“And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.”
Context: Genesis 38 is a chapter in the book of Genesis that focuses on the narrative of Judah and his sons. After the story of Joseph being sold into slavery, the focus shifts to Judah’s personal life. In this particular verse, Judah instructs his son Onan regarding a custom known as levirate marriage.
Understanding Levirate Marriage: Levirate marriage was a practice in ancient Hebrew culture where, if a man died childless, it was the responsibility of his brother or a close relative to marry the widow and have children on behalf of the deceased husband. This was done to ensure the continuity of the deceased husband’s lineage and inheritance.
The Purpose of Levirate Marriage: In the case of Onan, his older brother Er had married a woman named Tamar. However, Er was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and as a result, God put him to death (Genesis 38:7). Since Er died without any offspring, it became Onan’s duty to fulfill the levirate marriage custom and provide descendants for his brother.
Onan’s Unfaithfulness: Despite being instructed by his father to fulfill his duty and raise up children for his brother, Onan acted deceitfully. Genesis 38:9 (KJV) states, “And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.” Onan deliberately avoided impregnating Tamar, thus preventing the fulfillment of his duty.
Onan’s Sin and Consequences: Onan’s action was considered wicked in the eyes of God because he violated the purpose of the levirate marriage custom and his duty to his deceased brother. By “spilling his seed on the ground,” he intentionally prevented conception. The act of wasting his semen was condemned by God, leading to Onan’s death (Genesis 38:10).
Lessons and Application:
- The importance of honoring commitments: Onan’s story reminds us of the significance of fulfilling our obligations and honoring commitments, even when they may be difficult or inconvenient. Onan’s refusal to fulfill his duty had severe consequences.
- The seriousness of sexual immorality: Onan’s act of contraception and sexual immorality highlights the importance of maintaining sexual purity and integrity. God’s design for sexual relations is within the context of marriage and for procreation, not for selfish desires or personal convenience.
- God’s judgment on wickedness: Onan’s punishment demonstrates that God judges actions that go against His commands and principles. It serves as a reminder that God sees and evaluates our choices, and we are accountable for our actions.
- The sovereignty of God’s purposes: God’s overarching purpose was to preserve the lineage of His chosen people. Through this account, we see that God’s sovereign plan was not hindered by the disobedience and actions of individuals. The line of Judah and the promised Messiah continued despite Onan’s refusal to fulfill his duty.
It’s essential to study the Bible holistically and consider the broader context, as well as cross-reference related passages, to gain a comprehensive understanding of its teachings and themes.
