Genesis 38:18

New International Version (NIV)

He said, “What pledge should I give you?”

“Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,” she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him.

For Meditation

And so it was, when sensual desire trumped reason!

The man saw the woman who looked to him like a prostitute, but with covered face. He was on his way to supervise an important business transaction. Desire was aroused. The flesh demanded satisfaction. Reason and restraint were thrown to the dogs. He put up the symbol of his authority as collateral and slept with her. Just like that. He walked away gratified and feeling no shame. What he didn’t know was that he had slept with his daughter-in-law and had impregnated her.

Three months later, the evidence was presented to him in a cruel and shocking way.  “Your daughter-in-law is pregnant”, said the prosecutor. “Bring her out and have her burned to death”, the judge said from his high chair. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these … See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are”, the accused woman said. The now shaking and perspiring judge feebly responded, “She is more righteous than I.”

And his name was Judah (Gen. 38:1-26)!

1. Sitting in our seats of judgment, haven’t we condemned Judah, and perhaps branded him as a morally weak and stupid man?
2. How could Judah be attracted to a woman he couldn’t even see her face or form? Was it just a weakness for prostitutes or evidence of a character flaw?
3. An astute businessman that he was, how could Judah sign on to such a ridiculous deal? How could he exchange the symbols of his authority, temporal as he may have thought, for a minute of sensual pleasure (18)?
4. But who said men are reasonable and wise when the mind travels with the eyes and sends an SOS message to the center of all desires, the heart, and are enticed? Isn’t marshmallow stronger at such times?
5. Wasn’t James right when he wrote: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:14-15)?” How’s that for indictment?

I pray we all remind ourselves that regardless of our education, position, prominence, age, or spiritual maturity, we are most vulnerable when our sensual cord is pricked and desire is aroused. Only a strong and determined mind to honor the holiness of God through Christ Jesus could save the day.

So: May we diligently guard our hearts with Christian fervor and keep our eyes looking straight ahead to Jesus at all times; and may we give careful thought to the paths our feet tread and be steadfast for holiness, cautiously keeping our feet from all evil (Prov. 4:23-27).

When the flesh demands a moment of sensual delight, remember to call upon your Attorney, Jesus Christ our Lord!

Shalom