I know a guy who doesn’t leave a very good first impression . . . or last one, for that matter. He’s conniving and selfish, a man of double standards. He makes promises that he has no intention of keeping, and he’s led a promiscuous lifestyle. Not exactly Mr. Right, huh?
Judah, Joseph’s brother, was such a guy. In Genesis 38, we read that his eldest son married Tamar, but then God put him to death (1 Chronicles 2:3). They had no children. In those days it was customary that the next oldest brother take the wife of his brother and raise a family for his deceased brother. This was called a levirate marriage. So the responsibility fell on Onan, the second son. Because of Onan’s wickedness, however, God put him to death too (Genesis 38:10).
Judah had just one son left. He had no intention of having his only surviving son marry Tamar. So he lied in order to put her out of sight and out of mind.
Tamar trusted him and followed his request—thinking Judah was looking out for her best interests. But after a long wait, she decided to take action. Apparently Judah had established himself as the kind of man who would use the services of a prostitute. So she disguised herself as one, and Judah, not knowing she was his daughter-in-law, slept with her.
It’s a bizarre story, but that’s not the end of it. For from this one-night stand, twins Perez and Zerah were born (Genesis 38:27-30). Surprisingly, God used Judah and Tamar in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:3).
While I’m not excusing or encouraging evil acts, it’s evident that God can work even in our sin to bring glory to His name. So who are we to say, “I’m not qualified to serve God. There’s no way He can possibly use me”? If God can use Judah and Tamar, He can use us to bring Him glory.
More:
Read 2 Timothy 2:20-21 and note what God desires of the person who will be used “for every good work.”
Next:
What kind of qualifications do you think God looks for in His servants? Where in the Bible do you find people with these qualifications?
Soldier4Christ on February 19, 2011 at 8:10 am
I praise God that He is able and willing to use even me, a sinner saved by grace.
AManofGod on February 19, 2011 at 1:02 pm
This is a great examp[le of God using a bad situation to bring about a great outcome. I think often when we go through trials and tribulations we think God has left us, but I have come to learn that at those times He is really preparing us for something great!
I love sports and in baseball basketball and even football when a player that once showed promise fades people quickly forget. However, if they start to shine again they can be given a special award for “comeback” player of the year.
It’s great that God gives us all a chance to be “comeback” Christians……not just once a year but whenever we need to comback to Him!
AManofGod
eppistle on February 19, 2011 at 9:10 pm
God is sovereign and our sins won’t thwart His plans. However, sin is never worth it. Though God forgives the repentant, there are horrible consequences to sin (Galatians 6:7; Romans 6:16; Numbers 32:23).
daisymarygoldr on February 20, 2011 at 6:41 pm
It is a bizarre story made beautiful by God. Judah wanted to preserve his lineage. He did not intend his son Shelah to marry Tamar for fear that he too would die. Tamar wanted to preserve the lineage of her deceased husband by providing him with an heir.
Despite the selfish sins of man, God preserved the Messianic lineage for 2000 years. No matter how hard they had tried, the powers of darkness could not destroy His promised seed. And so, this is not about Judah and Tamer making it into the genealogy of Jesus. This is about God who faithfully fulfilled His promise in the first coming of Jesus Christ.
God also promised that Jesus will come again to establish His Kingdom on this earth. He has chosen the foolish and weak things of this world—the Church to accomplish His word. It has now been 2000 years and that promise is yet to be fulfilled. As we wait for His return, we must not repeat the sins of Judah and Tamar.
God will surely preserve the Church from the powers of hell (Matt 16:18). And on our part we must keep our vessels pure. Pure means having a selfless, single-minded devotion to God. It is not about us. The very purpose of our existence is to glorify God. Let us then stay faithful to serve God’s purpose. To go and preach to all the world—the good news of His coming Kingdom.
mike wittmer on February 21, 2011 at 8:46 am
This is a great story. Warren Wiersbe said once that David’s greatest sins were with Bathsheba and taking the census. God stopped the plague he sent on the census only when David bought a plot of land to offer a sacrifice. On that very spot Solomon, David’s son with Bathsheba, would later build the Temple. Wiersbe concluded, “Leave it to God to take a man’s two greatest sins and build a temple out of them!”
adamant7800 on February 23, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Now that was a great story! Finally I hear of something that sounds like what I have watched others experience in their lives. I’ve been on this site today reading and these blogs are really something else. What never-ending sin’s that man must go through in life, but in the end the outcome is great.