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THE JUDAH INTERLUDE

Text: Genesis 38
23 April 2013

(I) THE JUDAH INTERLUDE

1. Judah marries a Canaanite woman called Shua (Genesis 38:2)

2. He has 3 sons from this marriage (Genesis 38:3-5)

a) Er

b) Onan

c) Shelah

(II) THE SONS OF JUDAH

1. Judah helped Er to find a wife call Tamar (Genesis 38:6)

2. Er was wicked and was slain by the Lord (Genesis 38:7)

3. Onan was instructed to marry Tamar (Genesis 38:8)

a) Levirate marriage

b) The son would bear the name of Er (Genesis 38:9)

c) Onan refused to give an heir to continue the line of Er (Genesis 38:9)

d) He too was slain by the Lord (Genesis 38:10)

(III) JUDAH’S WORD TO TAMAR

1. To remain a widow till Shelah was old enough to marry her (Genesis 38:11)

2. Tamar returned to her father’s home (Genesis 38:11)

3. Death of his daughter (Genesis 38:12)

(IV) TAMAR’S ACTIONS

1. Shelah had grown up (Genesis 38:14)

2. But he was not given to her as promised (Genesis 38:14)

3. She puts of her widow’s garments and disguises herself (Genesis 38:14)

4. Judah mistakes her for a harlot (Genesis 38:15)

5. Tamar asks for a pledge from Judah

a) Signet and cord (Genesis 38:18)

b) Staff (Genesis 38:18)

6. Tamar conceives (Genesis 38:18)

7. Judah sends a young goat as payment (Genesis 38:17, 20-23)

(V) TAMAR REPORTED TO BE PREGNANT

1. Tamar was reported to have become pregnant (Genesis 38:24)

2. Judah decrees that she should be burned to death (Genesis 38:24)

3. Tamar defends herself, declaring that she was made pregnant by Judah (Genesis 38:25)

(VI) JUDAH’S ADMISSION

1. He acknowledged that he had not given Shelah to her (Genesis 38:26)

2. He did not have any more relationship with Tamar

(VII) TAMAR GIVES BIRTH

Tamar gives birth to twins (Genesis 38:27-30)

Unusual birth incident:-

1. Zerah was the first to be born

a) His hand was seen first

b) A ribbon was tied on his wrist

2. Perez was the second twin

But he came out before his twin brother