the Lord is with him 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:50.139 and the Lord shows 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:51.139 his favor to him 00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:52.579 and provides blessing 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:54.199 to those around him. 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.500 And so we have 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:58.459 this wonderful comfort 00:18:58.459 --> 00:19:00.639 that even when providence 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:02.259 and circumstance 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.679 are hard 00:19:03.679 --> 00:19:06.399 and Joseph had a hard path 00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:06.939 to walk, 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.699 yet for the people of God, 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.379 we know that God 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.859 is still with us 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:14.359 and he is still for us. 00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:16.099 But again, 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:17.899 as we look on the different verdicts 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.599 that God makes 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.559 on these lives, 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:23.119 if we were to examine ourselves 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.240 in our standing 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.500 before God today, 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:28.579 what verdict would God issue 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.819 on my life, 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:31.859 on your life? 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.379 One of the wonderful things 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:37.259 that we find in the Bible 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.879 is the gospel. 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:41.099 And there we find 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.659 at the heart 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.459 of the message 00:19:42.459 --> 00:19:44.399 of the gospel, 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.179 the good news 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.000 of what God has done 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.480 in Jesus 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.860 is that Jesus goes 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:49.259 to the cross 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.660 not because of any wrong 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.779 that he has done, 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.460 but he goes to the cross 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.600 taking on himself 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:56.180 the sins of his people. 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.180 Jesus will take 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.940 the curse of God 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:01.220 for covenant breaking 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:03.140 on behalf of 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:05.299 his people. 00:20:06.560 --> 00:20:07.960 The just will die 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.900 for the unjust 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:10.100 so that 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:11.700 we might receive 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:13.820 the blessing of God. 00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:15.500 that's not 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.399 what we deserve. 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:18.519 But by God's grace 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.519 in Jesus, 00:20:19.919 --> 00:20:20.839 that's what 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.539 we might 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.779 receive. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.599 As our stories 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.119 continue, 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.439 as Moses retells them, 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:27.759 another 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:29.139 similarity 00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:30.159 and contrast, 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.679 we see it 00:20:31.679 --> 00:20:32.220 in terms of 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.799 temptation 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:34.639 and sexual 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.599 ethics. 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.279 So look with me 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.579 at chapter 38 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.659 in verse 15 00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:40.519 and 16. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:43.099 Notice too 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.579 that the Bible 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.379 never hides 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.220 just how 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.460 mixed up 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.160 and sinful 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.639 people can be. 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:49.740 When Judah 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.460 saw her, 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.480 he thought 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.480 his daughter-in-law 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.559 was a prostitute 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.200 for she had 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.139 covered her face. 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.539 Not realizing 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.099 that she was 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.900 his daughter-in-law, 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.720 he went over 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.639 to her 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.680 by the roadside 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.160 and said, 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.059 come now, 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.299 let me 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:04.759 sleep with you. 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.379 So here 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:07.299 is Judah 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.539 looking for comfort 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.559 but deliberately 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.019 walking 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.839 into 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:12.899 adultery. 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.460 Here is Judah 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.379 with no thought 00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:16.299 of God, 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:16.740 no thought 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.279 of God's 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.159 standards, 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.799 no thought 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:20.259 of consequences. 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.579 Here he is 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.180 walking 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:23.139 eyes wide 00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:23.559 open 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.500 into 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.659 temptation. 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.940 Contrast 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.480 that with 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.220 Joseph 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.859 chapter 39 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.740 over our page 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:33.420 verse 7 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:34.399 end of verse 6 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:35.279 into verse 7. 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:35.799 Now Joseph 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.639 was well built 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.200 and handsome 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.980 and after a while 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.980 his master's wife 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.600 took notice 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:41.180 of Joseph 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.040 and said, 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:42.880 come to bed 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:43.360 with me. 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:44.840 And notice 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.380 as Joseph 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.200 speaks to 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.100 Potiphar's wife, 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.620 he makes clear 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.600 both that he wants 00:21:49.600 --> 00:21:50.200 to honour 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.960 Potiphar, 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:51.940 his master, 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.340 but he wants 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:54.380 to honour God 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:55.100 as his 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.700 greater 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.740 master. 00:21:57.280 --> 00:21:57.640 Look at the 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.540 end of verse 9. 00:21:58.540 --> 00:21:59.780 How then 00:21:59.780 --> 00:22:01.080 could I do 00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:01.960 such a wicked 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.480 thing 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.680 sin and 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.180 sin 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.900 against God? 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:07.880 And we 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.720 find in 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.140 verse 12 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:11.019 as she 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.819 tries again 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.380 and again 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:13.700 in verse 12 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.259 she caught 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.980 Joseph by 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.460 his cloak 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:15.819 and said, 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.660 come to bed 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.019 with me, 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.759 but he left 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.259 his cloak 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.839 in her hand 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.339 and ran 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.140 out of 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:20.759 the house. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.140 He runs 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:23.220 from temptation. 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:25.099 He maintains 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:26.000 his commitment 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.839 to God's 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.380 values 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.200 while in 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.980 hostile 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.360 Egypt. 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:32.159 And in 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:32.659 these two 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.199 stories 00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:33.500 there would 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:33.740 be a 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:33.979 really 00:22:33.979 --> 00:22:34.599 important 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.259 lesson 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.359 for the 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:36.679 nation 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:36.859 of 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:37.240 Israel. 00:22:37.459 --> 00:22:37.819 And if 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.159 you know 00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:38.539 the Old 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:38.899 Testament 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.319 you'll 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.019 know 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.419 this 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:41.240 reality 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.639 that one 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:41.899 of the 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.159 great 00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:43.000 temptations 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.479 for them 00:22:43.479 --> 00:22:44.299 was to 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.139 look at 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:46.500 the lifestyle, 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.219 the culture 00:22:47.219 --> 00:22:47.539 of the 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.159 people around 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:48.559 them, 00:22:48.959 --> 00:22:49.699 and especially 00:22:49.699 --> 00:22:50.599 around the 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:52.219 subject of 00:22:52.219 --> 00:22:52.799 worship, 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:54.519 other 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.219 religious 00:22:55.219 --> 00:22:55.959 practices 00:22:55.959 --> 00:22:56.899 connected 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.639 worship and 00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.379 prostitution. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:00.640 there was 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:00.900 this 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.580 temptation 00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:02.120 to the 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:02.440 nation 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:02.620 of 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:02.900 Israel 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.120 to 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:03.500 follow 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:03.760 the 00:23:03.760 --> 00:23:04.120 pagan 00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.660 sexual 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.260 practices 00:23:05.260 --> 00:23:05.760 of the 00:23:05.760 --> 00:23:06.160 surrounding 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:06.820 nations. 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.420 And that 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.060 continues to 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:09.300 be a 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:09.880 challenge to 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.280 God's 00:23:10.280 --> 00:23:10.580 church 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.060 today. 00:23:12.560 --> 00:23:13.140 How will 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:14.180 we respond 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.680 to the 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.520 voices and 00:23:16.520 --> 00:23:17.380 the temptations 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.380 of our 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.600 own culture? 00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:20.360 Will we as 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:20.720 a church 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.460 resist 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.960 following the 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.800 sexual ethic 00:23:23.800 --> 00:23:24.380 that our 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:24.940 culture 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.900 promotes? 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.360 Will we 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.039 lovingly 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.799 challenge the 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.439 culture with 00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:30.259 God's 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.159 ideal? 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.219 Where sex 00:23:33.219 --> 00:23:33.879 is recognized 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.659 as a gift 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:35.139 of God 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:36.219 reserved for 00:23:36.219 --> 00:23:37.539 marriage? 