Start each day by reading the passages listed above. Then use the summary and reflection provided here to guide discussion around the daily reading.
Tamar was the Canaanite daughter-in-law of Judah whose husband was put to death. After Judah’s son passed away, Judah neglected a command found in the Mosaic law and failed to provide a husband with whom Tamar could have a child. To have a child through her deceased husband’s family line, Tamar dressed as a prostitute and slept with Judah, which led to twin sons.
Where do you see God present and active in Tamar’s story?
Hi Katie.
I’m with you – so I did a little digging. God doesn’t view this story as righteous. Judah, however, from the lineage of chosen people was supposed to have been righteous. Whereas Canaanites were seen as sinful and unrighteous. My Bible puts it this way: “She – a Canaanite woman – had been living more righteously than he, a son of the promise.” In other words, Judah was held to a higher standard as part of chosen people. So the view of “righteousness” comes from Judah’s perspective, not God’s. But God also chose to redeem their story by including imperfect people into the perfect story and life of Christ. “Though her ruse was reprehensible, through Tamar God shows is something about himself. When Jesus came to earth, he became wholly human, including having sinful ancestors. The blood that flowed from his side on the cross included Canaanite genes – and was shed for every race.”
♥️
I always found this story awkward to read. I don’t think I understand ancient culture well enough and am very much a woman of today that I don’t think this is a godly story. To elaborate, it’s hard for me to see how her prostitution and deception was actually counted as righteousness.
you can see God present when he impregnated Tamar because she needed to have Judah’s kids to be able to keep the family line going because her husband died.
How amazing that Judah was prepared to Burn Tamar for the same act in which he participated.
It shows us how easy it is to condemn others while we secretly engage in similar practices.
But God included Tamar in His Son’s genealogy…what vindication.
Lord you are good and your mercies endureth forever