Genesis 38 -- God's Surprises Even With Our Disobedience

God had set out with Jacob’s grandfather to make a new nation – a new people set apart for Him.  The Law that would govern that relationship would not be received by Moses for almost another 500 years, so many of the rules separating them from the rest of the world did not yet exist in this chapter.  The sons of Israel who would one day lend their names to the tribes of Israel are only now beginning to have their first children.

Judah, one of those sons, left that separateness of his father’s family for a time to stay at a friend’s home, and there he met a Canaanite girl and married her.  (Ideally, he should have married a descendant of his grandfather Isaac.)  Together, they had three sons – Er, Onan, and Shelah.

Er married a girl named Tamar, picked out for him by his father, Judah.  When Er committed a sin that resulted in his death, his brother Onan was expected to father children with his widow in order that Er’s family line would not be cut off.  My commentary said that the original Hebrew text indicates not just a single instance, but a continual pattern of practice from Onan of partial obedience to this command.  And 90% obedience equals 100% disobedience.  God was displeased and took his life as well. 

Judah’s youngest son was not yet capable of fathering a child and Judah, having lost his wife and two sons, was not at all anxious to lose his remaining son, so he sent Tamar home, promising that Shelah, the youngest son, would at some future time fulfill his obligation to Tamar.

It soon became apparent to Tamar hat Judah had reneged on this promise.  Tamar, a Canaanite, believed that the end justifies the means.  She disguised herself and played the prostitute to her father-in-law, Judah.  Knowing her pregnancy while a widow would bring accusations and possible death, she hatched a scheme to keep evidence of Judah’s participation as the father of the twins she was carrying.

Once confronted with that evidence, Judah conceded that she was more right than he was, since he’d not made his remaining son available and he’d consorted with a prostitute.

In an amazing display of God’s sovereignty and grace, the firstborn child, Perez, was listed in Matthew as an ancestor in the Messianic line of Christ.

Father, You even use our disobedience to accomplish Your divine will!  You are so incredible!  Please help me to see that You have my obedience to use instead, and keep me keenly aware of my disobedience.  I don’t want to break fellowship with You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford