Recognize This?

Genesis 38

Recognize This?

Bill White Updated Staff Photo

Bill White

Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director

Key Points

  • The narrative shows that Judah is going from bad to worse in his desire to live life on his own terms. He acts in his own interest and protects it at Tamar's expense.

  • Tamar appears in the story with no agency on the surface, but she ultimately takes action by going to the source (Judah) to receive what is rightfully due to her by law. In the end, Judah recognizes this, saying “she is more righteous than I,” and repents by treating her with regard afterward.

  • Tamar risks everything to do what will ultimately bring salvation to—and through—Judah’s family. She secures for him what he cannot secure for himself—an heir.

  • Through all of this, Yahweh is the covenant LORD who has entered into a relationship with his people and ensures that his covenant will be fulfilled. God doesn’t need us to be right to work through us. But if we want to be part of what God is doing, we need to humble ourselves.

Application

  • Like Judah, we need to repent of our tendency to live on our own terms and instead walk in humility.

  • Like Tamar, we need to humble ourselves and pursue justice without attacking others' character.