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.679 And that 00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:40.240 would be so 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.299 important to 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.259 the nation 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.719 of Israel 00:23:42.719 --> 00:23:43.519 as part of 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.379 their witness 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:45.339 to the fact 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:45.639 that they 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:45.939 were a 00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:46.740 different kind 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.839 of community. 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.639 As the 00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:51.500 story continues 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.079 we see 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.199 another point 00:23:53.199 --> 00:23:53.919 of similarity 00:23:53.919 --> 00:23:54.740 and contrast 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.639 and it's 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:56.439 in the way 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.740 that there 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.820 is evidence 00:23:58.820 --> 00:23:59.620 that is 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:01.180 produced at 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:03.080 critical moments 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:04.140 in the 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.600 story. 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.000 So again 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.680 let's begin 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.740 with Judah. 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.980 So if you 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.519 remember 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.820 Judah's 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:11.820 daughter-in-law 00:24:11.820 --> 00:24:12.840 becomes pregnant 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:13.799 by him. 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:15.660 Word comes 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.279 that she has 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.880 been guilty 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.960 of adultery. 00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.779 Judah announces 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.340 that she 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:22.840 should die. 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.019 And then in 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.939 verse 25 00:24:24.939 --> 00:24:26.519 and 26 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.240 as she was 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.980 being brought 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.839 out she sent 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.759 a message to 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.740 her father-in-law 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:32.179 I am pregnant 00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:32.799 by the man 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.539 who owns 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.119 these. 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.299 See if you 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.179 recognize whose 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:37.439 seal and cord 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:38.419 and staff 00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:39.199 these are. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.079 Judah recognized 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.559 them and said 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.240 she is more 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.699 righteous 00:24:42.699 --> 00:24:44.439 than I. 00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:45.899 In Judah's 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.419 case the 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.559 evidence presented 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.559 convicts him 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:50.099 and he is 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.619 honest enough 00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.179 to say she's 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:51.759 more righteous 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.500 than I am. 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.539 But what about 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.339 in the story 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.940 of Joseph 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.859 chapter 39 00:24:58.859 --> 00:25:00.480 verse 13 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.259 onwards 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.720 when Potiphar's 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.399 wife saw 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:03.859 that he had 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.599 left his cloak 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.179 in her hand 00:25:05.179 --> 00:25:05.559 and had run 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.079 out of the house 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.639 she called 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.179 her household 00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.599 servants 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.839 look this 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.379 Hebrew has 00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:09.879 been brought 00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:10.759 in to us 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.299 to make 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.799 sport of us. 00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:14.079 He came in 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.679 here to sleep 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.299 with me but I 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.980 screamed when he 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.839 heard me scream 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.559 for help he 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.539 left his cloak 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.359 beside me and 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.240 ran out of the 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.639 house. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.539 False evidence 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:24.279 is presented. 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.899 Joseph is 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:27.579 wrongly accused 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.539 and wrongly 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.819 convicted and 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:31.079 sent to prison 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:32.659 but he is 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:34.700 righteous and 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.460 God's continued 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.399 presence with 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:37.299 him is testimony 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.720 to that. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.819 God's continued 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.899 favor on his 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:41.619 life is evidence 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:43.259 of that. 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.740 So Moses here 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.259 as the salvation 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.359 storyteller 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.279 has got these 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.599 two contrasting 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.159 stories. 