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<font face="TimesNewRoman" size=5> It is clear the gospel message is hidden in the Old Testament. The author of Hebrews declares: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets...” <ref>He 1:1, KJV</ref>. It seems these “divers manners” include what one might call “dinner theater.” Shakespeare quipped “all the world’s a stage” <ref>“As You Like It” Act 2.7</ref>. This notion human drama and theatrical precedence is seen early in biblical literature. One example of the hidden gospel is in the story of Tamar in Genesis 38, where we have, it seems, a cast of characters acting out a play within the play as it were, as the Gospel story metaphorically hidden, can be revealed in the narrative.
The account of Judah and Tamar has been called the worst chapter in the Bible. <ref>"This is another chapter that seems to be about as necessary as a fifth leg on a cow. After you have read the story, you may wish that it had been left out of the Bible. Many people have asked me why this chapter is in the Word of God. I agree that it is one of the worst chapters in the Bible,..." J. Vernon McGee ,''Thru the Bible: Genesis through Revelation'', Chapter 38.</ref> <ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=CeHUIpZMtQ0C&pg=PT351&lpg=PT351&dq=worst+chapter+of+the+bible+tamar&source=bl&ots=qVmaXDcdPv&sig=ACfU3U0HFRgO4iUAFMvufZJ9AMUz7fvnvw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP3O6NgKHjAhUOHc0KHU23C544ChDoATAAegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=worst%20chapter%20of%20the%20bible%20tamar&f=false</ref> Perhaps the salacious details have distracted many from the intended meaning of the scripture. Often this chapter is skipped over quickly in the surveys of the Bible and Pastors arrange their sequential preaching plans to conveniently break for Christmas topical sermons instead.
=Brief comment on the literal account=
Many Bible commentators wonder why this chapter is inserted in the middle of the account of Joseph. Close reading tells us that this event caused the change in Judah from being the jealous, murderous liar who tricked his father, Jacob, to believing Joseph was dead<ref>Ge 37:32 And they sent the coat of [many] colours, and they brought [it] to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it [be] thy son’s coat or no.</ref>, into the repentant, self-sacrificing brother who would give himself in place of his younger brother Benjamin<ref>Ge 44:33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.</ref>. The key to understanding his transformation is the word הכר, loosely translated: "Do you recognize these?" It is the word Judah used when he presented Jacob with Joseph's bloody coat, and he is being confronted by his daughter-in-law with the same word. It is made more poignant because she took an action to give Judah an heir, and Judah used the word to deprive his father of a son.
The key to understanding his transformation is Judah says that Tamar was more honorable than he. This makes no sense in the word הכר, loosely translated: "Do you recognize these?" transaction of prostitution. It is made clear when the word Judah used when he presented Jacob with Joseph's bloody coat, deception and he is being confronted by his daughter-in-law with the same word. It purpose of it is made more poignant clear. She was betrothed to Shelah, but because she took an action of Judah's refusal to give him <ref>Ge 38:11 Then said Judah an heir, and Judah used the word to deprive Tamar his father of daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my sonbe grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren [did]. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.</ref>, he was effectively dead. The only one left to produce the heir for Judah, was more honorable than heJudah.
The chapter is exactly where it needs to be to explain Judah's transformation.
Observe the similarities with Eve, who was both rebellious and the cause of death as she handed her husband the fruit. Likewise, Rachel and Leah were both pagan and their bickering was no end of strife for Jacob. Before his death and resurrection scene, wrestling with the angel, even though their strife was not his primary reason, he was willing to have them both killed by Esau. <ref>Genesis 32</ref>
Tamar's mystery revealed
Tamar and Mary were in a similar predicament. Tamar has been discovered to be with child and was going to be killed. (Ge 38:24) Mary was discovered with child and was going to be put away. (Mt 1:18-19) When the true father of each child was discovered, they both were honored. (Ge 38:26, Lk 1:42) Such a coincidence. Each had wanted an assurance of a promise. Tamar had received three things from Judah (Ge 38:18) and Mary had received three saying from the angel that announced her pregnancy. (Lk 1:35) These are easy parallels to understand, but they are easy to dismiss as accidents of history until we examine the whole story:
The appointment
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Ge 38:14 Tamar met Judah before Timnath (the appointment) Mary met God before the appointed time of Christ. “It is appointed unto man once to die…” (Heb 9:27)
The scapegoat
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar was offered a goat by Judah. (Ge 38:17)
Mary was offered THE scapegoat, since the angel told her “He will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21) (words used of the scapegoat)(1)
(1) And In the ritual of the scapegoat, two goats are presented. They represent Jesus before and after the cross. One is killed for a burnt offering. In the burnt offering, the priest do not get to eat any part of it since it is completely consumed by fire. It represents the Son’s total devotion to the Father which we cannot participate in, but only stand and watch in awe. The smell of the burnt offering is a sweet savor unto the Lord since there is not hint of sin involved in it. You can see the first instance of a burnt offering is when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac AND Isaac was willing to be obedient to his father. (Ge 22:2 )
The second goat is released into the wilderness to carry away the sins of the people. It represents Christ’s resurrection, which demonstrates that his sacrifice for us was accepted.
