The Family of Jesus
And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar.
Matthew 1:3
Read Genesis 38:1-30
This month’s theme was not an easy one to deal with. No one will be without
sin when it comes to these issues. We all stand guilty, if not in deed,
surely in thought. There can be so many sinful reflections as well as sinful
desires. This battle can make one wonder how they can ever be delivered
from these things. Moreover, how can they ever be forgiven?
To receive light upon this, we should look at the birth registry of the Lord
Jesus. The first woman mentioned in this anthology is Tamar. The history
revealing Tamar and Judah’s relationship is revealed in Genesis 38. It is a
heart-rending story. Judah fell prey to his lusts while he was on his way to
a sheep-shearing feast. He had sexual intercourse with a woman who was
dressed like a harlot. It turned out to be Tamar, his daughter-in-law, whose
husband had died. Twin boys named Pharez and Zerah were born from this
disgraceful relationship.
Pharez is actually the grandfather of David. As a result, the scandal we have
just outlined is also included in the birth registry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The adulterers, Judah and Tamar, are also listed in the generations of the
Saviour. This very fact really points out to us that the Lord Jesus has come to
seek and to save that which is lost. He was willing to be born from a lineage
whose history is full of immorality. May this be encouraging to those who
are sorry that they have committed sexual sin. He is willing and able to forgive
them, for in His birth registry we are confronted with Judah and Tamar.
Thought: Forgiveness can be found in Christ’s blood for every sexual sin.
Psalter 444:4 (based on Psalm 103)
Jehovah will not chide with us forever
Nor always keep His anger, but deliver
His people from their sorrows and distress.
He has not crushed the flock of His possession,
Nor dealt with us according to transgression;
He chastens, but with love and tenderness.
