"I will send you a young goat from my flock," Judah answered. But she replied, "Only if you leave me something as a pledge until you send it." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 38:17? 2. What does Genesis 38:17 reveal about Judah's character and decision-making process? 3. How does Judah's promise of a "young goat" reflect cultural practices then? 4. Compare Judah's actions in Genesis 38:17 with biblical teachings on integrity. 5. How can we apply the lessons from Genesis 38:17 to our daily lives? 6. What does Genesis 38:17 teach about the consequences of impulsive decisions? 7. Why did Judah offer a young goat as payment in Genesis 38:17? 8. What does Genesis 38:17 reveal about Judah's character and moral choices? 9. How does Genesis 38:17 fit into the larger narrative of Judah and Tamar? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38? 11. How does 1 Chronicles 2:3-4 align with Genesis 38 regarding Judah and Tamar's lineage, and does it create inconsistencies? 12. In Genesis 38:25-26, why does Judah suddenly shift from condemning Tamar to declaring her 'more righteous' than he is, without any direct divine intervention or clear moral explanation? 13. In Genesis 38:14-18, how credible is it historically that Judah would fail to recognize his own daughter-in-law simply because she covered her face? 14. In Genesis 38 overall, how does this morally complex story align with the broader biblical narrative on sexual ethics and lineage preservation? Discussion Questions 1. How does Judah's promise to Tamar reflect the cultural and social norms of the time, and what can we learn from this about the importance of keeping our promises today?2. In what ways does the account of Judah and Tamar challenge our understanding of God's use of imperfect people to accomplish His purposes? 3. How does the concept of a pledge or guarantee in this passage relate to the promises we make in our own lives, and what steps can we take to ensure we fulfill them? 4. What parallels can you draw between Tamar's actions and the account of Ruth, and how do these accounts together enhance our understanding of God's redemptive work? 5. How can we apply the themes of justice and righteousness from this passage to current issues in our society, and what role does our faith play in addressing these issues?1. Why did Onan refuse to fulfill his responsibility towards Tamar? How does this reflect on the concept of familial obligations? 2. What social norms and practices does this chapter highlight about the time period it was written in? 3. How does Tamar's deceptive plan reflect on the societal roles and expectations of women during that time? 4. How does Judah's reaction to Tamar's pregnancy reveal about his character and leadership? 5. How did Judah's recognition of his personal items transform the storyline? What does this say about the power of truth? 6. Discuss the birth of Perez and Zerah. What is its significance in the larger biblical narrative? 7. Compare Tamar's strength and resilience to that of women in your life. How would you handle such adversity? 8. What are the modern-day applications of the concept of levirate marriage? 9. How can we apply the lesson of accountability as seen in Judah's confession in our lives? 10. How does this chapter address societal biases and prejudices? 11. Can Tamar's actions be justified given the circumstances? 12. How does this chapter make you rethink moral dilemmas and the concept of right and wrong? 13. How does the relationship between Judah and Tamar evolve over the course of this chapter? 14. How does this chapter challenge our understanding of family dynamics and relationships? 15. What aspects of personal identity are portrayed through Judah's seal, cord, and staff? 16. How does the notion of justice play out in this chapter? 17. How can we understand God's role in the events of this chapter? 18. How can we use Judah and Tamar's story to navigate difficult decisions in our lives? 19. How does the story of Tamar inspire you in times of adversity? 20. What lessons about personal and social responsibility can we learn from this chapter and how can they be applied in contemporary society? Links Genesis 38:17 NIVGenesis 38:17 NLT Genesis 38:17 ESV Genesis 38:17 NASB Genesis 38:17 KJV Genesis 38:17 Commentaries Bible Hub |



