4. Acceptance

4. Judah and Tamar 


You may have already noticed that women don't get a mention in Luke's genealogy. He wasn't being sexist, he was just following tradition. Matthew however breaks with tradition, and mentions Judah's daughter-in-law Tamar, with whom he incestuously (and initially unwittingly!) fathered twins, one of whom is an ancestor of Jesus. 


Judah's story seems more sordid even than some popular drama. And yet God isn't too proud to be associated with the likes of him in His family tree. Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, came to save the likes of Judah and Tamar. 


Tamar masqueraded as a prostitute to ensure that at least her father-in-law, if not his wicked sons, would provide her with offspring. We might be bemused by the lengths she went to get children, but in her culture, children were seen as a blessing rather than an inconvenience. 


Judah mistook Tamar for a prostitute. When he later found out she was pregnant, he santimoniously called for her death for promiscuity, until she produced evidence that he was the father. He was forced to admit that she was better than him, because he had not given his son to her in marriage as the law demanded. 


Thankfully, we don't need to twist God's arm to be gracious to us. In the Lord Jesus Christ, there is mercy for all who will receive Him. He doesn't begrudge us the salvation He freely offers us, and purchased with His blood. 


'Lord our God, thank You for the perfect goodness of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we rest in Him for the salvation we need, in His name, amen' 


Do you feel like you have to prove yourself to God? How does Jesus show that as unnecessary? 


Luke 3:33, Matthew 1:3, Genesis 38


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