Thoughts on the readings for January 23rd (Genesis 38; Psalms 41, 42, 43; Matthew 25.)

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Thoughts on the readings for January 23rd (Genesis 38; Psalms 41, 42, 43; Matthew 25

Genesis 38 speaks of a very unsavoury set of circumstances surrounding Judah and his daughter-in-law, Tamar. The chapter commenced with a visit from Judah to a prostitute, who bore him a son, Er. The prostitute bare Judah two further sons Onan and Shelah. As the two eldest reached marriageable age he took a wife, Tamar. Er was given in marriage to Tamar. Because of Er’s wickedness he was slain by Yahweh. So Tamar was a childless widow. She was given her brother-in-law, Onan who under the rules of the day had the responsibility to raise up an heir for his dead brother. Onan was also wicked and acted evilly. He too was slain by God. Tamar waited a long time for Shelah to become an adult; and then she saw that Judah her father-in-law would not allow her to marry him. She acted to raise up an heir. She posed as a whore and lured her father-in-law into a liaison, by veiling her appearance (it seems she knew Judah’s weakness). Judah promised to pay for her services; he didn’t have money so he left his staff and signet ring for a pledge. His friend tried to make the payment for Judah, but found the woman gone. Judah later hears of Tamar’s pregnancy and says she needed to be burnt for her infidelity. She sends Judah the staff and signet ring of the man who is the father. Judah relented and acknowledged his own hypocrisy. Tamar bore twins, who wrestled for the right to be the firstborn – Perez and Zerah. During the birth Zerah put his fist out and a scarlet thread was tied to his wrist. The fist was drawn in and his brother Perez born first (the name was given because he had burst forth in breech against his brother). The scarlet thread follows a theme throughout the Bible at the time of the taking of Jericho; the ancestor of Jesus in Ruth 4; the scarlet thread to which the hyssop was tied when the pierced Jesus was on the cross (Zerah means “pierced”). When Israel (Jacob) blessed his sons in Genesis 49 he said, “Judah, your brothers shall praise you” (verse 8 ESV). Certainly Judah couldn’t be praised for the events in Genesis 38; but he will outshine at the end in the dealings with Joseph in Egypt. The lawgiver and king would come from Judah. And from that tribe the Lord Jesus Christ would be born; conquer sin and death; and in the kingdom rule over the whole earth. The great lesson we learn from the life of Judah is that his selfishness in his youth ultimately transformed into a mature caring and loving brother. Let us never abandon hope in that some of us learn maturity much later in life.

cont reading... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-january-23rd-genesis-38-psalms-41-42-43-matthew-25/

Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphian video.org