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:51.659 There's these 00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.419 key themes 00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:52.879 that run 00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:53.500 through both 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:53.879 but their 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.979 stories are 00:25:54.979 --> 00:25:55.519 going along 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.379 different tracks 00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:57.019 at the moment 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:58.759 but as we 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.519 take in mind 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.179 that the bigger 00:26:00.179 --> 00:26:01.259 story of salvation 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.819 we'll see how 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.579 both of them 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.039 fit. 00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.259 So we're going 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.759 to zoom out 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.079 a little 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.979 and we're going 00:26:05.979 --> 00:26:06.319 to see how 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.259 chapters 38 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.000 and 39 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.819 fit into 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.519 God's big 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:09.899 picture. 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.519 First thing 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:11.859 we want to 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.579 see the emphasis 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.439 from the story 00:26:13.439 --> 00:26:13.899 of Judah 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.360 as it continues 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:16.460 is that God 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.140 saves his 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.759 people by 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.440 grace 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.740 alone. 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.580 In a few 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:22.200 weeks we will 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:23.519 discover Judah 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.280 as someone who 00:26:24.280 --> 00:26:25.220 is spiritually 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.100 transformed, 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:27.840 as someone who 00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:28.860 will plead for 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.820 his brother, 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:30.960 one who is 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.680 willing to 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:33.060 sacrifice himself 00:26:33.060 --> 00:26:34.060 for the sake 00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:35.100 of his family. 00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:36.540 He is a key 00:26:36.540 --> 00:26:37.320 player in 00:26:37.320 --> 00:26:38.759 restoring this 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:40.140 family of God 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.780 and as his 00:26:41.780 --> 00:26:43.360 father reaches 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:45.180 his point 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.620 where he's 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.280 going to die 00:26:46.280 --> 00:26:46.759 and he wants 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.560 to bless his 00:26:47.560 --> 00:26:48.020 sons, 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.180 Judah is 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.120 identified as 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:50.680 the chosen 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.080 tribe. 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.680 He's described 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.460 as the lion 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.060 of Judah 00:26:53.060 --> 00:26:53.800 and kings 00:26:53.800 --> 00:26:54.300 would come 00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:54.680 from him. 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.880 Jesus would 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.840 come from 00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:58.040 Judah's family 00:26:58.040 --> 00:26:58.700 but at this 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.259 point, 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.860 Judah is 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.700 guilty of sin 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:04.180 and Judah 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:04.680 needs the 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.780 grace of 00:27:05.780 --> 00:27:06.960 forgiveness. 00:27:09.020 --> 00:27:09.500 Moses, 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.960 in recording 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.740 salvation history 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.420 is so helpful 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.059 to us as 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.680 readers because 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.160 he never 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.779 attempts to 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.819 gloss over 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:19.019 the terrible 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.740 mistakes, 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.200 the wickedness 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.980 of Judah 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.519 and other 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:24.279 characters and 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:24.799 in so doing 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.299 he presents 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.079 hope for us 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.440 all. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:27.900 What have we 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.339 learned of 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:28.880 Judah in the 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.339 last couple 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:29.640 of weeks? 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.019 He's somebody 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.460 who hated 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.940 his brother, 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.680 somebody who 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.079 sold his 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.539 brother into 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.000 slavery. 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.740 He is one 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.359 who abandoned 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.099 his family, 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.619 who walked 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.160 away from 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.040 God's promises 00:27:40.040 --> 00:27:40.620 and walking 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.060 away from 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:41.580 his father 00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:42.519 as someone 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.060 who walked 00:27:43.060 --> 00:27:45.160 into sexual 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.560 sin. 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:49.240 I wonder 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.900 if as we 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:52.340 pause we 00:27:52.340 --> 00:27:53.040 can identify 00:27:53.040 --> 00:27:54.900 with Judah. 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:56.660 I wonder 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.220 if there is a 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.200 time or many 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.900 times perhaps 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.259 when we've 00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.720 lost our 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:01.100 temper and 00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:02.480 wished ill on 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.580 someone else. 00:28:04.820 --> 00:28:05.680 Perhaps as we 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.100 look at our 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.820 own story we 00:28:06.820 --> 00:28:07.820 see times where 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.579 we have failed 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.220 to honour 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:10.639 our parents, 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.339 where we 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:12.779 have fallen 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.259 into the 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:13.740 trap of 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.759 sibling rivalry 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:16.559 and jealousy. 