Sin of Onan

In sensus plenior, the voice of the judge speaks to the sin of Onan.

Er was properly called 'Awake' which in the language of riddle makes him represent Adam. 'Awake' is the opposite of 'asleep'. 'Asleep' is used for 'dead'. 'In the dust' is used for 'dead'. So Er was called 'Alive from the dust' as was Adam, and died because of sin as did Adam. But notice that Adam died spiritually the day he sinned. Er's physical death was a pointer to Adam's death.

Onan was named 'vigorous' but we are told that the name does not apply to him. (He was named by his mother). Onan was supposed to beget living children just as Israel was supposed to beget spiritually living children. Onan's deed is a prophecy that Isreal will also refuse to do their duty and will instead waste their seed, children in the earth/flesh.

Shelah represents Joseph in the prophecy. They were both next in line to bear the child of promise, but are not given the chance.

Judah represents God in the prophecy and meets Tamar who represents Mary before Timanth (meaning the appointment), the appointed time of Christ.

When Judah says he will 'send' a goat, the word he uses means 'sow' as a prophecy that God would sow the scapegoat, saying to Mary "He will save his people from their sin.

Both Tamar and Mary wanted an assurance of the promised goat. They each got three things.

The rod ... told the power of God would over shadow her. The signet ring... told he would be called the Son of the Most High Bracelets (an indicator that an empty vessel is not unclean)... told it was a holy thing within her.

When they were discovered to be pregnant, they were both threatened. When they discovered who the real father was, they were both honored.

Tamar bore twins, and Mary bore the dual-natured God-Man. Their names mean 'breaking forth','rising sun' and Jesus was called Dayspring. In the wrestling match in the womb, the second son was born first continuing the usurping second son theme of Isaac and Jacob to show that Jesus, as the second man, would get the inheritance that Adam squandered.

So Onan's sin was that of being a person of the flesh, rather than a person of spirit. This is the same indictment against Israel. Spilling his seed was only one symptom of his condition and it was used by God to prophecy against Israel, and make a promise of the virgin birth.

No single act condemns a man. But a single act may be so demonstrative of his heart condition that God judges him at that time.