When Tempted Turn to the One Who Already Passed Every Test
Genesis 38:1 (ESV) It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
Genesis 38 is the chapter that appears to be out of place. We just started to get into the story of Joseph. He's on the way to Egypt and our minds are thinking about what may happen to him. Suddenly, we are encountered with this long narrative of sexual dalliance in Judah.
Judah goes to the Canaanites and intermarries. He has children, two of which died, and after his wife passes, he ends up sleeping with his son's daughter because she thought she was a cult prostitute. The reality was she positioned herself perfectly to bait him into this action and then turned the tables on his hypocrisy when he found out she was pregnant.
Meanwhile, as Judah is the slave of his own desires and deceit, Joseph's life will take the opposite track in the next chapter. Potiphar's wife will pursue Joseph and he will reject her citing such sin as horrible in the sight of God.
Both men are given somewhat the same test, one fails horribly, the other passes perfectly and yet suffers for it. This is the Gospel of Jesus. As we study the life of Joseph we get a clear presentation of what the New Testament reveals in Christ. We are like Judah, manipulating and using people about to be swallowed up by the world. But God in mercy has sent Jesus to pass the tests we have failed.
There is more to this story. Consider the opportunities to sin afforded to both men. Judah was presented with a woman of the street, probably poor, and someone that would not elevated his status in the world. It was temptation, yes, but not much of one. Joseph however, will be tempted by a powerful man's wife repeatedly every day. He will be offered the opportunity perhaps to advance his position or play on her affections for his own means. What's interesting is Judah married a rich man's daughter. We aren't given her name, but her father's name is "Shua" (Genesis 38:2). "Shua" means opulence, prosperity and noble. It would seem Judah chased the money in his first marriage and that failed as well. Joseph was offered it all and resisted. He faced temptation on a whole different level.
Jesus, our true and better Joseph was tempted as we were, but far worse. Satan offered Jesus far more than he's ever offered us - the kingdoms of this world. Satan focused his attention completely on Christ. We most likely do not face satan's direct attacks or best offerings and yet we still fail.
What does this chapter teach us? That while we are weak, God's Son is stronger and saves us. He took on Satan's best efforts and won by a landslide. The work of the cross was completed and the grave is empty! Jesus didn't just win. He won big time!
Whatever temptation you're facing, your Savior is strong enough for you! That's the hope of this Gospel. He not only takes your place on the Cross, He takes up residence in your life to develop you into the strong man/woman of God you can and should be!
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Genesis 38 is the chapter that appears to be out of place. We just started to get into the story of Joseph. He's on the way to Egypt and our minds are thinking about what may happen to him. Suddenly, we are encountered with this long narrative of sexual dalliance in Judah.
Judah goes to the Canaanites and intermarries. He has children, two of which died, and after his wife passes, he ends up sleeping with his son's daughter because she thought she was a cult prostitute. The reality was she positioned herself perfectly to bait him into this action and then turned the tables on his hypocrisy when he found out she was pregnant.
Meanwhile, as Judah is the slave of his own desires and deceit, Joseph's life will take the opposite track in the next chapter. Potiphar's wife will pursue Joseph and he will reject her citing such sin as horrible in the sight of God.
Both men are given somewhat the same test, one fails horribly, the other passes perfectly and yet suffers for it. This is the Gospel of Jesus. As we study the life of Joseph we get a clear presentation of what the New Testament reveals in Christ. We are like Judah, manipulating and using people about to be swallowed up by the world. But God in mercy has sent Jesus to pass the tests we have failed.
There is more to this story. Consider the opportunities to sin afforded to both men. Judah was presented with a woman of the street, probably poor, and someone that would not elevated his status in the world. It was temptation, yes, but not much of one. Joseph however, will be tempted by a powerful man's wife repeatedly every day. He will be offered the opportunity perhaps to advance his position or play on her affections for his own means. What's interesting is Judah married a rich man's daughter. We aren't given her name, but her father's name is "Shua" (Genesis 38:2). "Shua" means opulence, prosperity and noble. It would seem Judah chased the money in his first marriage and that failed as well. Joseph was offered it all and resisted. He faced temptation on a whole different level.
Jesus, our true and better Joseph was tempted as we were, but far worse. Satan offered Jesus far more than he's ever offered us - the kingdoms of this world. Satan focused his attention completely on Christ. We most likely do not face satan's direct attacks or best offerings and yet we still fail.
What does this chapter teach us? That while we are weak, God's Son is stronger and saves us. He took on Satan's best efforts and won by a landslide. The work of the cross was completed and the grave is empty! Jesus didn't just win. He won big time!
Whatever temptation you're facing, your Savior is strong enough for you! That's the hope of this Gospel. He not only takes your place on the Cross, He takes up residence in your life to develop you into the strong man/woman of God you can and should be!
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
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