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.019 Maybe we're 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.579 here today and 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.159 we've rejected 00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:20.899 the path of 00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.480 our parents 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.019 because we've 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.639 rejected their 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:22.980 faith. 00:28:23.619 --> 00:28:24.119 We've said 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:24.839 no to God 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.879 to go our 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.539 own way. 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.720 Perhaps in 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.439 our story we 00:28:30.439 --> 00:28:30.919 too have 00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:32.159 satisfied sexual 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:33.799 desires in 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.419 harmful, 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.799 unbiblical 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.519 ways. 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.659 If our 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:40.539 conscience says 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.079 to us that 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.399 we are 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:43.399 guilty then 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:43.700 we need 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:45.919 repentance and 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.220 we need 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.519 faith in the 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.099 Lord Jesus 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:50.319 and we need 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:51.059 God's grace 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:52.099 that comes to 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.440 us through 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.700 Jesus just 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.259 as much as 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.599 Judah. 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:56.339 Grace, 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.519 God's loving 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.240 kindness to 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.680 those who 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.339 don't deserve 00:28:59.339 --> 00:28:59.859 it and who 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.460 can never 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.519 earn it. 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.099 That grace 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:02.899 that comes to 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:04.139 us freely 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.920 in the 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.160 sending of 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.100 Jesus to 00:29:07.100 --> 00:29:07.440 be our 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:08.000 substitute, 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.600 to be our 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.120 sacrifice, 00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:10.320 to be our 00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:11.240 savior. 00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:12.640 And in 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.200 Jesus we 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.000 see one who 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:15.220 will live 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.900 perfectly. 00:29:16.780 --> 00:29:17.460 We see one 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.660 who will at 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.320 all points 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:20.500 resist temptation. 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:21.300 We see one 00:29:21.300 --> 00:29:21.880 who will 00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:23.220 honor his 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.800 father. 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:24.540 One who 00:29:24.540 --> 00:29:25.940 regardless of 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.580 circumstance 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:27.720 will walk in 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.920 obedience the 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:30.160 path that God 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.259 had set for 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.100 him and 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.059 Jesus will 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:35.199 die for 00:29:35.199 --> 00:29:35.779 lawbreaker. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.679 When we 00:29:38.679 --> 00:29:39.039 look at the 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.480 cross we 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.359 recognize the 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.099 justice of 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:41.519 God. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.079 That while 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:44.399 God's people 00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:45.339 deserve 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:47.639 punishment, 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.259 deserve 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.719 death, 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.240 deserve 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.839 hell, 00:29:50.379 --> 00:29:52.299 Jesus to 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.559 satisfy God's 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.679 justice takes 00:29:54.679 --> 00:29:55.559 the penalty 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.980 there on the 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.259 cross. 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:57.619 And at the 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.859 same time as 00:29:58.859 --> 00:29:59.579 justice is 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.279 served so we 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.839 see love is 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.720 extended and 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.420 we are invited 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:05.000 to receive that 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.399 love ourselves 00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:07.180 in receiving 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:08.799 Jesus as 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.119 our savior. 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.220 We are 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.980 invited to 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:13.039 believe in 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.319 him and 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:14.980 to be 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.119 saved. 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.139 When we 00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:18.599 think about 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:19.579 Judah's story 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.799 we see one 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.879 who is a 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.839 prodigal son, 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.339 one who needs 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:25.279 to be restored 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.899 by grace. 