- Scripture: Genesis 38:1–30
- The Anchor: “Then Judah identified them and said, ‘She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.’ And he did not know her again.” – Genesis 38:26 (ESV)
Judah left his family and moved to a different place. He married a Canaanite woman whose name isn’t even mentioned and he had three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah found a wife named Tamar for his son Er, but Er sinned greatly and he was killed by God. As per customs, Judah gave Tamar to Onan now, and Onan was to get a son for Tamar. However, if Tamar was to produce a baby through Onan, it would be Er’s baby by customs. That’s why Onan wasted his semen on the ground whenever they had sex. God killed him for his wickedness. Because of the pattern of his sons’ death, Judah didn’t want to give Tamar to his youngest son Shelah.
Now, Judah’s wife died and he was sad, so he decided to go up to Timnah to shear some sheep. When Tamar heard about this, she dressed in prostitute clothing and met Judah as he was coming into Enaim. They negotiated a price and then Judah got Tamar pregnant due to this encounter. Later, it was discovered that Tamar was pregnant and Judah originally ordered her to be burned, but Tamar revealed that Judah was the one who got her pregnant and Judah realized his mistakes in not providing Tamar with a husband. Tamar had twins. Perez was the first to come out fully, but Zerah stuck his hand out first.
This passage is filled with so much depravity. It’s hard to imagine this stuff happening in life today in this society, but I think this is so much more common than we think. I was thinking about Onan and what he did that was wicked, and I couldn’t help but think of many people today who have sex just for pleasure like Onan did and can’t handle the consequences of their actions, which is a baby being produced. Although the means for Onan’s wickedness is slightly different, so many people today are part of this depraved culture.
Historically in Genesis, the line of the Messiah was always encouraged to be purely Israelites, yet Judah left his Israelite family to live with the Canaanites and he even got married to one. When one of the sons of Abraham’s line gets married to pagans, something bad always happens. Esau worshiped false idols like the ones that Rachel stole from him. Judah was sinful in his actions today as well. This may be one of the reasons why churches encourage marrying someone of the same faith (as well as other things like being equally yoked, growing closer in God, etc). Those who aren’t of our faith tend to draw us away from God whether they try to or not. We see that Judah was not acting as a godly man in this passage. We should be wary of this.
Next, Judah forgives and he is forgiven. At first, he is angry and is fine with killing Tamar, yet after he recognizes his sins, he can’t judge Tamar anymore. He even says that she was more righteous than him. I believe Judah probably started to take care of Tamar and the kids because his heart changed from selfishness to more of a heart of repentance.
God used these people’s depravity for his plan. Judah’s line was the line of Jesus, and Jesus directly descended from Perez, who was the child that he had with Tamar. Although this was a son of prostitution, God used him to lead to something greater than they could have ever imagined. When we think of the line of a king, we think of noble kings who came before him, but we are told that these wicked things led to the perfect Messiah, and it’s hard to believe. God can use even the evilest things for His glory.
Reflection
- You pointed out that those who are outside of our faith tend to draw us away from God, which is why scripture and churches emphasize being equally yoked. As you participate in daily student environments, how can you remain cautious about worldly cultures while staying firm in your own walk with God?
- Judah’s heart changed from absolute selfishness to repentance once he recognized his own sin, leading him to admit that Tamar was more righteous than him. After a busy streak of organizing the senior banquet, talking with friends, heading to early morning practice, and pushing through YO rehearsal, do you pause to let God examine your heart for any hidden selfishness?
Prayer
Lord, thank You that Your sovereign grace is so massive that You can use even the most broken human depravity to bring about Your perfect plans. Forgive me for the times I follow my own desires or conform to the culture around me. Keep my heart guarded, draw me close to people who share my faith, and transform my heart from selfishness into daily repentance. Amen.