Difference between revisions of "GHGB-2016-02-01-2 Tamar"

Latest revision as of 21:16, 2 February 2016

Genesis 38 Tamar

Tamar ("palm tree") also means 'end (ת) of bitterness (מר 'mar')'. She was first married to Er who was died because of his sin. Then in a leverite marriage, Onan also was killed because he acted shamefully, refusing to do his duty to sire children for his brother's inheritance. She was told to live as a widow (in bitterness). Finally, when she realized that she was being wrongfully denied her marriage to Shelah, she pretended to be a prostitute, and seduced Judah, so that she could bear the child of promise.

Discerning the metaphor for Tamar exactly is difficult since our systematic theologies don't address the question. The clues to the metaphor are these:

1. She is the wife of (Er) Adam, Eve

2. She is the wife of (Onan) Israel, Rachel and Leah

3. She is the wife of (Shelah) Joseph, Mary

Eve bore children in the image and likeness of Adam. They had living bodies but dead spirits; separated by sin and death. She carried the hope of the nations in the promised seed, who would end bitterness.

Rachel and Leah (two women representing one bride) bore the twelve sons who would become the patriarchs of the nation Israel. Israel was a people consumed with earthly desires. They carried the hope of the nations in the promises made to Abraham, who would end the bitterness.

Mary, Miriam in Hebrew, bears the same bitterness (מר 'mar') in her name, yet bore the child of promise; Jesus Christ, putting an end to bitterness.

GHGB-2016-02-02-1 Zarah and Pharez