Showing posts with label Judah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judah. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Reflection - Oholah and Oholibah (Ezekiel 23, Two Adulterous Sisters)

Source Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oholah_and_Oholibah
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


A Parable from the Pre-incarnate Son of Man to the Prophet Ezekiel - The Parable of Degenerate Sisters
PHOTO: A Parable from the Pre-incarnate Son of Man to the Prophet Ezekiel - The Parable of Degenerate Sisters
Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people. [3]
A wife, holy and pure, a virgin undefiled, loyal and faithful: is that not the desire of a man? And is this not the highest and holiest desire of the Living God, in whose image we are made man? Is a faithful bride not the desire of Christ Jesus, the returning Bridegroom of His Church?
Now the hardness of our hearts urges a wife to dismiss her husband! To the parable of the two degenerate sisters, must we now add another who has called herself, ‘christian?’
The LORD GOD has married you and made you His own! It is a most serious matter that a woman would play the whore and give herself to any other. This is the setting of the parable of the two degenerate sisters in Ezekiel 23. It is the history of God’s chosen ones of Israel and Judah.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus, to your beloved church, the faithful who have not put You away by a bill of divorce. [3]
Elena Maximova in Carmen (Royal Opera House), October 2015
Poto by Catherine Ashmore
Picture posted by Opera Montajes, Pinteresthttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP_EoxlEvXwMK-XB9Hu-X9uGt30ZH_TmVlgCMBIURZcNINDqgtXi0QJcS7psGNkAU9VdpX71KtiMv-RqOxlXNYvNEBBPZmoOilNfMMK3q66M3t7Y04hvkjdu7l6Q92J7QjLe27YNiIkNg/s1600/910a992186327a75bac5f34c85caa0e0.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/91/0a/99/910a992186327a75bac5f34c85caa0e0.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/ristardi/opera-montajes/


In the Hebrew Bible, Oholah (אהלה) and Oholibah (אהליבה) (or: Aholah and Aholibah) are pejorative names given by the prophet Ezekiel to Samaria in the Kingdom of Israel and Jerusalem in the kingdom of Judah, respectively. They appear in the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 23.

There is a pun in these names in the Hebrew. Oholah means "her tent", and Oholibah means "my tent is in her". [1]


Two Adulterous Sisters, Oholah and Oholibah are pejorative (word expressing contempt or disapproval) names given by the prophet Ezekiel to Samaria in the Kingdom of Israel and Jerusalem in the kingdom of Judah, respectively.
PHOTO: Two Adulterous Sisters, Oholah and Oholibah are pejorative (word expressing contempt or disapproval) names given by the prophet Ezekiel to Samaria in the Kingdom of Israel and Jerusalem in the kingdom of Judah, respectively. (Ezekiel 23)
Artwork by Henriette S. Picker - 'The Dancer,' in the album "Passion" by Kirstin Chavez
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulX7h3-LV6t-ifFzErUDAsWkbNqQRzjM7a3uT2fQ2V-R6Omkp-gtBjDZVjWxVS4MKQT7LIzMEpgegA8EqtV-I1rTve0RP0iw6yqRlddqotcNx73YZeG_2bnYaPCKX18uQpbzPsQJGNx-Q/s1600/IMG_4193-1.JPG
http://www.kchavez.com/images/main/IMG_4193.JPG
http://www.kchavez.com/2012/newalbum.htm


Ezekiel's rhetoric portrays Oholah and Oholibah, or Samaria and Jerusalem, as the daughters of one mother. Both are said to be "brides of God", and both are guilty of idolatry and of religious and political alliances with Gentile nations. These kingdoms are described as prostitutes and adulteresses, given up to the abominations and idolatries of the Egyptians and Assyrians. Because of Oholah's crimes, she was carried away captive, and ceased to be a kingdom. (Comp. Psalm 78:67–69; 1 Kings 12:25–33; 2 Chr 11:13–16.)



