“And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand: but he found her not.”
This verse is part of the story of Judah and Tamar, which is found in Genesis 38. To understand the significance of this verse, let’s provide some context by summarizing the surrounding events:
In Genesis 38, Judah, one of the sons of Jacob, departs from his brothers and marries a Canaanite woman named Shua. They have three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah arranged a marriage for his eldest son, Er, to a woman named Tamar. However, Er was wicked in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life. According to the custom of the time, it was then Onan’s responsibility to provide offspring for his deceased brother through a practice known as levirate marriage. However, Onan acted deceitfully and spilled his semen on the ground, refusing to fulfill this duty. The Lord was displeased with Onan and took his life as well.
Following the deaths of both of her husbands, Tamar remained childless and was left in a vulnerable position. Judah promised Tamar that when his youngest son Shelah grew older, he would give him to her as a husband. However, Judah failed to keep his promise, and Tamar decided to take matters into her own hands.
Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and waited for Judah on the road to Timnah. When Judah saw her, he propositioned her, not knowing her true identity. They agreed on a payment of a young goat (a kid) in exchange for her services. Judah promised to send the goat later, but Tamar insisted on receiving a pledge as collateral until the payment was made. Judah handed over his signet, cord, and staff as a pledge.
In Genesis 38:20, we read that Judah sent his friend, the Adullamite, to deliver the kid (the young goat) and retrieve his pledge from Tamar’s hand. However, the friend could not find her. This verse highlights a crucial turning point in the story.
It is important to note that the story of Judah and Tamar is significant in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 1:3-6, Tamar is mentioned as one of the four women included in the genealogy of Jesus, emphasizing God’s ability to work through imperfect and unconventional circumstances to accomplish His purposes.
This particular verse, Genesis 38:20, reveals the further deception and intrigue within the story. It shows that Tamar was successful in her plan to conceive a child with Judah, as she became pregnant through their encounter. The fact that the Adullamite could not find Tamar suggests that she had returned to her previous identity and was no longer accessible in the role of a prostitute.
This verse raises questions about the moral choices made by Judah, as well as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to bring forth the lineage of Jesus Christ. It also highlights the consequences of broken promises and the theme of divine justice.
In conclusion, Genesis 38:20 plays a pivotal role in the story of Judah and Tamar, marking a significant turning point in their narrative. It serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and His ability to work through flawed individuals to bring about His redemptive purposes.
