Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her my son Shelah.” Genesis 38:26a (Genesis 38)
Oddly stuck in the middle of Joseph’s story is the story of Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah. It is probably insinuated here as a proper record of all that transpired in the history of this man whose progeny became the Messiah. It is an ugly story with a powerful message.
Judah arranged a marriage for his son Er. Er was wicked and died young with an heir. His widow, Tamar, was given to the next son so that the family line could continue appropriately and this woman would have safety and security. This tradition is called a Levitical marriage. Son number two took full pleasure from Tamar’s body, but denied her the child that would assure her a place in the family. For this selfish act, he died also. With fear that his third son might also die, Judah forfeited tradition and left this daughter by marriage, vulnerable in a world where she had no rights or freedoms. Eventually she hid her identity and tricked Judah in to conceiving a child with her. When Judah came in judgement, Tamar provided evidence of his sin, neglect and disregard for those he was given charge over.
The following is my commentary on other’s commentary:
I wish God was not blamed for the actions of man. But He is and for this reason, those that say they believe must strive with diligence to intimately know God’s character and trust His ways, not their own. God did not, has not and will not weave together a social order that leaves anyone, male, female, child, adult, red and yellow, black and white…….marginalized or desperate. Only man’s twisted heart does this. We must take care of each other, love one another. We are not called to take care of everyone, but all are called to care for some one.
If God is going to get credit for what you do, then it had better be good, because God is Good and we represent Him.
Have a Great Day,
Gretchen