Both Oholah and Oholibah, are guilty of idolatry and of religious and political alliances with Gentile nations.
PHOTO: Both Oholah and Oholibah, are guilty of idolatry and of religious and political alliances with Gentile nations. Because of Oholah's crimes, she was carried away captive, and ceased to be a kingdom.
Painting by Roberto Ferri - Beauty, love and soul
Picture posted by Patricia Abilio, published in arts and ideas
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASRTezY2ibrmjSidZTISitTQPnL50JU6SPBT3PL7F3Iy4qgdeOSRVr_XsOuoaEjkNadSEsI4CHGPgt6Q9ASt-_Lf_8AVue4T3el0Oiu8xd90RgE4Rh0iBUNayF4SJeUzdTeGgTZ_f_hDm/s1600/8-thumb-900x1559-136590.jpg
http://obviousmag.org/notas_sobre_o_nada/assets_c/2016/01/8-thumb-900x1559-136590.jpg
http://obviousmag.org/notas_sobre_o_nada/2016/roberto-ferri-o-barroco-contemporaneo-e-o-tenebrismo-mitologico.html


Oholibah saw her sister's punishment, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister.
PHOTO: Oholibah saw her sister's punishment, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister. She too lusted after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors in full dress, mounted horsemen, all handsome young men. . . . . . .
She carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her naked body. God turned away from her in disgust, just as He had turned away from her sister. (Ezekiel 23:11-18)
Painting by Francisco Sans Cabot - Oholibah
Picture from A Scene From Los Suenos by Francisco De Quevedo on 26 September 2016
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq7tMkS-gYS5481J6tK4dz_b3GAy2c7WtXgBie0xyVgRDffqDMtSbY6K3-ucZ6HAIIekvxNkBKpaun_JePvPDjgnPGxuwOusgrv_TPPWrANIwfK19Eg4hZjd5Cp9sMzV1JHO_s790o4F3/s1600/Sans_Cabot_Lutero_Sue%25C3%25B1o_del_infierno_de_Quevedo.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Sans_Cabot_Lutero_Sue%C3%B1o_del_infierno_de_Quevedo.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sans_Cabot_Lutero_Sue%C3%B1o_del_infierno_de_Quevedo.jpg


The Hebrew prophets frequently compared the sin of idolatry to the sin of adultery, in a frequently reappearing rhetorical figure. Ezekiel's rhetoric directed against these two allegorical figures is more vivid than most:

"There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.
So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled." (Ezekiel 23:20–21)


Ezekiel's rhetoric directed against these two allegorical figures is more vivid than most.
PHOTO: Ezekiel's rhetoric directed against these two allegorical figures is more vivid than most. Oholibah became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt.
"There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.
So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled." (Ezekiel 23:20–21)
Picture posted by Barnaby Hughes on 10 February 2015, in Theater-Chicago
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75kvte19knTZRvPA-cdiSgMshWjiP2dYf0rqwNMVgrG78z2IqZJt8WDfqUr8Lot-oI0vWLowPyDjTuklnFG7UrH2XGcWHCDyqIRedOzMWEwCEGZIIsk14-3x99haAllxz2vGqcBNZbY0B/s1600/03_Ballet_TANNHAUSER_LYR150204_135_cTodd_Rosenberg.jpg
http://www.stageandcinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/03_Ballet_TANNHAUSER_LYR150204_135_cTodd_Rosenberg.jpg
http://www.stageandcinema.com/2015/02/10/tannhauser-lyric-opera-chicago/


A very similar and equally vivid allegory is directed at the city of Jerusalem itself in Ezekiel 16.

Another good example of this allegorical comparison is found in the Book of Hosea.

For their mother has played the whore; she who conceived them has acted shamefully. For she said, "I will go after my lovers; they give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink." (Hosea 2:5)


Oholah and Oholibah, or Samaria and Jerusalem, were the daughters of one mother.


