Judgment, Mercy, and Repentance
Today’s reading: Genesis 36:31-38:30
My selection: Genesis 38:24-26
24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.
Judah was quick to pass judgment on his daughter-in-law although he had been equally guilty of sin. His judgment would have killed her and his child that she was expecting. Certainly the hypocrisy of Judah was great and disgusting and he was quickly shown up before all of his family and all who would read this passage for years to come.
Judah did show promptness in acknowledging his sin and in reversing his judgment. In spite of all this sordid mess he would be established as head of the royal family of Israel from which comes the Lord Jesus Christ. Great sin and great mercy are shown here. See Matt. 1.3 for the genealogy of Jesus Christ including Judah and Tamar.
Are you quicker to judgment than to repentance? Do you show more mercy on yourself than on others? It behooves us, who profess faith in Christ, to show humility and promptness in recognizing our faults. Show mercy. Repent promptly.
As James wrote:
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 1:13
Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis 39:1-41:40