Judah And Tamar (38:1-30)
Neal Pollard
Moses makes an important aside from the Joseph narrative to share an incident which is crucial to later Israelite history. More than that, it establishes a vital link in the Messianic genealogies. It further highlights the dysfunction in the family of God’s chosen people, reminding us that “For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy” (Rom. 9:16-17).
Judah’s choice of mate was suspect (1-13). While the text does not go into great detail about the character of Shua, it is a Canaanite family. Later, as the conquest of Canaan came closer to fruition, there would be repeated warnings not to marry with them (Ex. 34:12-16). Already, Judah’s grandfather, Isaac, had seen the foolishness of such (28:1ff).
The Bible does not explicitly condemn Judah’s choice, but there are signs that it brought trouble. He departed from his brothers and lived with a Canaanite man (1), putting him in contact with Shua whose daughter he married (2). We are not told what kind of mother Judah’s wife was, but the sons were no spiritual prize. It can be presumed that his eldest son, Er, got his wife, Tamar, from among the Canaanites (6,11). Er was so wicked that “the Lord took his life” (7). His brother, Onan, expected to raise up seed to his brother, rebelled against this purpose and was likewise struck down by God (9-10). Tamar would prove to be no bastion of morality, either (13ff).
Judah’s moral bearings were skewed (14-26). Perhaps related to the first observation, Judah’s grasp of right and wrong is warped. First, he breaks his promise to Tamar to give his third son, Shelah, to Tamar once the young man is grown. It is when she sees that he has reneged that she engages in her dubious behavior (14-18). After Judah’s wife dies (12), he allows himself the sinful indulgence to take what he thought to be a temple prostitute (15-16). He did not know that this was his daughter-in-law since she covered her face with a veil. As the result of their union, Tamar becomes pregnant. When Judah hears of this, he is ready to put her to death. But she had garnered an insurance policy, taking personal effects of Judah’s as pledge for promised payment. When she heard he was ready to take such drastic action, she presents the effects letting him know he was the father. Shamed by this matter, a cooler head prevails. She gives birth to twins, and ultimately from this lineage the Messiah will be born (Mat. 1:3).
Judah provides a stark contrast in character to his brother, Joseph, as we will see in chapter 39. Sterling even in the face of pressure and probable temptation, Joseph chooses purity and integrity. That certainly does not describe Judah’s actions in this chapter.
Judah’s flaws did not frustrate God’s ultimate plans. From the time Noah and his family come off the ark after God cleansed the earth of wickedness, He observes, “…the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (8:21). God shows His power, His foreknowledge, His wisdom, and His purpose by accomplishing His will through flawed individuals like Judah. Incredibly, His Son would be born of this tribe! God teaches us a powerful lesson that He is able to do above all we ask or think according to His power at work within us (Eph. 3:20)! Aren’t you thankful that God still pursues His purpose of redemption through weak and sinful people like you and me (1 Cor. 1:21)?
The Preacher Pollard Blog 