Tamar's Perseverance

24About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.”

Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!”

25As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.”

26Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not sleep with her again.

27When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 28As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.” 29But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez.^a 30Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah. (Gen. 38)

Thoughts: We should not get all hung up on ancient cultural practices here.  Instead, we should look at the attitudes and souls involved.  Judah comes across as the one who is in charge- you sleep with her- you wait until this one grows up.  Yet Judah had a sinful side- wanting to go into a temple prostitute.  Prostitution is not approved here.  The prostitution involved meant a part of the worship of the fertility god Baal or his consort Ashtoreth.  Judah was prostrating himself down before these other gods when he went into the prostitute.  Tamar kept waiting on Judah to do the right thing.  He both avoided doing the right thing (giving Tamar to his son) and practiced doing the wrong thing (going to a prostitute).  Yet Tamar's righteousness saved her and helped her.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to wait on you to come through in the end