NOTES for Gen 38:1-30
The story of how Judah lives and what happens to his descendants seems overly detailed. At first glance it may seem that it is not very important for us to know how Judah and his sons distinguished themselves and how his line continued. But the description of the ordinary life of these people, their sins, and their distance from God takes on special meaning if we remember that Jesus will belong precisely to the tribe of Judah. Here begins the chronicle of the lives of people who will later be mentioned in the Savior's genealogy (see Matt 1:1-17). And for us this will forever remain a visible sign that the Lord comes to us not according to justice, not because we are worthy of it or have deserved it by our sinless life. He comes to us out of love and mercy, because He sees how deeply we need His love and forgiveness.