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:29.480 perhaps many 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.019 of us know 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.440 Jesus' famous 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.420 story of a 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:33.500 young son who 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:35.300 walked away from 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:36.680 his father who 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.700 said I want my 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.180 share of the 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.120 inheritance now and 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:40.280 then he goes away 00:30:40.280 --> 00:30:41.259 to enjoy his 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:43.040 life, wild 00:30:43.040 --> 00:30:45.080 living, making 00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:46.259 sinful choices but 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.300 enjoying freedom as 00:30:47.300 --> 00:30:48.160 he thought it. 00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.300 But then he finds 00:30:49.300 --> 00:30:50.380 himself penniless and 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:50.880 homeless. 00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.620 He finds famine 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.400 comes to him and 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.300 it's that famine, 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.500 it's that desperation 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:56.319 that makes him 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.539 come to his 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.839 senses, makes him 00:30:58.839 --> 00:31:00.039 return home. 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.180 That's the path 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:03.279 towards spiritual 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:04.059 restoration. 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.440 And we can see 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.680 and we will see 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:09.099 those features 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.420 in the story 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:11.859 of Judah. 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.900 And it's a 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.599 wonderful thing 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.599 that though Judah 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.819 has fallen far 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:18.339 away from God 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.819 at this stage, 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.160 that God will 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:23.140 welcome him 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:24.740 into his family. 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.020 And God gives 00:31:26.020 --> 00:31:27.280 to Judah a key 00:31:27.280 --> 00:31:28.840 place and part 00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:29.680 in the story 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:31.420 of salvation 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:32.820 through his 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.640 family line. 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:37.080 Indeed, Judah's 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:38.160 family tree 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:40.040 highlights God's 00:31:40.040 --> 00:31:40.980 grace. 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.560 Judah, this 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:43.580 sinner from whom 00:31:43.580 --> 00:31:44.920 God's king will 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:46.580 come, we find 00:31:46.580 --> 00:31:49.160 Tamar, who's 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:51.080 in the family 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.920 line of 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.400 Jesus. 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.300 We find 00:31:53.300 --> 00:31:54.820 Perez, this 00:31:54.820 --> 00:31:55.800 child born of 00:31:55.800 --> 00:31:57.080 sexual sin, who 00:31:57.080 --> 00:31:57.920 is in Jesus' 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:59.040 family tree. 00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.060 There is grace 00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:01.940 even in the 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:03.180 story of Judah 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:03.900 because of the 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:05.440 greatness of 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.140 our God. 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.779 And so there is 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.620 hope for us if 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:09.740 our lives have 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.840 followed a similar 00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:12.080 track to that of 00:32:12.080 --> 00:32:12.420 Judah. 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.800 If we have 00:32:14.800 --> 00:32:16.200 made choices that 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.860 have taken us 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:19.019 to shameful 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.080 places perhaps, 00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:22.279 if we have 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.279 lived a 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.340 wild life with 00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.559 no thought of 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:27.380 God, if we 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:28.059 have deliberately 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.299 turned our back 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.319 on God in order 00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:31.519 to go our own 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:33.819 way, the 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.360 message of the 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:34.900 Bible is that 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.819 grace is offered 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:37.600 to you in 00:32:37.600 --> 00:32:38.640 Jesus. 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.100 There is 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:41.660 forgiveness for 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.779 sin in him, 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.920 that we can be 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:46.420 declared righteous 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:47.480 in God's sight 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.620 because of 00:32:48.620 --> 00:32:48.980 Jesus. 00:32:49.580 --> 00:32:50.080 We can have 00:32:50.080 --> 00:32:50.920 new birth and 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.580 become new 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:53.019 creations in 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:54.240 Christ Jesus. 00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:54.759 We can be 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.920 adopted into 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:57.200 the family of 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.700 God, not 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:58.420 because of who 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.019 we are but 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.820 because of who 00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.980 God is and 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.660 the gift he has 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.340 given us in 00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:02.700 Jesus. 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.680 This is also 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:07.300 hope for us if 00:33:07.300 --> 00:33:08.279 we find ourselves 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.380 praying for 00:33:09.380 --> 00:33:11.019 prodigal sons and 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:12.519 daughters in our 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:13.279 own lives. 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:16.519 if we carry on 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.539 our hearts that 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.420 burden of those 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.059 who have walked 00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.859 away from the 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:21.460 faith, those who 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.339 we have sought to 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:23.399 teach and to 00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:24.139 train and to 00:33:24.139 --> 00:33:24.779 love and to 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.420 pray for. 