Judah, Tamar, and Social Justice

Judah, Tamar, and Social Justice

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, likely delivered by Matthew Vander Els, delves into the seemingly awkward and even cringeworthy story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38. Rather than focusing on the more sensational aspects of the narrative, the teaching emphasizes its profound message about social justice, the responsibilities of those with power, and what it truly means to be a follower of God.

The Awkward Placement and Patriarchal Context

The story of Judah and Tamar is oddly placed in the book of Genesis, right in the middle of the narrative of Joseph, who has just been sold into slavery by his brothers. This abrupt shift in focus suggests that the biblical author intended to highlight a significant point. To understand this point, it's crucial to consider the patriarchal society of the time. In this system, the oldest living male held immense power and authority over family matters, including property, inheritance, and dispute resolution. Women, particularly widows without sons, were often left vulnerable and without social or economic support.

The Levirate Law and Onan's Failure

Judah, a patriarch in his own right, had three sons. His eldest son, Ur, married Tamar, but he died because he "did something bad" in the eyes of the Lord. In that era, a social custom known as the Levirate law existed to protect widows like Tamar who had no sons to inherit from their deceased husbands. This law stipulated that the deceased husband's brother should marry the widow and have children in the name of his brother, ensuring the continuation of the family line and providing for the widow's security. Judah instructed his second son, Onan, to fulfill this obligation. However, Onan, wanting to preserve his own inheritance, deliberately avoided impregnating Tamar. This act of selfishness and refusal to uphold social justice for a vulnerable widow was considered "wicked in the Lord's sight," leading to his death.

Judah's Neglect and Tamar's Bold Action

Following Onan's death, Judah, fearing that his last remaining son, Shelah, would also die if he married Tamar, told her to live as a widow and wait until Shelah was older. However, as time passed and Shelah grew up, Judah did not fulfill his promise. Tamar was left in a precarious position, without a husband, sons, or any means of support in a patriarchal society. When Judah's wife died, he eventually went to shear his sheep. Hearing of this, Tamar took a bold and culturally significant step. She disguised herself as a temple prostitute and waited for Judah by the roadside. Temple prostitution, though seemingly contrary to modern understanding, was a form of worship in Canaanite culture, believed to invoke blessings and fertility. Judah, mistaking Tamar for such a prostitute, engaged with her, promising to send her a goat later and leaving his seal, cord, and staff as collateral. Tamar became pregnant as a result of this encounter.

Exposure and Judah's Realization

Three months later, Judah was informed that his daughter-in-law, Tamar, had played the prostitute and was pregnant. Enraged, Judah ordered her to be brought out and burned to death. However, as she was being led away, Tamar sent a message to Judah, revealing that she was pregnant by the man who owned the seal, cord, and staff she presented as evidence. Upon recognizing his own belongings, Judah was confronted with the truth. The teaching emphasizes that the story does not condemn Judah for engaging with who he thought was a temple prostitute. Instead, the core issue was his neglect of his responsibility as a patriarch to care for Tamar, who was vulnerable and dependent on him for justice. Judah's failure to uphold the Levirate law and ensure Tamar's well-being was the true offense.

Repentance and a Shift in Understanding

In a pivotal moment, Judah acknowledged his wrongdoing, stating, "She is more righteous than I." This marked the first recorded instance of repentance in the Bible. Judah repented not for the sexual encounter but for failing in his vocational calling, for neglecting to care for "the least of these" within his household. He had prioritized his own comfort and fear over his duty to provide justice for Tamar. This story highlights that outward displays of righteousness and adherence to certain rules are meaningless if one fails to show love and justice to their neighbors, especially those in vulnerable positions. The teaching draws a parallel to a soldier who meticulously follows protocols but refuses to engage in the actual mission. True faith involves actively working to make the world a better place and caring for those who are marginalized.

The Legacy of Tamar and the Mission of Believers

The story concludes with Tamar giving birth to twins, Perez and Zerah. Notably, Tamar is the first woman mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. This inclusion emphasizes her significance and God's ability to work through unconventional circumstances to bring about his purposes. The teaching connects this narrative to the mission of believers today, drawing on Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus judges people based on whether they fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, and cared for the vulnerable. Ignoring those who "fall through the cracks" is presented as a failure to recognize and serve Jesus himself. Followers of Jesus are called to be ambassadors of Christ, actively seeking ways to show love, kindness, and mercy in their communities. The speaker encourages the congregation to reflect on whether they are truly living out this mission and provides an example of supporting local foster families as a practical way to care for the vulnerable.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Reflect on your responsibilities and influence: Consider the areas in your life where you have power, authority, or resources and how you are using them to support those who may be vulnerable or marginalized.
• Look beyond outward appearances of righteousness: Don't be solely focused on external rules or judgments but prioritize showing love and justice to your neighbors.
• Embrace "awkward" conversations: Engage in difficult conversations about social issues with humility and a willingness to learn and grow. These moments can be doorways to positive change.
• Be aware of the "forgotten ones" in your community: Pay attention to those who are easily overlooked or ignored by society, such as foster children, the elderly, the homeless, or those facing discrimination.
• Seek opportunities to actively help: Look for practical ways to support those in need, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply offering a helping hand to your neighbors.
• Be willing to repent and change: When you realize you have fallen short in showing love and justice, be courageous enough to acknowledge your mistakes and commit to doing better.
• Understand the true mission of a believer: Recognize that following Jesus involves actively living out his love and compassion in the world, not just adhering to a checklist of rules.

References

• Genesis 38: Biblehub.com
• Matthew 25:31-46: Biblehub.com

Books and Resources Mentioned

• How Jesus Read the Bible by Professor Robert Alter
• The Bible

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