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If you are reading your Bible through again this year you might be where I am, in Genesis 38. Every time I come to this chapter I scratch my head and say...”strange!” Judah means “Praise” but I don't find a lot of praising going on here. Read it and you will understand what I mean. In chapter 37 Moses starts the story of Joseph. He continues it in chapter 39. His story is in all of the Flannel-Graph Bible story kits. I don't think that one of those kits has the stories related in Genesis 38. The narrative includes, intermarriage with strange women, seed spilling, betrayal and prostitution. All in good, clean, healthy fun of course. The tale is about Judah. You know, Judah, Jacob’s son. The same Judah who would hear the following blessing from his dying dad in just a few years. I’ve included some highlights of that blessing recorded in chapter 49: 8 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; ... your father’s sons shall bow down before you ... 10 The scepter shall not depar...

This is not about: Chip, Robbie or Mike. It isn't that nice of a dysfunctional family. But how about these names: “See, a son”, “One who hears”, “Attached” and “Praise”. Oh wait, that is four names. Again I return to the strange family chosen to birth the nation of Israel. Theirs is a sad story. Jacob is fooled into “marrying” Leah, the older, uglier daughter of uncle Laban. He was such a nice uncle. He always looked out for... number one. You know the story, right? Jacob fell in love at first sight with Rachel. He decided to accept Laban’s offer of working for seven little years to earn her as his wife. Those years passed SO fast that he almost didn't notice them. Then came the big wedding night. Finally it was payday. But early the next morning, there was Leah! Can you imagine his surprise as he sees his beauty for the first time with her veil removed. Her crossed eyes looking in two different directions. It was jaw dropping fun. I am sure that there was shock, sadness and th...

"You no good lily livered low down snake!" I can see him now. I can't remember his name but I can see him. He's a filthy old cowboy with a five day shadow of graying stubble hugging his haggard jaw. Crow's feet frame his squinting eyes. Wretched and crooked teeth, those he has, line his gaping lips. And a Texas drawl spews from his mouth with every word. He looks as if he hasn't had a bath in months if ever. And there he is slamming his rival with degrading and brutal language. Imagine being cut to the quick by this cowpoke. How low can one get? It is extreme humiliation. Yet in Ezekiel 16 Sovereign LORD calls Israel to task with these words, " How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman ." Whoa, talk about brutal language! However, Israel deserves every word. God goes on to say in the following verses that Israel is unlike all other prostitutes in that her "lovers...