Read:
When Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him, Judah had another idea. He suggested they sell Joseph instead. They’d make some money and get rid of him at the same time. So they sold their brother for 20 pieces of silver.
The royal line runs through Judah—not through Joseph, the faithful one.
Years later, Jacob (who we read about yesterday) blessed his sons. He promised that the scepter, the symbol of a king, wouldn’t depart from Judah until its true, eternal owner arrived. King David would come from Judah, and so would Jesus.
This story might bother you a little, but it should also give you hope. Somewhere along the way, Judah changed. He eventually offered to become a slave so his youngest brother could go free (Genesis 44:33). God didn’t pick Judah because he was the best brother. God chose him and then transformed him.
And the parts of your story that you think disqualify you are the exact places God wants to work in your life, too.
Pray: God, I’ve failed in ways I’m not proud of. Thank you that my failures don’t put me out of reach of your grace. Work through every part of my story, even the parts I’d rather hide. Amen.