“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:11-14)

Could it be that Bible story books are doing us more harm than good? That when we are fed Bible stories that are like milk and pablum when we are children, we find it next to impossible to adapt to a diet of solid Biblical food when we grow up?

Many Christians do not appear to be aware that the writers of Bible story books, in adapting stories from the Bible to better capture the interest of children, have implanted ideas that are not fully in accord with all that the Bible has to say. Sometimes this seems to be due to the writer having a superficial understanding of the Scriptures, at other times the writer magnifies one person and barely mentions someone else who is of greater importance.

One example is the accounts of Joseph and Judah. Bible story book writers are so dazzled by the glory achieved by Joseph that they completely miss another story happening in the shadows. Yet this other story is more important in the history of God’s people and in the story of redemption.

When the chips were down, when the ruler of Egypt told the sons of Jacob they needn’t bother coming to buy food again if their youngest brother wasn’t with them, it was Judah who laid his life on the line to save his family from starvation. He told his father he would do everything in his power to bring Benjamin home again, and if he failed he would bear the reproach forever. Jacob’s heart was touched, he trusted Judah and gave permission for Benjamin to go.

Then the ruler of Egypt declared that Benjamin was his hostage, he would not allow him to return to his father. Once again Judah stepped forward and put his life on the line. He asked the ruler of Egypt to make him prisoner in place of his younger brother. He told of the promise he had made to his father and how it would be more than his father could bear if Benjamin did not return home. This melted the heart of the ruler of Egypt and he revealed himself as their brother Joseph.

By his willingness to sacrifice himself for the welfare of his family, Judah became the leader of the family. When Jacob blessed his sons at the end of his days, he said of his fourth son: “Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. . . The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” (Genesis 49:8-12).

That prophecy was fulfilled when David, of the tribe of Judah became king. Like his ancestor, he cared more for the well-being of his people than he did for personal honour and glory. Jesus the Messiah was the ultimate fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy. He was of the lineage of David and of the tribe of Judah. He went beyond the examples left by both in surrendering his life so that all mankind might be saved. The cross, the supreme sacrifice, was foreshadowed in the life of Judah.

We should not miss that, but Bible story books manage to do it. Let’s leave the milk and mush behind and seek for the solid spiritual nourishment that can only be found by searching for all that the Scriptures have to say.