DISPLEASING GOD
Genesis 38:1-12

The Word of God testified in Genesis 38:7, “But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD killed him.” After the death of Er, by Law, the brother of Er, Onan, was to marry the widow of Er. Deuteronomy 25:5 stated the Law, “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.” Judah was aware of the law, and Onan, the brother of Er, knew what the law commanded. Onan abandon the command that was in the law. He did not want to go by what the law said. Onan knew what to be done and why it has to be done. Genesis 38:8-9, “And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother.” Judah played the role of father by asking Onan to do what was right, that he was to marry Er’s wife. Clearly, as it is written above from verse 9, Onan had his own agenda and it was not in doing what the Word commanded. Onan wanted to follow the law in his own way. Every Word and command requires a full response, and it is not to be changed, or to be compromised. Onan knew what was right, but failed, by not doing the right thing. Genesis 38:10, “And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also.” Onan died because his action displeased God. Displeasing God is to know what to do in the Word and not do it. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. God has not changed or lowered the standard of His Word. Having an agenda to compromise the Word of God is a life threatening issue. God is a merciful God and He is also gracious. Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” The command of God remains the same and that is, it cannot, and should not be violated. Displeasing God in anyway can take life. Have life by pleasing God, and do not be deleted before Him.
Prayer for today: Father, have mercy on me, and let me not take any step towards displeasing Your gracious holy name.