Genesis 38 is nestled between the epic narratives of Joseph and his brothers. In this chapter, we shift the focus from Joseph to his brother Judah. And boy, is it a rollercoaster ride!
The chapter begins with Judah leaving his brothers and settling in Adullam, where he befriends a Canaanite named Hirah. Judah then gets married and has three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah arranges a marriage for his oldest son, Er, with a woman named Tamar.
Unfortunately, Er displeased the Lord, and as a consequence, God took his life. According to the custom of the time, Judah instructed his second son, Onan, to fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law and carry on his deceased brother’s lineage by marrying Tamar. However, Onan refused to do so, and his actions were displeasing to the Lord, who also took his life.
Now, we arrive at the heart of the story. Judah becomes reluctant to give his youngest son, Shelah, to Tamar in marriage, fearing the same fate for him. Instead, Judah tells Tamar to go back to her father’s house and wait until Shelah is older. However, Judah had no intention of fulfilling his promise.
Time passes, and Tamar realizes that Judah has deceived her. She devises a plan to secure her rightful place and ensure that her family line continues. Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute and waits for Judah on the road. When Judah sees her, he mistakes her for a prostitute and approaches her, offering a young goat as payment for her services.
Tamar cleverly asks Judah for some collateral until he sends the goat, and he gives her his signet, cord, and staff. They sleep together, and Tamar becomes pregnant. When Judah tries to retrieve his collateral, the temple prostitute is nowhere to be found. He decides to let it go, fearing public humiliation.
Three months later, news reaches Judah that Tamar is pregnant. Outraged, he commands her to be burned for her supposed immorality. However, Tamar unveils the truth, revealing that the owner of the signet, cord, and staff is the man responsible for her pregnancy. Judah recognizes his items and acknowledges his wrongdoing, realizing that Tamar acted with more righteousness than he did.
Now, let’s connect this fascinating story to Jesus and the messianic link. Tamar’s actions showcase her deep desire to ensure the fulfillment of the Messianic promise. She is willing to risk everything to ensure that her family line continues, as she knows that it is through her descendants that the Messiah will come.
Interestingly, Tamar’s bravery and resourcefulness foreshadow the lengths to which Jesus, the ultimate Messiah, would go to ensure our salvation. Just as Tamar disguised herself to secure her rightful place, Jesus—who was willing to humble himself and become a servant—disguised himself as a human being to save humanity.
Furthermore, just as Tamar received a signet, cord, and staff as collateral from Judah, Jesus gave us a sign of his authority and power through his death and resurrection. In his death, Jesus defeated sin and conquered death, establishing his authority over all creation.
Moreover, Tamar’s righteousness in her actions serves as a powerful reminder that our salvation is not based on our own merits or righteousness, but on the grace and righteousness of Jesus. Tamar could not secure her rightful place through her own deeds; it was only through the recognition and acknowledgment of Judah that her position was restored. Similarly, we cannot earn our salvation through our own efforts, but it is through recognizing Jesus as our Savior that we receive eternal life.
This story in Genesis 38 reveals the genealogical history of Jesus, as it is through the line of Pharaz, Tamar’s son, that Jesus is descended (Matthew 1:3). It’s remarkable to see how God works through imperfect and even scandalous situations to fulfill his ultimate plan of salvation.
So, there you have it, the story of Genesis 38 and its messianic link to Jesus. It’s incredible how God weaves together the narratives of individuals like Tamar and Judah to ultimately bring about the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world.
I hope you found this exploration insightful and thought-provoking. Don’t forget to leave a like and subscribe to my channel for more engaging biblical content. Stay tuned for the next video, and until then, keep seeking truth and growing in faith. Remember, you’re loved, valued, and have a purpose!
