Judah and Tamar

 Judah and Tamar

text: Genesis 38

Structure:

A. 38:1-5, Birth of Judah's children

  B. 38:6-11, promise of giving Shelah as a husband

    C. 38:12-18, Tamar got the pledge items

    C'. 38:19-23, Judah can not retrieve his pledge items

  B'. 38:24-26, Judah confesses that didn't gave Shelah to Tamar

A'. 38:27-30, Birth of Judah's children

Comments: There are at least two things that should be said before the comments. First, the length of this story. It takes maybe 5 minutes to read it, but when one puts the years of boys being born, get married, dye, and for Judah to have it right – the span of the narrative occupy 20+ years. Therefore, Judah comes to his senses about the same time when he takes personal responsibilities over the safety of Benjamin (Genesis 43:8) along with stepping up as the spokesman for the brothers negotiating with Joseph whom they have did not recognize (Genesis 44:18). That connects the story with the future part of the narrative – and it is the second point to know prior to the reading. Genesis's author carefully places Judah and Tamar story here to show his conversion and not to intervene the Joseph narrative in the future. We need to understand how Judah converts from being irresponsible selfish man to the head of the household who will end up being the heir of Jacob's blessings, becoming the ruling tribe (Genesis 49:8-12). Now to the text!

Let's overview the story: slowly but surely Judah becomes more and more assimilated into the surrounding Canaan culture. We can see at least six aspects how his life is un-biblically changed: (1) moving out; (2) marring Canaan woman; (3) neglecting to raise his children in the covenant; (4) deception of a weaker vessel [cp. 1 Pet. 3:7]; (5) seeing plausible to use a cult prostitute; (6) ready and quick to burn [literally] a person.

First, moving OUT. In the beginning we see Judah moving away from the LORD. He goes to the place where there is no communion of the saints. His brothers are not perfect, by no means. They wanted to kill Joseph (ended up selling him to slavery). They rage over the situation with Dinah (Genesis 34), in stead of seeing it as an outreach opportunity when people of Shechem were ready. At the same time – God made His promises to their father Jacob, re-named him into Israel – God-fighter. They (and Judah included) should've fight along side with their dad to the glory of the living God (the factor of life is very important to the story).

Second, along with this he marries a Canaanite woman (Genesis 38:2). In a sense it is a parallel to Genesis 4 – 6 paradigm: brother murder followed up by moving farther from the godly fellowship and sons of God marrying the daughters of men. So, we should not be surprise that the flood of death covers his sons.

Third, neglecting to raise his children in the covenant. A couple of hints here. (1) Er marries a Canaan woman too (like father – like son). (2) When two older sons do something wicked, Judah is ready to put a blame on her (suspecting her to be a black widow). For sure, a parent should be eager to defend his children. At the same time, a who is going to help a son to grow if not a father?

Four, deception of a weaker vessel. Women in the Bible considered to be a weaker vessel [cp. 1 Pet. 3:7]. They are physically weaker than men, therefore, should not have been drafted to the defense forces. They were socially weaker (not lower), for they had to be represented by a father, a husband, or a son. So, Tamar, being a widow becomes a double weaker vessel. At first, it looks like Judah does a noble thing – sending her to the father's house. But his plan of deception is [fully] revealed when the third child grows up and she is NOT given to him as a wife (Genesis 38:14).

Five, seeing plausible to use a cult prostitute. This story gets weirder and weirder... Cult prostitute. If he wanted a quick interaction – why get involved with the CULT one? The only explanation is he got even farther from the LORD. He got SO far – he gave out his equivalent of ID, Credit card, and sign of authority. Remember, he promised her a marriage with his third son – now [unknowingly] he offers her a goat kid. That's why she wants to have something “solid” in her hands.

Six, ready and quick to burn [literally] a person. Judah listens to a rumor, denies “trial,” and shows his preferences for a non-Israelite practice. That's what happens when one immerses himself into a godless society. About 2000 years later St. Paul will formulate it this way: “bad companies corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

She submits to his judgment – on the way to her father-in-law she sends a message (probably with a messenger). The signet, the cord, and the staff (for their meaning see above). One more very interesting thing: she begins her statement by saying “please identify” – just like brothers [Judah included] who approached Jacob (Genesis 37:32). This “package” and the message trigger Judah's conscience.

One more thing, the twin boys are born in a similar manner as Judah's father: Esau and Jacob. Here, the “younger” became “the first,” Perez becomes the covenant carrier.

Conclusion. This is a weird story – a man of the covenant was converted by a Canaan woman. She was exposed to the true faith for very short – yet, treasured it as a precious pearl. As a result, she ended up in the lineage of the Messiah (Matthew 1:3).