“And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?”
Genesis 38 is a chapter in the Book of Genesis that focuses on the story of Judah and Tamar. This particular verse describes a significant event in their narrative. To better understand the context and the implications of Genesis 38:16, it is important to explore the broader story.
The story of Judah and Tamar begins with the death of Judah’s eldest son, Er, who was married to Tamar. Following Er’s death, Judah instructed his second son, Onan, to perform the duty of a brother-in-law and raise offspring for Er by marrying Tamar. However, Onan refused to fulfill this duty, and as a result, God put him to death.
After the deaths of both Er and Onan, Tamar was left without a husband or children. In that cultural context, it was crucial for a woman to bear children to secure her future and carry on the family line. Recognizing that Judah’s third son, Shelah, was still too young for marriage, Tamar took matters into her own hands.
Tamar heard that Judah was going to Timnah to shear his sheep, so she disguised herself as a prostitute and sat by the roadside. When Judah passed by, he mistook Tamar for a prostitute and propositioned her, promising to give her a young goat from his flock as payment for her services. In response, Tamar asked for a pledge as collateral until the goat was delivered. Judah agreed and left his signet, cord, and staff with her.
Later, when Judah’s friend went to deliver the goat, he couldn’t find the prostitute, and Judah decided to let the matter go to avoid public embarrassment. However, three months later, news reached Judah that Tamar was pregnant, and he demanded that she be brought forth and burned for her apparent act of adultery.
As Tamar was being brought out to face this punishment, she revealed to Judah that the owner of the signet, cord, and staff was the father of her child. Judah recognized his belongings and acknowledged that he was in the wrong for not giving her to Shelah as promised.
This story has several important themes and lessons. One lesson is the importance of fulfilling obligations and responsibilities. Judah failed to provide a husband for Tamar as was customary and thus deprived her of her rightful inheritance and protection. Tamar, in turn, took desperate measures to secure her future by tricking Judah.
Additionally, this account highlights the significance of integrity and honesty. Judah’s actions were characterized by deception when he propositioned a supposed prostitute, not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law. However, when confronted with his own belongings as evidence of his involvement, Judah displayed integrity by admitting his wrongdoing and recognizing Tamar’s righteousness.
Furthermore, the story demonstrates God’s providence and how He works even in unexpected circumstances. Despite the deception and unconventional means employed, Tamar’s actions ultimately led to the preservation of Judah’s family line, as she gave birth to twins, Perez and Zerah, who became part of the genealogy leading to the birth of Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, Genesis 38:16 portrays a critical moment in the story of Judah and Tamar, emphasizing the themes of responsibility, integrity, and God’s providence. It serves as a reminder to fulfill obligations, act with honesty, and trust in God’s ultimate plan, even in the face of
challenging circumstances.
