Christmas with Compassion | Day 09
Day 09 - Thursday - December, 12
Read Genesis 38
Highlight
If you followed along last week, this chapter is not new. Except today we are going to look at Judah’s part, not Tamar's. As we have looked at Judah this week, we see that as the fourth son of Jacob, his descendants are blessed to be the bearers of royalty and the Messiah.
Yet, that almost did not happen from the way Genesis 38 begins. Judah does not have the best track record. We saw in chapter 37 that he was the brother who suggested selling Joseph. Now, we are told he moves away from his father, marries a Canaanite woman, and that the sons they have are wicked (v 7 & 10). This does not seem to point Judah to the promising setup of descendants we know he will have. Something changes and it comes in the least likely of ways - prostitution. First Judah is willing to sleep with who he assumes is a prostitute, because his daughter-in-law is dressed for him to think that, and does not seem to find that wrong. Secondly, when Judah finds out that his daughter-in-law is pregnant, likely because she participated in prostitution, he is ready to kill her (v. 24) for the same act he participated in. Not a good situation to be found in. Yet, once he understands the full story and all that had happened, he proclaims Tamar to be righteous (v. 26). It seems from this extremely odd situation that Judah began to follow the God of his fathers. It is at this moment that he becomes the son of Jacob to lead the family.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
Read Genesis 38
Highlight
If you followed along last week, this chapter is not new. Except today we are going to look at Judah’s part, not Tamar's. As we have looked at Judah this week, we see that as the fourth son of Jacob, his descendants are blessed to be the bearers of royalty and the Messiah.
Yet, that almost did not happen from the way Genesis 38 begins. Judah does not have the best track record. We saw in chapter 37 that he was the brother who suggested selling Joseph. Now, we are told he moves away from his father, marries a Canaanite woman, and that the sons they have are wicked (v 7 & 10). This does not seem to point Judah to the promising setup of descendants we know he will have. Something changes and it comes in the least likely of ways - prostitution. First Judah is willing to sleep with who he assumes is a prostitute, because his daughter-in-law is dressed for him to think that, and does not seem to find that wrong. Secondly, when Judah finds out that his daughter-in-law is pregnant, likely because she participated in prostitution, he is ready to kill her (v. 24) for the same act he participated in. Not a good situation to be found in. Yet, once he understands the full story and all that had happened, he proclaims Tamar to be righteous (v. 26). It seems from this extremely odd situation that Judah began to follow the God of his fathers. It is at this moment that he becomes the son of Jacob to lead the family.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
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