In the course of time, Judah’s wife had died and he went up to Timnah to shear his sheep. Tamar had seen that Shelah had grown up, and was not given to her. Did she know Judah had no intention of fulfilling his promise? What went through her mind when she saw him? Her future and security as a woman in this culture was completely dependent on Judah’s word. Quite suddenly, this once helpless woman is fueled to unexpected action. The narrator means to keep Tamar ahead of the reader, leaving the audience allured as to what she means to accomplish next. Taking off the garments of her widowhood, she put on a veil and positioned herself at the entrance to Eniam (literal Hebrew: “The opening of the eyes“). This liminal space belonged neither to Judah nor Tamar, and so creates the potential for a transformation of the status quo. It allowed an encounter to take place without the skewed dynamics of a widowed daughter-in-law and powerful father-in-law who has already shown complete apathy toward her well being. 

 Suddenly, the power dynamic shifts dramatically. Tamar knows that Judah is a man who sees and takes. Though she has been kept in ignorance thus far, Tamar is now the one who sees clearly — while Judah is left completely in the dark on every side. He does not know this is Tamar before him. Though Er, Onan, and Judah have wielded their power over her and refused to give her what she needed, Judah unknowingly gives Tamar what she wants at Eniam — he unwittingly fulfilled the Levirate duty himself to provide an heir for her. After their encounter, he asks what pledge he should give as temporary payment. Without hesitation, she asked for his staff, cord, and signet ring. After years of neglect, Tamar now holds the very symbols of Judah’s identity, power, and authority. Then, she arose and went home. Putting back on the garments of her widowhood, she waited. 

About three months later, Judah is told that Tamar is pregnant. Finally, a valid reason for Judah to be rid of this problem. “Let her be burned” (v. 24), he says — an execution reserved for excessive criminality (Lev. 20:14, 21:9). Yet again, he avoids direct confrontation. He sends someone else to communicate and do his dirty work. The narration slows to a crawl and seems to unfurl in slow motion. This woman was dragged from her father’s house, no one protected her. 

Then, she played her final card: “As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man whom these belong to I am pregnant.” And she said, “please identify whose they are, the signet, and the cord, and the staff.” Judah, the man who deceived his father and asked him to identify whose coat had laid before him many years ago, is now met with a woman who has tricked him and holds out his own belongings to identify. 

For Tamar, this is vindication or death. She knew her words would only be understood by Judah himself. Her humble plea served to pierce his heart, confront his sin, gain his respect, and draw out godly repentance. This Canaanite woman became an instrument and a help to this grandson of Abraham in acknowledging and turning from his sin. Could she have told the whole town of Judah’s blunder, exposing him to public humiliation? Perhaps. But she chose instead to wait until the time was right and speak softly — exhibiting bold, strategic righteousness. Judah, the man so quick to accuse, declares Tamar to be more righteous than he. After years of exploitation, neglect, shame,  silence, betrayal, and uncertainty — her future is now secure and her vindication brought to light. Her name — included in the line of the messiah (Matthew 1:3). 

After this incident, readers may observe how the character and author’s portrait of Judah begins to change. Many years later and many miles farther away, Joseph would interpret the dream of Pharoah and rise to power in Egypt. A famine was coming, and he was sent by God to lead this nation with a wise plan for provision. 

Faced with the threat of starvation, Jacob sent his sons down to Egypt to buy grain. Unknowingly, they bowed down before the brother they sold into slavery long ago. After recognizing them, Joseph had shrewdly conceived a detailed plan to test his brothers. A plan that would compel them to true repentance for the crime they had committed against him. They were to leave Simeon and bring back the youngest, the only other son of Rachel and full brother to Joseph. The stakes were unbearable for Jacob, who could not bear to lose this last son of his beloved wife. Knowing their entire family would starve without grain, Judah stepped up and promised to be a pledge of the boy’s safety. He would bear the blame if they should not return home with Benjamin.

When the brothers returned, Joseph welcomed them and prepared a feast. For the first time, he saw his brother, Benjamin. Overcome with emotion, Joseph excused himself and put into motion the final scheme. Before he sent them home with grain, Joseph told his servants to place a silver cup in Benjamin’s bag, framing him for theft. As the brothers went out, they were quickly brought back with planned suspicion. Joseph searched each bag, beginning with the eldest and ending with Benjamin As the silver cup fell, so did the hearts of these sons of Jacob. 

Judah then went up to Joseph with the most passionate plea (the longest in Genesis) to offer himself as a substitute and servant in Benjamin’s stead. Judah — the man who avoids confrontation and accountability for his actions, now exhibits remarkable humility before others. Judah — the man who naturally takes, learns to serve and protect, giving his life as a ransom for others. Readers see how Judah’s legacy has been transformed from that of exploiting others, to sacrificing for them. Genesis 43-44 portrays a new Judah marked by lion-hearted, sacrificial leadership. This is the kind of man God means to serve as a leader in his kingdom. God creates these kinds of leaders. The Lion of Judah is our God.

As God’s people today, what can we glean from this initially uncomfortable narrative? A story full of wicked acts, strained relationships, unorthodox encounters, and strategic righteousness? Genesis 38 and its purpose within the overarching narrative of Joseph and ultimate story of redemption within scripture becomes a torch of encouragement in the caverns of despair. For this truth burns bright — God redeems. He brings vindication as full and brilliant as the dawn. He stands at the right hand of the poor and needy one, actively working for those who are left in the dark. He sees and knows all things, even secret things, and does not abandon those whom he has called to partake in the inheritance of His kingdom. God has brought in the gentile. Even the greatest sins done against us ultimately serve his redemptive purposes. Like a gold thread that has been woven throughout every unfolding event, this truth stands: “What you have purposed for evil, God meant for good” (Gen. 50:20). The Lion of Judah is our God. 

 

 

 The SOAP Bible Study Method:

(S) – Scripture: Genesis 38:12-30, 43-44. 

(O) – Observe: How did Tamar confront Judah? How does Judah’s reaction to Tamar’s pregnancy reveal about his character and leadership? What aspects of personal identity are portrayed through Judah’s seal, cord, and staff? How did Judah’s recognition of his personal items transform the storyline? What does this say about the power of truth? Discuss the birth of Perez and Zerah. What is its significance in the larger biblical narrative?

(A) – Application: How can we apply the lesson of accountability as seen in Judah’s confession in our lives? How does the notion of justice play out in this chapter? How can we understand God’s role in the events of this chapter? If everything written in former days was written for our encouragement and hope, how does this narrative encourage you to persevere in the faith and trust God no matter what bleak circumstances you seem to be in? 

(P) – Prayer: Lord, you are the God of Tamar and the Lion of Judah. Your care for the vulnerable and destitute is displayed in this passage. You promise to stand at our right hand and advocate for us. We need only be still and wait upon you, for you alone are able to bring vindication as the dawn. Your power to transform hearts is also on display in this passage. Search our hearts, O God, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Raise women of fearless submission and men of sacrificial leadership in our homes and communities. May the knowledge of your redemptive purposes in the lives of Tamar, Judah, and Joseph encourage our hearts with hope that fuels perseverance in the faith and a loving willingness to lay down our lives for others.