What lessons on obedience can we draw from Er's role in Genesis 38:6? Text under consideration “Now Judah got a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.” (Genesis 38:6) (see also v. 7 for the divine verdict on Er’s life) What we learn from Er’s brief appearance • God cares less about outward privilege and more about inward obedience. • A godly heritage (being Judah’s firstborn) does not guarantee personal faithfulness. • Disobedience has consequences that can be sudden and final (v. 7). • Our choices affect others—Tamar, Judah, and the line that would eventually lead to Christ were all impacted by Er’s sin. Key lessons on obedience 1. Obedience is expected, not optional – Er’s very name appears only to show that he failed to live up to his calling. – Compare Deuteronomy 11:26-28: God sets blessing and curse before His people, hinging on obedience. 2. God sees what people overlook – Judah only saw a son ready for marriage; God saw a heart “wicked.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 3. Disobedience brings death – Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death.” – Er’s demise foreshadows the ultimate penalty of sin, underlining why obedience matters. 4. Family position cannot shield from divine judgment – Being the firstborn of a patriarch did not exempt Er. – Ezekiel 18:20: “The soul who sins is the one who will die.” Personal accountability is inescapable. 5. Our obedience (or lack of it) shapes future generations – Er’s failure prompted Judah’s complex plan with Tamar, leading to Perez—an ancestor of Messiah (Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:3). – God’s sovereign purposes move forward, yet our faithfulness can smooth or complicate the path. Other passages that reinforce the call to obey • 1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice.” • Psalm 1 – The blessed man delights in God’s law; the wicked are like chaff. • Hebrews 12:6 – “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.” Er serves as a severe example of that discipline. Taking it to heart Er’s silent testimony warns that opportunities, status, and religious heritage mean little without a heart willing to submit to God. Genuine obedience springs from reverence, is measured by God’s standards, and leaves a legacy of blessing instead of judgment. The call is clear: live daily in humble, wholehearted obedience, trusting that the God who judged Er is the same God who empowers His people to walk faithfully today. |
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