Perez-Breakthrough

Genesis 37-38; Psalms 7; Luke 15 

“As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, ‘This one came out first.’ But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, ‘So this is how you have broken out!’ And he was named Perez.”

Genesis 38:28, 29

This very unusual birth story illustrates a breakthrough moment for Judah, for Tamar, and for Perez. Judah now had offspring to carry forward the family line and the promises of God. Tamar had given birth after years of barrenness. Perez had somehow maneuvered past his brother to leave the womb first. Many times in Israel’s history God used direct descendants of Perez to lead a breakthrough. Caleb, a man God described as having a “different spirit”, brought back a faith-filled report after spying out the land. He later defeated giants in Hebron in order to claim his inheritance. Boaz, who redeemed Ruth, David, king of Israel, and Jesus the Messiah, are all breakthrough leaders descended from Perez.

As those belonging to Christ’s family by faith, where are we being called to breakthrough?

“Lord Jesus, fill me with courage and grace to breakthrough self-centered living, into a life on mission with you,”