Genesis 38 - 40 The lineage of Jesus and the continuing trials of Joseph

Background: After selling Joseph into slavery, the lives of Israel's sons went on as normal. Israel himself was never quite the same, and God took a special interest in Judah and Joseph.

1. Judah marries a Cannanite
1. Because of their wickedness God took the lives of Er and Onan
2. Judah promises Tamar his third son Shelah
1. He never intends to give Shelah to Tamar
3. Judah's wife dies
4. Judah goes up to shear his flock
1. Tamar waits for Judah dressed as a prostitute
2. Judah sleeps with Tamar and impregnates her
3. Tamar is pregnant
1. Judah calls for her to be burned
1. This was a greater punishment than the law required
2. Tamar proves to Judah that he is the father
3. Judah repents
4. Tamar gives birth to Perez and Zerah
1. Perez is in the line of Jesus
5. Joseph is purchased by Potiphar the captain of Pharaoh's Guard
1. God blesses Potiphar because of Joseph
2. Potiphar's wife propositions Joseph
1. Joseph refuses
2. Joseph is accused falsely
1. Potiphar probably didn't believe his wife
1. Joseph should have been killed
2. Joseph was known to be righteous
3. Joseph is put into prison
1. Joseph is put in charge of the prison
6. Joseph interprets dreams
1. Pharoh became angry with his cup-bearer and baker and put them in jail
2. They both had troubling dreams
3. God gave Joseph the wisdom to interpret the dreams
1. The cup-bearer promised to mention Joseph to Pharoh
1. He forgets about Joseph until much later
2. The cup-bearer is restored
3. The baker is executed

Application: God can and does use