Monday 6th
Not everything in the Bible is there because it is being commended to us. Some of the stories record sad and sinful failures and the implication is that such things are to be avoided by us.
There is quite a contrast between the behavior of Judah in Genesis 38, who visits a 'prostitute', who turns out to be his daughter in law in disguise, and Joseph in Genesis 39 who refuses to "lie with" his master's wife, when she invites him to do so.
The account of Judah and a prostitute, who actually was his daughter in law in disguise (Genesis 38:12-26), is not a commendation of this behavior. Judah, though his family line would be used by God in the distant future to bring the Lion King of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10), is a miserably disappointment who sold his brother, Joseph, as a slave (Genesis 37:26-28).
In the next chapter of Genesis we are given the right way to behave, even if it means unfair suffering. Joseph, as an exploited victim of his jealous brothers, has become a slave but will not "lie with" his master's wife, when she invites him to do so, because, says Joseph, this would be a "great wickedness and sin against God" (Genesis 39:9).
The favour of God remains on the innocent, suffering Joseph. (See Genesis 39:2-6, 21-23). (There is no mention at all of God's favour on Judah in Genesis 38.) Eventually Joseph would be vindicated and lifted up to greatness as God's intended plan is worked out (Genesis 50:20).
Lesson: Continue to do good, even if it is costly to do so (See 1 Peter 3:17).
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