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:27.319 The story of 00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.379 Judah is one of 00:33:28.379 --> 00:33:29.220 those stories that 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:30.000 reminds us to 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.819 keep trusting and 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:33.440 to keep praying and 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.519 to keep asking for 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:36.019 God's grace to 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.460 open people's 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:37.940 eyes. 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.839 So Judah teaches 00:33:40.839 --> 00:33:41.759 us that God's 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.539 people are saved 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.579 by grace alone. 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.879 The story of 00:33:44.879 --> 00:33:46.700 Joseph reminds us 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.339 that God's people 00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:48.240 are saved by grace 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.019 in order to live 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:50.700 holy lives. 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.339 So Moses has 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:54.039 been recording 00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:56.619 these stories and 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:57.339 it's that same 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.579 Moses who recorded 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.819 the Ten Commandments 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.879 at Mount Sinai. 00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.920 And the Ten 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.899 Commandments begins 00:34:03.899 --> 00:34:05.639 with a preface and 00:34:05.639 --> 00:34:06.599 that preface says, 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:08.300 I am the Lord your 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:10.119 God who brought you 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.179 out of the land of 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:11.679 slavery. 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:13.019 The Ten Commandments 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:14.579 are introduced from 00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.940 this standpoint that 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.219 God was their 00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:18.759 redeemer, God was 00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:20.139 their rescuer, God 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:21.199 had ended their 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:22.679 slavery so that they 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.899 might become his, 00:34:24.399 --> 00:34:25.719 then that they 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:27.059 might obey. 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:29.559 In response, you 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.500 shall have no other 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.559 gods before me. 00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:33.279 And on it goes. 00:34:33.339 --> 00:34:34.839 And that's always the 00:34:34.839 --> 00:34:35.139 truth. 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:37.639 God saves his 00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:38.019 people. 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:41.159 God acts in power 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:43.099 so that slavery is 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:43.819 broken. 00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:44.960 For us, it's not 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.420 political or 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:47.579 physical slavery, 00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:49.239 but there is a 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:50.599 slavery to our 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:52.059 idols where there 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.739 are things that we 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:54.420 put in a more 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:55.659 important place than 00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:56.579 God in our lives. 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:57.579 There are things that 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:58.420 we live for, even 00:34:58.420 --> 00:35:00.299 good things that take 00:35:00.299 --> 00:35:01.039 the place on the 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:01.940 throne of our hearts 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:03.400 that belongs to God. 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.719 And only God can 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:06.159 remove that slavery 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:07.279 so that we can have 00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:07.879 things in their 00:35:07.879 --> 00:35:08.899 proper place. 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:11.480 It's God who breaks 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.839 the slavery to our 00:35:12.839 --> 00:35:14.279 sinful rebellion. 00:35:14.739 --> 00:35:15.920 We are slaves to sin 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:16.799 and we are powerless 00:35:16.799 --> 00:35:18.019 to do anything about 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:19.199 that, but God in his 00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:20.379 grace and by his 00:35:20.379 --> 00:35:21.599 spirit and through his 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:23.819 son can break that 00:35:23.819 --> 00:35:25.719 power and can give us 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:27.940 freedom in Christ. 00:35:28.839 --> 00:35:30.339 And God saves his 00:35:30.339 --> 00:35:32.039 people so that we 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:33.899 might be adopted as 00:35:33.899 --> 00:35:34.759 God's children. 00:35:34.760 --> 00:35:36.700 So we might live 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.800 knowing that's our 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:39.800 new identity and 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.820 that we might gladly 00:35:40.820 --> 00:35:42.680 respond in obedience 00:35:42.680 --> 00:35:44.340 that as adopted 00:35:44.340 --> 00:35:45.500 children we would take 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:46.920 on our father's family 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:49.800 values and live for 00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:50.120 him. 00:35:51.080 --> 00:35:52.000 One of the things 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:53.600 that's clear in the 00:35:53.600 --> 00:35:55.520 way that Moses writes 00:35:55.520 --> 00:35:56.920 the story of salvation 00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:58.960 history in the early 00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.920 books of the Bible is 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:00.820 that the people of God 00:36:00.820 --> 00:36:02.740 are intended to be like 00:36:02.739 --> 00:36:04.000 a light to the nations 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:06.059 that in their worship, 00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:07.759 in their lifestyle, in 00:36:07.759 --> 00:36:09.079 their pursuit of justice 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:10.899 and mercy, in their 00:36:10.899 --> 00:36:12.219 sexual ethics, they were 00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:14.239 to draw other people out 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:15.619 from their darkness 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:18.119 because there's this new 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:19.679 community and it's 00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:20.159 attractive. 00:36:21.319 --> 00:36:24.039 And Joseph, he's a 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:25.179 pattern of that kind of 00:36:25.179 --> 00:36:25.500 life. 00:36:26.459 --> 00:36:28.099 He lives with obedience 00:36:28.099 --> 00:36:28.679 to God. 00:36:28.679 --> 00:36:30.399 He lives with integrity. 00:36:31.299 --> 00:36:32.559 He works hard and he 00:36:32.559 --> 00:36:34.019 works well and he lives 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.960 for the glory of God 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:37.039 even in Egypt. 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:38.940 Surrounded by unbelief 00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:39.879 and other gods, he 00:36:39.879 --> 00:36:40.819 remains faithful. 