Summary of Genesis 38:13-30:
Tamar was desperate and knew Shelah would not be her husband. So she disguised herself to go and meet her father-in-law, Judah, at Enaim on the road to Timnah. Judah thought she was a prostitute so he offered her a young goat as payment to sleep with her. She asked for a pledge since he did not have the goat with him. He gave her his seal, cord, and staff. She slept with him and became pregnant.
Judah could not find her again to give her the goat. When he found out though that Tamar was pregnant, he ordered her death, thinking she sinned as a prostitute. She presented him with her pledge and Judah had to admit he was wrong not to give her Shelah. She had twin boys named Perez and Zerah.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 23, Day 5: Genesis 38:13-30
13a) Tamar was desperate and knew Shelah would not be her husband. So she disguised herself to go and meet her father-in-law, Judah, at Enaim on the road to Timnah. She then tricked him into sleeping with her in order to have kids.
b) Too many ways to begin.
c) Judah at first was angry, but then he realized he was the one who sinned against her.
14) Jesus came from Tamar’s son, Perez, and Judah
15) It challenges me to do what is right, but not to use deceit to do so. Although, in Tamar’s defense, this was ancient times, and she didn’t have a lot of rights or say in any matter.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 23, Day 5: Genesis 38:13-30
Now I see the significance of this story! I had forgotten about this until I read it again. Great stuff!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 23, Day 5: Genesis 38:13-30
Tamar did not have a lot of options. It’s hard to blame her here. Judah was solely in charge if she would marry again, and it was painfully obvious he would not give her his last son.
God’s plan once again in action.
Judah fails to see his sin until he is confronted with it by Tamar. Wisely, he recognizes it for what it is.
Tamar becomes part of Jesus’ lineage! Matthew 1:3 and Luke 3:33 Cool stuff!
Note this is another example of how God grants grace to sinners and how Jesus does not come from perfect examples of humanity (of which there are none). God can make all things work for the good of those who trust him (Romans 8:28), and for His redemptive plan.