Tamar:
A woman used and abandoned. Despised and forsaken? Feared.
11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow at your father’s house until Shelah my [youngest] son is grown”; [but he was deceiving her] for he thought that [if Shelah should marry her] he too might die like his brothers did. So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house. Genesis 38 AMP
Yet known by God and named in the genealogy of His Son. Forever remembered. Forever acknowledged. I ponder her brave audacity. I ponder the flesh-blood woman.
Given two sons…
So he was named Perez (breach, break forth).30 Afterward his brother who had the scarlet [thread] on his hand was born and was named Zerah (brightness). Genesis 38 AMP
one named “brightness.” Brightness after many dark days. Perez, the first-born also named forever in Christ’s genealogy. (Luke 3)
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, Matthew 1: 3 AMP Emphasis mine
Spiritual battles played out against the backdrop of man’s passion.
Tamar (Genesis 38) juxtaposed next to Joseph (Genesis 39)
Now Joseph was handsome and attractive in form and appearance.7 Then after a time his master’s wife [b]looked at Joseph with desire, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me in the house, my master does not concern himself with anything; he has put everything that he owns in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God [and your husband]?” 0 And so it was that she spoke to Joseph [persistently] day after day, but he did not listen to her [plea] to lie beside her or be with her. Genesis 39 AMP
Day after day. Joseph is subject to the beseeching pleading of a powerful woman. When finally, he is almost overtaken, he flees- leaving his garment alone in her hand.
And he is imprisoned. Yet, with his honor, integrity, and purity intact. And the Lord was with him.
21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended lovingkindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the warden. Genesis 39 AMP
These two chapters side by side cause me to ponder the spiritual and life battles played out across and through the tender, sensitive, private sphere of a life: human desire. Purity and honor; integrity- these are important to God. I often think about this proving ground and how important it is to battle in the Lord and walk in the Light. How can I convey this to the young people growing up under my care?
23 Yet [even after all that] the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot [all about] him. Genesis 40 AMP
But God did not forget about him. God did not forget Tamar. God did not forget Joseph. God did not forget Jesus…even when, in the moment, He cried out in an agony of forsaking:
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15 AMP
In Matthew 15, the full account of the crucifixion is given. And I ponder the holy veil torn in two and the life-altering significance of this reality; the entire trust and submission of Jesus; the courage of Joseph and what it must have been for him to retrieve the Lord’s body and wrap it in linen. The whole “world” watching…and the role different ones played. The women, the disciples, Pilate, the guard… and Jesus. Suffering and Death. Submission and Trust. The veil rent asunder.
Lord, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for providing connections for me amongst the readings. Thank You for Tamar, Joseph, Jesus, Joseph of Arimethea, and all the real, flesh and blood people who lived, and breathed, and died and witness Your great story and truth for all time. For how the Scriptures are God-breathed and profitable:
2 Timothy 3:16-17King James Version (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Help me live for you. Amen.
Rebecca (offeringsbecca)
Sixty-six books in a year 