PHOTO: Oholah and Oholibah, or Samaria and Jerusalem, were the daughters of one mother. Both are said to be "brides of God", and both are guilty of idolatry and of religious and political alliances with Gentile nations.
Painting by Roberto Ferri
Picture posted by Simon Lyrics-Mus on 22 June 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9D0lRPRCwgq0xboLdTmwXmhoWAmHf9aB9kxeAaIWIvCr7uvGmCb7vpWVd6J3gf72iZze-BHtGM5h37ioxseVS3P7F8kHkX3MtjUZ4vzfoQKPdPeQ7p88MtPL7F0liaPNRY0fOy2ivy8m/s1600/optimizado-roberto-ferris-16.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8tm5fN4Ssg8/VYcgxvSvOcI/AAAAAAAAALk/B3rUztw4cUw/w741-h746/optimizado-roberto-ferris-16.jpg
https://plus.google.com/105799685146776757409


Again, the language is vivid, but it strikingly directs the reader to the issue the prophet has in mind: namely the breaking of a covenantal relationship by repeatedly engaging in the sin of idolatry. The prophets Ezekiel and Hosea saw idol worship and ritual impurity as Israel's primary sin. [2]


Dear Lord, we pray that we do not lusted after the nations and defiled ourself with their idols, inciting your jealous anger against us. Please help us to stop our detestable practices and led a live that is pleasing to you. Help us to become the wife, who is holy and pure, a virgin undefiled, loyal and faithful, the highest and holiest desire of the Living God. We pray that we become the faithful bride desired by Christ Jesus, the returning Bridegroom of His Church. Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we pray that we do not lusted after the nations and defiled ourself with their idols, inciting your jealous anger against us. Please help us to stop our detestable practices and led a live that is pleasing to you. Help us to become the wife, who is holy and pure, a virgin undefiled, loyal and faithful, the highest and holiest desire of the Living God. We pray that we become the faithful bride desired by Christ Jesus, the returning Bridegroom of His Church. Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Painting by Roberto Ferri
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHDI5NMI9QLPaAFZ8uKVxNQA6GuJCvUSwgaVMz7SzbpCcBrYybOQ9-jKrEghyphenhyphenY72kMuNjh-hQjV-5ky4lZ5CWsU_R2oum92NMzc1ob3MKqC1Pfn8JrAEduJ1AvqyLt9Neii7__nYAAyCG/s1600/Roberto+Ferri%252C+L%25C3%25B3gi+Cult+%25286%2529.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DllTqgm5_uizFYJPeqpkna21BurKpvkzLMyLl1mbalP-uQ89hV2ZgUf-vcOerbn5Tjotn3B3fIxK4TiODrQJn6yvACGYS5Owu1JPpQHkyoUEPDTUrahs0WdEH1DXVcwMAcRz__R5Apjz/s1600/Roberto+Ferri%252C+L%25C3%25B3gi+Cult+%25286%2529.jpg
http://www.logicult.com/2016/05/roberto-ferri.html

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Reference
[1] Adele Berlin; Marc Zvi Brettler (17 October 2014). The Jewish Study Bible: Second Edition. Oxford University Press. p. 2350. ISBN 978-0-19-939387-9.

[2] Coogan, Michael D. A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009., p. 317.

[3] Roger Harned, The Parable of Degenerate Sisters, http://talkofjesus.com/degenerate-sisters/

New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Kings 12:25–33 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+12%3A25%E2%80%9333&version=NIV

2 Chronicles 11:13-16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chr+11%3A13%E2%80%9316&version=NIV

Ezekiel 16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+16&version=NIV

Ezekiel 23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+23&version=NIV

Ezekiel 23:11-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+23%3A11-18&version=NIV

Ezekiel 23:20–21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+23%3A20%E2%80%9321&version=NIV

Hosea 2:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea+2%3A5&version=NIV

Psalm 78:67–69 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+78%3A67%E2%80%9369&version=NIV
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Thursday, October 15, 2015

Reflection - Tamar (Genesis) - Women of the Bible (This Woman Doesn’t Belong)

