“When [Tamar] was brought out, she sent this message to her father-in-law: ‘I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong. Determine, I beg you, whose these are – the signet, the cords, and the staff.’”
Genesis 38:25
Y’hudah, (Judah), was the forth son of Ya’akov and born to him from Le’ah (Gen 29:35). The Torah explains to us that he had three sons, ‘Er, Onan, and Shelah. ‘Er married Tamar, but the two were unable to conceive prior to his death. His death, however, was brought about by Adonai because of his evil lifestyle. As was the custom, if no children were born, the second son would be wed to the first son’s wife. Soon enough, Onan became the husband of Tamar. Knowing that if he aided to her conceiving the child would still be considered ‘Er’s, he did not release himself in Tamar. This action angered Adonai and Adonai put him to death as well. Now with only one son left, Y’hudah feared his final son being killed and postponed giving him to her right away.
While out with his sheep-shearers in Timnah, Y’hudah saw a prostitute. He made an offer and she accepted. A moment of lust and passion would cost him only one kid from his many goats. However, since he didn’t have the goat on hand, a guarantee was made. Giving her his seal, cord, and staff, with the agreement to exchange it all for the goat later, the two engaged. The next day, when he went to pay her with the goat and take back his items, the prostitute was nowhere to be found. Not wanting to make too much of a scene, he let it pass. But little did he know if would come back around.
A few months after his trip to Timnah he received word that Tamar was pregnant. Knowing he had not given his last son to her, he assumed that she had been frolicking. She was questioned in great detail who this man was who had impregnated her, and her answer was stated clearly. “The owner of this signet, cords, and staff is the man I was with.” As Y’hudah looked over these items he immediately knew they were his. Although she had tricked him, she was also more righteous than he was as he had kept his son from her.
This story speaks many lessons. When I read it, however, I see one main point. My sins are not hidden. I understand Y’hudah’s fear and the waiting the keep his final son from death as he had that concern. I understand Tamar wanting to make a point. But I also see clearly how what Y’hudah thought he could dismiss was exposed. There is not one thing we can hide from Adonai. Funny how we continue to try over and over again.
Genesis 38:1-30
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