Chapter 38 has the strange and stand alone account of Judah and Tamar. Judah leaves his brothers and has a family. His oldest son married Tamar, but God took him. Apparently, the Levirate marriage code was already the social custom because Tamar was given to the next son who refused to fulfill his brother’s role. God took him as well. Apparently, Judah was afraid to give Tamar to his youngest son when he became of age. Because of that Tamar tricked Judah into fathering her child, though she did it in disguise.
When Judah found out that Tamar was with child he was calling for her to be stoned, but then reality hit him when he found out that he was the father.
It is interesting to note that Judah will be the link that will go to David and eventually to Jesus. Talk about family skeletons, but there they are in Matthew 1:3 right in the linage of Jesus.
The fulfilling of the promise will go on even though Judah didn’t believe. Even with the eye raising act of Tamar, the fear of Judah in not giving his youngest son to Tamar is considered the unrighteous act.
“Lord, help me to live by faith, to fulfill your commands and to lean not on my understanding, but Yours. I pray this in Jesus’ Precious Name. Amen.”
About Me
- Robert and Ray Miller
- Robert is the pastor of First Baptist Texas City, Tx. And Ray is the pastor of First Baptist Mertens, Tx. Robert brings over 30 years of biblical study as a pastor. Ray brings a younger perspective to the Bible and also a command of the original languages. Our greatest passion is to see lives changed through the good news of Jesus Christ.
1 comment:
I loved the commentary on today's reading. I kept thinking, "why is this story even in the Bible", but God has much to teach me from this chapter.
It is so comforting to know that God is sovereign in all things and His plan will be accomplished, even by means which seem unlikely.
In our current day, I am often tempted to despair when I see so much evil all around me - stories of children being murdered and abused; of people in governments killing and torturing their own people; people in high places in our churches doing shameful acts and our world economy in chaos. But through it all God is, and always will be, totally in control. If my life is built on believing and trusting the God of the universe, then I have nothing to fear and everything to look forward to.
God, help me to humbly bow before You and allow your thoughts to be my thoughts and keep my heart and mind on you and your plan for me.
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