1. Judah's life among the Canaanites (1-11)

After committing a terrible crime against his father and brother, Judah couldn't endure being at home. So he left and went to live with the Canaanites. He married and had three sons. He raised them as Canaanites. He might never have returned home, except for the unusual faithfulness of Tamar.

2. She is more righteous than I (12-30)

Judah got a wife named Tamar for his eldest son. His son was wicked and died. According to the levirate law, Judah's second son should marry his brother's widow. But the second son also died. Judah then reneged on his promise to Tamar and left her as a barren widow in her father's house. She was determined to fulfill her duty to that family. By her strange faith, she became pregnant by her father-in-law. When Judah realized what she had done, he was moved by her faithfulness. He returned to his father's house and to God's history.

Application: Lord, teach me to have courageous faith, and help me to be faithful to you.
One Word: Righteousness by faith