The events in this chapter seem to interrupt the story, but why is this story here? One of the major purposes of Genesis is to record the origin and development of the family of Jacob, the founder of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Israelites went down to Egypt a large family, and four centuries later they came out of Egypt a large nation. Since the tribe of Judah is the royal tribe from which the Messiah would come (49:10), anything related to Judah is vital to the story in Genesis. Without this chapter, you’d wonder at finding Tamar and Perez in our Lord’s genealogy (Matt. 1:3). Perez was an ancestor of King David (Ruth 4:18–22) and therefore an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1).
本章中的事件似乎打断了故事的发展——为何要在此提及这事儿？《创世记》主要目的之一是记录雅各家族的起源与发展，即以色列十二支派的创始人。以色列人下到埃及时是个大家庭，但四百年后出埃及时，已成为一大国。由于弥赛亚是从犹大支派而来（49:10），任何与犹大相关的事对《创世纪》来说是至关重要的。如果没有这一章，你就不会晓得主家谱中的他玛和法勒斯是从何而来的（太1:3）。法勒斯是大卫王的祖先（得4:18-22），因此也是耶稣基督肉身的祖先（马1:1）。
Judah marrying a Canaanite woman was clearly disobedience God’s command (24:3; 2 Cor. 6:14–7:1). When we disobey, we will reap the consequences sin brings to us. Two of his sons were slain by God, and then his wife died. What a tragedy! It was expected that the next son would marry the widow and thus preserve the family, but Judah did not intend to keep his promise (v. 11). Although Tamar’s purpose was good but her plan was wicked. Leaving the signet and staff was like leaving fingerprints, because each man’s was distinctive. Judah was quick to condemn Tamar for sinning, but he was blind his own sins toward Joseph and Tamar.
犹大娶了迦南女子，显然是不服从神的命令（24:3；林前6:14-7:1）。当我们不顺服时，我们就要承担罪所带来的后果。耶和华叫他的两个儿子死了，然后自己的妻子也死了。何等悲哀啊！按条例，下一个儿子当迎娶寡妇，以保全家庭，但犹大并不打算履行承诺d（11节）。虽然他玛的出发点是好的，但她的计划是邪恶的。犹大留下的印、带子和杖就如留下指纹一样，因为这些物品都是能表明身份。犹大能迅速指出他玛的罪行，却看不到自己冒犯了约瑟和他玛。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- This chapter shows how dangerous it was for God’s people to be in the land with the Canaanites. There will always be temptations. Judah got himself into trouble when he separated himself from his brothers and started to make friends with the Canaanites in the land. Like Samson, he saw a woman he liked and took her to be his wife (v. 2; Jud. 14). Lord, help us to be careful and watchful in observing your commands especially in this unbelieving world. Help us not to stray away from your people like Judah.
本章告诉我们神的子民在迦南地是何等危险的：那里总是充满了诱惑。当犹大离开自己的兄弟并开始与迦南人交往时，他便把自己陷入困境中。如参孙一样，当他看见自己喜爱的女人时，就不顾神的命令把她迎娶为妻（2节；士14）。主啊，请帮助我们在这不信的世界里更要谨守遵行您的命令。请助我们不要像犹大一样偏离您的子民。
- There is also a big contrast between Judah’s sin and Joseph’s victory (chap. 39), and we realize the importance of purity. Joseph refused to compromise himself with Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:7–20), but his brother Judah casually slept with a strange prostitute. We also see the continued practice of deception in the family. Jacob used a garment to deceive his father Isaac, and Judah and his brothers used a garment to deceive Jacob (37:32). Now Tamar used a garment to deceive Judah! (Gen. 38:14) We reap what we sow. Lord, keep us pure and faithful.
犹大的罪和约瑟的胜利（39章）形成了强烈的对比——这让我们意识到圣洁的重要性。约瑟拒绝向波提乏的妻子妥协（创39:7-20），但他的兄弟犹大却随性与一个妓女共处。我们也看到这家族里的成员不断使用欺诈的手段。雅各用衣服欺骗自己的父亲以撒，而犹大和兄弟也用衣服欺骗的雅各（37:32）。现在，他玛也用衣服欺骗犹大（创38:14）！我们是会自食其果的。主啊，请使我们心里洁净，做诚实的人。
- The story of the patriarchs in Genesis reminds us of God’s grace and sovereignty. The men and women who played a part in this important drama weren’t perfect and yet the Lord used them to accomplish His purposes. This doesn’t mean that God approved of their sins, because their sins were ultimately revealed and judged. But it does mean that God can take the weak things of this world and accomplish His purposes (1 Cor. 1:26-31). Thank you Lord and help us not to tarnish your good name but to fulfill your will on this world.
《创世记》里先祖的故事提醒我们神有恩典和主权。其中的人物都不完美，但主仍然使用他们成就自己的旨意。这并不代表神允许他们犯罪，因为他们的罪行最终都被揭露，也受到审判。可是，我们看到神可以用这世上软弱的事物来完成自己的目的（哥前1:26-31）。感谢主，请帮助我们不要玷污您美好的名声，但能这个世界上完成您的旨意。
