Genesis 38:12-30

This passage is one that shows God’s immeasurable grace in light of man’s great sin.

When Judah’s wife dies he travels to visit Hirah the Adulamite. On the way he runs into what he thinks is a prostitute. In fact, the woman is his daughter-in-law Tamar dressed as a prostitute.

Judah has relations with her and leaves his ring as a pledge until he can return with payment. When he returns she is nowhere to be found.

Later, someone tells Judah that Tamar is a prostitute. Enraged, Judah demands that she be burned. At that point, Tamar reveals the truth of Judah’s encounter with her, and Judah states, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch I did not give her to my son Shelah” (38:26).

The chapter concludes with Tamar giving birth to twins, Perez and Zerah. But the story does not end here. For the rest of the story, we must turn to the New Testament.

Matthew’s Gospel begins with the genealogy of Christ, the son of David. Tucked away in that list of ancestors we find this statement, “And to Judah were born Perez and Zerah by Tamar; and to Perez was born Hezron; and to Hezron, Ram; and to Ram was born Amminadab; and to Amminadab, Nahshon; and to Nahshon, Salmon; and to Salmon was born Boaz by Rahab; and to Boaz was born Obed by Ruth; and to Obed, Jesse; and to Jesse was born David the king” (Matt 1:3-6).

Who would have thought that the Messiah’s genealogy would include Perez, the child of Tamar and her father-in-law? Who would have thought that the genealogy would include Rahab the harlot who harbored the spies in Jericho?

In spite of our sin, God is able to accomplish great things. He hates our sin and disciplines us from time to time, but He never ceases to carry out His plan.

What can we learn from Genesis 38:12-30?

First, our sin eventually catches up with us. Judah could not hide his sin forever. It eventually came to light.

Second, when we accuse others of sinful behavior, we must also remember that we too are sinners. In some cases, the people we are accusing may be more righteous than we are.

Third, because sin offends God, we should not engage in it, even when we think we might get away with it. Judah sinned with Tamar when he was out of town. Even so, he did not escape. It is the same for you and me. We will not escape, so let’s not entertain sin at all.

Finally, even when we sin, God in His grace is able to do wondrous things. He is patient with us. However, let’s not impose on His grace. Rather, let’s glorify Him in all the things we do and say.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” - Matt 5:16