Since Jesus is the fulfillment of the scapegoat images, Mary had also been promised a goat.
The virgin birth
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Judah told Tamar he would send a goat. The word he used also means ‘sow’. (Ge 38:17)
God told Mary she would conceive miraculously by the Holy Ghost. God would 'sow' the goat. (Lk 1:35)
The need for assurance
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar wanted an assurance that she would receive the goat, (Ge 38:17)
Mary asked for an assuring word of explanation. (Lk 1:34)
Three assurances
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar was given the staff or rod which represents the power of God in discipline. (Pr 22:15, Pr 23:13, Pr 29:15)
Mary was told the power of the Highest would overshadow her. (Lk 1:35) She was not being disciplined, but God’s discipline upon mankind as borne by His Son and her son, overshadowed her life.
Tamar was given the signet ring. (Ge 38:18) A signet ring declares the wearer to be a son. Mary was told that he would be called the Son of God. (Lk 1:35)
Tamar was given bracelets. (Ge 38:18) In a very literal sense, bracelets were given to signify a marriage, much like we now give rings. But the real clue to the hidden meaning comes from the law of cleanliness:
Nu 19:15 And every open vessel, which hath no covering [bracelets] bound upon it, is unclean.
Paul was called a chosen vessel (Ac 9:15) and in other images we find that we are vessels as well. Since Tamar was a vessel that had bracelets, she was not unclean. Mary was told that she was not unclean because although she was with child, it was by the Holy Ghost. (Lk 1:35)
Twins
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar bore twins (Ge 38:27)
Mary bore the dual-natured God-Man. (Joh 8:58)
The names of the twins mean 'breaking forth' and 'rising sun' Jesus was called Dayspring.(Lu 1:78)
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Editor's Draft
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It is clear the gospel message is hidden in the Old Testament. The author of Hebrews declares: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets” (He 1:1, KJV). It seems these “divers manners” include what one might call “dinner theater.” Shakespeare quipped “all the world’s a stage” (“As You Like It” Act 2.7). This notion human drama and theatrical precedence is seen early in the dramaturgy of biblical literature. One example of the hidden gospel is in the story of Tamar in Genesis 38, where we have, it seems, a cast of characters acting out a play within the play as it were, as the Gospel story metaphorically hidden, can be incontrovertibly revealed in the narrative.
Dramaturgically, we have Tamar as a parallel character to Mary (mother of Jesus) in the Gospels, and by juxtaposing the predicament of Tamar in (Ge 38:24) and Mary (Mt 1:18), we see both being with child out of wedlock, faced certain ruination: “And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt” (KJV). Compared to Mary as “Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily” (KJV).
However, in parallel fashion, when the true father of each child is discovered, both women are honored (Ge 38:26, cf Lk 1:42). Judah declares “She hath been more righteous than I.” The Hebrew word for “righteous” צָדַק. (tsadaq) denotes “to have a just cause, be in the right; to be just (of God); and to be just, be righteous (in conduct and character)” (Davidson 640).
Likewise, the reversal of reputation for Mary is proclaimed by Elizabeth when she proclaims
“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (Lk 1:42). The Greek for blessed, εὐλογέω (eulogeō), denotes “to praise, celebrate with praises; to invoke blessings; to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers” (Kittle 2: 754-765). In both cases we have a plot reversal, with Tamar and Mary, who face certain ruin—given their respective predicaments— are ultimately lauded.
While the wider implications of the story of Tamar might go unnoticed by a casual reader of the Bible, there are arguably more comparisons to be made with her story and Mary mother of Jesus.
