Read Genesis 38:1-30
Approx. B.C. 1727
Judah: fourth son of Jacob and Jacob’s first wife Leah.
3 -7
Judah went and into Shu’ah, the daughter of a Canaanite,
who gave him a son named Er, whom the Lord slew because he was wicked in the
Lord’s eyes. Again she conceived and gave him a son named Onan. Then again she
bare him another son named Shelah.
8-10 Onan slain
Onan was instructed by his father, Judah, to go into, Er,
his brother’s wife to propagate children with her; the ancient practice was
that in this manner the deceased should have a seed in his [deceased] name for
the purpose of the birthright. However he knowingly spilled his seed on the
ground defying his father’s wishes thus prompting the Lord to slay him as well.
11-19 Tamar’s deception
Judah instructs Tamar to live in her father’s house as a
widow until his [Judah’s] youngest son, Shelah was grown. The implication being
that Tamar would then be given in marriage to Shelah. Then Judah’s wife dies and goes up to the
sheepshearers to Tim’nath where he ultimately visits whom he perceives to be a
prostitute, who is none other than Tamar who has disguised herself as a
prostitute seeking children from Judah. Her rationale is that though Judah’s
son is now grown, she still has not been given to him as a wife.
Tamar’s trickery is to ask Judah for a pledge of monetary
endowment for her services. Judah gives her his signet [a small ring used to
seal important documents] and bracelets. All this is given to insure Judah pays
the promised kid or young sheep from his flock as payment for her services.
20-21 Tamar pulls a disappearing act
When Judah returns with the promised sheep and finds her
not only gone, but also that no prostitute has been around. Puzzled, Judah
leaves the sheep with the other men that they might give it to her when she
returns as a testament that he pays his debts.
22-26 three months later
Judah is informed that Tamar has been playing a whore. He
confronts her and she reveals the signet, bracelets, and staff he had given her
and reveals her purpose for the feat. Judah calls her more righteous than
himself and does not lay with her again.
27-30 twins and a scarlet thread
At birth the midwife ties a scarlet thread on the first
hand visible, which is then pulled back and the other is born first. However,
the one with the scarlet thread is called the firstborn and named Zar’ah, his
brother is named Pha’rez [meaning breach].
Note: “Although the account does prominently
show some of Judah's shortcomings, that is not its main purpose. This account
is about proving lineage. Both Luke 3:33 and Matthew 1:3 show that Perez is the
son of Judah through whom Jesus was descended. The Messiah would be a
descendant of Judah (see Genesis 49:10). But, why the detailed version of this
lineage? Many of the other lineages in Genesis simply list who fathered
whom—wouldn't that suffice? No, for without the story of how Tamar conceived
and Judah's subsequent public acknowledgment of fatherhood, the Jewish heritage
of the descendants of Perez, including Jesus, may have been unknown or
disputed. Another interesting item in
the account is Judah's statement: "She has been more righteous than
I." This was certainly true. Notice that although Tamar did dress as a prostitute,
it was Judah who solicited her. Yet later, Judah sentenced Tamar to be burned
as punishment, even though he had been very willing to go into one whom he
thought was a harlot and participate in such a sin himself. In contrast, Tamar
was ensuring that an heir would be raised up to her husband (compare
Deuteronomy 25:5-6), a responsibility that Judah had willfully abandoned
(Genesis 38:14).” Bible Commentary
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. Lineages
and family history are of utmost importance. What importance do you see in this
account?
2. This
little bit of family history illustrates three principles:
a) It
solidifies the Messianic lineage.
b) It
further demonstrates that the lineage of Messiah was not perfect but tainted
with sinfulness from the fall in the Garden of Eden.
c) It
demonstrates the need for a divine sacrifice instead of mere human.
d) What
other observations do you see?
3. What
was Tamar’s purpose in lying with Judah?
4. Some
would say how wicked a perverse the world is today, as if it were something
new. What do you say?
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study the lesson
identify the attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God
extending His forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same
for you.
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