Source Website: http://www.christimcguire.com/tag/tamar/
By Christi McGuire


Judah and Tamar (Genesis)
PHOTO: Judah and Tamar (Genesis)
Upon arriving at Enaim, Judah saw the woman but did not recognize her as Tamar because of the veil she wore over her face. Thinking she was a prostitute, he requested her services.
Painting by Émile Jean-Horace Vernet (30 June 1789 – 17 January 1863), Judah and Tamar (1840)
Posted on Tumblr
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LnukoibJSfeZSigjJOHkkQ7mqw4z7Z0HOnzPFfZPNPL5ezhlDwV3d26fgDPpkUKqCNkgDQAGnWQjSW5PRfLxdZs5kQhbRm1Vp3coLFN-ftkIdfashA0nHpF-HUVX2WNCwulL5ND-HnY/s1600/tumblr_m19oxitWmq1qfswibo1_500.jpg
https://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m19oxitWmq1qfswibo1_500.jpg
https://www.tumblr.com/search/judah%20and%20tamar


Genesis 38:1-11
Judah left his family and went to Kezib, married a Canaanite woman, and had three sons. Choosing to leave not only his family but also his faith behind, Judah embraces a foreign culture that worshipped pagan gods, such as Baal. More than likely, Judah’s wife, Shua, raised their sons according to her pagan beliefs, not God’s laws.

(Abraham and Isaac both instructed their sons not to marry Canaanite women.)


Shua, Judah’s wife and the mother of his three sons
PHOTO: Shua, Judah’s wife and the mother of his three sons
Having born three sons to the tribal leader Judah, Shua was an honored woman in the tribe. We do not know what sort of relationship existed between Shua and Tamar - good or bad; it was only after Shua's death that Tamar decided to act; perhaps Tamar hoped that Shua would eventually send Shelah to fulfil the Levirate Law.
Posted by Elizabeth Fletcher, published 'Women in the Bible' in 1997
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjII60l2f813etT7EJXiJne6IEfpRoNci11TBbusa0niIwfh4w3wltDWts_IbJLSYjehxmNT6ONVzSeyvrAD5BBH1zRKt1g-3dHq4eLoIC-LQB722Xlcld7wTtAnhxaWt7kJVg7TM8pIt0/s1600/Copy_of_2480612.jpg
http://www.bible-people.info/Copy_of_2480612.jpg
http://www.bible-people.info/Tamar-people-in-story.htm


It was custom for parents to find a suitable husband for their young daughter (usually around age 12-14), one that would increase the father’s fortunes in some way (land, money, cattle, prestige). Young girls didn’t have a choice in the matter of their husband. Marriage wasn’t a matter of love; it was a matter of an alliance between two families. Women were mostly seen as property, something to own and use to extend your family line.


Tamar was a Canannite.
PHOTO: Tamar was a Canannite. Judah saw Tamar, a young girl, fit to marry his firstborn son, Er.
Painting by Francesco Hayez (1791 –1882), Tamar of Judah (Tamar di Giuda)
Posted by tanogabo
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO-krvNhzKfu86AqT0VMTfq-5DAaSw1sn43TwrZwy2gJGnEER5VTt80-NQoHjGO6N_DBopHhr3tp9VLOFPPYdICO-Sv5lnmZi15XsKDaABA5SAQ293s4GpTz6JGSTjjAN0BQeBTSM7M0/s1600/francescohayeztamardigiuda.jpg
http://www.tanogabo.it/Arte/Hayez/francescohayeztamardigiuda.jpg
http://www.tanogabo.it/Arte/Hayez/francescohayeztamardigiuda.html


Tamar was a Canannite; she had grown up worshipping the pagan gods. For whatever reason, Judah saw Tamar, a young girl, fit to marry his firstborn son, Er. Biblical text doesn’t give many details. It merely says that Er “was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death” (Genesis 38:7).

Most Canaanites were unrighteous and evil. How much more wicked was Er for God put him to death? What kind of sinfulness and evilness did Tamar have to witness, endure, and suffer because of her husband’s wickedness?


The Canaanites worshiped a god named Molech.

