The Five Women Named in Matthew's Lineage of Christ, Part 2

By Jerelyn Wright Pearson

| Introduction | Tamar | Rahab | Ruth | Bathsheba | Mary |

 

Tamar or Thamar

Matthew 1:3a
And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar;

God chose the tribe of Judah to carry on the lineage of Christ. The story of Judah and Tamar is quite complicated.  Judah chose her to marry his first son, Er, who was “wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord slew him.” (Gen. 38:7) Judah then told his second son, Onan, to marry her and “raise up seed to thy brother.” (Gen. 38:8) Onan married her but refused to preserve his brother’s lineage by preventing her from becoming pregnant. “And the thing he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also.” (Gen 38:10) Then Judah sent her back to her father’s house until the third son, Shelah, was grown. As time passed Tamar “saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.” (Gen. 38:14)

When she learned that Judah was planning a journey to Timnath to shear his sheep, she devised a plan. She disguised herself and sat by the way. She played the part of a harlot. When Judah desired to come unto her, she convinced him to give her some of his personal items to keep.  As a result of their encounter, she became pregnant.

About three months later Judah received disturbing news about his daughter-in-law Tamar.

Genesis 38:24-26
24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Judah accepted his responsibility and declared her more righteous than he was. Whether her method was right or wrong, her motive was to seek justice that Judah had promised to provide.

Genesis 38:27-30
27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.
28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.

Matthew 1:3
3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

From this event we also get a picture of future events. Her twin sons in her womb vied for the birth right. Some theologists say that Zarah is a picture representing the Jews, marked with a scarlet thread, as those that came out first. But Pharez fought his way ahead as a picture of the Gentiles, who attained the righteousness of which the Jews fell short.  It was Pharez who continued the line of Judah.

Although Tamar executed a scandalous plot to achieve her rightful provision, she found redemption and forgiveness. God chose Tamar to play a significant role in the lineage of Christ. There was no circumstance that would prevent it.

UP NEXT: RAHAB

 

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Presented 24 January 2021 in French Settlement, Louisiana