Fifty years of reading the Bible, and some things continue to puzzle me. A case in point is the sordid account of Judah and Tamar, his daughter-in-law, in Genesis chapter 38. It looked out of place. Chapter 37 ended, “Meanwhile, the Midianites had sold him to Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.” After the account about Judah and Tamar (chapter 39) concluded, chapter 39 began with, “Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt and Potiphar….had bought him.” Chapter 38 seemed to be a digression and interruption to the Joseph narrative. Why was it there? I could not figure it out on my own, so I consulted the commentary, the internet, and ChatGPT. Which is best?

Commentaries

The one-volume whole Bible commentaries do not bother to comment. Tyndale commentary on Genesis has this explanation: “As a rude interruption of the Joseph story … It creates suspense for the reader, with Joseph’s future in the balance; it puts the faith and chastity of Joseph, soon to be described, in a context that sets off their rarity; and it fills out the portrait of the effective leader among the ten brothers.” (Derek Kidner) I am sure there are other opinions in other one-volume commentaries on Genesis. This was all I had in hand.

This is what Google supplied

“AI Overview: The story of Judah and Tamar interrupts the Joseph narrative because it serves as a crucial character development for Judah, demonstrating his transformation and establishing his righteousness, which is necessary for his lineage to carry the covenant promises of Abraham. While it appears to be a digression into a morally dubious story, it highlights Judah’s shift from corrupt indifference to accountability, setting him up as a contrast to Joseph and a significant ancestor for King David.

Why it seems out of place?

• Sudden shift in focus: 

The chapter abruptly shifts from Joseph, who was just sold into slavery, to Judah, his father’s son, and a lengthy story about his family and questionable choices. 

• Disturbing content: 

The story involves themes of deceit, incest, and posthumous judgment, which are jarring when presented immediately after the dramatic events of Joseph’s betrayal. 

The narrative purpose of the interruption:

• Judah’s transformation: 

The chapter serves to transform Judah’s character, making him more fit to carry on God’s promises. Without this transformation, he is portrayed as corrupt, marrying a Canaanite woman and having his sons die. 

• Establishing lineage: 

Tamar, through her actions, ensures the continuation of Judah’s line and the family’s future, especially after God had already removed other brothers from consideration for carrying the covenant. 

• Parallel to Joseph’s story: 

The story of Judah provides a crucial contrast to Joseph, demonstrating the “divine tutorial” of testing and growth intended for the brothers. 

• Fulfilling promises: 

The placement of this story is deliberate, showing that God’s plan to save the family and fulfil His promises through Abraham continues through Judah’s lineage, eventually leading to King David.”

This is better than looking up my printed commentaries. Obviously, AI aided. It even supplies links, something that ChatGPT does not. With the links, I can know more about the credibility of the source. If something is doubtful, I can check its link.

What ChatGPT generated

My question to ChatGPT was, “Why was the content of Genesis chapter 38 oddly situated in the Joseph narratives?” Here is the answer given:

“1. Literary and Narrative Purpose

• The Joseph story begins in Genesis 37 and resumes in Genesis 39. Genesis 38 looks like a digression, but it actually sets up a parallel contrast:
  • In Genesis 39, Joseph resists sexual immorality (with Potiphar’s wife).
  • In Genesis 38, Judah indulges in sexual immorality (with Tamar, unknowingly).
    The placement highlights the moral difference between Joseph and Judah.

2. Theological Purpose

• Judah’s line is critical because the Messiah (Jesus) comes through Judah, not Joseph (cf. Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1:3).
• Genesis 38 explains how Perez, Judah’s son through Tamar, became part of the covenant family tree leading to David and ultimately Christ. Without this chapter, we would miss the backstory of a key Messianic line.

3. Character Development of Judah

• At this point, Judah had just led the plot to sell Joseph into slavery (Gen 37:26–27). Genesis 38 shows how far he had fallen morally and spiritually.
• Later, when Judah reappears in Genesis 43–44, he is a changed man, offering himself in place of Benjamin. Genesis 38 gives us the “before picture” of Judah, making his later transformation more dramatic. 

4. Historical/Tribal Background

• Genesis 38 also functions as an etiological story (explaining origins) for the clan of Judah. It introduces Tamar, a Canaanite woman, and explains the complex family lines within Judah’s descendants. This matters for Israel’s tribal identity later on.”

The subtitles offer helpful broad categories like “theological purpose” and “historical/tribal background”, and the bullet point format explains the categories. Still, no links for further research or checks for credibility were given.

I like the way ChatGPT organises its reply, but Google’s format allows me to check the source’s reliability, and I can read the explanation and arguments for the conclusions made. I will not sacrifice veracity for a competent presentaion.

Clearly, the AI from Google and ChatGPT offers quite similar and better understanding and solutions to my search than the commentary. If a person has more commentaries, they might come to similar conclusions. However, it will require effort, finance, and time to do the research. And most pastors are hard-pressed for time.

Is it wrong for a pastor or preacher, after his initial study of the scriptures, to use Google or ChatGPT for researching puzzling passages? Share your opinion with me, as a person in the pew or as a preacher or pastor?

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