PHOTO: The Canaanites worshiped a god named Molech. How do you worship Molech? You heat a large statue of Molech up to an insanely hot temperature. You then take a living baby and place it in the hands of the Molech statue until the baby burns to death. Of all the world religions I have studied, the Canaanite worship of Molech is the most frightening.
Posted by Parchment and Pen Blog on 27 September 2013
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgma-DSM0qF-uwAjsHScwKWiioNDPyTkTt0ccHu_sAqtdU9dOZFqdRqMXIK0MrGJwZFJvqyodQJ0Bp6D6vY5ljCauvidWBUGUYedALPNxjleofufZVQtfg7JOe7dCpifW_KYxNkYPSVsq0/s1600/Molech.jpg
http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Molech.jpg
http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2013/09/would-president-obama-bomb-the-canaanites/


It was customary when a husband died, the next son would marry the widow to extend his brother’s lineage. So Tamar knew her duty: to marry the second-born brother, Onan, and produce an heir for Er.

Onan kept from himself from producing a child for his brother, and it is noted that “what he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight, so he put him to death also.”

Tamar is 0-2.

Judah denies Tamar the duty of producing an heir for Er through his third and last son and sends her home to her father. At this point, Judah is portrayed as viewing Tamar to be cursed, and is therefore reluctant to give his remaining and youngest son Shelah, to her. Rather, he told Tamar to wait for Shelah. However, even after he grew up, Judah did not give Tamar to Shelah in marriage (Genesis 38:6-14). [1]


Judah saw that not only Er but also Onan was put to death when he lay with Thamar.
PHOTO: Judah saw that not only Er but also Onan was put to death when he lay with Thamar. This made him be afraid of losing his third son Shelah, so he sent Thamar to her father’s house. When Shelah reached manhood, Judah should have given him to Thamar, but he didn’t do that.
Posted by Ock-soo Park (Pastor, Hanbat Central Church)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGuYEf16eKqv_KG40VYcseEoHsdOU6LrQ_g-PR5CqKiwMsV3Uiw7s59LA1tRzN5LROzi4sHwy2uwG3upsZtfwFO90TRt6hi4xZerBRFT5H1LsyQZ2JUS0wqoypewcuEAETkzukl5-WH4/s1600/9910-02P2.jpg
http://www.goodnews.or.kr/en/goodnews/E2k01mon/2y01m-img/9910-02P2.jpg
http://www.goodnews.or.kr/en/goodnews/E2k01mon/E2k01-sermon.htm


Step into Shua’s shoes, the mother of the two sons. Faithful to serving Baal, Astarte, Mot, and the other pagan gods, she doesn’t understand God’s ways and why her sons were taken. Perhaps she thinks it is Tamar’s fault!

Perhaps Tamar is bad luck!

Step into Tamar’s shoes. She’s young and probably frightened within the household she lives. Her two husbands have died for no apparent reason. She has heard of the Israelite God who judges and punishes. But is He like the gods of the temple, wooden statues to whom her mother-in-law and all the Canaanites pray and worship? He is certainly more powerful! Is this God striking her down? Or does this God have any place for her within His people?

Step into Judah’s shoes. He likely feels extreme guilt over the deeds done to his little brother Joseph all those years ago. Ashamed, he runs to a pagan land instead of asking, pleading, begging for God’s forgiveness … and his father’s. Now his own sons are dead. No matter how wicked he knew they were, a father grieves over the loss of life. Judah’s heart is heavy.


Genesis 38:12-30
Tamar, rejected from Judah’s family, must go back to her father’s household. Although now, there is no use for a girl whose two husbands are dead. No one else will marry her. Does anybody really believe Judah would send his only other son to her to die, as well?

She may as well give up, forget her “duty,” and live the rest of her life groveling (crawl abjectly on the ground with one's face downwards) for food among the other husbandless, homeless, dejected women of Canaan.

But she doesn’t.

Something within her is stronger than her will to give up. She doesn’t yet realize that it is the Holy Spirit fulfilling God’s purposes.

Tamar is determined to fulfill her duty as a wife, to honor her first husband with an heir. Regardless of his wickedness. Regardless of his sin. Regardless of his pagan ways.

Although her methods were wrong, Tamar’s motives were right.

Somehow, it was important to Tamar to be a part of Judah’s family, to be a part of God’s chosen people.

