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Genesis 38 · Grade 4

Judah Begins to Change

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Read and Think

Genesis 38 interrupts Joseph's story to show us Judah. Judah had suggested selling Joseph. Now he moved away from his family and married a Canaanite. His sons were wicked, and Judah failed to keep his word to Tamar, a widow who had no one to protect her.

Tamar took a bold and troubling step to make Judah face his wrong. The Bible does not call her actions good, but it does show that Judah had treated her unjustly. When the truth came out, Judah humbly confessed, She is more righteous than I. This is the first sign of change in Judah.

Later Judah offered to be a slave in Benjamin's place (Genesis 44:33). God was changing his heart. Tamar's son Perez became an ancestor of King David. In the New Testament, he is listed among Jesus' ancestors. In the New Testament, Matthew 1:3 names Tamar in Jesus' family tree.

Show What You Know

  1. Why does Genesis interrupt Joseph's story with Judah?

  2. How had Judah wronged Tamar?

  3. What was the first sign of change in Judah?

  4. Where is Tamar named in the New Testament?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

JudahGodgood
  1. had suggested selling Joseph.
  2. The Bible does not call her actions , but it does show that Judah had treated her unjustly.
  3. was changing his heart.

Think About It

  1. Judah's change began with admitting his wrong. Why is confessing sin so important?

  2. Jesus' family tree includes people with messy stories. What does that teach you about God's grace?

Memory Verse

“Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more.”

Genesis 38:26 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you take responsibility when you have been unfair?
  • When do you need to confess instead of hiding?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.