Journal Through the Bible: Week 10 Wednesday

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Genesis 38:1-30

The narrative of the failures and family problems of Jacob's sons continues in this chapter with the relating of Judah's story.

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

No, God does not speak.

Are there any references to Jesus?

Not exactly, but we are told in the New Testament (Matthew 1:3) that Tamar was the ancestress of Jesus.

We often use the analogy that there is a scarlet thread of redemption running through the Bible. Here we see a literal scarlet thread tied around Zerah's (or Zarah) hand before his birth. Pharez was born first.

Are there any references to End Time or eternal events?

None that I identified. 

Did God issue any commands?

Not in words, but it is clear that Onan knew that he was to raise up seed to his brother, Er, by taking Tamar as his wife. He had a moment of sin for a season while mocking God (and Tamar, Judah, and his dead brother) by his wicked deed but the price he paid was great. The scripture says that God was displeased and He punished Onan by taking his life. Onan was to be a picture of the kinsman-redeemer, the part that Jesus played for us, and by not fulfilling the requirement Onan ridiculed the very picture of Jesus' sacrifice.

(For one interpretation on the life of Tamar read Francine Rivers' book, Unveiled, which is a fictitious work but one that helped me to understand more about the desperation that drove Tamar to take such a chance with her life and reputation. It also helped me see why Judah would pronounce that she had been more righteous than he had been.)