Tamar didn’t choose who she married. She certainly didn’t choose to witness the wickedness within Judah’s household or the deaths of her husbands. She didn’t choose a life of suffering, rejection, confusion, compromise.

But she did choose to honour Judah’s family line. The Israelite family. The lineage of the future Messiah.

So God chose to honour her. Tamar has a place in the lineage of His Son, Jesus.


Tamar’s story shows us that none of us are righteous or worthy of being in God’s family. But because of God’s grace, we are all welcome anyway.
PHOTO: Tamar’s story shows us that none of us are righteous or worthy of being in God’s family. But because of God’s grace, we are all welcome anyway.
Posted by Christi McGuire
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ds0lJGc9N2Gfz8lXKVtcWgPYF5WNfp6Dh9HjeUkxLlq8yoVeen6DPn7FbayFfusnWUpqja9XesDL2K7wYwzP2BTVdb0ypM9Ayys9Mly2wfPL1zvKqmjELKrZ9BTNtCAOLBWse2qmgcI/s1600/Tamar-story.jpg
http://www.christimcguire.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Tamar-story.jpg
http://www.christimcguire.com/tag/tamar/


Tamar is one of few women mentioned in Jesus’ family tree; she is among the righteous, the beloved, the honoured, the worthy.

Tamar’s story shows us that none of us are righteous or worthy of being in God’s family. But because of God’s grace, we are all welcome anyway.

God’s love, grace, and forgiveness is not only for the Israelites. It’s not only for the spiritually mature. It’s not only for the good, the righteous, the worthy.

Tamar doesn’t belong in the holiness of God’s family. She’s undeserving! She doesn’t belong. But then my accusing finger points back at me. Neither do I. Neither do you. None of us belong near the holiness of God. But God overlooks that and offers membership into His family based on one thing.

GRACE.

God’s grace extends to everybody. Every sinner. Every unrighteous person. Every Jew and every Gentile.

He gives it; you must receive it. Have you received it today and for all eternity?

Tamar and Judah [1]
At the time Shelah grew up, Judah became a widower. After Judah mourned the death of his wife, he planned on going to Timnah to shear his sheep. Upon hearing this news, Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and immediately went to Enaim which was en route to Judah's destination. Upon arriving at Enaim, Judah saw the woman but did not recognize her as Tamar because of the veil she wore over her face. Thinking she was a prostitute, he requested her services.


Judah and Tamar (1840)
PHOTO: Judah and Tamar (1840)
Tamar played the part of a prostitute and struck a deal with Judah for a goat with a security deposit of his staff, seal, and cord.
Painted by Horace Vernet, Judah and Tamar (1840)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgB_LLRBfIMzYy-yxYdFen1PhIZZo7my_RsyxKojT1ZKHXwdmkVfaHL0f-GskRLH8ZQjyOaIcBL2xJZm7imxe7rvM-0zTqodxn_oJFUjGpetw3sHhiaBcMEAsQYvMx4IRrqIbFKRRq3I/s1600/Emile_Jean_Horace_Vernet_001.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Emile_Jean_Horace_Vernet_001.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamar_%28Genesis%29


Tamar's plan was to become pregnant by this ruse in order to bear a child in Judah's line, because Judah had not given her to his son Shelah. So she played the part of a prostitute and struck a deal with Judah for a goat with a security deposit of his staff, seal, and cord. When Judah was able to have a goat sent to Enaim, in order to collect his staff and seal, the woman was nowhere to be found and no one knew of any prostitute in Enaim (Genesis 38:12-23). [1]


