And it came about at that time, that Judah departed from his brothers and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her.
So she conceived and bore a son and he named him Er. Then she conceived again and bore a son and named him Onan.
She bore still another son and named him Shelah; and it was at Chezib that she bore him.
Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. Genesis 38:1-6
Judah is a key figure and part of the scarlet thread of redemption that would tie together the lineage of Jesus Christ. In a fascinating twist, Judah (who previously made himself a substitution and surety for Benjamin’s life), now marries. He chooses an Adullamite woman of whom we never discover her name. Its odd. But the intrigue grows. Judah takes a wife for his son Er. Her name is Tamar. But before they can have children, Er dies, as does his brother Onan. With only the third son Shelah to be her kinsmen redeemer, yet too young… she cannot wait and disguises herself and has relations with her father-in-law Judah. Born to her are twins, one of which is Perez, in the line of Judah and Jesus. What do I take away from all of this? Sometimes the family tree looks more like a bush! Actually, God’s has superintending power and the ability to redeem even unrighteousness for His sake, plan, and glory.
Am I allowing God to redeem all areas of my life?
God, as this day begins, I pray it will be filled with wonderful moments of ministry and love. Thank for this season of Thanksgiving and relaxing with family all around.
