Readings for the day: Genesis 38, 39, 40
Today’s readings include all kinds of material that can often seem confusing to our 21st century ears so we’ll save Joseph’s story for tomorrow.
The story of Judah and Tamar seemingly comes out of nowhere. It’s almost an interruption in the much larger story of Joseph. And yet, it is critical for our understanding of the saving purposes of God. In the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Judah and Tamar are both mentioned and Matthew knows his audience will immediately call to mind this story from Genesis. Women, by the way, are almost never included in any genealogy but Matthew makes sure we know the names of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. That’s prostitute, prostitute, Moabite, and adulteress for those scoring at home. The point Matthew is making is that even the family tree of Jesus is not free from scandal and sin!
All kinds of important questions are raised by this text. Why does God kill Er and Onan for seemingly minor offenses? Why is Judah engaging the services of cult prostitutes? Is this his regular practice after his wife dies? And why is the penalty for adultery so harsh for Tamar? Burning at the stake? What is God up to here?
After the incident with Joseph where Judah sells his own brother into slavery, he leaves his family. Perhaps out of guilt over what he has done. Perhaps just to get away from the family dysfunction. We aren’t given a reason. He marries outside his clan and his wife bears him three sons. Er, his oldest, is so wicked that the Lord puts him to death. Again, no reason is given. It is simply something we have to accept. In the ancient near east, brothers were required to take their widowed sister-in-laws into their home with the hope they could get them pregnant and thereby continue the family line. Onan is fully aware of this custom but apparently only uses Tamar for his own personal sexual gratification while refusing to fulfill his filial responsibility. And the Lord puts him to death for his offense. This rightfully frightens Judah. He’s not about to lose his third son as this will put his own family’s future at risk so he sends Tamar home to her own family and asks her to wait until Shelah comes of age.
Then the subject of the passage shifts. Tamar is now the primary actor. She also is frightened for her future. She’s been married twice. Her reputation is in tatters as both men have died. She’s been sexually abused by at least one husband. And she knows by now that Judah has no intention of fulfilling his promise. So she dresses herself as a cult prostitute, complete with a veil so he won’t recognize her. She knows his wife has died. Perhaps she even knows Judah visits prostitutes with regularity although the text doesn’t indicate as such. And she places herself in prime position to meet him along the way. Judah takes the bait and Tamar is crafty enough to ask for his signet, cord, and staff, all of which clearly identify him to the community. Then she returns home. Three months later, she starts showing. And even though she’s living in her father’s home, she is technically Judah’s responsibility. He brings her out to be burned at the stake and that’s when the other shoe drops.
So what is God up to here? Over and over again, this family He has chosen puts their promised future at risk. The scheming and lies of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The barrenness of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel. And now Judah’s failings as a father-in-law. It always seems like the salvation plan of God is teetering on the edge of collapse. And yet God remains faithful! He continually bends the arc of human sin towards His purposes!
What about your life? Where have you sinned and fallen short? Where have you failed and lost sight of God’s promises? Where have you seen God bend even your failings towards His purposes? Where have you seen God use all things for your good?