Gen 29:35 Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah, for she said, “Now I will praise the LORD!” ….
The contrast between Judah’s birth in Gen 29 and his actions in Gen 37 is a sharp one. Leah and Rachel were having a bitter battle with offspring as their pawns. Finally, with the birth of Judah, Leah seems at peace—she’s not vying for position with her husband, she’s not trying to outdo her sister. She seems content, to the point she names Judah to commemorate the fact that she is celebrating what God gave her. This is an occasion for much hope and it contrasts sharply with the Judah we see is Gen 37.
Gen 37:26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?”
The Judah of Gen 37 seems cold and calculating. He says, essentially, “If we are going to do away with our brother anyway, why don’t we just sell him? Then at least we’ll gain something from the situation.” The words, the thoughts, the actions, seem unforgivable. How could anyone be so callous and heartless? How could there be any redeeming such a soul? But God, in His infinite mercy, is able to do so much more than we can humanly conceive (Eph 3:20). This calculating, treacherous schemer is a direct ancestor to our Savior. Even in this seemingly impossible situation, God is making a way. Thank You, Jesus.
Gen 37:27a “Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” …
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the richness of Your word, of Your love, and of Your mercy. Thank You that You can redeem even the most hopeless situation. Thank You that You don’t see only what we’ve done but also what we can do for You. Help us to see Your potential in each other, Lord. Help us to remember that You are making a way, even if we can’t yet perceive it (Isaiah 43:19). Draw us closer. Amen.
Gen 37:27b …His brothers agreed.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.