What qualifies a person for leadership? Seldom do repentance, confession, and change of behavior make the list of characteristics we consider. From Jacob’s son Judah came the ancestral line of King David and Jesus. Judah, who came up with the idea to sell Joseph into slavery (37:26, 27). Judah, who impregnated his daughter-in-law. Judah, who volunteered to take the place of Benjamin as Joseph’s slave (Genesis 44:18-34).

Judah was the first person to repent, or at least was the first person whose repentance is captured in the biblical writings. 

In Genesis 38:26, Judah acknowledges and confesses his sin. He also changed his behavior. What difference did this make? Take a look at Matthew 1:2, 3:

Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. **Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron.** Hezron was the father of Ram. (Emphasis added)

Judah, Perez, and Tamar are right there in the ancestral line leading to Jesus. 

Maybe the most powerful thing you will ever do, the most important thing to prepare you for the special future God has for you, is repentance, confession, and a new way of living. 

Maybe we should never trust a leader who doesn’t know how to confess sin, turn from it, and lead himself or herself differently. 

Maybe “Tell me a time when you failed” with an honest answer should be a required pre-employment question.

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I will repent, confess, and change as often as necessary so that I may lead myself and others with integrity.

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Our Father, what a gift you have given us! You allow us the possibility of change. You offer us renewal and redirection. You make it possible for us to live free of the bondage of our bad behavior and poor choices. You make it possible for us to join you in healing the hurts we have caused. Give us grace to repent as often as necessary. Amen.