Scripture References:
Genesis 38:6-30; Ruth 4:12; 1 Chronicles 2:4; Matthew 1:3
Name Meaning:
a palm tree – the palm tree is the most valuable of Eastern trees, so the ideas of beauty and wealth are combined in this name.
Introduction:
The story of Tamar is one that is often painful for readers. It seems to be out of place in the Old Testament as it is surrounded by stories of great people in history. But there is so much that we can learn from this woman of strength who took things into her own hands. Let’s explore her story and see what God can show us through her.
Lesson:
The Bible is silent as to who Tamar was or her lineage. All we know is that she is a Canaanite woman taken in marriage with Er, the eldest of Judah, thus coming under the authority of Judah.
We do not know what exactly happened, but we know that Er did something that displeased God and died not long after his marriage, leaving a childless widow. How saddened Tamar must have felt to know her husband left her, and she had not given him an heir to continue the family name.
According to the Law, Levirate marriage was to be in effect. The Law provided a clause for families in such situations as this – the next eldest son would marry the widow, and the first-born child took the name and inheritance of the deceased.
So, according to the Levirate marriage law and customs Onan, the second son of Judah, took Tamar as his wife. But Onan did a terrible thing to Tamar – he chose to sleep with her but always pulled out, spilling his seed upon the ground. Tamar was powerless to stop this and remained barren. God punished Onan with death, thus leaving Tamar widowed again and STILL childless.
What must this poor woman have felt? Two husbands buried and still no heir… The heartache she must have experienced. The desperation she must have felt.
Was she desperate? Her future actions might lead us to believe this.
Having seen her second husband laid to rest Judah sent her home to her father. He promised her his last son Shelah, who was still young. Rather than providing for this poor woman taken for his sons as wife he shipped her back to her family with an empty pledge to marry his last son when he came of age. She must have hung her head in shame when she was sent to her family, barren and widowed. So much was expected of women in providing an heir and family. Poor Tamar could not.
Time passed and Shelah matured. But the promised union never took place. Judah was not good to his word. Perhaps he feared losing yet another and his last son.
It is at this point that Tamar takes things into her own hands. Our Christian morals and senses are horrified at the incestuous act that takes place next (since the Bible clearly forbids such things). But Tamar was not Jewish – she was Canaanite, and Canaanite custom was like that of the Levirate marriage. The difference is that Canaanite custom provided a redeemer in the father-in-law. Tamar resorted to deceit and did what she felt was necessary to provide the heir she was required to provide as a wife.
Learning of a journey Judah would be making, Tamar removed her widow’s clothing and donned the covering of a veil. She positioned herself in his path. As suspected, he approached her, thinking she was a prostitute. He lay with her, giving her personal, identifying possessions as security until payment could be made.
Tamar became pregnant instantly. With our vast knowledge of reproduction, we know that it does not always happen this fast. God HAD to be at work through this act.
Judah later sent payment only to discover there was no prostitute. It was also reported not long after that his daughter-in-law was pregnant. He called her to be brought before him for judgment for her lack of chastity. But rather than judge her for her immorality, he discovered that HE was the father when she produced his personal possessions.
Judah realized his mistake – first in not providing for his daughter-in-law and second in lying with a prostitute. He called her a righteous woman. He did not deny her twin children but acknowledged them as rightful heirs.
Tamar gave birth to twins. She named them Pharez – which is also seen as Perez – and Zerah. Pharez became the heir and thus the line of Judah continued, with both Tamar and Pharez being mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.
What can WE learn from Tamar today?
First, she was a strong woman. She held fast to her faith knowing that an heir WOULD be produced. She saw two husbands buried, was sent home barren and widowed, deceived a great man, yet was blessed with the promised heirs. Only a woman of strength could stand strong throughout the heartache and reap blessings and honor in the end.
Next, she was a woman with hope. How else could she have continued if not with hope? Remember Tamar and the experiences she had before you give up on the things going on in your life.
And lastly Tamar was part of the lineage of Jesus though she was not a Jew. She is only one of four women mentioned in the lineage at all, which is significant. There are only a few women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy and only a few people who were not of Jewish descent. Tamar was both. It is comforting to know that even though we may be labeled as worthless or that we might be of the “wrong” people, we are accepted in His eyes and blessed and revered.
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