As we turn to Chapter 38, the focus is on Judah, out of whose line will come the kings who will rule over God’s people. As Joseph is being sold to the Midianites, Judah leaves his brothers and journeys to find a wife.
It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and settled near a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah.
There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; he married her and went in to her. She conceived and bore a son, and he named him Er (Genesis 38:1-3).
The couple had two other sons, Onan and Shelah. Er married Tamar, but he committed a grievous sin and died.
But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death (Genesis 38:7).
To maintain a family’s lineage when a man died sonless, the law outlined a specific procedure.
When brothers reside together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a stranger.
Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, taking her in marriage and performing the duty of a husband’s brother to her, and the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed to the name of the deceased brother, so that his name may not be blotted out of Israel (Deuteronomy 25:5-6).
As the next in line, Onan was instructed by Judah to fulfill his family obligation to Tamar. However, Onan refused to let Tamar bear a son, fearing it would diminish his inheritance. Like Er, Onan’s behavior was deadly.
What he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also (Genesis 38:10).
Shelah was too young to fulfill the family obligation to Tamar, so Judah sent her to live at her father’s house.
Drama at the Sheep-shearing
As with modern large events, like the Super Bowl or NBA playoffs, which attract sex workers, the ancient sheep-shearing was a major event. Because it required between 400 and 600 men and took place over several weeks, it was a large attraction.
Tamar was properly betrothed to Shelah, who was of marriageable age. However, Judah had prevented their marriage from being consummated. Therefore, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
She put off her widow’s garments, put on a veil, wrapped herself up, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. She saw that Shelah was grown up, yet she had not been given to him in marriage.
When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a prostitute, for she had covered her face (Genesis 38:14-15).
Believing she was a sex worker, Judah sought her services. She required payment, and he promised a young goat, though he lacked it at the moment. Instead, he gave her his signet, cord, and staff as collateral.
Reflections
We can only imagine the sensationalized version of this story that Hollywood would produce. It would certainly receive a PG-13 or possibly an R rating, depending on the details presented.
What I always find compelling in Old Testament passages like this is the Bible’s unvarnished portrayal of its heroes.
Both Judah and Tamar, despite their imperfect pasts, are part of the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus, showing that God works through imperfect servants.
This should serve as a reminder that God remains active despite our past mistakes and human weaknesses. When we surrender our lives to His purpose, we will witness Him working through us to achieve His glory and our good.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 