“Tamar was aware that Shelah had grown up, but no arrangements had been made for her to come and marry him. So she changed out of her widow’s clothing and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. Then she sat beside the road at the entrance to the village of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. Judah noticed her and thought she was a prostitute, since she had covered her face. So he stopped and propositioned her. “Let me have sex with you,” he said, not realizing that she was his own daughter-in-law.” Genesis 38:14-16
Judah has failed to keep his word. And Scripture, always being truthful, plainly tells us the harsh and ugly reality of it. From Abraham to Judah we see a great decline in faithfulness. Instead of being lord over the landscape, Judah has become just another Canaanite who seeks to “make his way in the world” – a man of pragmatism rather than principle.
To that end, Tamar, who many early Rabbis praised, possesses the greater character. Perhaps (we don’t know for certain) she was determined to fulfill her levirate obligations because she understands that Judah’s is the true royal line. More than likely Judah and his sons had spoken of the God’s promise to Abraham.
But, nevertheless, Judah’s wife has passed and he’s out carrying on his life. Tamar is out of sight, out of mind apparently. It never dawns on him that the prostitute he sees is his daughter-in-law whom he and his family have wronged so greatly. Many will look at this episode and be taken aback by the graphic sexual sin of Judah – of sinking so low that he seeks sexual satisfaction through, of all things, a shrine prostitute, and the profits going to idols. Yes, that’s low. Very low. But let’s remember how his calloused treatment of Tamar, a lonely and vulnerable widow, is worse.
Oh, and let’s not forget that Joseph has been sold into slavery.
When people lie and break their word to the vulnerable, when they abuse their power or position, God is watching. Think about it. What’s worse, destroying a person’s reputation through gossip and slander, taking advantage of others, breaking one’s vows to those in low position, or sexual sin?
All are ghastly, be sure, but it shows how superficial we are when we read this account while clutching our pearls. Judah has sold his brother into slavery! He’s lied to his father and broken his heart to cover his pettiness and sin. He’s living a life as a Canaanite and the Lord has literally executed two of his sons! And he’s continued his life of passive betrayal and lies (like with Joseph) by “not doing anything” about Tamar’s dreadful situation.
And through all of this there’s no sign that Judah has seriously considered before the Lord that he should repent and do the right thing. Sin, the deceiver, always convinces us that other people are the problem and so our prayer life dries up and we avoid fellowship and corporate worship. Why? Because the witness of the Spirit within our spirit is there and we’re hiding like Adam in the bushes.
A man or woman who doesn’t follow the basics of the faith during business, family, or social relationships – lying about others, using them, breaking their word – is on a dark path of ruin. Judah’s is such a path and he’s trying to ignore it.
Should his visit to an alleged prostitute then shock us?
On the other hand, Tamar takes bold action. Rushdoony says:
“Tamar knew Judah’s character, and she risked her life in the confidence that Judah would vindicate her. She had not asked to be relieved of her levirate obligations to marry someone else. She clearly wanted to be a member of Judah’s line, perhaps fully aware of the messianic promise. Clearly, she chose a dangerous course of action out of a sense of justice as well as in terms of faith.”
Tamar sees Judah as he is, perhaps; a broken man of feeble faith, a careless leader, and pragmatic man…one who is victimized by his Adamic nature, standing by idly when he should act boldly. But he’s not completely without honesty.
The story continues:
“How much will you pay to have sex with me?” Tamar asked. “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock,” Judah promised. “But what will you give me to guarantee that you will send the goat?” she asked. “What kind of guarantee do you want?” he replied. She answered, “Leave me your identification seal and its cord and the walking stick you are carrying.” So Judah gave them to her.” Genesis 38:16-18
It’s amazing what exorbitant prices we’ll pay for sin and yet leave the duties of righteousness impoverished. This negotiation teaches us to look into our hearts for careful inventory (Romans 12:3) lest we be prideful. How much thought did Judah give to Tamar’s situation? In his fear and ignorance he sought to sweep it all under the rug, as they say. But here, in order to get what he wants sexually, he bargains away his seal, cord and walking stick to what he thinks is a whore.
God’s people should be warned. How many sons of Canaan have been executed in their prime by the Lord for their evil? Judah has seen God’s judgment with his own eyes, in his own home. And now he’s bargaining away his seal to indulge in sexual sin. We see that the privileges of the faith are great, but He disciplines those He loves precisely because He is righteous and perfectly, totally loving. Judah is in pain. He’s living a life of agonizing repression. He’s lost two sons and his wife. Destruction and regret are in his wake. But he keeps trying to ignore it all.
Sin strips us of common sense.
Are we doing this? Do we spend our mental energy and work hours devising schemes to advance our shallow kingdoms of sand or the Lord’s true and everlasting one? In Judah’s case we see a man who failed. He’s failed at every big test. Did he stand up to his brothers when they were grumbling against Joseph? Surely he knew that slander, gossip, and hate were sinful. Ah, such is the deceptive ease with which we can fall into sin. Judah should have gone to Joseph personally if he needed to confront him with a sin. Or he should have gone to his father. He took the easy path…and he did it again and again. He realized that murdering Joseph was wrong (Genesis 37:26-27) but instead of standing upon the strong moral ground – even if alone – he argued pragmatically that they should sell him into slavery instead. Incredible leadership there, right? It was the same with his own two sons. There’s no evidence in Judah’s life that he submits to the Lord and organizes his life around Him. This is always the danger. Great regrets reside in so many of our hearts because we haven’t taken seriously the admonition of Scripture to “stay dressed for action” (Luke 12:35). A prayerless and worship-free life will make cowards of the strongest men because they won’t recognize the forces of sin merging agains them. Then, when the trap is sprung, they’ll be stuck.
But thanks be to God that He’s a merciful God that’s quick to rescue His wayward children. If you’re stuck like this, cry out to Him. You must, because it’s sin that’s trapped you and the only answer is in Christ, not more of the same sort of thing that got you there in the first place.
Recent Comments