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This is a graphic and sordid chapter. Because of some of the details, I think we Americans miss what’s happening here. The problem that arises and is addressed in this chapter is the problem of Judah’s heir. Who will carry the seed of the Messiah if all of Judah’s children are dead or unavailable?
Tamar marries into Judah’s family. Her first husband dies before there are children. Her second husband dies before there are children. Judah instructs Tamar to wait until his third son is old enough to get married so she can marry him. Then when Judah’s wife dies, Judah forgets about Tamar. So Tamar is a widow and Judah has forgotten about her. Tamar knows she’ll never be able to have children with Judah’s third son. He’s gone his own way. Tamar’s plan to raise up children for her family is to get pregnant by her father-in-law because there seems to be no other way at this point.
Tamar is widowed (vss 1-11)
Tamar plays the harlot (vss 12-23)
Tamar more righteous than Judah (vss 24-26)
Tamar births Pharez (vss 27-30)
- The birth of Pharez is the point of this chapter. The Holy Spirit is tracking Judah’s lineage as he will be carrying the seed.
