The first woman in Jesus Genealogy sets a pattern to be followed by the other 4 women in the Genealogy. All 5 had a story of overcoming enormous difficulties.
Tamar, for instance, had to overcome the judgment and rejection of society due to her unconventional actions to ensure her rights. Rahab, a former prostitute, had to overcome the stigma attached to her profession and prove her worthiness through her courageous acts. Ruth, a Moabite woman, faced the prejudice and discrimination of being an outsider in a society that favored Israelites. Bathsheba, who was involved in a scandalous affair with King David, had to face the consequences of her actions and navigate through the political and social ramifications. Lastly, Mary, the mother of Jesus, had to overcome the immense pressure and scrutiny of being an unwed mother in a deeply religious and conservative society.
Despite all these challenges, these women persevered and played significant roles in the lineage of Jesus, leaving a lasting impact on history.
In Genesis chapter 38 we see the story of Tamar:
Judah, after separating from his brothers, married a Canaanite woman named Shua and had three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah arranged for Er to marry Tamar, but Er was wicked and was killed by Yahweh. Judah instructed Onan to fulfill his duty to Tamar, but Onan also acted wickedly and was killed. Judah then told Tamar to remain a widow until Shelah grew up, fearing for his life. After Judah’s wife died, he went to Timnah to shear sheep.
Tamar, realizing she had not been given to Shelah, disguised herself as a prostitute and encountered Judah, who did not recognize her. They had relations, and Tamar became pregnant. When Judah learned of her pregnancy, he ordered her to be burned for her perceived infidelity. Tamar revealed Judah’s belongings as proof of her encounter with him. Judah acknowledged her righteousness for not giving her to Shelah. Tamar later gave birth to twins, Perez and Zerah, marking a significant lineage.
The story of Tamar could’ve been a story of a forgotten woman, treated unfairly by Judah, without family to take care of her. She then decides to act in a way that would have landed her in tremendous trouble if it wasn’t for the fact that the whole story of her sinful behaviour brought up the story of Judah’s tremendous injustice. Which is worse, Tamar making herself as a prostitute to the father of her 2 ex-husbands, or Judah not being faithful to his promise to Tamar and letting her to be forgotten and without any future or support?
I myself tend to be on Tamar’s side, and God, who is a God of mercy, rewrote a story of redemption where there was rejection and prostitution. Tamar gave birth to twins and Perez became a direct part of Jesus’ lineage.
Here we see the unsearchable riches of Him who is the high and exalted One, Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, who says“I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit, In order to revive the spirit of the lowly, And to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15.
He reaches down to sinners and prostitutes to transform their stories in a way that the reflection of His Glory in their transformation makes their blessings shine down to many generations. Brokenness and sin are transformed in immeasurable blessings by the touch of the One true God who loves us beyond the reach of our imagination.
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