Daily Devotions
Genesis
"And I (Ezra) said, 'O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens." Ezra 9:6
Text: Genesis 38:1-30
A WORRIED FATHER
Judah must have been visibly shaken by the fact that two of his sons had died prematurely! He, the father, had survived his sons!
“Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law,
‘Remain a widow in your father’s house till
my son Shelah is grown.’
For he said, ‘Lest he also die like his brothers.’
And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.”
GENESIS 38:11
What a response Judah articulated! Surely there were other considerations and options!
1. Consultation with Israel
Couldn’t Judah have consulted with his father, Israel? Would not there have been another insight offered?
2. Praying to God
Judah apparently made no attempt to consult with the Lord at all! (How unlike Ezra, who confessed the sins of his forefathers as if they were his own sins)! If he had sought the Lord, would He not have replied?
3. Release of Tamar
Presumably Tamar was young enough to wait for Shelah, Judah’s third son to grow up. It wasn’t uncommon for brides to marry at a very young age in those days. If in his heart he feared Tamar, why tell her that she must remain a widow?
Tamar, related to Judah’s family by marriage may return to her father’s home. However, she may not re-marry unless Judah released her completely!
4. Was there an honest commitment to marry Shelah to Tamar?
The fear and the misgiving that Judah had in his heart cast great doubt as to whether Judah was serious about his commitment to allow Shelah to marry Tamar!
SORROW UPON SORROW
The years passed. Tamar was all but forgotten. With the passing of the years, death once again visited Judah’s family.
“Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua,
Judah’s , wife died; and Judah was comforted…”
GENESIS 38:12
Judah had had a hard time! When difficulties came to his father or his forefathers, they all turned to God in prayer. Judah apparently did not seek comfort from God!