Bible Study Online Article

In the last article we touched on the importance of Judah's history and how his family lineage connects with Jesus (Yeshua) Christ.

Now we will begin this article by taking a closer look at the time-line, when it comes to the events that had taken place during the recording of Judah's early household.

Remember in the last article, I pointed out that you could easily miss this interesting bit of information during your biblical studies if you're not careful.

I believe that knowing that this Sacred Account of Judah starts before the selling of Joseph into slavery is crucial.

Not only does this help with gaining a deeper insight when it comes to our biblical studies, but it also helps us to see another great example on how God interacts with us in our own natural lives.

Personally I feel that if we're able to see how God reacts to our actions within the natural realm, in regards to the things that we do and the certain decisions that we make within our everyday lives, it will help us to better identify with God overall.

Know that we're given a tremendous advantage being that God constantly provides us with great examples that are foreshadows on what's to come. The Sacred Record lays out plenty of those types of examples when it comes to how God interacted with humankind -- individually and as a whole. Obviously there's a lot I could say on this subject and I will eventually as we journey along, but first I have to keep my promise by moving a little bit farther when it comes to the Sacred Account of Judah's early household.

First let's do a quick summary of the events that took place when it comes to Judah's infamous encounter with Tamar.

1. Judah get's married to a Canaanite girl
2. They have three sons - Er, Onan, and Shelah
3. Judah's son Er, gets married to a girl named - Tamar
4. Er is judged for his wickedness (no details) - incurred a death sentence
5. Judah's second son Onan, is ordered by his father to marry Tamar - in order to preserve his brother's name
6. Onan is judged for his wickedness - incurred a death sentence
7. Judah's third son Shelah, is promised to Tamar once he reaches an appropriate marring age
8. The Scriptures will later reveal that this promise would in fact, be a lie that's told by Judah. Tamar finds out and decides to take matters into her own hands.

Now if we were to count the years from the time that Joseph was sold into slavery, by assuming that these events had taken place right after Joseph was sold. Starting from the time from when Judah had gotten married to Tamar, who would eventually give birth to twin boys, who were named - Pharez and Zarah.

Now if we also throw in the births of Hezron and Hamul who were born to Tamar's son Pharez. This would cover a time period of about twenty-three years, which wouldn't be enough time for all these events to have taken place, from where this particular record was placed within the Scriptures. Because of this, it's presumed that Judah was already married and his three sons were already born before the selling of Joseph.

It's probable that Judah had married when he was around the age of fifteen, or sixteen. Also remember, that Judah was born fourth unto Jacob and Joseph was born twelfth when you count all the siblings. For we must not forget that Jacob's daughter Dinah was born eleventh, right before Joseph. Looking at this birth order alone, would give us another seven to ten years to work with when it comes to the recording of Judah's early household.

Okay now, one might ask: "Why is all of this important when it comes to the time-line in which things occurred? After all, Judah did pay a heavy price and reaped for his actions when it came to the part that he played in the selling of Joseph."

This question is definitely warranted, being that the statement is true. But we must learn to move beyond the norm when it comes to just knowing what the Scriptures are saying on the surface. Don't be afraid to go deeper.

Keep in mind that God is the same today, yesterday and forevermore. He moved and connected with humanity in the natural then and He continues to do it now in the 21st century and beyond. Always remember that the Almighty, is a God that provides us with plenty of examples that foreshadows the things that are to come next, in regards to mankind. Remember that its these foreshadowing examples that shows us how God interacts with not only the spiritual but the natural world as well.

Now I know what I'm saying can become a problem for most, because they would quickly add something that's extreme, or off the wall, by saying something as such: "You mean to suggest that God will kill me because of my sin, or that I could lose my salvation? Were not under the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament anymore, we are saved under the blood of the eternal lamb - Jesus Christ"

This is not what I'm implying, for I believe that if you truly believe that Jesus is the lone Savior and Redeemer of humanity and you repent and turn away from the ways of the world - then of course you will (or you should) inherit the Eternal Kingdom.

What I am saying, is that we must learn how to be accountable for our actions and stop leaning on the sorry excuse that nobody's perfect. We must stop thinking that life is some type of suffering sentence that has been declared on us - because it's not. Life is one of the greatest gifts that you will ever receive, here in the now and in eternity.

To be able to experience life in God's creation is one of the greatest privileges that we could ever have. To be able to have a chance to have free will, choice and the power of creativity, is something no other creature can claim. To be an individual that's rare and unique like no other, to have so much value poured into us by being made in the likeness and image of our Heavenly Father - is the highest honor a creature could have, from within God's awesome creation.

Oh, what an honor and privilege to be able to hold such a position. The Sacred Record helps us to see and track how God moves in our lives when it comes to the choices that we make. It helps us to better see if were making the right decisions, or if were going down the wrong path.

Understand that God doesn't want to see us suffer -- He wants us to be radiant in this dark, cold and corrupt world. So yes we have the gifts of forgiveness, mercy, grace and eternal salvation. But we also have individual gifts as well, that makes us unique in our own natural way, when it comes to the power of creativity and our talents and skills.

We must not make the mistake of just settling on the idea of just barely making it into the Eternal Kingdom. Instead we should strive to make the most of this fantastic opportunity called life, while we dance and celebrate our way into the arms of our Heavenly Father.

Okay my rant is over. In the next article we will go back over the events that I outline in this article (without the rant) before we move farther along into the infamous account of Judah and Tamar.

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

67) The Descendants of Esau

68) Joseph the Favorite Son

69) Joseph the Interpreter of Dreams

70) Joseph & The Murder Plot

71) Joseph & The Pit of Darkness

72) Jacob the Father of Sorrow

73) The Importance of Judah's History

74) <-CURRENT PAGE->

75) Judah's Reaping Season

76) Tamar's Revenge

77) Tamar's Vindication

78) Joseph the Servant of Favor

79) Potiphar's Wife Pursues Joseph

80) Joseph Goes to Prison

81) Joseph the Promoted

82) The Dreaming Cupbearer & Baker

83) Pharaoh's Dark Dreams

84) Joseph's Dark Dreams Interpretation

85) Joseph the Overseer of Egypt