2024.10.06.Sermon Notes. Genesis 38 Tamar and Judah’s sin. God’s Grace Continued.
Viewer Discretion Advised.
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA. Why is this account of this record in here? Because GOD’s Grace continues despite man’s failures. The Line of Judah is established through SIN, so that GOD’s GRACE can rescue the sinful. JESUS didn’t come for the righteous, but to call the sinful to repentance.
Scriptures: Matthew 9:12-13, Matthew 18:11, Genesis 38:1-30, Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Numbers 32:23, Luke 3:33-34, Matthew 1:1-16 , Romans 6:23, Romans 3:23-24, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Ephesians 2:4-7, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:7-10
Matthew 9:12-13 (NKJV)
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Matthew 18:11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Genesis 38:1-30 Tamar and Judah’s sin
1 It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah.
2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her. 3 So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. 4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.
5 And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.
Vs. 1. Judah, 4th born of Leah, suggested selling Joseph into slavery. Saw his father’s grief. Kept the lie and probably felt guilt. He departed from his brothers, separating himself. Distancing himself.
POINT. Sin produces guilt. And Guilt can distance us from GOD unless we repent.
Vs. 2-5. Judah marries a Canaanite woman. Against his father and grandfather’s better judgment
She conceives and has 2 sons. Er and Onan. And then a 3rd son Shelah.
6 Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD killed him.
Vs. 6-7 Er’s marriage to Tamar and his death.
Judah had chosen a Canaanite wife for himself, and for his son Er.
Er, the firstborn was wicked and GOD killed him. We don’t know the wickedness of Er, but it was enough that GOD brought immediate judgment upon him.
8 And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also.
Vs. 8-10. Onan’s refusal to father a child for Tamar.
Fathering a child with a brother’s widow. This was a custom in those days which was eventually established as the levirate marriage law in Deuteronomy 25:5-10.
Deuteronomy 25:5-10 5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. 7 But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, I do not want to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed.’
Deuteronomy 25:5-10 says that If a man died before providing sons to his wife, it was the duty of his brothers to marry her and to give her sons. The child was considered the son of the brother who died, because the living brother only acted in his place (Onan knew that the heir would not be his).
This was done so the dead brother’s name would be carried on, but also it was so the widow would have children to support her. Apart from this, she would likely live the rest of her life as a destitute widow.
Vs. 9-10. When he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother:
Onan’s actions disregard the responsibility of fathering an heir to his dead brother. He was using Tamar for sexual gratification only.
If he really didn’t want to father a child by Tamar, he should never have had sex with her at all. He refused to fulfill his obligation to his dead brother and Tamar.
This was a sin of refusing to care for his brother’s widow by giving her offspring, and the sin of a selfish use of sex.
Fact: Onanism refers to man’s seed not used for its purpose.
Vs. 10. the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore, He killed him also.
The sin of Onan was greed and selfish desire, as well as the refusal to father a son on behalf of his brother. This displeased GOD so GOD killed Onan.
Vs. 11. Judah’s unfair dealing with Tamar.
11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.” For he said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.
Remain a widow in your father’s house:
Someone had to care for her, Judah sent her to her father.
Lest he also die like his brothers:
Er and Onan have both died. Only Shelah is left. Judah had no intention of giving his last son to Tamar as husband. The common root of his sons’ deaths was Tamar.
Judah vowed to give his son Shelah to her, but wasn’t truthful in his promise.
Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house: Judah should have taken care of his daughter-in-law until Shelah was of age. Instead he avoided his responsibility to Tamar, and sent her to her father’s house.
12 Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah’s wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13 And it was told Tamar, saying, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14 So she took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife.
Vs. 12 Judah…went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah: Party time. Sheepshearing brought money. Money used to party. Judah goes to “have fun”, but prostitution is in mind.
Vs. 12-14. Judah’s wife dies, and Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute.
Tamar saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife:
Judah’s promise and responsibility to Tamar had not happened, and Tamar would face a difficult life with no husband or children.
She was not given to him as a wife:
Under the headship of her father-in-law Judah, Tamar didn’t have the option of just go out and find another man to marry. It was Judah’ s responsibility to give her a husband. Judah had to determine who she could marry and when.
Covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place:
Knowing that Judah would be away from home (to Timnah), Tamar dressed herself as a prostitute and went to the place prostitutes met their customers. She planned to meet only one customer — Judah.
15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face. 16 Then he turned to her by the way, and said, “Please let me come in to you”; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.
So she said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?”
17 And he said, “I will send a young goat from the flock.”
So she said, “Will you give me a pledge till you send it?”
