TAMAR’S “STRATEGY”
The story of
Tamar and her illicit relationship with her father-in-law Judah is, to say the
least, an unusual one. Of particular interest in the Genesis’ account is
Judah’s statement, “She is more righteous than I…” (Gen. 38:26). How could a
woman who posed as a prostitute and conceived twin children with Judah by that deception ever be called
“righteous”? What are we to make of such a favorable description of an immoral
woman? Unlocking the truth of this question will help us to gain some important
understandings about God and ourselves.
THE
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF GENESIS THITRY-EIGHT
1. The
main reason for this chapter interrupting the story of Joseph is to show how
the lineage of Jesus went from Judah to the Christ (Gen. 38:27-30; Ruth
4:18-22; Matt. 1:3).
2. The
little interruption of chapter thirty-eight is, therefore, far from being a
mere aside.
A
BRIEF LOOK AT SOME PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION
1. Context,
both remote and immediate, is always vital to proper interpretation.
a. Similar
matters (Lk. 16:1-8; Heb. 12:1; I Cor. 9:24-25; II Tim. 2:5; Matt. 9:17).
b. The
Genesis contribution (Gen. 3:14-19; 4:10-12; 6:5-6; 9:6; 11:4-9; 18:20-21;
19:24-26; 38:7; cf. Gen. 5:24; 15:6; 18:19; 22:15-18).
c. It is
the sum of
God’s word that is the truth (Ps. 119:160).
2. God’s
nature is also essential to correct biblical reasoning (Jn.17:3).
a. God
will not act contrary to His nature (Heb. 6:18).
b. There
can be, therefore, no correct interpretation of Tamar’s “righteousness” that
runs counter to the holiness of God.
3. Through
considering context and by taking into account God’s holiness we can draw the
following conclusions:
a. God
does not regard it inappropriate to offer a positive point by referring to
something otherwise inappropriate.
b. God’s
record of dealing with men demonstrates that He approves of good behavior and
disapproves of bad behavior.
c. The
nature of God is such that He cannot accept anything unholy.
A
BRIEF REVIEW OF GENESIS THIRTY-EIGHT
1. God
takes the life of Tamar’s husband before Tamar has a child.
2. Onan
failed to perform his duty as a brother-in-law in raising up seed for his dead
brother.
3. Judah
did not keep his promise to let Tamar wed his son Shelah when he came of age.
4. Tamar
disguised herself as a prostitute and tricked Judah into engaging in a sexual
encounter and giving her his cord and staff as a pledge for payment.
5. Tamar
became pregnant by Judah.
6. When
Judah learned she was with child, not realizing he was the man, he ordered her
to be burned.
7. Tamar
produced the cord and staff belonging to Judah whereupon he realized that he
was the father of Tamar’s soon to be born twins.
8. He
exclaimed, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her my son
Shelah.”
9. Perez,
one of the twins, became a part of the line from Judah to Christ.
CONCLUSION
AND OBSERVATIONS
1. Tamar
was more righteous
than Judah in a relative sense.
2. He was
more fundamentally guilty—had he not failed to keep his word the illicit
incident would never have occurred.
3. Selfish
behavior is destined to bring trouble
(Matt. 10:34-39).
4. A lack
of consideration for others can bring much harm (I Cor. 8:4-13).
5. “Successful”
strategies are not always successful (Matt. 16:26).
6. Personal
vengeance is never to be taken (Rom. 12:17).
7. Sexual
purity should be prized (I Pet. 2:11).
8. God
knows no double standard of morality (I Cor. 6:9-11).
9. Judgment
should wait on the facts (Jas. 1:19).
10. Some
sins are more fundamentally problematic than others (Matt. 18:6-7).
11. God’s
plan will succeed despite man’s sinfulness (Rom. 3:3-4).
Edwin
2/25/01