By way of dramaturgical agenda continuing the “play within the play” motif, we have, in this vignette, Judah representing God. He is the father of Er/Adam, Onan/Israel and Shela/Joseph (the husband of Mary) whose name means “praised.” This comparison features the source of a mysterious pregnancy. Where Tamar is surreptitiously impregnated by Judah, Mary is supernaturally impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Both pregnancies register as “mysterious” because, while the reader is savvy to the plot through the narrative, in the cultural context, both pregnancies create a potentially shameful situation for both women—who are not only pregnant out of wedlock—but in both cases, the father of each child is concealed—deepening the sense of disgrace to a level of whoredom. It is only when the true father of each child is revealed, that a sense of restoration is registered and the women are, respectively, not only exonerated and their reputations restored (or preserved), but they are both elevated—for Tamar is “more righteous” than Judah (Ge 38:26) and Mary is “blessed … among women” (Lk 1:42).
The Tamar and Mary parallels continue as we consider the pledges given to each woman before conception. Tamar is given Judah’s “bracelet, staff, and signet ring” (Ge 38:18), three items of personal property and arguably symbols of authority and power—and a combination of evidence that would hold Judah inescapably culpable in this affair. The signet, חוֹתָם (chowtham),
in particular is quite personal—typically baring “distinctive ornamentation” (Sarna 268). It was basically the modern-day equivalent of a personal signature (like a royal stamp) as a head of a tribe might carry (Botterweck 5: 266). So, in effect, Judah “leaves part of himself [and his authority] with Tamar” in giving her this seal (Sarna 268). It is only after Tamar receives these personal pledges that Judah subsequent “came in unto her and she conceived by him” (Ge 38:18). In this dramatic vignette, one is left with no doubt the child that Tamar conceives belongs to Judah. In parallel fashion, Mary, like Tamar, is given three pledges that bare authority and power: “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee [the first pledge], and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee [the second pledge]: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" [the third pledge] (Lk 1:35).
Tamar's mystery revealed
Tamar and Mary were in a similar predicament. Tamar has been discovered to be with child and was going to be killed. (Ge 38:24) Mary was discovered with child and was going to be put away. (Mt 1:18-19) When the true father of each child was discovered, they both were honored. (Ge 38:26, Lk 1:42) Such a coincidence.
Each had wanted an assurance of a promise. Tamar had received three things from Judah (Ge 38:18) and Mary had received three saying from the angel that announced her pregnancy. (Lk 1:35) These are easy parallels to understand, but they are easy to dismiss as accidents of history until we examine the whole story:
The appointment
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Ge 38:14 Tamar met Judah before Timnath (the appointment) Mary met God before the appointed time of Christ. “It is appointed unto man once to die…” (Heb 9:27)
The scapegoat
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar was offered a goat by Judah. (Ge 38:17)
Mary was offered THE scapegoat, since the angel told her “He will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21) (words used of the scapegoat)(1)
(1) And In the ritual of the scapegoat, two goats are presented. They represent Jesus before and after the cross. One is killed for a burnt offering. In the burnt offering, the priest do not get to eat any part of it since it is completely consumed by fire. It represents the Son’s total devotion to the Father which we cannot participate in, but only stand and watch in awe. The smell of the burnt offering is a sweet savor unto the Lord since there is not hint of sin involved in it. You can see the first instance of a burnt offering is when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac AND Isaac was willing to be obedient to his father. (Ge 22:2 )
The second goat is released into the wilderness to carry away the sins of the people. It represents Christ’s resurrection, which demonstrates that his sacrifice for us was accepted.
Since Jesus is the fulfillment of the scapegoat images, Mary had also been promised a goat.
The virgin birth
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Judah told Tamar he would send a goat. The word he used also means ‘sow’. (Ge 38:17)
God told Mary she would conceive miraculously by the Holy Ghost. God would 'sow' the goat. (Lk 1:35)
The need for assurance
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar wanted an assurance that she would receive the goat, (Ge 38:17)
Mary asked for an assuring word of explanation. (Lk 1:34)
Three assurances
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar was given the staff or rod which represents the power of God in discipline. (Pr 22:15, Pr 23:13, Pr 29:15)
Mary was told the power of the Highest would overshadow her. (Lk 1:35) She was not being disciplined, but God’s discipline upon mankind as borne by His Son and her son, overshadowed her life.
Tamar was given the signet ring. (Ge 38:18) A signet ring declares the wearer to be a son. Mary was told that he would be called the Son of God. (Lk 1:35)
Tamar was given bracelets. (Ge 38:18) In a very literal sense, bracelets were given to signify a marriage, much like we now give rings. But the real clue to the hidden meaning comes from the law of cleanliness:
Nu 19:15 And every open vessel, which hath no covering [bracelets] bound upon it, is unclean.
Paul was called a chosen vessel (Ac 9:15) and in other images we find that we are vessels as well. Since Tamar was a vessel that had bracelets, she was not unclean. Mary was told that she was not unclean because although she was with child, it was by the Holy Ghost. (Lk 1:35)
Twins
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar bore twins (Ge 38:27)
Mary bore the dual-natured God-Man. (Joh 8:58)
The names of the twins mean 'breaking forth' and 'rising sun' Jesus was called Dayspring.(Lu 1:78)
Tamar's mystery revealed
Tamar and Mary were in a similar predicament. Tamar has been discovered to be with child and was going to be killed. (Ge 38:24) Mary was discovered with child and was going to be put away. (Mt 1:18-19) When the true father of each child was discovered, they both were honored. (Ge 38:26, Lk 1:42) Such a coincidence.
Each had wanted an assurance of a promise. Tamar had received three things from Judah (Ge 38:18) and Mary had received three saying from the angel that announced her pregnancy. (Lk 1:35) These are easy parallels to understand, but they are easy to dismiss as accidents of history until we examine the whole story:
The appointment
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Ge 38:14 Tamar met Judah before Timnath (the appointment) Mary met God before the appointed time of Christ. “It is appointed unto man once to die…” (Heb 9:27)
The scapegoat
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar was offered a goat by Judah. (Ge 38:17)
Mary was offered THE scapegoat, since the angel told her “He will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21) (words used of the scapegoat)(1)
(1) And In the ritual of the scapegoat, two goats are presented. They represent Jesus before and after the cross. One is killed for a burnt offering. In the burnt offering, the priest do not get to eat any part of it since it is completely consumed by fire. It represents the Son’s total devotion to the Father which we cannot participate in, but only stand and watch in awe. The smell of the burnt offering is a sweet savor unto the Lord since there is not hint of sin involved in it. You can see the first instance of a burnt offering is when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac AND Isaac was willing to be obedient to his father. (Ge 22:2 )
The second goat is released into the wilderness to carry away the sins of the people. It represents Christ’s resurrection, which demonstrates that his sacrifice for us was accepted.
Since Jesus is the fulfillment of the scapegoat images, Mary had also been promised a goat.
The virgin birth
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Judah told Tamar he would send a goat. The word he used also means ‘sow’. (Ge 38:17)
God told Mary she would conceive miraculously by the Holy Ghost. God would 'sow' the goat. (Lk 1:35)
The need for assurance
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar wanted an assurance that she would receive the goat, (Ge 38:17)
Mary asked for an assuring word of explanation. (Lk 1:34)
Three assurances
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar was given the staff or rod which represents the power of God in discipline. (Pr 22:15, Pr 23:13, Pr 29:15)
Mary was told the power of the Highest would overshadow her. (Lk 1:35) She was not being disciplined, but God’s discipline upon mankind as borne by His Son and her son, overshadowed her life.
Tamar was given the signet ring. (Ge 38:18) A signet ring declares the wearer to be a son. Mary was told that he would be called the Son of God. (Lk 1:35)
Tamar was given bracelets. (Ge 38:18) In a very literal sense, bracelets were given to signify a marriage, much like we now give rings. But the real clue to the hidden meaning comes from the law of cleanliness:
Nu 19:15 And every open vessel, which hath no covering [bracelets] bound upon it, is unclean.
Paul was called a chosen vessel (Ac 9:15) and in other images we find that we are vessels as well. Since Tamar was a vessel that had bracelets, she was not unclean. Mary was told that she was not unclean because although she was with child, it was by the Holy Ghost. (Lk 1:35)
Twins
Judah and Tamar God and Mary
Tamar bore twins (Ge 38:27)
Mary bore the dual-natured God-Man. (Joh 8:58)
The names of the twins mean 'breaking forth' and 'rising sun' Jesus was called Dayspring.(Lu 1:78)
===Pharez and Zarah as Christ===
:Ge 38:7 And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
:7. God killed Adam because of sin.
::God said taht that the day Adam ate the fruit, he would die <ref>Ge 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.</ref>. Though he lived 900 years, he died that day spiritually. He then had a living body and a dead spirit. Seth was born in his image and likeness with a living body and dead spirit <ref>Ge 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat [a son] in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:</ref> We are all born in the image and likeness of Adam, and this is why we must be born again <ref>Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.</ref> <ref>Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.</ref> <ref>1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.</ref>
===v. 8===
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