18 Then he said, “What pledge shall I give you?”
So she said, “Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him.
Vs. 15-18. Disguised as a prostitute, Tamar has sex with Judah and conceives.
When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face: In her disguise, Tamar successfully met Judah. After negotiating the price, Tamar demanded a pledge of the future payment of the agreed-upon price (a young goat).
Judah was not prepared to pay. But had sexual intentions.
What pledge shall I give you?
Your signet, cord and staff: Tamar was wise to take these items that could only identify Judah as owner. A young goat would not prove who she had relations with. These were Judah’s personal items, belonging only to him.
Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him:
Judah didn’t intend to father another child, but it was Tamar’s plan to conceive, and more importantly, it was in God’s plan. (as we’ll see in a moment in Matthew chapter 1)
19 So she arose and went away, and laid aside her veil and put on the garments of her widowhood.
20 And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand, but he did not find her. 21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, “Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?”
And they said, “There was no harlot in this place.”
22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.”
23 Then Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.”
Vs. 19-23. Tamar disappears.
She arose and went away, and laid aside her veil:
Tamar immediately put away her disguise and resumed her normal life after connecting with Judah.
Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand, but he did not find her:
Judah sent his friend to pay Tamar and get back his belongings, the pledge. But Tamar was not to be found.
24 And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore she is with child by harlotry.”
So Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”
25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.” And she said, “Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.”
26 So Judah acknowledged them and said, “She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he never knew her again.
Vs. 24-26 Tamar is vindicated and Judah is reproved.
She is with child by harlotry:
The widowed, unmarried Tamar was found to be pregnant which would be evidence of sexual immorality. Perhaps Tamar told others she had played the harlot.
Bring her out and let her be burned:
Judah was quick to pass judgment on Tamar who had sinned just as he sinned, without passing the same judgment on himself.
Please determine whose these are:
Tamar actions justified herself against the charge of harlotry. She was about to prove that the man who hired her was just as guilty as she was.
She has been more righteous than I:
Judah’s sin found him out. Numbers 32:23. He failed to provide Tamar a husband and son through Shelah.
Numbers 32:23 (NKJV)
23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.
27 Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb. 28 And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29 Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, “How did you break through? This breach be upon you!” Therefore his name was called Perez.
30 Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.
Vs. 27-30 Tamar gives birth to twins, Perez and Zerah.
Therefore his name was called Perez… his name was called Zerah:
Matthew 1:3 and Luke 3:33 list Perez as ancestor in the Genealogy of JESUS. God took the son of this ungodly situation and put him in the family line of the Messiah. And neither Judah nor Tamar were examples of godliness.
This shows us GOD’s GRACE. Despite their actions, GOD uses what was sinful, to bring about HIS REDEMPTION, as both Judah, Tamar and Perez appear in the line of the Messiah
His brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand… his name was called Zerah:
Even though the 2nd born son Zerah had the red thread on his wrist, it was the first-born son Perez would be found in the Messianic lineage. Perez had the birthright.
GOD’s PLAN REVEALED
Luke 3:33-34
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
Matthew 1:1-16
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.
David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 14 Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 15 Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
Tamar is one of four women mentioned in the Genealogy of JESUS, the line from Abraham to JESUS.
Tamar’s story is a testimony of GOD’s GRACE.
Tamar was used to bring JESUS into the World
Judah and Tamar, both failures, but GOD used them to bring Salvation to the World.
We all have sinned and fall short of GOD’s GLORY.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But HIS GIFT OF GRACE is sufficient.
Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
LOVE, MERCY, GRACE, AND THE BIRTHRIGHT!
Ephesians 2:4-7
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
GOD TAKES OUR FAILURES TO SHOW HIS GLORY
Romans 8:28 (NLT)
28 And we know that GOD causes everything to work together for the good of those who love GOD and are called according to HIS Purpose for them.
SAVED BY GOD’S GIFT OF GRACE – FOR HIS PLANS ESTABLISHED LONG AGO.
Ephesians 2:7-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
(NLT) We are GOD’S Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Let’s Pray
FATHER, we praise YOU for YOUR LOVE, GRACE, and MERCY towards us. We are sinful people, saved by that GRACE, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. We are made new, clothed in RIGHTEOUSNESS from what was accomplished at the CROSS, By The BLOOD, covering our sinful nature. And by YOUR SPIRIT IN us, we are refreshed and made new again. LORD, help us to please YOU, to listen to YOUR Still Small Voice, and to accomplish YOUR Plan and Purpose for our lives. In JESUS Name, Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Bill
