Genesis Chapter 38
It may be difficult to believe that a story with such twists and turns would be included in a true Biblical account, but we find it here in the account of Judah the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. This was the same son that suggested to his brothers that they sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:26). Judah was interested in following after God only when it suited Judah. What we learn about Judah was that he started off on the wrong foot by marrying a Canaanite woman. Her name was Shua and they had three sons: Er, Onan and Shelah.
Let's Reflect
1. We learn right away that the pattern was continued for the oldest son Er. Judah found a Canaanite wife for his son Er. This Canaanite woman was named Tamar. What does the Bible say happened Er?
2. Why did this happen to Er?
This was not the first time that such a judgment was passed on men. You will recall the great flood that took place in Genesis. God destroyed the earth because of the wickedness of men. He also, in His great mercy, made a promise that He would never destroy the whole earth with a flood again. This judgment may be the first recorded time that an individual has been judged by God in such severity since the flood.
3. The practice of marrying your brother’s widow was a levirate marriage custom but had not yet been put into law. This custom was a way to carry on the name of a man who had died before having sons of his own. If the one who married the wife of his deceased brother had a child with her, that firstborn child would be considered the child of the deceased brother so as to carry on his name. It was Onan’s turn to marry Tamar. Onan did not want to give her a child that would not be considered his own. He was happy to just use Tamar for his own pleasure. What did God do to Onan?
4. The custom would mean that Tamar would then be given to the next son, but there were two problems with the last son Shelah. What were they?
5. Her father-in-law instructed her to go and stay at her father’s house. This made no sense. This is not how you take care of your family by shutting them out. Tamar was under the headship of Judah. He was the one who determined who she should marry. When she learned Judah, her father-in-law came to town one day, she dressed in a disguise. What disguise did she take and what happened?
6. What possessions of Judah did Tamar keep as payment for her sexual act?
7. What was the result of Judah lying with a woman he thought was a prostitute?
8. When Judah returned with the goat that was also promised for payment, he learned that Tamar had slept with a man while unmarried and had become pregnant. What did Judah say should be done to Tamar?
9. Tamar had wisely kept the items that belonged to her father-in-law, and he realized he had been the one to impregnate her. What did he say about Tamar now?
10. Tamar gave birth to twins. What were their names?
