Daily Devotions
Genesis
"For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity." Psalm 125:3
Text: Genesis 38:1-30
THE PRACTICE OF LEVIRATE MARRIAGE
Judah must have been stunned that his first-born was slain by the Lord. He then instructed his second son to marry Tamar. This is commonly known as “Levirate marriage”. (The term “Levirate” comes from a Latin word, “Levir” meaning “husband’s brother”. It is not derived from the word “Levi”.). The younger brother is supposed to raise an heir that would bear the name of the elder brother who has passed on.
“And Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife
and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.'”
GENESIS 38:8
DECEITFUL REJECTION OF THE PRACTICE
Onan seemingly obeyed his father’s order. He married Tamar. He consummated the marriage, but refused to raise a seed in the name of his brother.
“But Onan knew that the heir would not be his;
And it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife,
That he emitted on the ground, lest he should give
An heir to his brother.”
GENESIS 38:9
The Levirate practice was not an iron-clad law! If Onan had objected strenuously, he could have come to an understanding with his father. He could have refused a practice, since it was not a law!
Onan sought to take advantage of the whole situation. He would have Tamar for his wife. However, he would not raise up an heir in the name of his brother!
AN IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL VIEWPOINT
Onan may have thought that no one would know what he did on the conjugal bed! He was wrong. God saw more than just the deed. He read the intents of his heart and adjudged him “wicked”. He took swift action against Onan.
“And the thing which he did displeased the Lord;
therefore He killed him also.”
GENESIS 38:10
We have an important perspective from the Book of Psalms that helps us to understand why God slew Onan. Let us consider the following considerations:-
1. He will not allow wickedness to reign in the land
If God allowed wickedness to go unpunished, evil might well reign in the land allotted to the righteous! All must learn to respect righteousness!
2. Powerful lessons for the fourth and fifth generations
Judah represented the fourth generation. Er and Onan represented the fifth generation. They must learn that God will not allow wickedness to go unpunished!