Judah then went on his way and Tamar laid aside her prostitute clothing and returned home to her father’s house to again… wait.
PHOTO: Judah then went on his way and Tamar laid aside her prostitute clothing and returned home to her father’s house to again… wait. In the meantime Judah tried to find the harlot to pay his debt and recover his pledge, but no one seemed to know who he was talking about. When he was unable to find the harlot he made a public declaration that he had tried to pay his debt, but was unable.
Paintings by Elspeth Young
Posted by Heather on Tuesday, 22 September 2015, Tamar: What's a Girl to Do?
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwZp4fzWcUdPEzXKc2p-tFzgxzuvYpdfDbaM-OyGXkSWeOgMJq2GQ7vyCVv6e67WAW5dBrpONQHUYfvjpNjcmycyD-bQqXLJz7HLE8JZqW6NGemNW1BHnVjEDFwEgJQPwSW4QlVawCQ4/s1600/tamar-sitepage.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Px7Lt8D0YOQ5Xftv9kR6W6WEFbDf2Ne4c_EBhElp2sVPLjm08p1hYXrzuLTC33jQf_IGrhL8wV69oPTXiibO3RbRSH2fQb05dZeEM-gx87NIcC-o36Z3_dVrQe_mj2Sh17j3WglSIb2z/s1600/tamar-sitepage.jpg
http://www.womeninthescriptures.com/2015/09/tamar-whats-girl-to-do.html


Three months later, Tamar was accused of prostitution on account of her pregnancy. Upon hearing this news, Judah ordered that she be burned to death. Tamar sent the staff, seal, and cord to Judah with a message declaring that the owner of these items was the man who had made her pregnant. Upon recognizing his security deposit, Judah released Tamar from her sentence. [1]


Tamar presents her proof, escaping the fire
PHOTO: Tamar presents her proof, escaping the fire
Tamar escapes punishment, and gives birth to twin sons, one of whom, Perez, is an ancestor of Jesus.
Posted by The Tiny Chapel on 28th July 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0GOr7lC1Bzbgi19GIrKXRV1HeL4gEdmtbtEa81K_bhoBOC8b3fhnBkuG9_Up6-onqoQNN5hgEO3j_AQqDsiMIusDQpzEsP4TDLrt6Ekh6e7hhd94jgdHITSRUDiwpvBQ6TSXFD7U7mo/s1600/Cornelis_Cornelisz_van_Haarlem_-_Juda_and_Tamar_1596_FHM01_OS-I-52.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJlr2fsmtmBpm3p73GxF-AV5MfbuMVcswIUdc4Vw4tznFh2H__GFvvQ6DR8ZW0XNyLmgXSry_M823GpnwxWv8BP3oNx3oatQCWRMHCjhw9hsKBuU7wtZ_rBEL5tV5Zph2mng5wj7WWmEc/s1600/Cornelis_Cornelisz_van_Haarlem_-_Juda_and_Tamar_1596_FHM01_OS-I-52.jpg
http://tinychapel.blogspot.sg/2014/07/biblical-couples-tamar-and-er-and-onan.html


Tamar's place in the family and Judah's posterity secured, she gives birth to twins, Perez and Zerah. Their birth is reminiscent of the birth of Rebekah's twin sons. The midwife marks Zerah's hand with a scarlet cord when it emerges from the womb first, but Perez is born first. Perez is identified in the Book of Ruth as the ancestor of King David (Ruth 4:18-22). The Genesis narrative also makes a note that Judah did not have further sexual relations with Tamar (Genesis 38:24-30). [1]

According to Ethiopic tradition, Perez became the king of Persia. [5]


Perez is identified in the Book of Ruth as the ancestor of King David. (Ruth 4:18-22)
PHOTO: Perez is identified in the Book of Ruth as the ancestor of King David. (Ruth 4:18-22)
Painting by Francesco Hayez, Ruth (1835)
Posted by tanogabo
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3shmCo7b0KSQS6TBCduYSWWdRpADLsr8iiQI1kM2vqdjXiNapD6RYItjbGv0ERppF1892709dT8tSupTHnLLgOtL2JyXbrP4PxaEkGlIH0hjPVTq7ONYAaLeeVbRVlpqkSB53sYPXLvU/s1600/francescohayezruth1835.jpg
http://www.tanogabo.it/Arte/Hayez/francescohayezruth1835.jpg
http://www.tanogabo.it/Arte/Hayez/francescohayezruth1835.html


