Genesis 38: Judah & Tamar

Wow. This story shocks even by modern standards. In their ancient culture a brother was supposed to marry his brother’s widow and bare a male child on behalf of his dead brother so his brother’s inheritance would pass on to Tamar and her son. But the brothers wanted their dad’s inheritance for themselves and refused to get Tamar pregnant. Judah had promised Tamar his youngest son in marriage, but never delivered. So Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute, Judah propositioned her, and he got his first son’s wife pregnant. Crazy, right? When Tamar’s pregnancy became public, Judah wanted to burn her (v. 24). But when she revealed Judah was the father, he acknowledged, “She is more righteous than I am” (v. 26). Tamar gave birth to twins, Perez and Zerah, whose father was also in a sense their grandfather, too. What a sordid story.

And yet, Judah is the son of Israel whose lineage leads to Jesus. Tamar’s lineage leads to Jesus. Perez’s lineage leads to Jesus (Matthew 1:3). I love that the Scriptures don’t hide the flaws, faults, and failures of its heroes. Judah and Tamar are literally a part of Jesus’ family. Jesus’ family can handle whatever scandals or failures we bring with us as well.