Genesis 38:14-16
14 [Tamar] took off her widow's garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.
Genesis 38:24-26
24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.
Tamar's sin is sad in that she feels trapped, like she has no other choice. Unfortunately many prostitutes have similar feelings, turning tricks because they feel they have to, not because they really want to. An interesting side note is that Judah apparently never looks at her face, even while having sex (perhaps cause still covered with the veil - verses 14 and 19). How impersonal and sad this was, having sex with a faceless, nameless person! Yet an appropriate picture of what happens when we separate our sexuality from relationship. Judah is controlled by fear and base desires. But he does show good character by his willingness to admit his sin and his subsequent proper treatment of Tamar. This willingness to humble himself may be why he was later the one who was willing to sacrifice for Benjamin's sake (chapters 43-44). As step 1 of the 12 steps reminds us, healing starts with admitting our sin.
God, I confess that I have sinned. Help me to admit my sins, accept the consequences, and grow into maturity.
14 [Tamar] took off her widow's garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.
Genesis 38:24-26
24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.
Tamar's sin is sad in that she feels trapped, like she has no other choice. Unfortunately many prostitutes have similar feelings, turning tricks because they feel they have to, not because they really want to. An interesting side note is that Judah apparently never looks at her face, even while having sex (perhaps cause still covered with the veil - verses 14 and 19). How impersonal and sad this was, having sex with a faceless, nameless person! Yet an appropriate picture of what happens when we separate our sexuality from relationship. Judah is controlled by fear and base desires. But he does show good character by his willingness to admit his sin and his subsequent proper treatment of Tamar. This willingness to humble himself may be why he was later the one who was willing to sacrifice for Benjamin's sake (chapters 43-44). As step 1 of the 12 steps reminds us, healing starts with admitting our sin.
God, I confess that I have sinned. Help me to admit my sins, accept the consequences, and grow into maturity.