The capital offense for which Judah says Tamar should be burned is not prostitution, but adultery. Tamar still stood in the position of betrothal to Judah’s family. To be pregnant by someone from outside the family was adultery (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). In fact Tamar ensured the continuance of Judah’s line, even unto King David and Jesus, so we can see that the whole was God’s plan. Note however that the text not only does not say that Judah married Tamar, which is forbidden by Leviticus 18:15 and Leviticus 20:12, but that his intercourse with her was a one-off and not repeated. The twin boys born of this incident, Perez and Zerah, are bastards. Tamar presumably married Shelah after all for we learn in 1 Chronicles 4:21 that Shelah’s firstborn son was named Er, thus fulfilling at last the duty to perpetuate the line of the eldest brother, the first husband of Tamar. [2]

What can we learn from this story about the Biblical view of couples? I would say that the story tells us that sex itself is no big deal. Being obedient to the will of God is the big deal. Discerning the will of God, and being obedient to it. Tamar after all had sex with every man in the family, dressed up like a hooker, tricked her father-in-law into impregnating her, and is depicted as justified, and as acting in accord with God’s will. [2]

Not until the story completes itself in the centuries to come did all of it become clear. For if one believes in such things, there was a lineage spelled out in a bloodline that began with a man named Abraham and ended with a foretold Messiah. Whether Jesus was the Messiah is not for this story to argue, but his history reached backwards through a litany of names unknown to most - Jacob, Akim, Manasseh, David, Perez....and a woman who just wanted a baby. [3]

Tamar. Tamar and Judah. Onan forfeited his role in history and it was completed through a deception. There are some things that just need to happen. [3]

By Christi McGuire
Tamar (Genesis) - Women of the Bible (This Woman Doesn’t Belong)


Judah and Tamar (Genesis)
PHOTO: Judah and Tamar (Genesis)
The capital offense for which Judah says Tamar should be burned is not prostitution, but adultery. Tamar still stood in the position of betrothal to Judah’s family. To be pregnant by someone from outside the family was adultery (Deuteronomy 22:23-24).
Not until the story completes itself in the centuries to come did all of it become clear. There was a lineage spelled out in a bloodline that began with a man named Abraham and ended with a foretold Messiah, Jesus.
Posted by Nqos Mahdi on 25 November 2010
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG6Y-YPhwcggJS2N9kr3bOBnZno55_2cA_L4EmOgXzP-0bBe4y5g4PaIZHlD3f8ghYdk0C7NzgBvA6H6URi-qSd59t5UWkJpA2RDz4Cjpi-KCuaDrIvIJZ3RqeCI_WLvpHAUgpb3c5OU/s1600/HoraceVernetJudaTamar-1.jpg
http://www.alawan.org/IMG/jpg/HoraceVernetJudaTamar.jpg
http://www.matarmatar.net/threads/19389/page-35



Reference
[1] Tamar (Genesis), From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamar_%28Genesis%29

[2] Biblical Couples: Tamar and... Er and Onan and Judah and Selah, Posted by The Tiny Chapel on 28th July 2014, http://tinychapel.blogspot.sg/2014/07/biblical-couples-tamar-and-er-and-onan.html

[3] Loss and Deception (The Story of Judah and Tamar), Posted by Kevin Rolly, https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevissimo/3700993712/in/photostream/

[5]  Kebra Negast, Ethiopian Book of the Kings' Glory, chapter 77.

NIV, New International Version, Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Chronicles 4:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Chron.+4%3A21&version=NIV

Deuteronomy 22:23-24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut+22%3A23-24&version=NIV

Genesis 38:1-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+38%3A1-11&version=NIV

Genesis 38:6-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+38%3A6-14&version=NIV

Genesis 38:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+38%3A7&version=NIV

Genesis 38:12-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+38%3A12-23&version=NIV

Genesis 38:24-30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+38%3A24-30&version=NIV

Genesis 38:12-30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+38%3A12-30&version=NIV

Leviticus 18:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev+18%3A15&version=NIV

Leviticus 20:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+20%3A12&version=NIV

Ruth 4:18-22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+4%3A18-22&version=NIV


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