Judah And Tamar and the Seed of the Woman (Part Two)
By Dr. Barry Waugh - Posted at The Heidelblog:
At the end of the first part of this article, it appeared that the continuation of the seed of the woman God promised in Genesis 3:15 beyond Judah’s generation was at risk. Two of Judah’s three sons—Tamar’s husband, Er, and her brother-in-law Onan—died at the hand of the Lord for wickedness. Judah promised the last son, Shelah, to Tamar to fulfill the levirate once he matured and thus continue the godly line. The trouble is, Judah’s character, as seen in Genesis 37, was shown to be doubtful given the opportunism and greed he demonstrated in usurping Reuben’s role as family leader when Joseph was sold into slavery. At this point, the actions of Judah and Tamar are crucial for continuation of the godly line. What would happen next?As the years passed and events unfolded, it became clear to Tamar that despite Judah’s assurance that Shelah would fulfill the levirate, it was not going to happen. What she did next is surprising. When Judah’s wife died and his period of mourning was over, Tamar decided to take action regarding having a son for Er. It was sheepshearing season, and Judah would go to Timnah to visit his sheepshearers and direct their harvest of wool (Gen 38:12). In the Canaanite culture and religion in which Judah lived, sheepshearing was a time of celebration that included men making use of the services of cult prostitutes. Tamar took off her widow’s garments, then dressed like a cult prostitute and covered her face to conceal her identity.[1] She left her father’s house and sat near the entrance of a village named Enaim (38:14). The location was strategic because Tamar knew Judah would be passing by on the way to the sheepshearing.
As she expected, Judah came along the road. He saw her and wanted lie with her (38:15–16). It does not speak well for Judah that Tamar could be so sure her father-in-law would lie with her and pay for services rendered, does it? Had such promiscuity become his practice because of the influence of his Canaanite wife and the Canaanite society? As they negotiated their encounter, Tamar asked for payment, and Judah promised her a goat. But she wanted more than a promise; she wanted something tangible to prove her case (38:17). Judah gave her his signet, cord, and staff; all three of these items were unique to him (38:18). These items might be likened today to a key fob engraved with the owner’s initials, a signed business card, or a monogrammed piece of clothing. Judah and Tamar went into the tent together. After their encounter was over, she went back to her father’s house and put her widow’s garments back on as though nothing had happened. Now, again, she would wait.
Part One:
