Breaking Free from Your Past

By: Wendy Sanders

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

"In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety." Jeremiah 33:15-16

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book where everything started at the end? How it ends is made clear, you watch or read the rest to find out how the characters got there. I feel like that happens in the story of Judah.

Judah was Jacob's fourth-born son (Genesis 35:23) and his mother was Jacob's least favored wife (Genesis 29). In their culture, his fourth-born status meant his inheritance would have been smaller than his brothers' portions. When Judah and his brothers threw Joseph in the pit, Judah convinced his brothers to sell him for a price instead of killing him.

Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” Genesis 37:26-27

Judah's past mistakes and lack of status may have given him an inferiority complex. Genesis 38 shows us Judah's past upbringing affected his family, marriage, and children. His two eldest sons turned out so wicked God put them to death for it! Even though his sons died, Judah continued to do things his own way, apart from God.

Is there anything in your past you're holding on to? Are the insecurities, regrets, and strongholds from your past holding you back? Has anyone in your family ever said "that just how we are" to justify their immorality? Or, has anyone outside your family ever said; "Nothing good ever comes your family tree." If they have, Judah's story should fill you with hope.

Why? Because Judah's broken, mistake filled family lineage ends up at Jesus! Take hope and find comfort knowing that Jesus' earthly parent's families were full of messy, imperfect people. If your past (or your family's past) bothers you, give those concerns to God. Lay them at Jesus' feet and break free from your past. If you are following Jesus, you are new creation! When we submit ourselves to God, He equips us to set a new standard of behavior for our family.

Separate yourself from your past. Trust God, He has given you a beautiful new future!