Vs. 1, “At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah.”  Juxtaposed in the story of Joseph, we take a break and get a glimpse of Israel’s son, Judah.  Question: Why?   Let’s do a quick review.  The first three oldest sons of Israel had all done things that take them out of the kingly line.  Reuben had slept with his father’s wife (Genesis 35:22) – his step mom, and Simeon and Levi took revenge on Shechem for Dinah’s rape (Genesis 34).  The next son in line was Judah.  Bear in mind, the Messiah would come from the line of Judah.  Other notables were Boaz & Ruth and King David who were descendants of Judah.  Judah’s marriage to a Canaanite woman was an unwise one indeed (vs. 2).  It would set off a chain of sad events.  Judah had three sons, but the first son Er was so wicked we are told God put him to death (vs. 7).  The cultural practices of the time were to have the next brother fulfill the duty of helping the widow bear a child in his brother’s name (Levirate marriage – this was become part of the Mosaic law).  But Onan, the second oldest brother was selfish and wicked and did not fulfill his duty (vs. 8-10).  Judah had one more son who had not yet grown up.  Tamar, who had been originally married to Er, was patiently waiting for one of Judah’s son to help her conceive.  Two were now dead and only Shelah was left, but he was too young (vs. 11).  Through a chain of deception, Tamar would deceive Judah by disguising herself as a prostitute and having a night shared with Judah her father-in-law.  We see the condition and double-standard of the day as Judah who was no saint demanded she be put to death.  But it was his lack of integrity that he did not follow up on allowing Shelah to marry her (vs. 14).  Tamar would get pregnant from that night with Judah and bear him twins.  Eventually, Tamar a Canaanite woman would be a part of the kingly Messianic lineage.  In fact, Tamar would be mentioned in the genealogy of Gospel of Matthew (1:3).

Regarding application…Grace of God.  This can be a confusing chapter and there seems to be no real hero.  However, the true emphasis isn’t Judah or Tamar, but it is God.  God is at work dispensing His will and thankfully His grace.  If our existence depended on our own righteousness, we would all be in hell.  Thankfully, God is gracious.  How interesting that we see such a contrast between Israel’s two sons: Judah and Joseph.  Question: Which son are you more like?  Let’s not take advantage of the grace of God.  This reminds me of the thought process that Paul had at address to the Roman Christians regarding the increase of sin and God’s increase of grace (Romans 5:20).  There was this wrong thinking that since God’s grace increases because of sin, than we have the right to continue to sin (Romans 6:1).  Brothers & sister, may this not be the case for us.