Genesis 38

Genesis 38:1

Whether this marriage of Judah took place immediately after, or rather before, the selling of Joseph, is not absolutely certain

Genesis 38:8

According to this patriarchal custom, afterwards enacted into an express law of God; Deut. xxv. 5, 6. the first-born was accounted legal son and heir to the deceased brother, and the rest of the children reckoned his who begot them

Genesis 38:9

His sin was extremely heinous, not only as it proceeded from envy of his brother’s honour, and contempt of the promised seed, but as it was horrid and unnatural in itself. Nor till the last judgment will it appear what guilt of this nature hath been committed among mankind, nor how fearfully God hath punished the same

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXVIII.—Unhallowed and over-hasty marriages often issue in fearful and numerous mischiefs; and such sins in parents are punished by the like in their children. The lusts of the flesh issue in terrible plagues and untimely deaths. And extremely foolish is their choice, who dare to purchase a momentary enjoyment of their lust by exposing themselves to everlasting torments in hell! How tremendous the sovereignty of God in marking out men for objects of his distinguished vengeance against sin! And empty professors of the true religion are generally fixed upon for this purpose! At what an easy rate do most men part with their true honour and salvation, while they are mightily concerned about their temporal interests or worldly securities! Temporal loss and worldly shame weigh more with them than sin, with all the — damnation which attends it. So deceitful indeed is sin, that hardened sinners are sometimes the most severe against their fellow, but less guilty, offenders; and malice against their person puts on the cloak of zeal against their sins. Oh, what a mercy, if such be brought to a kindly sense of, and return from, their sinfulness at last! Especially ought we to exercise much tenderness and compassion towards such as we have tempted into sin. But is any thing so astonishing as that this enormous wickedness, this unnatural incest, should be made by JEBOVAN the distant means of the incarnation of his only begotten Son! Behold how—where sin had abounded and reigned unto disorder, shame, and death—grace reigns, through righteousness, unto inconceivable honour and everlasting life by Jesus Christ our Lord!