00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:42.639 When he's tempted into 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:44.019 sexual sin, he remains 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:45.239 obedient and he honors 00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:45.759 God. 00:36:46.259 --> 00:36:47.460 When he's facing hard 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:48.879 providence and it would 00:36:48.879 --> 00:36:49.899 have been easy to be 00:36:49.899 --> 00:36:51.119 bitter, to grumble, we 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:52.399 don't see anything of that 00:36:52.399 --> 00:36:52.879 in Joseph. 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:58.619 I was reminded this week 00:36:58.619 --> 00:37:00.420 of the early church. 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:01.940 I was reading an article 00:37:01.940 --> 00:37:03.400 that was asking the 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:04.660 question, why did anyone 00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:06.300 become a Christian in the 00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.519 first three centuries of 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.380 the Roman Empire? 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:10.599 When the whole power of 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.599 the Roman Empire was 00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:12.740 putting the squeeze on 00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:14.559 the Christian church, when 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:15.460 it was throwing people in 00:37:15.460 --> 00:37:16.440 prison, when people being 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.760 removed from their jobs 00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:18.920 and were losing everything 00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:20.500 and were being killed, why 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.240 did anyone become 00:37:21.240 --> 00:37:21.720 Christians? 00:37:22.720 --> 00:37:22.860 Why did anyone become 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.599 a Christian church? 00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:25.920 Larry Hurtado, a New 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:27.220 Testament scholar, talks 00:37:27.220 --> 00:37:29.559 about the Christian unique 00:37:29.559 --> 00:37:31.240 social project as one of 00:37:31.240 --> 00:37:33.320 those compelling factors 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:35.820 towards people becoming 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.500 Christian. 00:37:37.700 --> 00:37:39.380 That here was a new 00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.960 community and they put 00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.880 others first. 00:37:42.640 --> 00:37:44.059 They weren't self-centered. 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.320 There was care for the 00:37:46.320 --> 00:37:47.380 poor, there was care for 00:37:47.380 --> 00:37:49.099 the suffering and that was 00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:50.280 attractive and it was good. 00:37:51.400 --> 00:37:52.820 It was a community of 00:37:52.820 --> 00:37:54.960 peace and welcome. 00:37:55.660 --> 00:37:56.660 It was a community that 00:37:56.660 --> 00:37:59.100 didn't put up barriers and 00:37:59.100 --> 00:38:01.720 dividing lines in a very 00:38:01.720 --> 00:38:04.760 divided society and that was 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:06.740 seen as good and attractive. 00:38:07.680 --> 00:38:09.180 They were a people marked by 00:38:09.180 --> 00:38:12.100 forgiveness and wanting 00:38:12.100 --> 00:38:15.320 reconciliation rather than 00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:18.140 seeking out revenge, attacking, 00:38:18.360 --> 00:38:19.160 hating, killing. 00:38:19.159 --> 00:38:22.239 And that was striking and that was 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:22.799 good. 00:38:23.759 --> 00:38:26.619 And they saw sex as a gift of 00:38:26.619 --> 00:38:28.259 God to be reserved for 00:38:28.259 --> 00:38:28.659 marriage. 00:38:28.719 --> 00:38:30.339 They didn't use it for power. 00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:32.759 They didn't regard it as just 00:38:32.759 --> 00:38:35.420 an appetite and that was seen as 00:38:35.420 --> 00:38:36.619 attractive and good. 00:38:37.879 --> 00:38:40.639 Like Joseph, the church has always 00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:43.619 been called to live as strangers 00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:45.379 in a land not our own. 00:38:45.380 --> 00:38:47.980 We're citizens of heaven and we are 00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:50.099 to represent God and to live for 00:38:50.099 --> 00:38:51.680 the glory of God in a way that 00:38:51.680 --> 00:38:54.740 attracts others towards the God who 00:38:54.740 --> 00:38:56.519 we love and serve. 00:38:58.519 --> 00:39:02.059 So as we close, let me ask, have you 00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:05.200 seen how good God is? 00:39:05.199 --> 00:39:10.000 And have you seen how good God's story 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:12.799 of salvation is? 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:17.980 Going back to films, my brother is 00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:19.960 one of those who whenever he goes and 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:21.159 sees a movie and he likes it, he'll 00:39:21.159 --> 00:39:21.719 always come back. 00:39:21.779 --> 00:39:23.359 Have you seen the movie? 00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:24.159 Well, you need to. 00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:26.919 His natural response is to recommend. 00:39:28.919 --> 00:39:31.239 That's something I think we all need to 00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:33.119 learn when we see the goodness of God 00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:34.599 and his story of salvation. 00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:38.639 Though we don't stand on the side and 00:39:38.639 --> 00:39:40.639 be like critics, perhaps. 00:39:41.739 --> 00:39:43.819 Standing in judgment over God's word 00:39:43.819 --> 00:39:45.480 and God's salvation story. 00:39:45.659 --> 00:39:47.480 Standing in judgment over Jesus, his 00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:47.839 savior. 00:39:48.960 --> 00:39:50.819 Rather, let God's word stand in judgment 00:39:50.819 --> 00:39:51.639 over us. 00:39:52.920 --> 00:39:56.259 Don't remain impartial and unmoved by 00:39:56.259 --> 00:39:59.019 this, the greatest story ever told. 00:39:59.119 --> 00:40:02.839 Rather, enter into this story as we are 00:40:02.840 --> 00:40:03.840 invited to. 00:40:04.880 --> 00:40:06.760 First of all, to see the darkness in our 00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:07.420 own hearts. 00:40:07.740 --> 00:40:10.200 To see the needs in our own lives of 00:40:10.200 --> 00:40:12.500 being reconciled to God. 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:16.260 Consider carefully the light and the 00:40:16.260 --> 00:40:18.720 love that God extends into the world. 00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:20.760 Especially in the sending of Jesus, 00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:22.019 the savior. 00:40:22.880 --> 00:40:24.519 That we would believe in him. 00:40:24.620 --> 00:40:25.539 We would trust in him. 00:40:25.600 --> 00:40:28.079 We'd turn from sin and turn towards God 00:40:28.079 --> 00:40:29.720 through faith in Jesus. 00:40:29.719 --> 00:40:32.359 To become part of this great story 00:40:32.359 --> 00:40:33.599 ourselves. 00:40:33.939 --> 00:40:36.859 And then, that we would live to share 00:40:36.859 --> 00:40:37.919 this story with others. 00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:41.000 It's one of the reasons as a church why 00:40:41.000 --> 00:40:42.799 we're excited about Christianity Explored. 00:40:42.859 --> 00:40:44.319 It gives us a chance to share the good 00:40:44.319 --> 00:40:46.099 news of Jesus with others. 00:40:47.299 --> 00:40:50.799 Let me encourage you to dig deep into 00:40:50.799 --> 00:40:53.779 the wonderful story that we have in the 00:40:53.780 --> 00:40:54.060 Bible. 00:40:54.860 --> 00:40:57.200 To be gripped by God's love and his 00:40:57.200 --> 00:40:59.240 grace extended to us. 00:40:59.240 --> 00:41:02.019 So that we would then want to 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:05.260 recommend Jesus to others. 00:41:05.620 --> 00:41:08.500 We would want to share him with others. 00:41:09.019 --> 00:41:11.060 To do that, we need to always be 00:41:11.060 --> 00:41:14.080 viewing that great story of God's love 00:41:14.080 --> 00:41:18.260 and grace every day in our own lives. 00:41:19.060 --> 00:41:20.640 Let's leave it there and let's pray 00:41:20.640 --> 00:41:21.240 together. 00:41:21.239 --> 00:41:35.159 Let's pray together. 00:41:37.899 --> 00:41:38.119 Okay. 00:41:38.199 --> 00:41:40.039 Let's pray together. 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:42.919 Let's pray together. 00:41:42.959 --> 00:41:43.459 Okay. 00:41:43.459 --> 00:41:45.059 Let's pray together. 00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:48.219 Let's pray together.