Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Judah had left his family

2. He went to live and work with his friend Hirah the Adullamite

3. Along the way, Judah married a daughter of a man call Shua

4. He had 3 sons from this marriage

a) Er

b) Onan

c) Shelah Genesis 38:3-5

5. Er married Tamar
But died without having any children

6. Onan married Tamar
(Levirate marriage)
Onan was killed by the Lord because of his wickedness

JUDAH’S WORD TO TAMAR

1. She was to remain a widow

2. She would marry Shelah when he grew up

3. But he did not keep his promise Genesis 38:11, 14

JUDAH AT TIMNAH FOR SHEEP-SHEARING

1. Judah’s wife had died

2. He went with Hirah for sheep-shearing

3. Tamar disguised herself as a harlot

a) She put aside her widow’s clothing

b) She put on “normal” clothes, complete with a veil

4. Judah engaged her services

a) He promised her a young goat

b) He gave her a pledge too

i) A signet (a kind of cylinder) and a cord

ii) His staff Genesis 38:18a

c) Tamar became pregnant Genesis 38:18b

NEWS OF TAMAR’S PREGNANCY

1. Three months later, news of Tamar’s pregnancy reached Judah

2. He was angry and determined that she should be burned to death Genesis 38:24

TAMAR’S DEFENCE

1. She confessed

2. But she offered proof of the person who made her pregnant

a) She produced the signet and cord

b) Also, the staff of Judah Genesis 38:25

JUDAH’S CONFESSION

1. He acknowledged his wrongdoing

2. He was guilty on 2 counts

a) His visit to “a harlot”

b) His failure to give Shelah to Tamar as promised Genesis 38:26

3. Tamar was not deserving of death

4. Judah’s declaration

“She has been more righteous than I”

THE BIRTH OF TWINS

1. Tamar gave birth to twins

a) Zerah

b) Perez

2. Tamar would have to bring these two sons up as a single mother

a) She lived with her father

b) Some support from her own family

A QUICK REVIEW OF THE LIFE OF JUDAH

1. A new and better life?

a) Judah left his family

b) Perhaps he thought he would be better off

2. A new beginning

a) Marriage to a Canaanite woman

b) Three sons came from the marriage

3. Tragedy struck

a) Two sons had died

b) One son left

4. Further tragedy

a) His relationship with Tamar

b) The birth of twins

c) But no relationship with Tamar anymore

LESSONS TO LEARN

1. The problem of Sin

a) It damages greatly

b) It has devastating results

2. The solution to the problem of Sin

God is the only One who can help us resolve this problem

CONCLUSION

1. Judah finally returned to his family

2. The family would have to struggle with many problems

a) Inherent problems

b) Future problems