Our first “unlikely relative” that I wrote about was Rahab. In every passage of scripture, she is spoken of as a harlot. She was also not a Jew. She and Tamar were both from Canaan. Yet, God chose both of these women to be in the lineage of Jesus. We first find this unlikely relative in Genesis 38:6. She became the wife of Er the first-born son of Judah. In verse 7, God reveals to us that Er was a wicked man and God killed him. This left Tamar a childless widow. In this time period, this was a bad thing, and even though Er was a wicked man, Jewish law would require Er’s brother to marry Tamar to preserve Er’s name. Judah then gives his son Onan to Tamar. She still does not get pregnant because Onan refused to “raise up seed to his brother.” When he went into her, he spilled the sperm on the ground. This also displeased the Lord, and He killed Onan. Now Tamar goes to Judah, and he refuses the next son until he considered his son Shelah grown. He sends her back to remain a widow at her father’s house.
Genesis 38:6-11 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. And Judah said unto Onan, Go into thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 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. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.”
Talk about an unlikely family member. However, this isn’t the last of the story. Because of the way Judah treated Tamar she devised a plan to trick him, and it would reveal how deceitful Judah truly was. When she found out he was going to Timnath to shear his sheep she put on the attire of a harlot, covered her face like a prostitute, and he did not know who she was. She played the harlot and he lay with her. As payment for her services, he offers her a baby sheep, but she asks for something to secure the deal while waiting on the sheep. He gives her his signet and bracelet. After he left, she goes back home and puts on her widow’s clothes. She became pregnant, and it was made known to Judah that she was with child by whoredom, he sent for her and was going to have her burned on the cheek or forehead to signify she had been a harlot. By law, she was still her brother-in-law Shelah’s wife, but Judah had refused their consummation. Now she is with child and a reproach to the family. When brought before Judah, she brings his signet and bracelet to him to prove he was the man she had slept with. Judah admits his wrong, but the damage is done.
Genesis 38:18-19 “And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.”
Yet, God saw fit to include this woman’s name in the lineage of Christ. Could it be that even then God was revealing to all that there is no sin beyond His reach? He can forgive and use anyone who will repent and turn to Him. We know this is true because just before Jesus left to go back to Heaven, He told us in Matthew 28:19 to go and share His word, to teach everyone, all nations, about Him. We are to teach them to do all that He has taught us. Once they receive Him, we are to baptize them in His name. In Revelation 5:9, that in Heaven there will be people that have been redeemed from every tribe, language, race, and nation. God is and was available to everyone. He longs to have a relationship with you and me, with all who will accept His Son as Lord and Master of their lives. Your past does not matter to God, your present is to be surrendered to Him so that your future will be with Him forever. All His children – together!
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
Revelation 5:9 “And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
