Bible Reading: Genesis 38 | John 10 | Psalm 38
Devotional for February 21, 2025
Reading: Genesis 38 | John 10 | Psalm 38
Download the PDF edition
Genesis 38
Genesis 38 is a chapter that has confused many Bible students. However, it is an important chapter because it highlights a major theme of the book. One commentator summarizes this chapter in this way: “The unsavory account of Judah’s relationship with Tamar, which interrupts the ongoing story of Joseph’s time in Egypt, fulfills an important role in Genesis, for it focuses on the continuation of Judah’s family line and concludes with a birth account in which a firstborn twin is pushed aside by his younger brother. In light of the preceding episodes, these features highlight the potential importance of Judah’s line through Perez. Later, in Ch. 49, kingship will be associated with Judah’s descendants, and biblical history reveals that from Perez comes the Davidic dynasty. Although this chapter shows Judah at his worst, it also accounts for a remarkable transformation in his life, which comes through in the remaining episodes of the Joseph story.”
John 10
Perhaps one of the more important discourses in the Gospel of John is found in this chapter. Known as the Good Shepherd discourse, Jesus teaches about the sheep of his pasture. He tells the people that his sheep hear his voice and follow him. That refers to the obedient nature of the elect of God, who Christ came to redeem. God’s people are eager to follow the Shepherd. As the door to the sheepfold, Jesus teaches that he is the only way to enter the pasture that leads to eternal life. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus teaches that he will tend and care for his people, leading them safely to their eternal rest.
Questions and Applications:
What Old Testament passage(s) talks about shepherds and sheep?
Why do God’s people need a shepherd?
Why are God’s people called sheep?
Psalm 38
Psalm 38 is a “penitential psalm” that describes the sins of the psalmist and the efforts of evil people to use them to their advantage. Remember that not all troubles result from individual sins, but this psalm highlights the problem that comes from them. Therefore, the psalm contains repentance and lament due to the nature of the sin and the consequences.
Section 1: Psalm 38:1-11
This section highlights the sin and the results that come from it. The psalmist pleads for relief as he bemoans the discipline of the Lord. In vivid language, the Psalmist describes the effects of God’s hand on him. That is instructive for us. Sin is no light matter; we should lament it when we find it. Sadly, too many people write sin off as a mere mistake instead of an attack against a holy God.
Section 2: Psalm 38:12-22
This section highlights the efforts of evil people resulting from the psalmist’s sins. Sometimes, sin brings awful consequences, but the Lord governs those consequences and uses them to bring us to repentance.